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The ExeQfind Group Forms Alliance with Aspire HR Consultants
The ExeQfind Group has formed a strategic partnership with Aspire HR Consultants – Middle East, an executive search and leadership advisory firm covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from offices across Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. “Partnering with Aspire HR Consultants represents a significant step in strengthening our international capabilities,” said Warren
Private Equity Faces Growing Leadership Succession Risks
Private equity firms are placing greater emphasis on leadership planning as talent availability becomes an increasingly important factor in value creation. For executive search firms, that shift is expanding the mandate beyond filling immediate vacancies to helping sponsors identify succession risks, build deeper leadership pipelines, and prepare portfolio companies for transition well before a critical
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.
U.S. M&A Accelerates as Buyers Raise the Bar
EY-Parthenon’s September Merger Monthly points to continued momentum across the U.S. M&A market. Through August, deal value for transactions above $100 million reached approximately $2.2 trillion, up roughly 48 percent year-over-year, while volume increased 23 percent. Momentum remained strong from June through August, with deal value rising 23 percent and volume advancing 22 percent from
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?
Why the Best Job Offer Is About More Than Salary
A higher salary can make a new job attractive, but compensation alone does not always tell candidates whether an offer is truly better. According to a recent report from NPAworldwide, recruiters can play an important role in helping candidates evaluate the complete package while also helping employers understand why a competitive base salary may not
Buffkin / Baker Recruits President for Valdosta State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Donald J. Green president of Valdosta State University (VSU). Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt led the assignment. “Don Green is a leader who knows how to deliver results, and he’s proven that time and again,” USG chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “At Gordon State, he focused on
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
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
Building Your IR Function: The Questions Every VC Should be Asking
As venture firms mature and fundraising becomes more institutionalized, building the right investor relations function is increasingly becoming a critical part of long-term growth. The best time to hire an investor relations leader is before you urgently need one, according to a recent report from SPMB’s Suzanne Heske and Emily Leder. “LP relationships take years to
U.S. Hiring Slows as Unemployment Rate Edges Up to 4.2 Percent
Employment increased by 29,000 in September as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to at 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, also increased in September. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Black (7.0 percent) increased in September.
Cook Silverman Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for Common Sense Media
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has assisted in the recruitment of Alicia Chang as chief development officer of Common Sense Media to lead in its search for a chief development officer. Ms. Chang joins Common Sense Media after spending a decade with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she most recently served as deputy chief development officer
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Assists WJCT Public Media with CEO Search
DRiWaterstone Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Karen Feagins as president and CEO of WJCT Public Media, the independent, community-owned public media organization serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. “Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media,” said Bill Hendrich, chair of the WJCT Public Media board
Wilton & Bain Expands Interim Management Business
Global executive search and interim leadership firm Wilton & Bain has named Oliver Bentley as partner within its interim management business. He will focus on senior interim appointments across consumer markets in business transformation, technology and digital. “I am delighted to welcome Oliver to Wilton & Bain,” said James Humphreys, managing partner at Wilton & Bain.
Boards Weigh Internal vs. External CEO Candidates in Succession Planning
Choosing between an internal and external CEO candidate is rarely as simple as favoring continuity or change. For boards and executive search firms, the more important question is whether the succession process is anchored to the company’s future mandate and the leadership capabilities required to deliver it. The internal-versus-external CEO debate often starts with a
Pyramind Places New Leader for The International Institute
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Chad Leahy as the next director of The International Institute. “Chad came to Madrid on September 1 and has begun meeting with Institute staff, familiarizing himself with his new duties, and following the completion of this summer’s improvement projects in the Institute building,”
NPAG Recruits CEO for Dream.Org
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Janos Marton as the new CEO for Dream.Org in Oakland, CA. The search was being led by Phuong Quach and Sharon Gertsman. Mr. Marton joined Dream.Org as CEO after spending the past five years leading advocacy work at the organization, where he helped build coalitions and advance
Stevenson Search Partners Expands
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, has expanded with the addition of Jim LoSapio to its on-demand talent solutions team as director, business development. “Jim has developed a strong understanding of the unique talent, consulting, and resource challenges facing life sciences organizations
TriSearch Expands Through Strategic Partnership
TriSearch has entered into a strategic partnership with Northwest Talent Solutions founder Nikita R. Steals, who has joined the firm as vice president, client success. The arrangement combines Northwest Talent Solutions’ workforce transformation expertise and entrepreneurial agility with TriSearch’s national recruiting platform, scalable delivery capabilities and highly customized approach to client partnership. Northwest Talent Solutions
