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Parker Remick Appoints Partner of Firm Operations
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick recently named Jena Gibson as partner of firm operations. This is part of the executive search firm’s expansion of operational infrastructure and AI-enabled delivery capabilities. The firm noted that all in response to rising demand for senior technology and AI leadership. Ms. Gibson joins Parker Remick with more than 15 years
Building an Employer Brand That Attracts Top Executive Talent
In today’s competitive business environment, where organizations are vying for top talent, a strong employer brand has become an essential strategic advantage. It plays a critical role in attracting and retaining high-quality candidates while also contributing to an organization’s overall success. A recent report from the International Executive Search Federation (IESF) delves into the importance of a
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.
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
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?
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Noto Group Expands Global Consumer Practice
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Noto Group has expanded with the additions of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as senior partners in its global consumer practice. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, managing partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding
millionways Brings a New Behavioral Intelligence Lever to Executive Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon Ventures this week completed its investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered company that builds a behavioral intelligence layer of AI for human agent workforces, utilizing a proprietary Large Psychology Model called Thorsten-4. The platform focuses on understanding human signals, motives, and behavior patterns, with applications used across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management,
AI Governance Jobs Platform Builds Early Momentum Through Privacy-First Model
AI-Governance-Jobs.com, operated by GRC Careers LLC and led by founder and CEO F. Jay Hall, has built its model combining specialized career content, organic search visibility, and privacy-focused architecture. The company’s latest executive summary reports 134,499 organic impressions over a recent 28-day period, achieved roughly three months after launch — without advertising. As demand grows
Blue Rock Human Capital Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of Dean of the School of Business
Blue Rock Human Capital has helped to recruit Isaac Wanasika as the new dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. “Blue Rock Human Capital was pleased to work with Linfield University to identify their new dean of the School of Business,” said Jacquelyn Elliot, president and COO of Blue Rock Human Capital. “Today’s higher
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
CHRO Succession Grows More Deliberate as Organizations Prioritize Experience and Transformation
The role of the chief human resources officer continues to evolve as organizations navigate workforce transformation, leadership succession, technological disruption, and shifting employee expectations. Once viewed primarily as a steward of talent and culture, today’s CHRO is increasingly expected to serve as a strategic business partner, helping shape enterprise priorities while ensuring organizations have the
2025 Talent Trend: New Leaders Focusing on Team Alignment and Impact
A leadership trend that has emerged over the past few years is coming to a head, bringing with it a new set of recruitment and talent engagement challenges and opportunities in 2025, according to a new report from Lindauer. Findings from a study by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources say that
Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.1 Percent
Employment rose by 256,000 in December as the U.S. unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 6.9 million in December. Employment trended up in healthcare, government, and social assistance. Retail trade added jobs in December, following a job loss in November.
McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Administrative Officer for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Troy Harper as EVP and chief administrative officer at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California in Lodi, CA. Deborah Skinner recently retired after spending 24 years in this role. The search was led by McDermott + Bull president Brandon Biegenzahn, managing director Courtney Dorrel, vice president Hilary Raska, and
Caldwell Posts 21.7 Percent Revenue Increase in Fiscal Q1
Toronto-based Caldwell posted Q1 revenues of $21.3 million (Canadian), a 21.7 percent gain from the same period a year ago. Professional fees reached $21.2 million, with Caldwell’s segment growing 30 percent to $18.4 million, while IQTalent’s fees decreased to $2.8 million from $3.2 million. Cadlwell reported net earnings of $465,000 ($0.016 per share), compared to $3.8 million ($0.128 per share) in
Preparing the C-Suite for Success in the 2025 AI-Driven Economy
The Total Economic Impact (TEI) of AI is highly lucrative, serving as the primary catalyst for the bold push toward accelerated digitization. TEI measures AI’s comprehensive economic value to an organization by capturing direct financial gains, operational efficiency, customer impact, risk reduction, and competitive advantage, according to a new report from Boyden’s Bashar Kilani. “Direct
Korn Ferry Assists the Universities Space Research Association with CEO Search
