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Daily Newswire
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Portugal
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added Thrive Partners in Portugal as its newest member firm. “In Thrive Partners, we’ve found a partner that allows us to strengthen our portfolio by adding the important Portuguese market,” said Stepan Motejzik, Kestria’s global alliance director. “From our very first interaction, we’ve felt a mutual
Top 10 Executive Search M&A Deals for 2025
M&A activity in the human capital sector is holding up well despite a choppy macro backdrop, with deal interest staying steady even as founders weigh risk more carefully. In Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest polling, a majority of executive search firm owners signaled they would consider a transaction, underscoring how succession planning, scale pressures, and shifting
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.
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
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?
Solomon Page Launches AI Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
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
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
A Look at What is Transforming the Executive Search Landscape
The executive search sector has been undergoing significant transformations. Search consultants tell Hunt Scanlon Media that advancements in AI and data-driven recruitment are reshaping the hiring process. AI tools now streamline candidate sourcing and assessment, while data analytics predict leadership potential and identify the best cultural fit for organizations, according to a report from HR
HFS Consultants Adds Healthcare Recruiting Specialist
HFS Consultants (HFS), a healthcare consulting firm providing management, financial, operational, regulatory, and strategic planning services, has named Ron Some as manager in its executive search and interim management practice. He will be based in the firm’s Oakland office. Mr. Some has more than 10 years of executive recruiting experience with numerous providers including multi-state
SPMB Recruits Chief People Officer to FitBit
West Coast-based technology search firm SPMB has recruited Marty Reaume as chief people officer to FitBit, the maker of wearable health trackers that has attracted users eager to document and quantify growing aspects of their health. Prior, Mrs. Reaume was CPO for nine years at NetSuite. A seasoned HR executive with over 20 years of experience in both start-up
Chico’s Retains Herbert Mines Associates to Identify CEO
Women’s apparel retailer Chico’s FAS has retained search firm Herbert Mines Associates to assist its succession committee in identifying a replacement for outgoing president and CEO David F. Dyer. Mr. Dyer has given one-year notice to the board that he will retire next spring after seven years running the company. To ensure an orderly transition, Mr. Dyer
Sheffield Haworth Adds Asset Management Recruiting Specialist
Sheffield Haworth has named Andrew Blane as managing director in the firm’s U.S. asset management search practice. He will be based in New York. Mr. Blane has nearly two decades of executive search, sales management, marketing, and business development experience in both U.S. and global markets. He was previously managing partner with Warren International for seven and a half years, an executive
Korn Ferry Diversity Leader Joins NBA in Corporate Diversity Role
Oris Stuart, former leader of the inclusion and diversity practice at Korn Ferry, has taken on the role of chief diversity and inclusion officer for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mr. Stuart will be responsible for overseeing diversity and inclusion strategies for the NBA, the WNBA, and the NBA D-League. He will be providing best practices intelligence and leadership on
Seeking Alpha Launches to Serve Quantitative Risk Professionals
Executive search firm Seeking Alpha Search International has launched to provide search and recruitment services for quantitative risk professionals. The firm is led managing director Lin Watson, a seasoned professional in banking and finance. Ms. Watson previously served as practice lead of banking & financial services for the Eastern U.S. at Johnson Search Group (JSG). “Ms. Watson has
Spencer Stuart Recruits Head of India for Uber
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has recruited Amit Jain to head up operations in India for American online car booking service Uber Technologies, as the company expands into more cities in its biggest and fastest growing market outside the U.S. Mr. Jain was president of housing classifieds service Rent.com. “India is a market of global strategic importance
‘Not Actively Looking’ Launched To Serve Executive Search Firms
Not Actively Looking, a U.K.-based global matchmaking platform designed to enable senior executives and executive search firms to make the perfect match, has officially launched. The company was founded by Joseph Blass, who previously founded Toucan Telecom, and Anthony Harling, a search consultant and former senior partner at Heidrick & Struggles. Since its launch, Not Actively Looking has secured