Private Equity Takes a Harder Look at Leadership Assessment
Private equity firms examine every line of the financial model and pressure-test the commercial thesis from multiple angles. However, an assessment of the leadership team is often the least rigorous part of diligence. Deal teams will spend weeks validating a revenue forecast and only a matter of hours forming a view on the CEO expected
The Succession Crisis Extends Beyond Small Business
Succession planning has become one of the most pressing leadership issues facing boards as a growing number of senior executives move closer to retirement. For executive search firms, that is creating increased demand for earlier engagement, deeper assessment of internal talent, and more deliberate planning around critical leadership transitions. The challenge is especially acute when
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits General Counsel for MassArt
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has recruited Jeannie Barrett as general counsel at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the assignment. Ms. Barrett brings more than 25 years of legal experience in higher education, advising institutions and senior leaders on a wide range of complex legal, operational, governance, and
Lock Search Group Fills Senior Position for Emergent BioSolutions
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group has assisted in the recruitment of Layton Henderson as vice president and general manager of Emergent BioSolutions’ Winnipeg manufacturing facility. “We’re grateful to celebrate a successful executive placement with our valued partner, Emergent BioSolutions,” Lock Search Group said in a LinkedIn post. “Congratulations to Layton Henderson on his appointment. We’re
Options Group Expands Dubai Office
Options Group has expanded in Dubai office with the additions of Eugenio Chiappini and Ben Prickett as vice presidents. Mr. Chiappini specializes in the private equity and family offices sectors. His addition strengthens the firm’s presence in the Middle East and supports its work with alternative investment firms and private capital clients seeking senior talent. Before
Executive Search Evolves, but Relationships and Judgment Still Matter Most
Executive search is evolving as firms face growing pressure to deliver stronger talent outcomes while providing deeper advisory value to clients and candidates. The most effective search organizations are looking beyond individual assignments to build broader networks, strengthen market intelligence, and create relationships that endure across careers and leadership transitions. That shift is placing renewed
Executive Diligence Takes on Greater Role in Senior-Level Hiring
Executive search increasingly extends beyond assessing experience, leadership style, and cultural fit. For boards and investors, understanding a senior candidate’s background, reputation, and potential risk profile has become an important part of evaluating whether that individual is equipped to lead in a high-stakes environment. That has made investigative diligence a more meaningful component of senior-level
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for Stanford University
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has recruited Timothy G. Lynch as vice president and general counsel of Stanford University. He succeeds Debra Zumwalt, who announced earlier this year that she would retire after 26 years as Stanford’s vice president and general counsel. BarkerGilmore’s Sarah Sullivan, Brittney McDonough, and
Calibre One Recruits CPO and Chief Technology and Information Officer for Production Resource Group
Calibre One has placed Jennifer Caserta as chief people officer and Joe Simon as chief technology and information officer at PRG (Production Resource Group) in New York City. “We are building PRG for a bigger future, and that means investing across every part of this business: our leadership, crews, talent development, and the equipment, technology and
TRANSEARCH International Adds New Member Firm in Singapore
TRANSEARCH International has expanded in Singapore with the addition of The Executive Collective Asia as its newest member firm. Led by managing partner Angela Roche, the addition further strengths the organization’s executive search and leadership consulting capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “Singapore is strategically important to TRANSEARCH not only within Asia-Pacific, but to our global business,”
Beyond the Single AI Path: You Can Have It All
Executive search firms are moving beyond early experimentation with artificial intelligence and focusing more closely on how the technology can support different roles, workflows, and levels of adoption across their organizations. Rather than forcing every user into the same model, firms are increasingly looking for flexible approaches that can improve efficiency while preserving the judgment
Why PE-Backed Companies Need a Talent Operating System
PE-backed companies rarely underperform because they lack urgency. They underperform because they fail to translate strategy into talent with enough precision, according to a recent report from Keith Johnstone, vice president of marketing at Talentfoot Executive Search. “In our experience leading executive searches for PE-backed businesses, the real breakdown usually happens before a search begins,
How Recruitment Researchers Help Access Top Candidates
Hiring top-tier talent is one of the most critical—and challenging—tasks for any growing business. While job boards and traditional recruiting methods often yield familiar candidates, the true advantage comes from partnering with an executive search firm that leverages dedicated recruitment researchers to uncover exceptional, often untapped talent. These specialists go beyond the surface, uncovering high-caliber
Cowen Partners Assists United American Indian Involvement with CEO Search
Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of John R. Reeves as the new CEO of United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII). This follows a national executive search led by Cowen Partners in partnership with UAII’s executive search committee, which included board members, staff, and community stakeholders. Sam Torres, managing director, led the
