DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Executive Search in 2026: Why Human Judgment Still Matters
As AI “agentification” pushes more work into software, the executive search industry is being forced to justify its value beyond simply filling roles. The case for its future rests on something algorithms and internal networks often struggle to protect: independent judgment in high-stakes hiring—especially when speed, alignment, and culture become so dominant that they quietly
WittKieffer Acquires Assets of Ross & Company
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has acquired the assets of Ross & Company. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. Founder Larry Ross will join WittKieffer as senior partner and lead partner for private equity. “This combination accelerates WittKieffer’s leadership in building boards and executive teams for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies,” the firm said.
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Noto Group Expands Global Consumer Practice
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Noto Group has expanded with the additions of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as senior partners in its global consumer practice. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, managing partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding
millionways Brings a New Behavioral Intelligence Lever to Executive Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon Ventures this week completed its investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered company that builds a behavioral intelligence layer of AI for human agent workforces, utilizing a proprietary Large Psychology Model called Thorsten-4. The platform focuses on understanding human signals, motives, and behavior patterns, with applications used across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management,
AI Governance Jobs Platform Builds Early Momentum Through Privacy-First Model
AI-Governance-Jobs.com, operated by GRC Careers LLC and led by founder and CEO F. Jay Hall, has built its model combining specialized career content, organic search visibility, and privacy-focused architecture. The company’s latest executive summary reports 134,499 organic impressions over a recent 28-day period, achieved roughly three months after launch — without advertising. As demand grows
Blue Rock Human Capital Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of Dean of the School of Business
Blue Rock Human Capital has helped to recruit Isaac Wanasika as the new dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. “Blue Rock Human Capital was pleased to work with Linfield University to identify their new dean of the School of Business,” said Jacquelyn Elliot, president and COO of Blue Rock Human Capital. “Today’s higher
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
Pacific International Launches Leadership Coaching and Onboarding Service
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International Executive Search has launched its new leadership coaching & onboarding service. This will support senior leaders through the highest-stakes moments of their careers. “The first months in a new leadership role, a step-change in scope, the pressures of C-suite leadership – these are just a few examples where an experienced coach can turn potential into value faster
Leveraging AI to Drive Business Development in Executive Search
AI is beginning to reshape how executive search firms approach business development, moving the process beyond traditional account lists and periodic outreach toward more continuous market intelligence. By helping recruiters identify meaningful changes across companies, leadership teams, and professional networks, AI is creating new opportunities to engage clients with greater relevance and better timing. The
Korn Ferry Retained by Convergence for CEO Search
Korn Ferry has been retained by Convergence to lead in its search for a new CEO. Joan Larrea will retire as CEO in early 2027 after more than a decade of leadership. Since inception, Ms. Larrea has led the organization through a decade of significant growth, helping establish Convergence as the world’s leading authority on
St. Olaf College Taps Brettschneider Executive Search for Chief Information Officer Search
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been selected by St. Olaf College to lead in its search for chief information officer. St. Olaf seeks a values-forward, innovative CIO. The next CIO of St. Olaf College will serve as a trusted advisor to the provost, president, and president’s leadership team on the role of information and library resources
Boyden Seeking CEO for Creative BC
Boyden has been retained by Creative BC in Vancouver, British Columbia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership to an organization that sits at the center of British Columbia’s creative economy. The CEO will lead the execution of Creative BC’s mandate
Signium Expands in Belgium
