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Kirk Palmer Associates Places Chief Commercial Officer at PetSmart
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has recruited Jesica Duarte as executive vice president and chief commercial officer of PetSmart. Dana Levine, Suzannah Brown, and Jennifer Riemer led the assignment. “Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands,” said Ken Hicks, president and CEO of PetSmart. “She has
Hiring for Impact: Aligning Talent with Your Organization’s Mission
Your non-profit is more than an organization—it’s a mission-driven movement with a purpose. So why are you hiring people who only punch the clock, asked ExecSearches.com’s F. Jay Hall. “The days of simply checking off a resume for the right years of experience are over,” he said. “You’re not just looking for a new employee; you’re
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Corporate Culture & Talent: Navigating the New Norms
The keys to unlocking a successful corporate culture are predicated upon how leaders in organizations perceive culture as a top priority. Most senior leaders agree that a healthy company culture is a basic component of any successful organization. It lays the groundwork for strong employee engagement, retention, and performance. In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape,
Oxford Global Resources Expands in Seattle
Oxford Global Resources has opened a new office serving the Greater Seattle, Washington market, in partnership with the firm’s Federal Way national recruiting center, which has been in operation for the last 16 years. Oxford’s Seattle branch will identify contract opportunities for software and hardware engineering consultants throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Oxford is an
Heidrick & Struggles Named 100 Most Trustworthy in Forbes Ranking
Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles International was named one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America by Forbes and GMI Ratings. “Trust is the foundation for all our firm's relationships," said Tracy Wolstencroft, CEO of Heidrick & Struggles. "We are committed to winning and keeping the trust of all our stakeholders, including shareholders
PRAXI ALLIANCE Adds Edward Drummond & Co. In U.K.
PRAXI ALLIANCE has added U.K.-headquartered Edward Drummond & Co. as its newest member firm. From offices in Bristol and London, Edward Drummond & Co. delivers international executive search expertise to a wide array of industries. “The team at Edward Drummond is keenly focused on providing top notch services to their clients and perfectly fits our
Pinton Forrest and Madden Finds CEO for HBT
Executive search firm Pinton Forrest and Madden has placed Donnie Wing as president and chief executive officer at Healthcare Benefit Trust (HBT). Mr. Wing formerly served in a number of senior executive positions at ICBC including senior vice president, corporate affairs; senior vice-president of insurance, marketing and underwriting; and chief financial officer. He was also
Executive Networks Names VP Global Sales
Executive Networks, Inc., has named Paul Skordilis as vice president of global sales. In his new role, Mr. Skordilis will be responsible for expanding Executive Networks’ global customer base, formalizing and implementing a sales operations strategy to help drive new membership growth and improve customer retention within Executive Networks’ current roster of clients. Most recently
Amrop Grows Presence in Nortic Countries
Global executive search consortium Amrop has added eight senior partners across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Peter Gitmark (previously a member of the Norwegian Parliament), Kristian Kragø (previously with McKinsey & Co), Anne Syrrist (formerly of Ringnes and Boston Consulting Group), Michael Edler (previously with UBS), Toumas Sederholm (most recently with TeliaSonera), Pii Kotilainen (previously
Caldwell Partners Places Global Sales Head at Unisys
Executive search firm The Caldwell Partners International Inc. has placed Jeff Renzi as the new president of global sales at Unisys. Managing partner Jim Bethmann led the search. Mr. Renzi formerly served as SVP of sales and marketing at Arise Virtual Solutions. Unisys is a worldwide information technology company providing a portfolio of IT services,
Scout Exchange Partners with Main Sequence Technology
Scout Exchange, a recruitment marketplace connecting employers with specialized recruiters, has partnered with Main Sequence Technology, developers of recruiting database platform PCRecruiter. The partnership will extend Scout’s application to PCRecruiter’s thousands of recruiters worldwide, electronically delivering search opportunities that match their expertise and results. “The concept of an electronic marketplace with the big ATS (applicant
Boyden Adds Insurance Sector Recruiting Specialist
Executive search firm Boyden has strengthened its New York office with the addition of Erik Matson as a partner. Mr. Matson brings two decades of experience as a leader in the insurance sector and has worked extensively on both the executive placement and industry management sides of the business. Prior to joining Boyden, he was
The Neil Michael Group Names Life Sciences Partner
New York-headquartered The Neil Michael Group has added Linda E. Amper, Ph.D., as a new partner. Dr. Amper has senior level leadership experience across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare delivery and other life science areas. With more than 35 years of experience in HR, she formerly served as senior vice president global human resources at Optimer Pharmaceuticals.
