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Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and
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
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.
NPAG Assists Proteus Fund with CEO Search
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Amardeep Singh the new president and CEO of Proteus Fund and Proteus Action League. He will officially assume the role in September. The Proteus Fund board of directors selected Mr. Singh following a rigorous national search supported by NPAG. The search was led by Ellen LaPointe, Ebony Breaux-Liang, and Andres Marcuse-Gonzalez. “On
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?
Bullhorn Names Chief Innovation and Labs Officer and Chief Corporate Development Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn recently appointed Jason Heilman as chief innovation and labs officer and Ryan Murphy as chief corporate development officer. As members of the executive leadership team, they will help drive the company’s next wave of growth and innovation. Mr. Heilman joined Bullhorn in 2020 when the company acquired Herefish, the automation platform he led
5 Ways to Evaluate a Job Offer in 2026
In today’s hiring market, the strongest job offer isn’t always the one with the biggest paycheck. Candidates who treat their next move as a base-salary math problem usually leave real money behind, according to a recent report from Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles. The smarter approach, and the
McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Technology Officer for JenaValve Technology
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Edward Sarnowski as chief technology officer of JenaValve Technology, Inc. in Irvine, CA. The search was completed by partner Ken Dropiewski, and executive recruiter Michael Matranga. “Ed’s appointment marks an important step in the evolution of JenaValve as a company,” said John Kilcoyne, CEO of JenaValve. “With FDA approval now behind us and
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses for General Counsel Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for a general counsel based in Alexandria, VA. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the general counsel serves as IDA’s chief legal officer and secretary of the Corporation, with responsibility spanning legal counsel and
Korn Ferry to Acquire AMS in $1.1 Billion Talent Solutions Deal
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has entered into a definitive agreement with OMERS Private Equity to acquire U.K.-headquartered AMS. The transaction will combine Korn Ferry’s expertise across search, talent & organizational solutions, and workforce solutions with AMS’s expertise in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), early careers and campus recruiting, contingent workforce solutions, consulting, and skills creation. The combination will
CarterBaldwin Assists Ideal Tridon Group with Chief Information Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has helped to recruit Shane Dacus as chief information officer of Ideal Tridon Group, a portfolio company of Nautic Partners and global provider of engineered clamps, brackets, fittings, and metal framing systems. Mr. Dacus brings more than 25 years of technology leadership across industrial, manufacturing, and PE-backed platforms, with a consistent record of elevating IT
Lindauer Recruits CEO for Penn State Alumni Association
Lindauer has placed Reggie Bustinza as associate vice president for alumni relations and chief executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association. He was selected after a nationwide search to succeed Paul Clifford, who departed Penn State in January 2025. The search was led by Lindauer executive vice president Faith Montgomery and senior consultant Raegan Harvey in partnership with Penn State. “Lindauer
Why M&A Success Is Ultimately a Talent Challenge
In its latest market intelligence findings, The Role of HR in M&A: 5 Golden Rules for CHROs, Spencer Stuart argues that many transactions fail not because of flawed strategy, but because of shortcomings in leadership, culture, talent retention, and organizational execution. While financial and operational diligence often dominate deal planning, the firm’s research suggests that people-related
Greenwood Asher & Associates Leading Chief Marketing Officer Search for the College of Charleston
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) is currently seeking a chief marketing officer and vice president for marketing and communications for the College of Charleston. Kyle Pybus-Jerome and Jeremy Duff are leading the assignment. The College of Charleston seeks a strategic and innovative marketing executive to lead an integrated marketing and communications enterprise that
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
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
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
Accenture Signals the Rise of the ‘Agentic Deal’
Accenture’s latest report, The Dawn of the Agentic Deal, points to a clear turning point in M&A. Over the past decade, technology has largely been used to improve speed and efficiency, enhancing diligence, financial modeling, and integration planning. That advantage, however, is quickly becoming table stakes. What’s emerging now is structurally different. AI is no longer
The Forum Group Launches Nationwide Investment Banking & Private Equity Recruitment Practice
Executive search firm The Forum Group has launched its investment banking and private equity recruitment practice, which is dedicated to connecting financial talent with firms nationwide. Expanding the firm’s expertise in financial services, the new practice builds on The Forum Group’s history of recruiting within the financial services industry. This allows the firm to cover
Signium Adds New Member Firm in Michigan
Executive search consortium Signium has added Ann Arbor, MI-based Sigred Group. Together, Sigred’s senior partners Kristi Stepp and Mike Dergis each bring over 25 years of experience in human resources, organizational effectiveness, and executive development. “The world of leadership has undergone a profound transformation in recent years,” said Annelize van Rensburg, global chair of Signium. “Organizational structures have become more fluid, leadership
Solving the Diversity Challenge in Executive Recruitment
The goal of executive recruitment is to select the most qualified candidate for the position. Leaders have a huge impact on an organization’s people, health and results. Research from Mercuri Urval (MU) has shown that a failed leader appointment costs, at least, a staggering 30 times their salary and the wrong leader may even prove fatal
The Barton Partnership Appoints New CEO
The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has appointed group managing director Oliver Phoenix as chief executive officer. Founder Nicholas Barton will continue in his role as advisor and brand ambassador. “I couldn’t be prouder or more excited to announce Olly’s appointment to CEO as we move into the 18th year since I founded The
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruits 25th President for Marquette University
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Kimo Ah Yun as the 25th president of Marquette University. He is the first person of color to lead Marquette and the Catholic, Jesuit university’s second lay president in its 143-year history. Vice president and director Julie Filizetti, partner Phillip Petree, and senior associate Rafael Escobedo, led the assignment. Past president Michael
Maneva Group Leading CEO Search for DC Justice Lab
Houston, TX-based executive search firm Maneva Group was recently selected by DC Justice Lab (DCJL) to lead in its search for a new CEO. As an ambitious forward thinker, the CEO will passionately, boldly, and strategically identify opportunities to take big swings to expand and deepen the work locally. They will recognize that sustainable change cannot
Direct Recruiters Inc. Names Partners
Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) has named Jess Marino, Stephen Benson, and Bradley Morrison as partners. “This recognition reflects their outstanding contributions to the firm and their dedication to delivering exceptional results for clients and candidates,” the firm said. Since joining DRI in 2022, Ms. Marino has made an impact within the material handling, packaging, and food processing practice areas.
