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Daily Newswire
Executive Hiring Tightens Now, Sets Stage for Selective Rebound in 2026
After a period of aggressive talent expansion fueled by post-pandemic recovery and capital liquidity, executive hiring is entering a new phase — one defined less by growth at any cost and more by targeted investment. Boards and CEOs are recalibrating leadership priorities, emphasizing profitability, transformation, and resilience over pure headcount expansion. The mindset has shifted
Leading Your Team Through Change with Confidence
Rising leaders often find it difficult to adapt to change. Just as they begin to feel comfortable in their roles and gain a sense of authority, an organizational shift or unexpected challenge emerges that disrupts their stability. But you don’t have to fumble through changes as a leader without a framework, according to a recent
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.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
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?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
CHRO Turnover Stabilizes as Gender Diversity Increases
CHRO turnover is showing signs of stabilizing, with only 39 global public company CHROs stepping down in the second quarter of 2024—down from 50 in the second quarter of 2023, according to a new report from Russell Reynolds Associates. These figures reflect CHROs from the world’s largest indices, including the ASX 200, FTSE 100, FTSE 250,
Human Resource Solutions Fills Position For Great Plains Communications
Human Resource Solutions has recruited Lynn Mead as the head of carrier and wholesale services with Great Plains Communications. The search was led by R. Woody Daroca, managing director and founder. Previously, Ms. Mead worked for Consolidated Communications (CNSL), Enventis, Contel and GTE. Great Plains Communications is the largest independent telecommunications company in Nebraska, serving
CTPartners To Sell Stock Amid Securities Fraud Investigation
CTPartners is moving forward with a previously planned public offering of common stock, seeking to raise $12.5 million. Craig-Hallum Capital Group will act as sole managing underwriter. William Blair & Co., the company’s one-time lead underwriter, pulled out of any public offering consideration last week when it downgraded CTPartners’ stock and dropped its coverage of
AESC Adds Talent Africa as Member
The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) has added Talent Africa as a member firm. Talent Africa, an alliance firm of Korn Ferry, is based in Sandton, the business hub of South Africa, and offers integrated talent solutions to clients nationally and in sub-Saharan Africa. “We are honored to be part of the AESC, it
Spencer Ogden Makes Two Appointments
London-headquartered recruiting firm Spencer Ogden has promoted Brad Lewington to director of EMEA and named Kristen Zeilerbauer as managing director in London. Mr. Lewington will combine his new title with an existing position as head of Asia Pacific. In his new role, he will relocate to London and develop the firm's APAC business. Mr. Zeilerbauer
J. Carpenter & Co. Recruits Chief Marketing Officer For Tempur-Sealy
Executive search firm J. Carpenter and Co. has recruited Jay Spenchian as chief marketing officer of Tempur-Sealy International. Most recently, Mr. Spenchian served as EVP and chief marketing officer for Olive Garden. Tempur Sealy is one of the world's largest bedding providers. J. Carpenter & Co. was founded in 2009 and recruits senior-level executives for
Trilogy Search Non+Profit Completes Search For Bioptix
Executive search firm Trilogy Search Non+Profit has placed Ken Dickerson as vice president of sales with BiOptix, a privately-held optical biodetection company. Chuck Pappalardo handled the assignment on behalf of Trilogy. Mr. Dickerson previously served as national sales director with ACEA Biosciences. Trilogy Search Non+Profit specializes in recruiting senior-level executives and company directors for non-profit
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Former Egon Zehnder Partner as Co-Leader of CEO and Board Advisory Services
Global executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates has recruited Justus O’Brien to the firm to co-lead its integrated CEO and board advisory services group alongside industry veterans Charles A. Tribbett III and Ron Lumbra. Mr. O’Brien will be based out of the firm’s New York office. He joins a global team that combines expertise across
Citing ‘Credibility’ Issue, Underwriter Drops Coverage Of CTpartners
Chicago-based William Blair & Company, lead underwriter for CTPartners, has downgraded the company’s stock and abruptly dropped its coverage of the global executive search firm. Blair’s relationship with CTPartners dates back to December 2010 when it acted as lead manager for CTPartners’ initial public offering. At the time, Blair analyst, Tim McHugh, said that ‘CTPartners