Isaacson, Miller Recruits Provost for Dartmouth
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has recruited Santiago Schnell as the new provost of Dartmouth College. John Muckle, Becky Piper, Stephen Kalogeras, and Ethan Thomas led the search. “Santiago Schnell is a brilliant, multidisciplinary scientist, a humanistic and humane thinker, and a talented administrator with deep experience of what it takes to lead a world-class research university,” said Sian Beilock, president of
Russell Reynolds Associates Launches Strategy Decode and Activation to Bridge Leadership Gaps in Business Transformation
Russell Reynolds Associates has launched Strategy Decode and Activation, a distinctive advisory capability that positions CEO and C-suite leadership as the central driver of successful business transformation. “Russell Reynolds Associates has been at the forefront of helping the world’s largest organizations solve their most pressing leadership issues for decades,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO. “Today, transformation is at the
Creating a Positive Culture in a Remote and Digital Age
As the workplace continues to evolve into hybrid and fully remote environments, the concept of company culture is being redefined. In the absence of traditional office settings, leaders must rely on intentional and nuanced approaches to foster engagement, trust, and a sense of community among dispersed teams. This shift demands more than just logistical adjustments—it
The New Era of Executive Search: Blending Intuition with Innovation
Executive search is at an inflection point. According to Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of DSG Global (Diversified Search Group), “The industry has long been built on trust, relationships, and intuition – and that’s not going away, but today, it must also be agile, inclusive, and increasingly driven by automation and data,” she said. “Parts of the search
Flatiron Search Partners Assists Big Blue Swim School with CEO Search
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has recruited Brandon Bean as the new CEO of Big Blue Swim School. Chris DeJong, founder and president of Big Blue Swim School, will continue to lead Big Blue’s brand and curriculum strategy, working closely alongside Mr. Bean to drive national expansion and elevate franchise support. “Brandon brings deep expertise in scaling high-growth franchise
Massey Henry Seeking Chief Legal Officer for Peoples Group
Toronto-based executive search firm Massey Henry was recently retained once again by Peoples Group to lead its search for a chief legal officer (CLO). Reporting to the president CEO, the chief legal officer is a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for developing and executing the company’s legal strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives
Atlantic Group Opens Office in Charlotte, NC
Executive search firm Atlantic Group recently opened a new office in Charlotte, NC. Lauren Sawyer, director, is leading the new location. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest office in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Atlantic Group said in a LinkedIn post. “This location will allow us to continue our expansion into the greater Charlotte market and
Skills-Based Hiring: Where We Stand Today
In recent years, much attention has been given to the concept of skills-based hiring. At first glance, the premise seems almost self-evident: employers should focus on whether a candidate possesses the skills needed to perform a job. It sounds so straightforward that it might feel unnecessary to scrutinize further. Yet, taking skills seriously requires deprioritizing
Bespoke Partners Launches AI-Powered Talent Mapping Platform
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has launched Calibrator, a scorecarding application accelerating executive search with an AI-powered talent market mapping platform for software and SaaS. Calibrator lets Bespoke’s clients to instantly see the complete talent pool for a given position based on adjustable scorecard parameters. “An executive hiring decision can impact billions of dollars in value
Reffett Associates Fills Finance Position for Fremont Brewing
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has placed Ken Ossinger as vice president of finance for Fremont Brewing. He will report directly to Matt Lincecum CEO and co-founder of Fremont Brewing. “Ken’s deep experience with finance and accounting, history of working for many small and medium sized companies, and energetic and positive attitude make him an excellent selection to
CIO Partners Tapped by Reworld Waste to Lead Search for Chief Information Officer
Chief information officers (CIOs) are increasingly in demand today due to the accelerating pace of digital transformation across industries. As organizations strive to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity frameworks, and data analytics, the CIO has become a critical figure in driving this change. Modern CIOs are no longer just IT
Bullhorn Appoints Chief Customer Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has named Mitesh Ashar as chief customer officer. In this strategic position, Mr. Ashar will lead Bullhorn’s global customer experience organization, driving innovation and service across all customer touchpoints. “Mitesh pushed us to make the product better, because he cared deeply about how technology supports real business goals,” said Art Papas, founder and
A Closer Look at Private Equity’s Evolving Playbook for Executive Talent
Private equity firms are raising the bar for executive talent, driven by a post-pandemic return to in-office expectations and an intensified focus on leadership performance. As firms prioritize in-person leadership to rebuild culture and drive alignment, a disconnect is emerging between employer demands and candidate preferences for flexibility. At the same time, a slowdown in
AI in Executive Search: Evolving the Practice
The integration of AI in executive search has moved from a stage of tentative experimentation to a more mature phase where workflows are actively being reimagined. However, executive search firms tell Hunt Scanlon Media that many firms still find themselves navigating challenges on the maturity curve—ranging from concerns over data quality to cultural resistance from
RH Perry & Associates Recruits President for Hudson Valley Community College