Following an extensive national search, Korn Ferry has assisted in the recruitment of Elsayed Talaat as president and CEO of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in Washington, D.C. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Talaat as the next CEO of USRA,” said Gen Lester Lyles, chair of the board of trustees. “We firmly believe he is the
Modern Executive Solutions Recruits CEO for Members Development Company
Atlanta-based executive search firm Modern Executive Solutions has helped to recruit Ned Tobey as the new CEO of Members Development Company in Madison, WI. He succeeds Jeff Kline, the company’s CEO since 2007. The selection of Mr. Tobey caps a search process that followed Mr. Kline’s retirement announcement earlier this year. The company partnered with Modern to
Daversa Partners Appoints Five New Managing Directors
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has promoted Lyndy Adamonis, Tara Cremin, Megan Daversa, Jodie Salzberg, and Ava Talbott to managing directors. “These five have earned their reputation by building deep networks, achieving consistent results for both clients and candidates, and fostering partnerships that drive exceptional company outcomes,” Daversa Partners said in a release. “Their belief that
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Country Manager for Singapore
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has appointed Euan Kenworthy as country manager of the Singapore office. He succeeds Ulrike Wieduwilt, who is stepping down from her role. “We are confident that Euan’s proven track record in building diverse and high-performing leadership teams, complemented with his deep appreciation of cultural sensitivities in the region, will be a
The Strategic Architects Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, and Business Excellence
The role of HR leaders has expanded significantly, in the last decade, making them vital architects of organizational culture and strategy. The best HR professionals are not only adept at managing talent but also serve as strategic partners who align HR initiatives with broader business objectives, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. These leaders possess
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for Kiewit Luminarium
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has recruited Mathew Sinclair as the new CEO of Kiewit Luminarium in Omaha, NE. Linda Brandl, who has been serving as interim CEO, will continue to lead the organization until Sinclair assumes his position in February. “Mat Sinclair is an outstanding leader with a strong track record of building collaborative, community-focused initiatives,”
Bryant Group Leading Senior Search Assignment for the University of San Diego
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been retained by the University of San Diego to lead in its search for an associate vice president for university events and partnerships. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, is leading the assignment. “On the heels of an exceptional 75th anniversary year, the University of San Diego is
Kaye/Bassman Expands Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Practice
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International has expanded with the addition of Edward Canning as managing partner within its pharmaceutical and biotechnology recruiting practice. “Bringing Ed Canning onto our already formidable team represents a tremendous opportunity,” said Michael Pietrack, who leads the pharma and biotech division. “His integrity and values align perfectly with our culture, ensuring we
Heidrick & Struggles Unveils 2025 Global and Regional Leadership Appointments
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has announced key global and regional leader appointments, effective January 1, 2025. The appointed leaders will continue advancing the firm’s objective of delivering exceptional value to clients by fostering differentiated, deep, and durable relationships. “Having the right leadership in place is increasingly crucial to business performance,
Why Soft Skills Still Rule the C-Suite in the Age of AI
In an era dominated by technological advancements and artificial intelligence, it might be tempting to believe that machines can replace human leadership. However, the essence of effective leadership lies in a unique blend of soft skills that transcend AI’s capabilities, according to a new report from Kestria. “While technical expertise is undoubtedly necessary, it is
University of Florida Calls in SP&A Executive Search to Help Find Next President
SP&A Executive Search has been retained by the University of Florida to lead in its search for its 14th president. The school selected the search firm that led the efforts that found former president Ben Sasse, as well as the University of South Florida and Florida State University’s presidents. “The search committee is advisory and will
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for CoreNet Global
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions has recruited Scott Wiley as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. Angela Cain recently stepped down. “Scott Wiley is the ideal candidate to assume the CEO of CoreNet Global and lead us into the future,” said David Chang, CoreNet Global board chair. “Scott’s visionary leadership and experience
Pacific International Fills Senior Marketing and Communications Role for the American Bakers Association
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International has recently assisted in the recruitment of Anne Fairfield-Sonn as director of marketing and communications for the American Bakers Association (ABA). This strategic hire will strengthen ABA’s ability to deliver results for the industry under its new strategic plan. “Working with Pacific International was an absolute pleasure,” said Eric