HVS Executive Search Names Managing Director For Europe And Middle East
Simon Tucker-Brown has been appointed as managing director of HVS Executive Search for Europe and the Middle East. He will be based in London. Mr. Tucker-Brown specializes in providing advice on talent and market information as well as solutions to clients’ critical assignments, having delivered numerous search mandates across a broad range of disciplines at
Sports Recruitment International Appoints Managing Partner Executive Search
Search firm Sports Recruitment International has named David James as managing partner, executive search. Mr. James was previously global head of sport & leisure at CTPartners, working with some of the leading global sports clubs, governing bodies, government agencies, service providers, sponsors, rights holders, leisure venues and broadcasters assisting them with their senior management recruitment,
Notogroup Promotes Partner
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Notogroup has promoted Gennevieve Emery to partner/recruiting director. A member of the Notogroup team since its inception in 2009, the firm has recognized her contributions with ownership in the firm. “From the beginning Gennevieve has always acted as an owner in establishing Notogroup’s track record of success, one client at
Diversified Search Recruits Chief HR Officer for Barnabas Health
Diversified Search has placed Milton Anderson as chief human resources officer at Barnabas Health. The search was led by managing director Judy Boreham and Gordon Hawthorne, vice chairman and healthcare practice leader. Mr. Anderson formerly served as chief human resources officer at University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care System, Inc. Barnabas Health is New Jersey’s
Boyden Adds Partner in Pittsburgh Office
Boyden has added Fernando Esquivel Vargas as a new partner in its Pittsburgh office. Mr. Vargas will be a key member of the firm’s global human resources, consumer & retail and healthcare & life science practices. He most recently served as SVP and head of human resources of Mylan, a generic and specialty pharmaceutical company;
Talentmark Opens New Office In Germany
Recruitment specialist Talentmark has opened a new office in Frankfurt. Talentmark Deutschland will focus on interim management, clinical consulting and next-generation executive search solutions for the life sciences industry. Klemens Schuette is CEO of Talentmark Deutschland GmbH and executive director of Talentmark Group. His role is to move forward Talentmark’s business model of product driven
Globetec Solutions Group Names Board Director
Executive recruiter Globetec Solutions Group has named Lee Rayner as its newest board director. Mr. Rayner joined the London-based firm in 2011 as a principal consultant and was promoted to account director in 2013. He will be responsible for driving account growth, implementing best practice frameworks and leading marketing activity across the organization. Globetec Solutions
Witt/Kieffer Recruits CFO For MU Health Care And School of Medicine
Executive recruiter Witt/Kieffer has placed Brian Steines as chief financial officer of MU Health Care and School of Medicine. Mr. Steines most recently served as vice president of financial operations for Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network’s Arizona market. Witt/Kieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical
Brooke Chase Associates Fills Position For Canyon Creek Cabinet Company
Executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. has placed Robert Foote as executive vice president with Canyon Creek Cabinet Company. Rick Mohrman led the assignment. With more than a decade of experience in the cabinet industry, Mr. Foote has served in increasing roles of responsibility with Masterbrand Cabinets and most recently at American Woodmark. Canyon Creek
Harvey Nash Launches New Inclusion Network
Global executive search firm Harvey Nash has launched a new inclusion network called Engage. Focused on bringing together senior business leaders from all cultural backgrounds, the network will act as a platform for networking and peer-to-peer support for a section of the business community traditionally underrepresented at the executive and board level. Engage follows on
Transearch Japan Names Head Of Technology Practice
Dr. Ken Sakakibara has joined TRANSEARCH Japan as a senior consultant heading up the technology practice in Japan. With over 30 years’ executive experience in the technology and R&D sectors, Dr. Sakakibara started his career at Canon Inc., and then held executive positions in a variety of R&D organizations. He is an inventor of six