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of Valérie Schmitt to its Belgium team as leadership consulting partner. “She will support executive leaders and teams at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change and succeed in complex environments,” Signium said. “Drawing on more than 25 years in senior corporate roles, Valérie brings first-hand experience of the challenges
How AI Is Reshaping Executive Assessment and Leadership Development
As organizations look for better ways to evaluate leadership potential, attention is shifting beyond experience and credentials toward how executives actually think, communicate, make decisions, and respond under pressure. AI is creating new ways to analyze those behaviors at scale, giving executive search firms and their clients additional evidence when assessing qualities such as judgment,
Caldwell Assists the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the Recruitment of President for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
Toronto-based Caldwell has assisted the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the recruitment of Cheryl Nelms as president of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. Her appointment follows a competitive international executive recruitment process. The search was led by Drew Railton, Lucy Antrobus, and Vicky O’Connor. “With more than 25 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across Canada, Cheryl brings
TOC Arts Partners Fills Key Position for Film at Lincoln Center
New York City-based TOC Arts Partners has helped to recruit Trent Anderson as vice president of development of Film at Lincoln Center (FLC). This follows an extensive national search led by senior strategist, Brenna Thomas. “Throughout the search process, Trent distinguished himself with his strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and thoughtful leadership,” said Daniel Battsek, president of Film
True Launches Forensic Referencing Offering
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Forensic Referencing, a new executive intelligence capability designed to help investors, boards, and executive teams make more informed leadership decisions before high-stakes investments, new business relationships, and governance milestones. The firm named Christopher Jaros as partner to build and lead the offering. This expands True’s executive intelligence platform, complementing the firm’s executive
Why Soft Skills Still Rule the C-Suite in the Age of AI
In an era dominated by technological advancements and artificial intelligence, it might be tempting to believe that machines can replace human leadership. However, the essence of effective leadership lies in a unique blend of soft skills that transcend AI’s capabilities, according to a new report from Kestria. “While technical expertise is undoubtedly necessary, it is
Global Talent Shortages Expected to Continue Into 2016
Thirty-two percent of U.S. employers report difficulties filling job vacancies due to talent shortages, according to the new Talent Shortage Survey by ManpowerGroup. This marks an eight percent decline from 2014. Globally, the percentage of employers experiencing difficulties continued to rise, increasing from 36 percent in 2014 to 38 percent in 2015. The survey polled 41,748 employers in 42
Spencer Stuart Heading CEO Search for Numerex
Numerex Corporation has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a chief executive officer. Current chairman and CEO, Stratton Nicolaides, will be assisting with the search process and will continue as CEO until a successor has been selected. He will then continue as executive chairman and help develop overall corporate strategy and provide leadership, and build consensus
AGB Search to Recruit Widener University President
Executive search firm AGB Search Inc. has been selected by Widener University to lead the search for its 10th president. The next president will succeed Dr. James T. Harris, who has led the University for the past 13 years. Dr. Stephen C. Wilhite, Widener’s provost, is serving as interim president through 2016. Consultants Dr. Thomas B. Courtice,
Former NFL Player Joins Alder Koten as Senior Advisor
Executive search firm Alder Koten has added former NFL kicker Raul Allegre as a consultant and senior advisor to the firm’s sports practice. He will collaborate in executive search work focused on CEOs, executives, and senior-level coaching talent. In addition, he will also participate in consulting engagements related to leadership and organizational effectiveness helping clients in the professional
Kingsley Gate Partners Adds Another CTPartners Recruiter
Former CTPartners recruiter Tom Koch has joined executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners as a senior partner. He joins fellow former CTPartners veterans Buster Houchins, Umesh Ramakrishnan, Raj Kapoor, and Adam P. Kohn, whot joined Kingsley Gate Partners over the past month. Mr. Koch’s clients include for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare and healthcare services, as well as Fortune 500 companies in life sciences, consumer/retail
Major League Baseball Taps Korn Ferry to Advance Senior-Level Minority and Female Hiring