NGS Global Appoints Managing Partner for the Middle East
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the addition of Julien Abou Khalil as the managing partner for the Middle East based out of the United Arab Emirates. “With Julien’s addition to the NGS Global team, we have continued to reinforce our commitment to attracting the highest caliber partners in the world to lead our initiatives
The Evolving Trends in Employee Engagement for 2025
Employee engagement is essential for an organization to retain and motivate its workforce. When employees feel connected to their work, productivity, innovation, and commitment to company goals rise. A dedicated workforce also supports a positive work culture, encouraging collaboration and proactive problem-solving, according to a recent report from DHR Global. “Moreover, organizations whose employees are
JM Search Recruits CEO for Inventive-Group
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has helped to recruit Erik Nelson as the new CEO of Inventive-Group in Mountain Home, ID. Andrew Henry, Jim McGinley, and Tucker Twitmyer led this assignment. “JM Search are honored to have helped with this effort,” the firm said in a LinkedIn
Odgers Berndtson Leading CFO Search for World Energy
Odgers Berndtson was recently called in by World Energy to lead in its search for a new CFO. Emily McGonigle is leading the assignment. “We are delighted to be conducting the search for CFO at World Energy,” Odgers Berndtson said in a LinkedIn post. “This role will involve being a strategic member of the World Energy
Myers McRae Assists Northwest Florida State College with President Search
Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas of Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting recently assisted in the recruitment of Melvin Ponder as president of Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC). The announcement followed finalist interviews in November. “The board of trustees thanks all four finalist candidates for participating in our rigorous on-campus interview process,” said Lori Kelley, NWFSC
Signium Opens Office in Dubai
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Dubai, UAE. This expansion strengthens Signium’s presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, complementing its existing Dubai leadership consulting office, led by managing partner Hisham El-Badawy since 2006. The new office is led by search veterans Jon Ashcroft and Mark Holdich, who have joined as managing partners. Together with
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2024
In 2024, the recruiting industry experienced a mix of challenges and opportunities. Recruiters sought innovative ways to deliver value to their clients, as many firms faced dips in revenues and search activity. Investor-driven market consolidation continued to reshape the landscape. Search consultants faced hurdles such as recession fears, talent shortages, and a candidate-driven market. Meanwhile,
HealthSearch Partners Seeking CHRO for Adventist HealthCare
HealthSearch Partners (HSP) was recently retained by Adventist HealthCare to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Ivan Bartolome, president and CEO of HSP, is leading the assignment. The CHRO is a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team. He/she provides direction on the workforce implications of overall strategy and develops innovative HR solutions
Spencer Stuart Appoints Leader of North America Region
Spencer Stuart recently appointed Miranda Pode as leader of the firm’s North America region. “The exciting opportunities shaping the foundation of our future are often built upon the hard work of those who came before us,” Ms. Pode said in a LinkedIn post. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Eric Leventhal who continued our
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2024
2024 brought challenges across many sectors, but it also showcased the resilience and innovation of top recruiting leaders who rose to meet the moment. Across the board, from non-profits, the Fed, sports teams, research organizations, to start-ups, the Fortune 500, and PE-backed companies, top leaders were in high demand to help steer organizations through significant
Cook Silverman Search Retained by Ploughshares to Recruit Executive Director
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has been selected by Ploughshares to lead in its hunt for a new executive director. This executive will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and guidance across all departments while supporting the president and board chair. This executive-level role involves fostering organizational alignment, developing strategic partnerships, and ensuring the achievement of Ploughshares’ mission
Bradbury-Miller Recruits Executive Director of the Mid York Library System
Executive search firm Bradbury-Miller Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Mandy Travis as the new executive director of the Mid York Library System in Utica, NY. Ms. Travis is an accomplished library professional with over two decades of experience in public library management and development. Most recently, she served as the director of the Northern Onondaga Public
A Look at What is Transforming the Executive Search Landscape
The executive search sector has been undergoing significant transformations. Search consultants tell Hunt Scanlon Media that advancements in AI and data-driven recruitment are reshaping the hiring process. AI tools now streamline candidate sourcing and assessment, while data analytics predict leadership potential and identify the best cultural fit for organizations, according to a report from HR