Clark Langdon to Lead Search for Intelligent Energy
Recruiting firm Clark Langdon Partners has been selected by Intelligent Energy to lead in its search for a new global commercial director. The firm had previously led in a search for Intelligent Energy to find its global business development director last year. Intelligent Energy is a power technology company that specializes in the development of
Addison Group Creates New HR Focus with Administrative Division
Addison Group, a provider of professional staffing services, has expanded its administrative division with the addition of a dedicated human resources team that will help organizations address their contract, contract-to-hire and direct hiring needs for skilled administrative, operations and HR talent. “We believe this expansion is a natural progression for the Administrative division,” said Ed
Horton Expands to Middle East
Horton International has opened a new office in the Middle East with a new location in Bahrain; an opening in Saudi Arabia is expected for later in the year. Both offices will focus on providing executive search for global leaders across the region. This forms the first step in the planned expansion of Horton Group
Major, Lindsey & Africa Names Leader of Law Firm Management Practice
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa has named Amanda K. Brady as managing director and global practice leader of its law firm management practice. Ms. Bradt joined MLA last month bringing 15 years of executive and legal search experience, the last 10 years of which focused on building executive management teams for AmLaw 100 and
Derwent Executive Adds Recruiters in Australia and Asia
Search firm Derwent Executive has made several new additions to its Australia and Asia offices. Derwent has added Andrea Hall as senior advisor to the firm’s board practice in Perth. Ms, Hall, who formerly was with KPMG, will work with boards, delivering risk and selection capabilities for ASX, government and not-for-profit segments. Richard Scott, who
The Cypress Group Completes Search for SFWE
Executive search firm The Cypress Group has placed Diego Lo Prete as general manager, executive vice president of The San Francisco Wine Exchange (SFWE). Mr. Lo Prete’s most recent post was head of global marketing and communications at Barcelona-based Grupo Codorniu. The San Francisco Wine Exchange was founded in 1975 by Hugh Thacher and it
Korn Ferry Strengthens Sports Practice
Korn Ferry has added Liz Boardman as senior client partner in its sports practice. Ms. Boardman has led senior executive assignments for sports organizations, major sports leagues, teams, conferences, and educational institutions. Based in New York, she will also work with foundations and other nonprofits focused on sports, education, and wellness. Ms. Boardman was previously
AIMS International Adds Singapore-Based Firm as Newest Partner
AIMS International has partnered with Singapore-based The People At Work. The People At Work, which was founded in 2000, is an executive search firm serving global companies and large local conglomerates in sectors that include banking & financial services, healthcare & life sciences, consumer, logistics, industry/manufacturing, chemicals, automotive/related and environment. “I am extremely happy by
TMP Worldwide Opens Midwest Office
TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications, LLC, a global technology-enabled talent acquisition company, has expanded its presence in the Midwest region with the establishment of a new office in Bloomington, Minnesota. The company also recently opened offices in Germany, India and Ireland. “TMP’s goal is to improve the talent acquisition process through a unique mix of
BCA, Executive Recruiters Fills HR Post for Clearwater Paper
BCA, Executive Recruiters has placed Cathy Elsasser as the HR director for the consumer products division, Western region for Clearwater Paper. Ms. Elsasser previously held numerous senior human resources positions for Honeywell, Tiffany and Corning. BCA’s chief operating officer and SVP recruitment, Joe Gonzalez, led the search. Clearwater Paper is a provider of private label
CTPartners Reports A Loss And A Flat Year
