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Daily Newswire
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
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
Bain Data Signals a More Selective Hiring Market
Bain & Company’s Global Job Market Trends report shows a synchronized global slowdown in hiring activity. Job postings declined across all major markets, with the U.S. down 32 percent, Germany down 34 percent, and India down 29 percent. Even sectors historically insulated from labor volatility, such as healthcare, saw meaningful contraction. The breadth of the decline
AGB Search Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of 21st President
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Mark Blegen as the 21st president of Linfield University. He will assume leadership from interim president Rebecca Johnson in July. Linfield’s 20th president, Miles K. Davis, departed in December 2023. Consultants Loren Anderson and Shannon McCambridge spearheaded the assignment. The announcement comes after a 10-month search co-chaired
Peña Search Seeking CFO for Visit Dallas
Peña Search was recently retained by Visit Dallas to lead in its search for a new CFO. Travis Hillier and Cindy Maloney are leading the assignment. With Visit Dallas financially stable and well-positioned for success due to strong relationships with the city, the organization requires a dynamic CFO to bring its multi-year strategic plan to fruition and continue
Stevenson Search Partners Appoints New CEO
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, has named Larry Dolinko as its new CEO. Adam Bloom, president of Stevenson Search Partners, will continue in his role overseeing day-to-day activity on the executive search side and remains critical to the success of the overall
Top 10 Interview Questions for CEO Candidates
Today’s CEO role involves setting the strategic vision of the company, ensuring long-term growth and stability, and driving organizational culture. They serve as the primary decision-maker and spokesperson, balancing the needs of stakeholders, including investors, employees, customers, and society. With the increasing pace of technological change and global challenges, CEOs must also demonstrate adaptability A
Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 4.2 Percent
Employment rose by 227,000 in November as the U.S. unemployment rate 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 November. Employment trended up in healthcare, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance. Retail trade lost jobs. Among the major worker groups,
Coulter Partners Recruits CEO and Chief Business Officer for IMU Biosciences
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has helped to recruit John Baker as chief executive officer and Jason Brown as chief business officer of biotechnology company IMU Biosciences. Founder and past CEO Adam Laing will assume the roles of president and chief scientific officer. “I am incredibly proud of what the IMU team has achieved to date,” said
JDG Associates Seeking Business Development Leader for R&K Enterprise Solutions
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently called in by R&K Enterprise Solutions to lead in its search for a vice president of business development. Reporting directly to the president, R&K is seeking a driven, high performing candidate with significant defense industry knowledge and experience, strong relationship management skills, and a proven track record
BarkerGilmore Adds Strategic Advisor and Leadership Development Coach
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has named David Rowan as a strategic advisor and leadership development coach. “We are thrilled to welcome David as a strategic advisor and coach,” said Bob Barker, managing partner. “His unparalleled experience in legal and governance leadership, particularly his work guiding the strategic expansion and complex
Intel Taps Spencer Stuart to Find New CEO
Spencer Stuart has been retained by Intel Corporation to lead in its search for a new CEO. Pat Gelsinger retired from the company after a distinguished 40-plus-year career and has stepped down from the board of directors, effective December 1, 2024. Intel has named two senior leaders, David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus, as interim co-chief executive officers
Korn Ferry Posts Fiscal Q2 Revenue Decrease of Four Percent
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2025 fiscal second quarter revenues of $674.4, a decrease of four percent from the same period a year ago. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to lower fee revenues in professional search & interim and consulting driven by a decline in demand due to the current economic environment, partially
Fort Lewis College Taps Buffkin / Baker to Find Next President
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been retained by Fort Lewis College to lead in its search for its next president. Partner Ann Yates and associate partner Pelema Ellis are leading the assignment. Reporting to the board of trustees, the president is responsible for shaping the college’s vision and strategic direction. The new president will assume the role at
DHR Global Grows New York Office
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Robert Kobayashi as managing partner in the New York office. As a key member of the financial services, technology, and industrial practice groups, he will provide strategic guidance to clients seeking top-tier executive talent in these dynamic sectors. With more than 22 years of executive search experience and
Executive Search Veteran Mary Gay Townsend Dies
Mary Gay Townsend, executive search veteran and co-founder of boutique executive recruiting firm Norgay Partners, died on November 28. “Mary Gay Townsend had battled cancer for over 25 years, but never let the disease define her,” said Kylie Hart and Chandler Holbrook, the other two co-founders of the firm. “She was a true leader in
6 Ways AI Will Impact Private Equity Firms’ Human Capital Needs
Incorporating generative AI tools into private businesses and public sector organizations could increase global productivity by 1.5 percentage points over the next decade, according to Goldman Sachs Research. This would lead to a seven percent – or almost $7 trillion – increase in global GDP. McKinsey says generative AI is “poised to unleash the next wave of
Griffith Group Recruits New CEO for the Public Policy Forum
Following an extensive national search, Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Inez Jabalpurwala as president and CEO of the Public Policy Forum. Jane Griffith, managing partner and founder, and Caroline McLean, partner, led this important assignment. Ms. Jabalpurwala succeeds Edward Greenspon, who over the past nine years helped build PPF’s reputation as one
Preng & Associates Fills Senior Positions for Ring Energy
