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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.
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
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?
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
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
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
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2024
2024 brought challenges across many sectors, but it also showcased the resilience and innovation of top recruiting leaders who rose to meet the moment. Across the board, from non-profits, the Fed, sports teams, research organizations, to start-ups, the Fortune 500, and PE-backed companies, top leaders were in high demand to help steer organizations through significant
Parker Executive Search Heading President Search for EMU
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has been selected by the board of directors of Eastern Michigan University to lead its search for a new president. The candidate will be replacing Susan Martin, who steps down as president in two weeks. Kim Schatzel, provost and executive vice president of academic and student affairs, will serve as interim president while Eastern conducts the national
Heidrick & Struggles Expands Life Sciences Practice
Heidrick & Struggles has strengthened its expertise in healthcare and life sciences recruiting with the addition of Greg Lovas as partner to the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. As a member of Heidrick & Struggles’ life sciences practice, Mr. Lovas serves pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare services, and biotech clients in all phases of growth, from start-ups to multi-billion dollar global
Fairfield Partners Fills Top Sales Post for NatureBox
Executive search firm Fairfield Partners has placed Andy Malloy as vice president of sales for San Carlos, CA-based NatureBox. NatureBox has experienced tremendous growth through its snack subscription services and is building its brand awareness by moving into the physical retail realm. Mr. Malloy will lead those efforts. “By placing key executives in some of the most iconic natural food
Odgers Berndtson Adds Principal In Sub-Saharan Africa Office
Modise Makhene has been named as a principal at Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa. He joins the firm’s Johannesburg office. Mr. Makhene brings extensive business development and client relationship management experience to the firm’s Africa location, having worked in the FMCG, media, advertising, digital & communications industries. He has also worked with clients in the retail, automotive
CIOs Forecast New Hiring for Second Half of 2015
Nearly a quarter (22 percent) of U.S. chief information officers plan to expand their IT teams in the second half of 2015, according to the just released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast Trend Report. It represents a three-point rise from the beginning of the year and an eight percentage point jump from one year ago. “CIOs are bullish on the
RSR Partners Strengthens Sport Leadership Practice
RSR Partners, a corporate governance and executive search firm based in Greenwich, Conn., has added Dany Berghoff as a principal in its sport leadership practice. With a wealth of experience in consulting for sports and entertainment organizations, Mr. Berghoff is expected to play an important role in the firm’s business development and search execution efforts, where he will
Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Heading Library Director Search
Executive search firm Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates has been retained by the Tuscaloosa Public Library (TPL) to lead its search for a new executive director. Past library director Mary Elizabeth Harper resigned in December. Managing partners Dan Bradbury and Jobeth Bradbury are project co-directors on the engagement and they are joined by Karen Miller working as a principal on the
Reffett Associates to Recruit C-Level Officers for ACON Investments
ACON Investments, LLC has selected executive recruiter Reffett Associates to assist the company in the selection for senior leadership of newly acquired Fiesta Mart, LLC. Working with Mike Byars, president and chief executive officer of Fiesta Mart, Reffett will initially assist in the identification and selection of the company’s chief financial officer, chief merchandising officer, and chief marketing
REC Elects Bespoke Recruitment Co-Founder as Chair
Co-founder and director of Bespoke Recruitment Ltd., Simon Noakes, has been elected chair of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) council, replacing Neil Smith. Mr. Noakes has worked in the recruitment industry for 18 years, including 14 years as director of Bespoke Recruitment Ltd. which he co-founded in 2001. Bespoke Recruitment focuses on the recruitment of professionals
CFOs Gearing Up for Big Increase In U.S. Hiring Activity
CFOs in the U.S. are more confident now than they have been in years about hiring trends, according to the quarterly CFO Outlook Survey conducted by Financial Executives International and Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. Survey responses indicate CFOs are gearing up to increase hiring activity in the coming months. “A majority of CFOs have been
Zolowicz Group Launches to Serve Legal Recruitment Sector
Executive search firm Zolowicz Group has been launched by David Zolowicz to serve the search and recruitment needs for the legal sector. “Mr. Zolowicz has a proven track record within the legal community,” said John McDonald, president of MRINetwork, of which the new firm is an affiliate. “His expertise coupled with his critical eye for talent ensures that he
Alexander Hughes Expands Paris Office
Global executive search firm Alexander Hughes has named Benoit Ceillier, Jean-Loup Charrier, Silvia Cheli and Blandine Roger-Fabre as new client partners in its Paris office. Mr. Ceillier, a former Nixdorf Computer and Microsoft senior executive, brings more than 20 years of international experience in sales, marketing and management in the IT/Internet business. His expertise covers strategy, sales, business planning,
Pearson Partners Recruits Provost for Illinois Institute of Tech.