In an effort to give minority and female candidates a better chance to land higher visibility positions, Major League Baseball has tapped Korn Ferry to provide league-wide talent support services, which includes assisting candidates who reach the interview process for baseball operations positions. MLB has instructed Korn Ferry to provide special emphasis to help some
Harvey Nash Opens in Singapore
Global executive search firm Harvey Nash has expanded its Asia Pacific business with the opening of a new office in Singapore. The firm has appointed Richard Goddard as managing director of South-East Asia operations. With over two decades of international search experience across the global technology marketplace, Mr. Goddard will lead the development of Harvey Nash’s South-East
Weatherbee Talent Group Launches to Serve PR Firms
Executive search firm Weatherbee Talent Group has been launched in Los Angeles by recruiting veteran Alan Weatherbee. The firm will specialize in placing senior level marketing, digital and PR professionals throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. With 12 years in executive search, Mr. Weatherbee previously served as senior vice president – talent search at global PR and strategic
JDG Associates Taps CEO for the Institute of Transportation Engineers
Search firm JDG Associates Ltd. has placed Jeffrey Paniati as executive director and chief executive officer of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). Mr. Paniati will remain in his current position with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as executive director, office of the administrator, until mid-October, after which time he will join
Mark Oppenheimer Explores the Evolving Relationship Between CHROs and Executive Recruiters
Mark Oppenheimer is managing partner for the Americas at Marlin Hawk, a leadership advisory and executive search firm with offices in London, New York, San Francisco and Hong Kong. Since joining the firm in 2005, he has been the driving force behind the expansion of Marlin Hawk in the U.S. In the following interview, Mr. Oppenheimer
A Pull-Back In Sentiment: Chief Executives Temper Hiring Plans
American CEOs are tempering their business plans for capital investment and hiring, reflecting concerns about the continued sub-par growth trajectory of the U.S. economy, according to the Business Roundtable second quarter 2015 ‘CEO Economic Outlook Survey,’ a composite of CEO projections for sales and plans for capital spending and hiring over the next six months. The Index declined
Egon Zehnder Recruits CEO for Nordic Financial Services Group Nordea
Egon Zehnder has assisted Nordea with its appointment of Casper von Koskull as president and chief executive officer. He will succeed Christian Clausen who has decided to step down after more than eight years as CEO of Nordea. The change will take effect on November 1 and Mr. Clausen will continue in an advisory role until the end of 2016, when he
Calibre One Adds Partners In Sydney and Shanghai
Executive search firm Calibre One has strengthened its presence in Asia Pacific with the additions of Ben Burrell as managing partner in Sydney and James Gathercole as partner in Shanghai. The search was managed by Rochelle Schumer of R&L Associates. Mr. Burrell most recently founded tech start-up company Opp Agent. He has a long executive search career and
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for SR Labs
Executive search firm Bespoke Partners has recruited Jennifer Nayar as chief executive officer of Street Response Laboratories (SR Labs), a provider of low latency enterprise market data and market access solutions for the financial industry. Ms. Nayar will draw upon her extensive expertise in the financial information and technology industry to drive continued global growth of SR Labs.
hrQ Appoints New President
Executive search and professional services firm hrQ has promoted Kathy Rapp to president. Ms. Rapp joined hrQ eight years ago in the role of managing director. She subsequently launched the firm’s Houston office and her role expanded to oversee hrQ’s growth across all of Texas. As president, she will remain based in Houston with operational leadership
U.K. Employers to Increase Hiring in Second Half of 2015
Heading into the second of 2015, British employers and job seekers are feeling positive about recruitment in the coming months, with 45 percent of employers polled set to hire permanent, full-time staff, according to CareerBuilder’s ‘U.K. Mid-Year Job Forecast.’ Another 43 percent plan to hire temporary or contract workers while three in 10 (27 percent) of workers
DHR Recruits CEO for Pittsburgh’s Riverlife
DHR International has placed Vivien Li as president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh’s Riverlife. She begins her term on October 1. David P. Smith, executive vice president in DHR’s Pittsburgh office, led the search. Ms. Li will move to Pittsburgh from Boston, where she recently celebrated her 24th year with The Boston Harbor Association
Work&Partners Recruits Strategy Specialist for Ares & Co.