Bespoke Partners Launches AI-Powered Talent Market Mapping Platform
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has released Bespoke Executive Index, a talent market mapping platform using AI to analyze and validate the backgrounds of senior executives in software and SaaS. “Today we are reinventing executive search,” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO of Bespoke. “The Bespoke Executive Index is the authoritative source of data on the accomplishments and experience
Prodigy Search and JM Search Form Strategic Alliance
Prodigy Search, a boutique recruiting firm serving the talent needs of media, sports, and entertainment organizations, has formed a strategic alliance with JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s. “We’re incredibly proud and fortunate to collaborate with John Marshall and the exceptional JM Search team, which is regarded as a
Pearl Street Collective Assists UMass Amherst Foundation with Chief Development Officer Search
After a nationwide search, Boston-based Pearl Street Collective has assisted UMass Amherst Foundation (UMAF) in the recruitment of Robin Elkins as senior executive director and chief development officer for the UMass Amherst College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Ms. Elkins is a highly regarded fundraising strategist and relationship builder whose experience spans higher education and the
Public Sector Search & Consulting Seeking Police Chief for the City of Dallas
Executive recruitment firm Public Sector Search & Consulting has been retained by the city of Dallas to lead in its search for a new police chief. Chief of police Eddie Garcia left his post in September. The assignment is being spearheaded by Gary Peterson, president and CEO of Public Sector Search. The city said they hope to
Alexander Hughes Expands in Paris
Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has added David Epstein to its Paris office to lead consulting teams as managing director. “We are delighted to welcome David Epstein to our firm,” said Julien Rozet, CEO of Alexander Hughes. “Supported by an ambitious and motivated team, he will contribute to the growth of our group while consolidating our position
Experience Over Potential: 69 Percent of Hired CEOs Have Already Held the Top Job
Organizations are overwhelmingly drawn to CEO candidates who have already navigated the complexities of the top job. While 40 percent of CEO candidates boast prior experience in the role, a staggering 69 percent of those hired have previously served as CEOs, according to findings of a new report by ON Partners. “This emphasis on prior
Slone Partners Appoints Co-CEO
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has appointed Eric Fink as co-CEO and managing partner. “Eric is a tremendously talented business strategist who brings significant industry experience and compelling insights to our organization,” said Adam Slone, founder and chairman. “His efforts to establish Slone Partners as a leader in fractional search are creating new opportunities for our company and our
Herbert Mines Recruits CEO for Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has recruited Jason Potter as the new CEO of Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. in Emeryville, CA. He will succeed Eric J. Lindberg, who has served as interim president and CEO since October 2024. Mr. Lindberg will work closely with Mr. Potter over a transition period, including meeting independent
The Registry Assists Georgian Court University with Interim President Search
The Registry, a Peabody, MA-based interim executive solution owned by ZRG, has assisted in the recruitment of Eugene J. Cornacchia as interim president of Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Cornacchia to Georgian Court University,” said Sister Michele Aronica, chair of the board of trustees. “His experience, leadership acumen, commitment
Bespoke Partners Grows Product and Technology Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has expanded with the addition of Jay Nguyen as a partner in the product and technology practice. He will be based in Chicago. “Jay’s exceptional track record and passion for aligning technology executive recruiting with business objectives make him a perfect addition to our team,” said Ryan Bonner, partner and leader of Bespoke Partners’ product and technology practice. “His expertise in
How to Determine Return on Investment in Executive Search
Increasingly, decision-makers planning recruitment outsourcing and budgeting for the upcoming year are asking how to measure the return on investment (ROI) of hiring a new senior leader. This becomes even more challenging and crucial when executive-level recruitment is involved, according to a new report from the International Executive Search Federation (IESF)’s Ewa Adamczyk, a partner at
Acertitude Recruits CFO for Momentum Manufacturing Group
Acertitude has assisted in the recruitment of Sven Doerge as the new CFO of Momentum Manufacturing Group, a One Equity Partners portfolio company. The search was led by co-founder and managing partner, Kevin O’Neill, and principal, Dan Staats. Mr. Doerge is an experienced CFO and business leader with over 20 years of achievement driving growth, efficiency,