Pearson Partners International has placed Frances Bronet as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She succeeds Alan W. Cramb. Ms. Bronet has been a distinguished professor and dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon since 2005. She began her career as a faculty
Turnkey Search Recruits General Counsel for the Miami Dolphins
Sports and entertainment-focused executive recruiter Turnkey Search has placed Myles Pistorius as senior vice president and general counsel of the Miami Dolphins. He will be responsible for all legal affairs of the football organization and Sun Life Stadium. “Myles is an accomplished executive who has extensive experience in leading legal matters and negotiations, but who also has experience across
DHR Set to Acquire Selected Assets of CTPartners
DHR International has agreed in principle on non-binding terms outlining the acquisition of selected assets of CTPartners in a transaction reached with CTPartners’ lenders. The negotiations bypassed the special committee of CTPartners’ board of directors when direct talks between the two companies broke down on or about June 17. The special committee was formed several
Lonergan Partners Taps CEO for Tely Labs
Redwood City, CA-headquartered executive search firm Lonergan Partners has recruited Todd Abbott as chief executive officer of Tely Labs. Mark Lonergan, founder and managing partner of Lonergan Partners, led the assignment. Mr. Abbott joins Tely Labs with more than 30 years of industry experience at some of the world’s leading technology firms, accelerating their financial and operational performance and advancing their
Ridgeway Partners Adds Investment Specialist In Boston
Executive search firm Ridgeway Partners LLC has added Kevin McKeon to its Boston office. Mr. McKeon has over 15 years of professional search experience dedicated to the investment management industry. He joins Ridgeway Partners from CTPartners, where he was a senior member of the firm’s asset management, wealth and alternative investments practices. Mr. McKeon has worked with
Diversified Search Adds Healthcare Practice Managing Director
Neysa Dillon-Brown has joined Diversified Search in Atlanta as managing director of the firm’s healthcare practice. Ms. Dillon-Brown is an experienced and highly respected search consultant with broad and deep national relationships with senior executives and emerging leaders in healthcare systems around the country. She has an impressive portfolio of clients in the academic, healthcare delivery, association and community
Twitter CEO Search ‘Bragging Rights’ Go To Spencer Stuart
Social-media company Twitter announced on its news feed that is has retained Spencer Stuart to lead the board’s search efforts to find the San Francisco-based company’s next chief executive officer. James M. Citrin, head of Spencer Stuart’s North American chief executive practice, will lead the assignment. Mr. Citrin has handled a number of high-profile CEO searches, including the
Competition for Cyber Security Talent Intensifies
Executive recruiters are reporting that high profile data breaches at well-known companies have induced demand for cyber security talent, namely chief information security officers (CISO), at a time when IT security executives are being elevated to the C-suite. “This convergence is a highly visible response to what is now seen as a highly visible issue,” said Scott
RSA and Heritage Partners Form Strategic Alliance
Life sciences executive recruiters RSA and Heritage Partners have formed an exclusive partnership. The combination, which will operate under the banner Heritage Partners-RSA, brings together the experience and advisory abilities of two established life sciences specialist boutique search firms. Heritage Partners has 20 years of experience in life sciences recruiting, advisory services and placing industry leaders.
T. Malouf and Co. Launches Director Search for National Bicycle Assoc.
Terry Malouf, founding president of T. Malouf and Company Executive Search, is conducting the search to replace longtime director of The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA), Fred Clements. Mr. Clements is stepping down in the next few months to take a project director’s role within the Costa Mesa, California-based organization. The NBDA has therefore initiated a national
Allen Austin Names Higher Education Practice Head
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has added retired Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau as head of the firm’s higher education search practice. She will also be active in Allen Austin’s strategy, not-for-profit, aerospace, defense and intelligence recruiting practices. Vice Adm. Rondeau most recently served as president of National Defense University (NDU), which is the premier center for Joint Professional
hrQ Names Talent Acquisition Managers In Houston and Dallas
Executive search and professional services firm hrQ has strengthened its staff with the additions of Corey Harlock and Elizabeth Young as talent acquisition managers in its Houston and Dallas offices. hrQ focuses exclusively on the human resources sector, providing HR professionals for short or long term contract assignments and full time hires as well as offering expertise on a variety of human
Elusive Target: Women Securing Board Chairmanships
According to the most recent ‘Women in the Boardroom: A Global Perspective’ report by Deloitte, representation of women on corporate boards continues to increase, but the number of women leading boards still remains low globally. Overall, women now hold 12 percent of seats worldwide with only four percent chairing boards. European countries continue to lead on gender
Major, Lindsey & Africa Opens Minneapolis/St. Paul Office
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has expanded its footprint in the Midwest with the opening of a Minneapolis/St. Paul office. Brian McMahon has been tapped to lead the new location as managing director, representing associate attorneys, individual partners and partner groups in the lateral marketplace and executing focused searches for law firm clients. In his new
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP Marketing for USO
Boutique executive search firm Lochlin Partners has placed Paul G. Allvin as senior vice president of marketing and communications at Arlington, VA-headquartered United Service Organizations (USO). He will lead all aspects of the company’s marketing and communications department, including strategic and entertainment marketing, brand and creative services, web and digital marketing, special events, story development, publications and public
ADK Consulting Taps Executive Director for Monterey Peninsula Airport
ADK Consulting & Executive Search has placed Michael La Pier as executive director of the Monterey Peninsula Airport. He will replace Tom Greer, who announced his retirement last year. In his new role, Mr. La Pier will report to the five member publicly-elected board with responsibility for the development, operation and administration of the airport and its services to
Boyden Establishes New Office in Brussels
Executive search firm Boyden has opened a new office in Brussels. Francis Vaningelgem and Baudouin Contzen, previously founders of Executive Square, will lead the new Boyden Belgium & Luxembourg team as managing directors. The expansion builds on Boyden’s recent launches in the Netherlands and Geneva. The Brussels office will offer the full range of Boyden services in executive search, leadership
Buffkin Group Creates Venture Fund to Invest In Client Companies
Executive search firm The Buffkin Group has launched a venture fund to invest in a variety of industries across the U.S. One of the primary goals of the initiative is to find visionary leadership in the companies it invests in, and the fund will target vertical industry sectors that are core to The Buffkin Group. Buffkin Ventures as the
CTPartners Shares Dive 17 Percent; Market Cap Stands At $13 Million
Shares in executive search firm CTParnters sank another 17 percent yesterday, dropping to a new low of $1.51. The once high-flying executive recruiter traded at $23.75 just a year ago. Volume was relatively light with 469,000 shares trading hands, about double the typical trading volume average for the company. CTPartners, one of only a few publicly-traded