Sageview Consulting Expands Team
Sageview Consulting has expanded its team with the additions of Ilana Corum as human resources client manager and Risa Seelenfreund as organizational development associate. Ms. Corum comes to Sageview Consulting with more than a decade of experience as a human resources professional previously serving as HR consultant and prior to that as director of HR
DHR International Completes Search For EPIX
DHR International has placed Jocelyn Diaz as executive vice president and head of original programming for EPIX. Managing director Sean Scanlon and senior associate Ian Thomson led the search. Founded in 2009, EPIX is an American premium television network and subscription VOD service that is a joint venture of Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, and MGM. Founded
Isaacson, Miller Retained to Lead President Search for Virginia State University
Isaacson, Miller has been selected by Virginia State University to lead in its search for its next president. VSU board of visitors Harry Black said: “We are impressed with Isaacson, Miller and confident of the firm’s ability to bring to VSU an exceptionally qualified pool of candidates, that will ultimately result in a visionary president
Korn Ferry Adds Global HR Practice Specialist
Korn Ferry has added Louis Montgomery Jr. as principal and member of its global human resources practice. Mr. Montgomery will be based out of the firm’s northern Virginia office. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Montgomery served as senior managing director at a boutique search firm Reffett Associates. Prior to that, he was senior vice
Hoffman & Associates’ Founder Joins Aesc Board
Ineke Arts, partner and founder of Brussels-based Hoffman & Associates, has been appointed to the board of directors for the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC). Ms. Arts will serve a one-year term in 2015. She represents one of four women on the board and joins fellow IIC Partners member Denys Monteiro, CEO and partner
Direct Recruiters Appoints Director Of Life Sciences
Executive search firm Direct Recruiters, Inc. (DRI) has named David Fishbach as director of life sciences. Mr. Fishbach specializes in helping life sciences companies (including software providers and CROs) to fill their most crucial positions in sales, professional services, quality & regulatory, clinical data management, clinical operations, clinical informatics, and related functions. With more than
Egon Zehnder Recruits President For Velan
Egon Zehnder has placed Yves Leduc as president of Velan Inc. Until recently, Mr. Leduc was a corporate officer at BRP Inc., as vice president / general manager of its North American business since 2006. Velan is a manufacturer of industrial valves with sales of $489 million in its last reported fiscal year. Founded in
Spencer Stuart Heading CEO Search for Dana Holding Corp.
Spencer Stuart has been retained by Dana Holding Corp. to lead in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Current president and CEO Roger Wood plans to retire in April 2016. Dana is a world leader in the supply of axles, driveshafts, and sealing and thermal-management products, as well as genuine service
Coulter Partners Expands U.S. Footprint
Search firm Coulter Partners has assumed the operations of Palatucci Executive Search, LLC, and appointed Dr. Christopher M. Palatucci as executive vice president in its Cambridge, MA office. Before founding his firm, Dr. Palatucci was recruited to start and grow the life sciences practice for Polachi in Boston. “I am very pleased to welcome Chris
Women Still Absent In Boardrooms Says Catalyst
Women hold 19.2 percent of S&P 500 board seats in the U. S. and 20.8 percent of S&P/TSX 60 board seats in Canada, according to 2014 Catalyst Census: Women Board Directors. In Europe, women’s share of board seats range from 7.9 percent in Portugal (PSI-20 index) to 18.5 percent in Germany (DAX index) to 22.8
Kensington’s Laramie Group Adds VP Business Development
Kensington International, the Chicago area offices of Career Partners International (CPI), has named Matt Kerr to Laramie Group, a Kensington International company, as its new vice president of business development. Mr. Kerr brings more than 25 years of human resources experience in the areas of research, executive search, career transition, talent acquisition and HR management.
Kincannon & Reed Finds CEO For National Pork Board
Kincannon & Reed has placed Chris Hodges as chief executive officer of the National Pork Board. Jon Leafstedt, Jim Gerardot, and Ed Yuhas, principals with Kincannon & Reed, led the assignment. Mr. Hodges is currently senior vice president of business development at Smithfield Farmland. Founded in 1981, Kincannon & Reed is focused exclusively on the
