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Daily Newswire
Speed vs. Certainty: How Leading Search Firms Deliver Fast Shortlists Without Increasing Risk
Executive search firms are under increasing pressure to deliver qualified leadership candidates faster without compromising diligence or decision quality. As hiring timelines compress and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, many firms are turning to AI-driven intelligence tools to identify potential risks, validate candidate fit, and strengthen shortlists earlier in the search process. Balancing speed with certainty requires
Spencer Stuart Recruits Ninth Leader for Brunswick School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew T. Chappell as Brunswick’s ninth head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, led the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
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
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,
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
The Energists Fills Senior Business Development Role for GOWell International
Houston-based The Energists has assisted in the recruitment of Chris Morgan as global vice president of business development at GOWell International. Jerry Kurinsky led the search along with Dipika Patel and Jon Hill. “We are pleased to announce the addition of Chris Morgan to GOWell, to lead our business development organization,” the company said. “Chris is a
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Seeking New CEO for the Spokane International Airport
ADK Consulting & Executive Search was recently retained by the Spokane International Airport to lead in its search for a new CEO. Linda Frankl, director, senior practice leader, is leading the assignment. The Spokane Airport Board seeks an innovative, forward-thinking CEO who will be a champion for growth and development of the region, Spokane International, Felts
Ezekia Partners with Findex Interim
In today’s fast-paced and constantly shifting business environment, interim talent has become an essential strategic asset. Companies are navigating rapid growth, sudden leadership changes, mergers, digital transformations, and market uncertainty—all of which demand immediate, specialized expertise. Interim executives and consultants offer a unique solution: they can step in quickly, bring deep knowledge to critical projects,
U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors Retains Egon Zehnder to Lead Search for 76th Postmaster General and CEO
The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors has retained global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder to lead the search for the 76th postmaster general and chief executive officer. The firm will work closely with the Governors to identify, evaluate, and select a forward-looking and effective leader to guide the Postal Service into its next chapter.
Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 4.2 Percent
Employment rose by 228,000 in March as the U.S. unemployment rose slightly to 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 7.1 million in March. In March, job gains occurred in healthcare, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing. Employment also increased in retail
Furst Group Recruits President and CEO for Memorial Health
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has assisted in the recruitment of Mandy Eaton as the new president and CEO of Memorial Health in Springfield, IL. She succeeds Ed Curtis, who previously announced plans to retire after a 50-year career with Memorial. “The board was impressed with Dr. Eaton’s leadership
Klein Hersh Adds Industry Expert
Horsham, PA-based Klein Hersh, an executive search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has expanded with the addition of Neil Ravitz as vice president, healthcare. “We are thrilled to welcome someone of Neil’s caliber to the growing Klein Hersh team,” said Jason Hersh, CEO of Klein Hersh. “Neil’s deep healthcare industry expertise is a tremendous asset
The New Race for Talent in Life Sciences and Healthcare
The life sciences and healthcare industries are experiencing unprecedented growth, creating intense competition for top-tier talent in an increasingly complex and tech-driven landscape. As the demand for highly specialized roles rises—spanning biotech, data science, and digital health—organizations must rethink their leadership strategies to stay ahead. At the forefront of this evolution, Mattson & Company/GMiQ is
Private Equity’s Approach to Leadership Is Evolving—Are You Prepared?
Executive search consultants continue to say that the private equity landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years, particularly in how firms approach leadership acquisition and talent strategy. This evolution is driven by several key factors and trends, according to a recent report from global executive search provider SpenglerFox’s Michael Klingler. The traditional PE playbook focused
Massey Henry Seeking Chief Information Officer for Prairie Payments Joint Venture
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, recruiting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find, and move. Toronto-based executive search firm Massey Henry was recently retained by Prairie Payments Joint Venture (PPJV) to lead in its search for a new
Assembly Group Assists Sonar with CFO Search
Austin, TX-based executive search firm Assembly Group has assisted in the recruitment of Jean Compeau as the new CFO of Sonar, the leader for integrated code quality and code security solutions. “It was a pleasure working with the Sonar team, and we wish the company continued success as they welcome Jean,” Assembly Group said in a LinkedIn
The Adecco Group Launches New Salesforce-Powered Company to Unite Human and Digital Talent
The Adecco Group has launched a new company, backed by investments from both the Adecco Group and Salesforce. The new company is entering into a strategic partnership with Salesforce to help organizations build an integrated workforce of humans and AI agents. This new outfit will empower senior leaders to strategically plan, deploy, and manage workers
Here Is Why Versatile CEOs Are In Such High Demand
The leadership dynamics of private equity-backed firms and public companies have long been viewed as starkly different. Private equity leaders thrive on fast value creation, a highly involved ownership model, and a clear exit strategy – often within a five-year window. Public company chief executives, on the other hand, navigate board politics, captain shareholder expectations,
Nova Ukraine Retains Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners for CEO Search
Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners has been called in by Nova Ukraine to lead in its search for a new CEO. The assignment is being led by Ian McCray, Gerard F. Cattie Jr., Beth Reeves, and Manuel A. Gongon Jr. The incoming CEO will partner with the board of directors in strategic visioning and decision making