Houston-based Preng & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Phillip Feiner as the new vice president and general counsel and James Parr as executive vice president, exploration and geosciences at NYSE-traded Ring Energy Inc. in Woodlands, TX. David and Laura Preng led the assignment. With more than 25 years of energy industry experience, including with both public and private
Furst Group Recruits CEO for Genevive
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has helped to recruit Julia Crist as the new CEO of Genevive in Minneapolis, MN. Tim Frischmon led the assignment. “Driven by a commitment to improving access and affordability for underserved patients and a special passion for enhancing elder care services,” Genevive said. “Julia is particularly
H.I. Executive Consulting Partners with Boardwave
Global search firm H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has established a new partnership with Boardwave. Since its 2022 launch, Boardwave has become a mission-driven hub for the U.K. and European software industry, attracting over 1800 members. As a social enterprise offering free membership to CEOs and founders, Boardwave provides resources and support to drive the region towards global
Top 5 Leadership Trends Set to Define 2025
As 2025 approaches, emerging challenges and opportunities are driving the ongoing evolution of leadership trends. Executive recruiters say that the ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead with authenticity is becoming more crucial than ever. Korn Ferry‘s Workforce Global Insights Report examines attitudes affecting employee sentiment and emphasizes the growing need for leaders to be agile
Managing Leadership Changes: Navigating Executive Departures in Your Organization
Executive turnover is a natural part of any organization’s evolution. Whether it’s due to retirement, a new career direction, or corporate restructuring, the departure of senior leaders can create challenges if not properly managed, according to a recent report from Kinsley|Sarn Executive Search. In this white paper, the firm explores the impact of leadership transitions, the
PierceGray Seeking CHRO for Ackerman Plumbing
PierceGray was recently called in by Ackerman Plumbing Inc. in Charlotte, NC, to lead in its search for a new chief human resources officer. With Shore Capital’s backing, Ackerman Trade Services is seeking its first CHRO to support its future growth agenda. This executive will build out policies, procedures, and systems to professionalize and lead the
Gallagher Executive Search Fills People and Culture Post for Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corp.
People and culture executives are leaders responsible for overseeing an organization’s people strategies, workplace culture, and employee experience. Their primary focus is to ensure that the company attracts, retains, and develops top talent while fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. Gallagher Executive Search recently placed Rhonda Cooper-Burgess as director of people and culture at Alberta
ZRG Expands Presence in Middle East
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has expanded in the Middle East with the addition of Hanan Alsaif as managing director – strategic account relations. She is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “Hanan’s expertise as a practitioner and search professional in strategy, transformation, and HR is a great asset to
A Look at Executive Search in 2025
For decades, relationships were the cornerstone of executive search. “A strong network of C-suite executives and hiring managers could singlehandedly propel a consultant to success,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner of JGA Partners. “Deals were often secured through trust and familiarity, forged during coffee meetings, networking events, or rounds of golf. This approach was effective
Are Counteroffers a Risk Worth Taking?
Should you take advantage of a counteroffer? If you’re on the job hunt, a counteroffer can be a tempting proposition, after all, what’s not to like about being offered a competitive salary raise or promotion, explains Toronto-based executive search firm Ivy Group in a recent report. “While these enticing incentives may make you feel valued, a counteroffer
Dartmouth College Retains Isaacson, Miller to Find New Provost
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller was recently called by Dartmouth College to lead in its search for a new provost. John Muckle, Becky Piper, Stephen Kalogeras, and Ethan Thomas are leading the search for the firm. Dartmouth seeks a distinguished academic and strategic administrative leader to serve as Provost. Dartmouth’s profile is unique in higher education in combining the
NU Advisory Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Allvue Systems
NU Advisory Partners has placed Deborah DeVerna as the new chief people officer of Allvue Systems. “With your wealth of expertise in organizational development and talent strategy, we’re confident your leadership will elevate team cohesion and drive impactful results as the organization grows,” said Nada Usina, co-founder and CEO of NU Advisory Partners. Thank you to Marc Scheipe, Deborah
Cowen Partners Appoints Director of Client Services
Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search has named Cheryl Nantang as director of client services. “Cheryl Nantang is an exceptional addition to our team at Cowen Partners Executive Search,” said Shawn Cole, president of Cowen Partners. “Her deep expertise across private, public, and non-profit sectors, combined with her passion for connecting organizations with transformative leadership, aligns perfectly
CHROs and Future Thinking: Shaping a Positive Culture
The CHRO role has evolved to encompass not just internal talent management but also the broader responsibility of shaping organizational culture in ways that contribute positively to society. As part of this growth, Blue Rock Search’s Ruben Moreno emphasizes “future state thinking” to help HR leaders build agile workplaces aligned with business goals. The is a
SPMB Completes CFO Searches for Contentsquare and Dragos
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Marcela Martin as CFO of Contentsquare in New York City and Mark Matheos as CFO of Dragos in Washington, D.C. Both assignments were led by partner Steven Popper. “I am delighted to welcome Marcela Martin as chief financial officer,” said Jonathan Cherki, founder and CEO of Contentsquare. “With over three decades of leadership
Acertitude Assists Essendant Fulfillment Services with President Search
Executive search firm Acertitude has helped to recruit Patrick Allard as the new president of Essendant Fulfillment Services, a Sycamore Partners portfolio company. Max Stubenvoll, principal overseeing business services in North America, led the search along with associate Kate Pozner. “Patrick’s experience in business development, marketing and product sales combined with his expertise in general business operations in
