DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting 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
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
The Keys to Hiring AI Advisory Partners
The idea that software has reshaped every industry is no longer a bold prediction—it’s a baseline assumption, and now artificial intelligence is accelerating that shift even further. A new report from CipherStone Partners’ Robin Abraham and Joel Richard asks: What does today’s ground-shifting moment mean for those advising the world’s top business and political leaders
Atlantic Group Expands Search Staff
Executive search firm Atlantic Group has expanded with the addition of Kevin Goldman to its legal and compliance division. “We are happy to welcome Kevin Goldman to Atlantic Group’s legal and compliance division,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “He is reuniting with senior managing director, Melanie Marshak, with whom he previously worked for two
2025 Hiring Trends: How Strategic HR Management is Shaping the Future of Work
The future of corporate hiring is unfolding rapidly, with 2025 shaping into a transformative year for workforce strategies. As businesses navigate a landscape defined by strategic human resources management, emerging trends such as skills-based hiring, AI-powered recruitment, and hybrid work models reshape how organizations attract and retain talent, according to a new report from Talento. “Strategic human
10 Effective Strategies to Close the Board Diversity Gap
As companies aim to diversify their boardrooms, the slow advancement and persistent gender disparities remain concerning. Insights from The Bedford Group TRANSEARCH’s latest compensation reports further highlight the ongoing need for gender equity in board composition. “Despite widespread acknowledgment of the importance of diverse leadership, many corporations still struggle to bridge the gap in both representation
ZRG Assists Purpose Brands with CEO Search
Global talent advisory firm ZRG has recruited Tom Leverton as the new CEO of Purpose Brands, LLC, the $3.7 billion global wellness holdings company formed by the merger of Orangetheory Fitness and Self Esteem Brands. Dan Searby and Brian Meany led the assignment. “The creation of Purpose Brands gives us the opportunity to move fast and be flexible in
Randstad Digital Appoints CEO
Randstad N.V. has announced that Randstad Digital has named Graig Paglieri as its new CEO effective January 1. He replaces Venu Lambu, who will be leaving Randstad at the end of January. “Graig is a pioneer and proven industry leader in talent services who recognizes that our greatest strength lies in our talented teams,” the company said
Employers Maintain Cautious Optimism with Steady Global Hiring Plans for Q1 2025
Global hiring intentions have stabilized heading into the first quarter of 2025, with employers reporting a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25 percent, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, which gathered data from over 40,000 employers across 42 countries, shows the outlook remaining unchanged from the previous quarter while showing a
Kincannon & Reed Assists American Vanguard Corporation with CEO Search
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Douglas Kaye as the new CEO of American Vanguard Corporation in Newport Beach, CA. Heinrich Gugger and Stephen Coffey spearheaded the search. Eric G. Wintemute concluded his position as CEO with American Vanguard this
The Food Research & Action Center Taps BoardWalk Consulting to Find New Leader
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting was recently selected by The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) to lead in its search for a new president. The organization in April announced that its president, Luis Guardia, has stepped down. Senior director Crystal Stephens is leading the assignment. FRAC seeks a president experienced in leading antihunger efforts and knowledgeable of federal
Global Executive Solutions Group Rebrands to GESG
Global Executive Solutions Group has announced their renaming and rebranding as GESG. “At GESG, our updated brand identity is rooted in the core values that have always driven us: passion, success, teamwork, and flexibility,” said Scott Chadbourne, president of GESG. “We continue to be dedicated to our mission of being the preeminent boutique executive search
SPMB Names Partner
SPMB Executive Search has named Allison Beach as partner. “Allison’s promotion to partner is a testament to her exceptional ability to drive successful executive searches across technology sectors,” said Eamonn Tucker, managing partner at SPMB. “She has consistently raised the bar for search execution and leadership in our enterprise go-to-market practice. Allison’s contributions have also been pivotal in
Herbert Mines Assists Hint with CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has placed Michael Pengue as the new CEO of Verlinvest-backed Hint Inc., makers of unsweetened flavored still water. “The appointment of new leadership and incremental capital to further solidify the company and position it for future growth,” the company said. Mr. Pengue is a seasoned executive
McCormack+Kristel Recruits Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Openhouse
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has assisted in the recruitment of Rob Sánchez-Nelson as director for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (DJEDI) of Openhouse in San Francisco. Bryan Epps led the assignment. Working across departments and with the board’s JEDI committee, Rob Sánchez-Nelson will identify real-time opportunities and challenges for Openhouse to deepen its commitment, competency, and JEDI outcomes
Academic Career & Executive Search Tapped by Bay de Noc Community College for Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Search
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been tapped to find next dean of Nursing and Allied Health at Bay de Noc Community College. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the search. The search firm notes that this is an exceptional leadership opportunity to join a thriving and well-established nursing program at a college serving as
Redgrave Launches Sustainability Practice
London-headquartered executive search firm Redgrave has launched its sustainability practice, led by partner Kate Goodall. This strategic initiative will offer guidance to clients across both public and private markets, focusing on the development of sustainability strategies and the recruitment of the senior talent in the field. “Redgrave’s sustainability practice aims to address every aspect of building a
Executive Search in 2024: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025
For many search firms in almost all industry segments, 2024 has been a tough year. There are many reasons for the recent downturn, and some firms have experienced a dip in revenues for even longer, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and managing partner of The Tolan Group. “Lots of changes are on the horizon