New York-based Work&Partners LLC has recruited Ravi Chauhan as partner for U.K. financial services specialist Ares & Co Strategy Consulting Limited. Alan J. Work led the search on behalf of Work&Partners. Mr. Chauhan will be responsible for delivering strategic and risk management insights over a range of projects within Ares & Co. “Ravi’s experience on the
Signium Grows Staff in Ireland
Executive search firm Signium International has appointed Paul Holland as consulting partner to lead recruiting efforts on behalf of the firm in the Irish market. Established in 1995, Signium Ireland has delivered 500-plus senior level assignments for leading Irish and global companies, across all major industry sectors. Mr. Holland previously founded Elevate Executive Selection, which provided search services across
Tatum Adds Client Services Partners In New England and the Southeast
Tatum, a Randstad company and leading interim services and executive consulting firm, has added Barbara Haith as client services partner in the New England region and Clint Williams as client service partner across Atlanta and the Southeastern U.S. Ms. Haith brings to the role more than 20 years of experience delivering professional services and workforce
30% Club Launches in Canada as Global Boardrooms Seek Gender Balance
The 30% Club, established five years ago with the goal of bringing FTSE 100 board membership representation of women to 30 percent by the end 2019, is set to launch in Canada next month. Victor Dodig, CEO of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, has been appointed to head the Canadian chapter, which includes 28 founding members, largely comprised of chairs
Heidrick & Struggles Recruits Providence Service Corp. CEO
Heidrick & Struggles has recruited James M. Lindstrom as president and chief executive officer of the Providence Service Corporation. Mr. Lindstrom has served as CFO of Providence since January. Chris Shackelton, who had taken on the role of interim CEO in June, will remain chairman of the board, a role he has held since 2012. Mr. Lindstrom previously served as chairman, president and
Witt/Kieffer Adds CTPartners Recruiter
Former CTPartners recruiter Morten Nielsen has joined executive search firm Witt/Kieffer as global managing director of the firm’s life sciences practice. Based in Cleveland, Mr. Nielsen brings extensive knowledge in life sciences and more than 10 years of experience in executive search, including various global leadership responsibilities with two international search firms. Mr. Nielsen has recruited board directors, CEOs,
Caldwell Partners Recruits Dynamic Dental Partners Director
Caldwell Partners has placed Kelly McCrann as a board director with Dynamic Dental Partners Group. Neal Maslan and John Blank, both partners within the firm’s life sciences and healthcare practice, led the search. Mr. McCrann currently serves as CEO of AdvoServ, a position he has held since March 2012. He is a senior healthcare operating
TRANSEARCH Adds Partners in London
Morgan Smith Limited founders Rob Morgan and Malcolm Smith have joined TRANSEARCH International as partners in London. Mr. Morgan has spent more than 30 years helping senior executives transform their organizations. Prior to founding Morgan Smith Limited he was a partner with Deloitte U.K. and before that served as a director with KPMG. Mr. Smith has over
Employee Confidence Remains High As U.S. Hiring Holds Steady
The outlook among American workers as measured by Randstad’s U.S. employee confidence index edged down in the second quarter but remains exceptionally high, with 2015 marking the first year the U.S. employee confidence index has reached 60 points or higher since the survey’s inception 11 years ago. The index fell slightly to a reading of
Scott Miller Executive Search Recruits Executive Director for AEF and BCEF
San Francisco-based Scott Miller Executive Search has recruited Sandra Y. Nathan as executive director of the AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF) and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (BCEF). She replaces past executive director Mike Smith, who retired in June after more than 12 years at the helm. The non-profit AEF and BCEF organizations provide emergency financial assistance to clients living
Chartwell Partners Adds CTPartners Recruiter in Chicago
Former CTPartners recruiter Stuart T. Smith has joined executive search firm Chartwell Partners as a principal in its Chicago office. In his new role, he will serve a national base of financial services and real estate clients. Mr. Smith brings a depth of advisory experience gained from providing senior level talent for top banks, real estate firms, REITS and
Whitman Partners Recruits Chief Nursing Officer at Sutter Health
Executive recruiters Whitman Partners, Inc. has placed Anna Kiger as system chief nursing officer of Sutter Health. The position has authority and responsibility for the systemwide practice of nursing, the development of nursing services, and the evaluation and implementation of clinical programs across the continuum of care. Ms. Kiger is a dedicated nurse leader with over 25
CDI Corp. Posts 13 Percent Revenue Decline
CDI Corp./(NYSE:CDI) has posted second quarter revenues of $246.8 million, a decrease of 13.2 percent from revenues of $284.3 million in the prior year quarter. Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI) reported Q2 revenues of $13.0 million, a drop of 14.9 compared to last year. The company reported net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, versus
Women Filling More Board Seats as Companies Cast a Wider Net
Following research recently released by Heidrick & Struggles finding accelerating progress for women in American boardrooms within the Fortune 500, a new report by rival recruiter Korn Ferry has found additional evidence that women are making strong gains in the most sought-after top-slotted roles in global companies. According to the search firm’s new survey, more women