Norman Broadbent Chairman Steps Down
Pierce Casey, chairman and director of U.K.-headquartered executive recruiter Norman Broadbent, has informed the company of his intention to retire from his post at the end of June. Scanes Bently is joining as a director of the company with immediate effect as non-executive chairman elect. Mr. Bentley is a non-executive chairman, non-executive director and strategic advisor to a number of businesses
Allegis Partners Adds HR / Executive Search Practice Leader
Global executive search firm Allegis Partners has named Mark Streifer as managing director in the firm’s human resources / executive search and advisory practice. He will be based in the firm’s Boston office. Mr. Streifer is an HR leader who has partnered with executive leadership teams to provide strategic perspective and operational execution of talent acquisition as well as talent
HR Leaders Overlooked for Leadership Development Opportunities
Korn Ferry has posted results of a global executive study that paints a less than glowing picture of leadership development opportunities for those in the human resources field. The survey of more than 700 executives found that nearly half of respondents (47 percent) say their organizations do not offer leadership development programs specifically for members of the
Isaacson, Miller Leading President Search for UNC
Isaacson, Miller has been selected by the University of North Carolina to lead the search for its next president. Current president Tom Ross, who led the university for the past four years, has been asked by the system’s Board of Governors to step down next January. The firm will help the board’s presidential search committee identify potential successors by
ZRG Partners Opens Phoenix Office, Adds Managing Director
West Orange, NJ-based ZRG Partners has opened a new office in Phoenix with the addition of David Bruno as managing director. Mr. Bruno has a long history of conducting board of director, C-level and critical VP and director level searches in the Phoenix market. “We are thrilled to add David to our team and bring his wisdom and experience to
hrQ Adds Consultant in Houston Office
hrQ, an executive search and professional services firm focused exclusively on the human resources sector, has named Dale Wunder as a principal consultant in its Houston office. Mr. Wunder joins hrQ with more than 30 years of global human resources experience at Royal Dutch Shell where he was a senior executive overseeing teams in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and had expatriate
AltoPartners Adds Member Firm in Japan
AltoPartners has added Japanese executive search firm KIZASHI Corporation to its global alliance. This extends AltoPartners’ global reach to 51 offices in 31 countries. Founded in 2011, KIZASHI is an executive search firm with offices in Tokyo and Osaka. Its consultants have a wide range of experience in recruiting senior leadership across the industrial, consumer/retail, life science/healthcare, game/entertainment and technology sectors. Clients ranging from
Barton Executive Search Recruits Director for Welch’s
Atlanta-headquartered boutique search firm Barton Executive Search has recruited Michael Keown as a member of Welch’s board of directors. Mr. Keown is president and CEO of Farmer Brothers, a manufacturer and distributor of coffee and tea products. “Mike’s vast consumer products leadership experience shows that he knows how to use a variety of organizational capabilities to deliver substantial results for shareholders and
Top Search Firms Partner on Boardroom Diversity Initiative
The trend by executive search firms to join forces to advance global diversity initiatives in boardrooms around the world has come to Asia. The Diversity Action Committee (DAC) formed just nine months ago with the objective of building up the representation of women directors on boards of companies in Singapore, has signed up six new search
CTPartners Loses Top Producer to Heidrick & Struggles
Sylvain Dhenin, a vice chairman and member of the executive committee of CTPartners, has left the company after more than nine years to join Heidrick & Struggles. Mr. Dhenin joins a chorus of high ranking executives to depart the embattled search firm, whose fortunes have been depleted since its chairman, Brian Sullivan, resigned in disgrace earlier
Buffkin Group Names Head of Digital Recruiting Practice
Executive search firm The Buffkin Group has added Raj Das as partner and head of the firm’s digital recruiting practice in New York. Mr. Das brings more than 22 years of experience advising organizations on digital strategies. For the last 10 years he has focused exclusively on the creation and activation of digital assets and marketing channels for organizations
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits Director for PJM Interconnection
