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Daily Newswire
DHR Global Adds New Partner in Singapore
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Veronique Denis-Pelliet as a partner in its technology and retail & consumer practices in Singapore. A seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in executive search, ESG leadership, sales, and international business development, Ms. Denis-Pelliet has led multicultural teams and driven growth in Southeast Asia, China, Europe,
Assessing Business Development Talent Without Slowing the Hiring Process
Companies are placing greater emphasis on improving hiring accuracy as competition for high-performing talent intensifies across the market. Yet many organizations continue to rely on inconsistent interview practices, subjective evaluations, and selection processes that create unnecessary friction for both candidates and internal stakeholders. Most hiring failures do not happen because companies move too fast. They
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
Building Structured Interviews into Executive Search
As competition for senior talent intensifies, organizations are taking a closer look at how their hiring processes influence both decision quality and candidate experience. Executive interviews, long considered a cornerstone of leadership evaluation, are increasingly being scrutinized for consistency, efficiency, and alignment. In response, companies are exploring more deliberate approaches to ensure interviews generate meaningful
Who Rises to Lead in Private Equity?
Private equity leaders are defined by their ability to drive growth, manage complexity, and deliver results in high-pressure environments. They blend financial insight with strategic leadership, aligning teams and investors around a shared vision. In today’s market, adaptability and execution are key to standing out. Hogan Assessments, a global provider of personality assessment and leadership
E.A. Hughes, a Division of Solomon Page, Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Citizen Watch
E.A. Hughes & Co., a division of Solomon Page specializing in retail and consumer-focused executive search, has placed Amy Kleinberg as the new chief technology officer of Citizen Watch. Managing directors Ann MacCarthy and Bob Marchant led the assignment. They acted as an extension of the company’s organization, providing a personal and technical approach. “The committed team at E.A. Hughes
Envision Consulting Seeking New Leader for A World Fit for Kids!
A World Fit for Kids! recently retained Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting to lead in its search for a new CEO. The organization is seeking a leader who is committed to the mission and will carry on the legacy of the founder and outgoing leader. An honest and transparent communicator, this leader will bring fresh ideas and
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Seeking Chief Development Officer for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital was recently retained by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to lead in its search for a chief development officer. The firm seeks a motivated, dynamic, and driven chief development officer who is compelled by the idea of growing a historically successful fundraising program through an expanded fundraising strategy. Successful candidates
DHR Global Partners with Illuma Search
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has announced that Grant Zallis, founder and CEO of Illuma Search Partners, has joined the firm as managing partner, emerging technology. “This strategic partnership brings Illuma’s exceptional track record in emerging tech and its impressive client base of venture- and private equity-backed companies into the DHR platform,” DHR said. “It combines DHR’s global
Navigating 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Executive Recruiting
The executive search industry is evolving rapidly as organizations face new demands for agile, inclusive, and tech-savvy leadership. Firms are leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance candidate selection, while clients increasingly seek strategic advisors—not just recruiters. “As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the executive recruiting landscape,” said Matt Shore, CEO
Heidrick & Struggles Assists Davidson College with the Recruitment of Inaugural Chief Career Officer
Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming
SPMB Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for NinjaOne
Kevin Barry of SPMB Executive Search has helped to place John Sapone as the new chief revenue officer of NinjaOne. “It was a privilege to help bring aboard a proven revenue leader whose impact at companies like Snowflake, ServiceNow, Nimble Storage, and Data Domain speaks for itself,” Mr. Barry said in a LinkedIn post. “John’s track record
The Adecco Group Introduces r.Potential
The Adecco Group has launched r.Potential, which will enter into a strategic partnership with Salesforce. r.Potential was established to support senior business leaders tasked with shaping the future of work. As AI rapidly becomes central to enterprise decision-making, today’s business leaders are confronting new questions and challenges around how human and digital workforces will coexist, collaborate,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in Australia
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Sydney, Australia-based Omera Partners as its newest member firm. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, Omera Partners has built an extensive network in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region, serving leading corporations, government entities, and not-for-profits. “We are thrilled to welcome Omera Partners to IIC Partners and expand
AlixPartners Finds A Growing Divide Between PE Firms And Portco Leaders
A recent report by AlixPartners – the Tenth Annual PE Leadership Survey – reveals a striking disconnect between private equity firms and their portfolio companies. While both groups agree that growth, margin expansion, and value creation are top priorities, they diverge significantly in how they view performance and leadership quality. According to the survey, 41 percent of PE executives
Holden Richardson Assists Phase Change Solutions with CFO Search
Holden Richardson has assisted in the recruitment of Alberto Valentin as the new CFO of Phase Change Solutions in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Valentin is a CFO with broad, comprehensive experience in global multi-national businesses of varying revenue sizes and industries including aerospace (Dept of Defense projects), industrial and commercial mfg, distribution and logistics plus services.