CarterBaldwin Retained by Cassia for CEO Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has been selected by Cassia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Associate partner Gerri Williams is leading the assignment. Bob Dahl, president and CEO of Cassia, formally announced his plan to retire in January 2026. The announcement of Mr. Dahl’s retirement sets in motion a carefully planned leadership succession process, with
DHR Global Recruits Chief People Officer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
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
TM² Executive Search Tapped by Texas Southern University Foundation for Two Senior Searches
TM² Executive Search (TM²), a subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, has been retained by Texas Southern University Foundation to lead in its searches for an executive director and financial controller. This search is being led by TM² Executive Search’s managing principal, Dakota Doman, principal, Amanda Washington Lockett, and associate principal, Ndeh Anyu. “These
Flatiron Search Partners Names Chief Talent Officer
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has expanded with the addition of Michelle Schreck as chief talent officer. “Hiring, onboarding, training, engaging, and retaining the best talent is no small task,” Flatiron Search Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “As we scale, we’re doubling down on these efforts to ensure not only that we have the best team, but
Talent Pattern Recognition: Navigating Workforce Challenges in Private Equity and Beyond
Scalable talent strategy is a workforce planning approach tailored to meet the evolving needs of organizations by integrating talent acquisition, development, and retention seamlessly. For executive search, this strategy is particularly critical as it prioritizes identifying and securing top leadership talent to drive organizational success. By leveraging data-driven insights, advanced technology, and adaptable workforce models,
Why Personal Branding Matters: Unlocking New Opportunities and Building Authentic Connections
Building a personal brand is a powerful way to establish credibility. Highlighting your unique passions allows recruiters to tap into a broader and more diverse talent pool. There are around 4.74 billion social media users worldwide, representing 59.3 percent of the global population. With such saturated social media platforms, it has become vital to focus
TurnkeyZRG Tapped by Texas Christian University to Lead Search for Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Texas Christian University (TCU) has retained TurnkeyZRG to lead in a national search for a director of intercollegiate athletics. Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, is leading the search. “TCU has shown again and again that not only are we committed to competing at the highest levels of college athletics but that we already
The Hawkins Company Recruits CEO for The Inner City Education Foundation
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, has assisted in the recruitment of TyAnthony Davis as the new CEO of The Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF). He succeeds Parker Hudnut who served as CEO for 13 years. Yonnine Hawkins Garr, William Hawkins, and Tisa Jones led the assignment. “Mr. Davis’ expertise and proven
Boyden Expands Search Staff
Boyden has named five new partners and one new principal. The firm added partners Ignacio Serra in Spain, Costas Verginis, in Greece, Marcus Hoffmann and Maximilian Bader in Germany, Suresh Lal in the United Kingdom and Giulia Teodori in Italy. Richard Schmidt joins the Boyden Sweden as principal to lead Boyden’s growth strategy in the Swedish market. “Boyden’s continued growth in Europe is a key part of our
The Registry: Transforming Higher Education with Deeply Experienced Interim HR Leaders
The need for HR transformations, a new report finds, is driving a dramatic rise in the number of interim CHROs being asked to provide strategic leadership in times of change. In just the first half of 2024, demand for interim CHROs matched the entire year of 2023, according to Heidrick & Struggles’ latest Fortune 1000 CHRO Trends data.
Funk Associates Recruits Athletic Director for the University of South Carolina
After an exhaustive process, Funk Associates’ sports recruiting division recently assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Donati as the new athletic director for the University of South Carolina. “I am thrilled to welcome Jeremiah Donati to Gamecock Nation,” said Michael Amiridis, president of the University of South Carolina. “Jeremiah’s accomplishments at TCU—across athletics, NIL, and facilities—speak for
Lindauer Recruits CEO for Tech Goes Home
Lindauer has been retained by Tech Goes Home (TGH) in Boston, MA, to lead in its search for a new CEO. Bob Giannino, Taylor Beard, and Elsa Gomes Bondlow are leading the assignment. As it approaches its 25th anniversary, Tech Goes Home is looking for a CEO who will build on the organization’s progress in advancing digital equity while
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Seeking New CEO for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital was recently called in by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) to find a new president and CEO. IREC seeks a CEO to lead and direct the organization, ensuring a positive, team-based, goal-oriented culture. This executive is the face of the organization and is responsible for the overall successful operation and fiscal integrity
Heidrick & Struggles Names CFO
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Nirupam Sinha as its new CFO. “Nirupam Sinha is a proven financial leader with a passion for strategy, transformation, and people leadership across professional services, financial services, and technology,” said Tom Monahan, CEO of Heidrick. “Throughout his career, Nirupam has helped lead transformative
CHRO Turnover Declines Amid Workforce Shifts
CHRO turnover remains low as organizations seek to prioritize stability amidst unprecedented socio-political challenges, new legislation across sectors, and workforce transformation concerns. Overall, incoming CHRO changes are still notably down 34 percent year-to-date since 2023, and 23 percent since 2022, according to the latest CHRO turnover report from Russell Reynolds Associates. “By retaining the top line
How Poor Interviewer Skills Undermine Strategic Plans
HR professionals know having solid interviewing skills is arguably one of the most critical skills needed to secure the most appropriate talent to build a successful company and culture. Research continues to reveal the lack of implementing ongoing interview training being introduced by human resource teams, as well as executive leadership to insure hiring managers