Russell Reynolds Associates has recruited Terry Blackwell to serve on the board of directors of PJM Interconnection. He will finish the unexpired term of William R. Mayben, which will expire in 2016. Mr. Blackwell has 36 years of experience in power system planning and operation. Most recently, he was senior vice president of Power Delivery at Santee
Taylor Winfield Recruits SVP Sales for PayScale
Executive search firm Taylor Winfield has placed Melody Brown as senior vice president of sales at PayScale, Inc., based in Seattle. Ms. Brown has 16 years of sales experience with a focus in the technology industry. She joins PayScale from DataCore Software, an enterprise storage company, where she was VP of sales and channel. Previously, Ms. Brown was VP of
IRC Global Expands Footprint in Africa
Lagos, Nigeria-based Leading Edge Consulting has joined IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) as its newest partner firm. “We’re pleased that we can offer our clients first class executive search services in one of the most important economies on the African continent,” said Patrick Westerburger, president of the board of IRC Global. “Besides giving us a stronger footprint in
Hanold Associates Launches CHRO Search for Outward Bound
Executive Search firm Hanold Associates has been selected by Outward Bound NY Schools to lead its search for a new chief human resources and administrative officer. The successful CHRO candidate, to be based in Queens, NY, will report to Outward Bound’s president, Richard Stopol, and serve as a member of the senior management team and support all senior
Korn Ferry Adds Global Logistics Recruiting Specialist
Korn Ferry has added Dustin Ogden in the firm’s global logistics, transportation and distribution practice. He will be based in Atlanta. Mr. Ogden brings an extensive executive search portfolio, with a strong emphasis on developing and managing talent searches in logistics, transportation, distribution and industrial services. He previously worked at Spencer Stuart for three years in the firm’s greater Atlanta office
Egon Zehnder Expands Life Sciences Practice Group
Egon Zehnder has appointed Jessica Watson as a consultant in its life sciences and healthcare services practice group. Ms. Watson joins Egon Zehnder’s newly opened Washington, D.C. office, where she will also focus on serving clients in D.C.’s public and social sector. Ms. Watson brings a unique policy and government perspective to Zehnder, having previously launched the
Harris Search Associates Recruits Dean at Howard University
Dublin, Ohio-based Harris Search Associates has placed Dr. Hugh Mighty as the 18th dean and vice president of clinical affairs of Howard University College of Medicine. He will also serve as professor on the faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In his new role, Dr. Mighty will oversee the College of Medicine’s academic programs and provide oversight for the
Search Firms Claiming Smaller Piece of Recruiting Budgets
According to a highly-anticipated Bersin by Deloitte research report just released, U.S. companies increased their average talent acquisition spend by seven percent in 2014, with healthcare organizations reporting the largest increase among industries. But a closer look at the study’s findings shows that executive recruiters are taking a significant hit along the way, claiming just 18 percent of typical
Boyden Elects Jörg Kasten as Chairman; Adds New Board Members
Boyden has elected Jörg Kasten, managing partner of Boyden Germany, to a two-year term as chairman. He succeeds Dr. Gerhard Raisig, who is a managing partner in Frankfurt. In addition, Finn Rants, managing partner of Boyden Denmark, was assigned to a first term as director. Kristen Smit, managing partner of Boyden France, and Brent Shervey, managing partner of Boyden Canada,
Heidrick & Struggles Adds Life Sciences Search Specialist
Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles has strengthened its healthcare and life sciences practice with the addition of Tim Dietlin to its Chicago office. Mr. Dietlin has extensive life sciences and professional services experience and has worked globally and across the R&D, medical and commercial functions. “Tim is an excellent addition to our practice and firm. His deep knowledge of the healthcare and life sciences
Preston & Partners Recruits CEO for Adorama
The New York office of Preston & Partners has placed Barry Litwin as chief executive officer of Adorama, Inc. Gary Preston and Elaine Erickson led the assignment. Adorama is a leading online destination for photography, imaging and consumer electronics. Mr. Litwin joins the company from Sears Holdings, Inc., where he was vice president and general manager of e-commerce.
Herbert Mines Completes Search for Performance Sports Group
New York-based executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has recruited Todd Harman as executive vice president of baseball/softball at Performance Sports Group Ltd. Mr. Harman brings more than 20 years of experience in the sporting goods industry and will lead all aspects of the company’s Easton Baseball/Softball business. He was most recently president of Cleveland Golf, USA and had held various