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Peet’s Coffee
The Talent Studios has recruited Katie Keil as the senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer of San Francisco Bay Area-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer Peet’s Coffee. Gretchen Koch and Serena Smith led the assignment. Ms. Keil brings over 20 years of consumer products, beauty, and consumer technology marketing leadership experience. She has a strong track record of driving results on both
DSG Global (Diversified Search Group) Appoints Co-Leaders of Chicago Office
DSG Global (Diversified Search Group) has named Margaret Resce Milkint and Cheryl Stevens as co-leaders of the firm’s Chicago office. The announcement underscores DSG Global’s ongoing commitment to growth in the Chicago market and throughout the Midwest, serving clients locally, nationally, and worldwide. “We are thrilled that Margaret and Cheryl will be co-leading our Chicago office, bringing
Salary.com Releases Agentic AI Platform for HR and Compensation
Salary.com, a global provider in compensation technology and data, has unveiled its agentic AI platform, specifically for HR and compensation teams. This platform leverages the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) and advanced agentic AI to automate complex HR and compensation workflows, scale standard processes, and drive new efficiencies for compensation and HR teams. “By
Strategic Workforce Planning: Choosing Between Growing and Acquiring Talent
Organizations deciding on talent strategies often face a pivotal decision: should they buy talent from the outside or build it from within? Buying talent—recruiting externally—can accelerate the injection of fresh ideas, niche expertise, and leadership capabilities, especially when time is of the essence. On the other hand, executive search consultants tell Hunt Scanlon Media that building internal talent
TM² Executive Search Recruits Provost for Fort Valley State University
TM² Executive Search (TM²), a subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, has assisted in the recruitment of Derrick Scott as the new provost and vice president for academic affairs of Fort Valley State University (FVSU). The search was by TM² Executive Search’s managing principal, Dakota Doman, principal, Amanda Washington Lockett, and associate principal, Ndeh Anyu. “Dr. Scott is
JDG Associates Fills Senior Position for R&K Enterprise Solutions
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Jim Zopelis as the vice president of business development of R&K Enterprise Solutions. R&K is seeking a driven, high performing candidate with significant defense industry knowledge and experience, strong relationship management skills, and a proven track record in Department of Defense and/or federal civilian
ESGI Merges with Potomac Recruiting
ESGI Executive Search Consultants (ESGI) and Potomac Recruiting have merged to form Washington, D.C.-based Executive Search Group Inc. – Potomac (ESGI-Potomac). ESGI-Potomac combines the strengths and experience of both Potomac Recruiting and ESGI Search, both providers of executive search in the federal contracting market. The combined network of both companies will provide clients with access
HelloSky Announces $5.5 Million Oversubscribed Seed Round, Crosses $1 Million ARR and Expands Executive Team
HelloSky (formerly Skyminyr), a talent intelligence platform purpose-built for the executive search industry, has closed a $5.5 million oversubscribed seed round. The raise includes participation from Caldwell Partners, Karmel Capital, True, Hunt Scanlon Ventures and prominent angel investors from Google and Cisco Systems. “As competition for executive talent escalates, organizations will increasingly turn to recruiting
Fostering A Strong Workplace Culture to Drive Business Growth
A strong workplace culture is essential to the success of any organization. It cultivates an environment where employees feel engaged, valued, and motivated—leading to higher retention and improved performance. In today’s competitive landscape, culture goes beyond workplace atmosphere; it plays a critical role in driving sustainable financial growth and long-term business success. Companies that invest
BoardWalk Consulting Seeking Chief People Officer for Year Up United
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by Year Up United to lead in its search for a new chief people officer. Senior director Crystal Stephens and senior associate Terri Kohan are leading the assignment. The organization seeks a visionary chief people officer who will architect the essential processes and frameworks needed to deliver consistent, world-class HR services. They
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for TRex Bio
Horsham, PA-based Klein Hersh, an executive search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has assisted in the recruitment of Brandon Hants as the new CFO of TRex Bio Inc. (TRexBio), a biotechnology company decoding human tissue immune biology to create revolutionary therapeutics. The search was led by Marc Miller, Jared Kaleck, and Josh Albert. Mr. Hants
Riviera Partners Expands with PE Veteran
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Sam Wholley as a managing partner. A seasoned operator, executive coach, and search professional, he returns to Riviera after four years as an operating partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, where he advised portfolio companies on
Kincannon & Reed Elects Chairman
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has elected Phillip Osborne as chairman of the board. Mr. Osborne has been a partner in the firm since 2018. “This transition aligns with Kincannon & Reed’s long-term vision and underscores the overall commitment to sustained success,” the firm said. As
9 Talent Acquisition Trends You Must Know to Drive Success
If you want to succeed in the competitive world of talent acquisition and consistently hire the right people for your organization, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest hiring trends. The job market is constantly evolving, and candidates’ expectations are shifting just as quickly. Staying ahead of these changes not only helps you connect
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center
SearchWide Global was recently retained by the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center to lead in its search for a new executive director. Nicole Newman, global head of destinations, is leading the assignment. The executive director is responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of the Alaska Raptor Center’s (ARC) multi-faceted programs and business operations. The
Bryant Group Helps Fill Senior Role for the University of San Diego
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of John Rogers as associate vice president for university events and partnerships for the University of San Diego (USD). Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, led the assignment. “It was clear through the interview process that John’s extensive experience and leadership developing and implementing
Winner Partners Selected by the Greater Topeka Partnership to Lead CEO Search
The Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) has selected Winner Partners to lead in its search for a new CEO. The CEO search will be guided by a search committee led by JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University and a longtime champion of regional economic development. Dr. Mazachek will work closely with Winner Partners to evaluate internal and external
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Croatia
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added Profesio in Croatia as its newest member firm. “Kestria is delighted to welcome a new member firm in Croatia, marking an important milestone in our alliance’s growth within Europe,” the search consortium said. “This addition highlights our focus on delivering local expertise with a global
Women Gaining Ground: ON Partners Report Reveals Narrowing Executive Pay Gap and Growing Representation
While the World Economic Forum projects it will take 106 years for women in North America to reach economic parity with men, ON Partners’ annual women’s report offers a data-backed look at gender equity in the executive suite and explores whether progress is accelerating at the top levels of leadership. Drawing on insights from more