Buffkin / Baker Seeking New President for Pittsburg State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been selected by Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Partner Pelema Ellis is leading the assignment. To lead the institution, the board seeks a growth-oriented, proven leader who will build on the university’s foundation of good fiscal management, unique program delivery, and exceptional relationships with its host city to drive
The Hawkins Company Leading CEO Search for Knoxville Area Urban League
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, is currently leading the search for a new president and CEO for the Knoxville Area Urban League. Todd Hawkins is leading the assignment. The Knoxville Area Urban League seeks a CEO to manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the non-profit economic development and social services
FMG Leading Appoints President
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has named Will Busch as president. In this new position, he will lead FMG Leading’s growth and transformation efforts, positioning the firm to further expand its client reach. “Today’s healthcare leaders must heighten their focus on human capital to stay ahead of evolving, disruptive market forces,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and
The Evolution of Executive Recruiting in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing executive search by enhancing the efficiency of research, candidate sourcing, and assessment processes. AI-powered tools analyze vast datasets to identify potential candidates, assess their qualifications, and predict how well someone might fit a role, according to article from global talent provider True’s Josh Withers. “Talent mapping, once a drawn-out process, is now
Russell Reynolds Associates Seeking President for Lake Forest College
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
McCormack+Kristel Tapped by Central New York ON RAMP for CEO Search
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (Central New York ON RAMP) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the board of directors, the ON RAMP CEO will build the Central New York ON RAMP organization. They will develop and implement all
Saxton Bampfylde Assists Marine Society & Sea Cadets with CEO Search
U.K.-based executive recruiter Saxton Bampfylde has assisted in the recruitment of Guy Holloway as the new CEO of Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC). He will officially join MSSC on May 1, undertaking a two-week handover period with outgoing CEO Martin Coles, who has led the charity with distinction for 15 years. “We are delighted to have
TRANSEARCH Expands Leadership Team
TRANSEARCH International Türkiye has added Vural Ulus to its leadership team as a partner. “We are delighted that Vural Ulus has joined TRANSEARCH International Türkiye as a partner and leadership consultant,” said Murat Öztürk, managing partner of TRANSEARCH International Türkiye. “With 25 years of business expertise and a strong background in executive leadership, Vural brings invaluable insights
How to Identify Leadership Potential in Private Equity Acquisitions
Private equity firms excel at finance and technology but too often lag in talent strategy, particularly in portfolio company management. While many private equity firms already assess leaders through interviews and track record analysis, these methods can miss critical predictors of success, according to a new report from Hogan Assessments, a global provider of personality
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for Gravity
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Tyler Davey as the new CEO of Toronto-based Gravity (IGM Technology Corporation), a cloud-based financial and disclosure management platform for state and local governments. Gravity is backed by Lead Edge Capital. The search was led by Kristie Nova and Jenny Gray. “Gravity is transforming how government
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for ExpressionEdits
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has helped to recruit Amrik Basran as chief scientific officer of ExpressionEdits. “Amrik’s extensive experience in biologics development makes him an invaluable addition to ExpressionEdits,” said Kärt Tomberg, co-founder and CEO of ExpressionEdits. “His leadership will be key as we expand from platform innovation to therapeutic development, ensuring our technology
The Moran Company Seeking Major Gifts Officer for Friends LA
For not-for-profit organizations, these are particularly challenging days. Declining support from government sources, increased demand for their services and competition for donor dollars are just a few of the issues that charitable groups must overcome to stay afloat each year. Simply put, major gift officers are top-level fundraisers. They identify potential donors, cultivate relationships and,
Talentor International Adds Member Firm in Spain
Executive search consortium Talentor International has expanded with the addition of Boomerang in Barcelona, Spain. “At Talentor, we believe that great partnerships drive success. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new partner in Spain: Boomerang,” the search consortium said. “With a strong track record in executive search and talent solutions, Boomerang brings a fresh, dynamic approach
Driving Growth Through Specialized Talent Acquisition
The Bridger Group is a 57-year-old executive search firm working exclusively in the building products and commercial interior products industries. The firm focuses on identifying top candidates for roles in sales, sales management, and executive positions within these sectors. Jordan Underwood, managing partner at The Bridger Group, recently joined Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the
Artico Search Fills Senior Role with Floodgate
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Matt Meyer of Artico Search have assisted in the recruitment of Mike Heller as partner with Floodgate. “It’s been over a decade since we’ve added a new partner at Floodgate,” Mike Maples said in a LinkedIn post. “Mike Heller checks every box we care about, as an investor, a human, and a co-conspirator for top
Heidrick & Struggles Retained by the American Institute of Architects to Find New Leader
Non-profits as a whole are the third largest employer in the U.S., and as a result its impact on recruiting and talent is significant. Recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that non-profits often struggle with a narrow talent pool and geographic limitations, making it difficult to find candidates with both the required skills and a strong commitment
Focus Search Partners Recruits CHRO for EyeCare Services Partners
CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company. Their job description calls for them to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk-taking, and evolving expectations from top stakeholders. Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest success will have diverse skill-sets,