CTPartners Executive Search Inc./(NYSE:CTP) reported that its net revenue for 2013 was $130.3 million, a 1.5 percent increase compared to net revenue of $128.4 million the prior year. The company reported a net loss for the year of $1.6 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.51 per
Executives Online Makes New Additions in Netherlands and France
International interim management and executive recruitment company Executives Online has added Jan Piet van der Plank as a partner in its Netherlands office where he will focus on manufacturing and energy sectors. Mr. van der Plank is a seasoned management executive with a career spanning 25 years in multinational companies including Alcoa, Total Caterpillar, Wartsila,
Spencer Stuart Opens Office in Moscow
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has opened a new office in Moscow as part of its continuing strategy to broaden the services it offers businesses across Eurasia. Robert T. Nowakowski currently is the office manage for the Moscow location. Mr. Nowakowski also leads the consumer practice for Spencer Stuart in Eastern Europe, focusing on the
R. William Funk & Associates Recruits President for University of South Alabama
R. William Funk & Associates has placed Dr. Tony G. Waldrop as the new president of the University of South Alabama. Dr. Waldrop has been the provost and executive vice president at the University of Central Florida, UCF, since 2010. The University of South Alabama is a public, research university in Mobile, Alabama. For the
Search Group Partners Adds Managing Director to Lead Executive Search Practice
SEARCH Group Partners (SGP) has added Connie Spyropoulos-Linardakis as managing director where she will spearhead the firm’s executive search practice. Ms. Spyropoulos will focus on broadening the firm’s range of strategic and nationwide executive search services to support the firm’s industry and client base. She most recently served as executive vice president and chief human
Russell Reynolds Associates Finds President of University of Michigan
Global executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates has placed Mark Schlissel as the 14th president of the University of Michigan. Mr. Schlissel is currently provost at Brown University. He will have a five-year contract, starting on July 1, and be paid $750,000 in base salary with a retention incentive of $100,000 a year. With 42
ManpowerGroup Study Finds Continued Hiring Confidence
U.S. employers report a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of +13 percent, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released by ManpowerGroup. This is the third consecutive quarter with a net employment outlook of +13 percent, which is the strongest Outlook since the second quarter of 2008. Of the more than 18,000 employers surveyed,
Three Industry Reports by HSZ Media on Sale Now
Three soon-to-be-released talent management studies by HSZ Media are continuing to gain attention — and pre-publication copies for the 2014 editions are still available. Executive Search: State of the Industry Report (U.S./America) continues HSZ Media’s long-standing tradition of reporting on the world’s largest recruiting and talent acquisition marketplace, taking an in-depth view of the year
AESC Presents Zehnder and Onstott with Top Honors
The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) has presented Egon Zehnder, founding chairman of global recruiter Egon Zehnder, with its Gardner W. Heidrick Award and Joe Onstott, co-founder and managing partner of The Onstott Group, with the Eleanor H. Raynolds Award. The Heidrick Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding
ZRG Partners Appoints COO
ZRG Partners Inc., a global provider of executive search and talent management solutions, has appointed Stacey Mainiero as its chief operating officer. Ms. Mainiero works out of the firm’s West Orange, NJ office and will manage and oversee daily activities worldwide. She previously held a senior level operations position with Korn Ferry where she managed
Greenwich Harbor Partners Taps Chief Revenue Officer for SpinMedia
Greenwich Harbor Partners has placed Tom Morrissy as the new executive vice president and chief revenue officer of SpinMedia. Mr. Morrissy was formerly EVP/North American sales of Synaptic Media and most recently the EVP/CRO of Selectable Media. SpinMedia is the world’s largest collective of pop culture and music digital brands. Greenwich Harbor Partners focuses on