RH Perry & Associates has helped to recruit Michael S. Brophy as the 8th president of Hudson Valley Community College. He will begin this new role on August 1. Senior consultants Gena Glickman and Kevin Cavanagh led the assignment. Dr. Brophy was selected as president of Hudson Valley following a national search that began in fall 2024 with the appointment of
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Tapped by MOST Policy Initiative to Find New Leader
VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been called in by MOST Policy Initiative to lead in its search for a new executive director. MOST strives to ensure outstanding academic services and products. The executive director demonstrates a continual commitment to accurate, high-quality content and stakeholder satisfaction through in-depth research results provided by the MOST team. The executive director at MOST
ZRG Names President of Consulting Solutions
ZRG has appointed Susan Gallagher as president of consulting solutions. She will lead the continued expansion and integration of ZRG’s global consulting platform, further enhancing the firm’s ability to help clients align leadership, culture, and strategy for long-term success. “Susie is exactly the kind of leader we look for at ZRG: forward-thinking, results-driven, and ready to
Build or Buy? Executive Insights into Strategic Talent Planning
As organizations strive to maintain competitive advantage and agility, how they source and develop talent has become a critical differentiator. In today’s dynamic business environment, the debate between “buying” versus “building” talent remains central to strategic workforce planning, according to a recent report from global executive search provider SpenglerFox’s Malgorzata Kosior. “For executives, particularly those leading within
IANS And Artico Map The Rise Of The Million-Dollar CISO
A highly readable and insightful report that’s just come out, the 2025 State of the CISO Report by IANS and Artico Search, presents a comprehensive analysis of how the CISO role is evolving in today’s enterprise landscape. Based on survey responses from over 800 CISOs, the report tracks shifts in organizational structure, compensation, boardroom engagement, and
CAA Executive Search Recruits CEO for Vanderbilt Enterprises
CAA Executive Search has placed Markus Schreyer as CEO of the newly created Vanderbilt Enterprises, a strategic initiative designed to advance mission-aligned ventures that generate sustainable new revenue streams and support strategic priorities. CAA Executive Search’s Dany Berghoff, Joe Becher and Jason Hanold led the search for this role based in Nashville, TN. “Vanderbilt is committed to
JDG Associates Fills Senior Position for the International Bottled Water Association
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Jeremy Pollack as vice president of government relations for the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). “Jeremy’s deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, successful track record with legislative fly-ins, and experience working with companies that are members of both IBWA and Water Quality Association
Cornerstone International Group Opens Office in Seoul
Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has opened a new office in Seoul. “The launch of our Seoul office is a strategic milestone in Cornerstone’s global journey,” said Simon Wan, chairman and CEO at Cornerstone. “South Korea is a thriving hub of innovation and global business. We are here to
Academic Search Assists the University of Alabama with the Recruitment of 30th President
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of the University of Alabama. He will assume the role on July 21. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, is stepping down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership
Acertitude Recruits CFO for Ascend Healthcare
Acertitude has recruited Nicole Byers as the new CFO of Ascend Healthcare, an Abry Partners portfolio company. The search was led by partner Heather Johnson and principal JJ Houldin. “Ascend is actively expanding access to high-quality, compassionate behavioral healthcare services via telehealth and our community health partners,” Ms. Byers said in a LinkedIn post. I’m
Campbell & Company Recruits CEO for Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
Sarah Beraki and Angèle Bubna of Campbell & Company have helped to recruit Edie Blakeslee as president and CEO of the Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. She succeeds Tracy Souza, who is retiring July 15 after 14 years. Following a national CEO search led by Campbell & Company, with participation by Heritage Fund board members
Options Group Appoints Vice Presidents
Options Group has expanded with the additions of Louis Couronne and Macaire Chue as vice presidents. Mr. Couronne will join the firm in London and will specialize in electronic trading. His areas of focus include systematic strategy development, AI/ML labs, high-performance computing, infrastructure optimization, and senior trading technology appointments. Mr. Couronne has experience in global search
How to Create an Organizational Culture That Attracts Talent
In today’s competitive hiring environment, organizations must go beyond the basics to stand out. While competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits are essential for recruiting talent, another aspect that is often overlooked is organizational culture, according to a recent report from Kinsley|Sarn Executive Search. “A positive and engaging workplace environment can be a key differentiator in attracting and
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Fiscal Year-End Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2025 fiscal year-end revenues of $2.7 billion, a slight rise from the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the number of engagements billed and an increase in weighted-average fee billed per engagement. The firm experienced fee revenue growth in North America, EMEA and APAC regions. Korn
The Tolan Group Fills Senior Positions for Holding Hands, Duly Health and Care, and Anodyne
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Matt Niebuhr as the new CFO of Holding Hands, Inc., Monu Kalsi as SVP of marketing for Duly Health and Care, and Sean Inglis as VP of sales at Anodyne. With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Niebuhr previously served as CFO at Frontline Dental, where he