Holden Richardson Assists Shaw Development with CEO Search
Holden Richardson recently helped to recruit experienced industry executive Andrew Sexton as the new CEO of Shaw Development in Bonita Springs, FL. “His expertise in product development and multi-channel automotive supply chain positions him perfectly to lead Shaw Development forward,” the company said. Mr. Sexton most recently served as CEO of All Star Auto Parts, where
The Talent Studios Fills Top Marketing Position for United Sports Brands
The Talent Studios has placed Kyle Schlegel as senior vice president of marketing of United Sports Brands in Fountain Valley, CA. Jeremy Cohen and Serena Smith led the assignment. “We are thrilled to bring Kyle on to lead the United Sports Brands marketing organization,” said Phil Gyori, CEO of United Sports Brands. “He brings an incredible
Korn Ferry Names Chief Information Officer
Korn Ferry has appointed Michael LoRusso as chief information officer. He succeeds Brandon Johnson, who has retired from the CIO role after serving in this position for the last five years. “We are excited to have Mike join the firm,” said Robert Rozek, CFO and chief corporate officer, Korn Ferry. “He brings extensive IT knowledge and
Burnout in the Workplace: What the Latest Research Tells Us
Imagine a workplace where 80 percent of employees are experiencing burnout, with younger generations feeling the strain the most. How would this affect productivity, morale, and the overall success of the organization? New research reveals that this scenario is not far-fetched, serving as a wake-up call for executives. Employee burnout has become a widespread challenge,
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of St. Thomas to Lead President Search
Funk Associates has been retained by the University of St. Thomas to lead a national search for a new president. The school is looking for a dynamic and proven leader. Richard L. Ludwick, who has served as president at the University of St. Thomas-Houston since July 1, 2017, will step down from that role on
JBR Executive Search & Succession Opens Doors
Executive search and recruitment veteran Julie Biber launched search firm JBR Executive Search & Succession. The firm will offer services in executive level searches, both for agencies and in-house roles, and succession and pipelining for organizations. It will focus on the tech, CPG, food and beverage, healthcare, financial communications and services and public affairs industries.
Artico Search Completes Search for Cowboy Ventures
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Matt Meyer of Artico Search have assisted in the recruitment of Caroline Duffy as a partner in the investment team at Cowboy Ventures. “Caroline embodies Cowboy values, especially in understanding and practicing venture as a craft; as a great student of technology, collaborator, risk taker, and empath,” the company said in a release. “We’re thrilled
Key Hiring Trends For 2025
As we are now well into 2025, the future of hiring is shifting quickly, according to a report from Ontario-based executive search firm The Verriez Group. “To stay competitive, companies must engage passive talent, offer attractive salaries, and invest in career development,” the firm said. “Smart employers are adapting by prioritizing skills over traditional qualifications,
C-Suite Strategy Balancing Short-Term Results with Long-Term Vision
In today’s fast-paced business environment, C-suite executives are under increasing pressure to achieve quick results while also shaping sustainable, future-oriented organizations. This delicate balance between short-term performance and long-term strategic vision has become increasingly challenging as market volatility, technological disruption, and stakeholder expectations continue to intensify, according to a recent report from Slayton Search Partners.
5 Common Mistakes in Succession Planning and How to Avoid Them
Succession planning is more than a strategy—it’s the key to securing a company’s future. Yet even well-meaning organizations, brimming with potential, often misjudge how to execute this crucial process effectively, according to a recently released report from SGA Talent. Below, the executive search firm breaks down five frequent missteps in the succession planning process and, more importantly, how
Campbell & Company Recruits Executive Director for the American Nurses Foundation
Campbell & Company has placed Graig R. Eastin as the new executive director of the American Nurses Foundation. Senior consultant Joey Scheiber and managing director Kris McFeely led the assignment. “Graig is an advancement executive with over 35 years of extensive experience spearheading fundraising strategies that generated over $1.5 billion in contributions to date for leading academic institutions
Nolan Partners Assists Houston Texans Recruit Team President
Nolan Partners, an Excel Sports Management company, has assisted in the recruitment of Mike Tomon as the new team president for the Houston Texans. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mike Tomon to our Texans family,” said Cal McNair, chair and CEO. “Mike is a proven leader who brings more than 20 years of experience in
