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Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
HR Leaders Take Center Stage as Companies Push to Scale AI Across the Enterprise
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how organizations operate, forcing leadership teams to rethink not only technology strategy, but how work itself is structured, delivered, and scaled. As adoption accelerates, companies are moving beyond early experimentation and pilot programs, with growing pressure to translate AI investment into measurable business outcomes. What was once a forward-looking initiative
Rutgers University Selects WittKieffer to Lead Search for 22nd President
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Rutgers University to lead in its search for its 22nd president. The university board of governors’ announcement officially initiates the process of selecting a successor to president Jonathan Holloway, who announced last month he would step down on June 30, 2025. “This is an important time for Rutgers University and
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits Chief Development Officer for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, has assisted in the recruitment of Elliott Gaskins as the new chief development officer for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. The assignment was led by Gerard F. Cattie Jr. “Over the course of his mission-driven career, Elliott has worked with national nonprofits to address some of today’s most pressing
Focus Search Partners Appoints Managing Partner of Interim Leadership Solutions
Focus Search Partners, a Vaco company, has named Kate McLellan as managing partner of interim leadership solutions. In this role, she is responsible for building the company’s interim practice and addressing clients’ provisional talent needs across multiple industry sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, technology, manufacturing, consumer products and financial services. “During times of transition, Focus Search Partners’
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in San Francisco
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added San Francisco-based Potrero Group to its global membership. “We are proud to welcome Potrero Group to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. “Their exceptional research-driven approach to board transformation and executive leadership consulting adds tremendous value to our global network. We look forward to strengthening our
What is Bionic Recruiting? The Art of Blending AI with Human Expertise
As we stand on the brink of a new era, the fusion of AI technologies with human intuition is transforming the recruitment landscape like never before. Imagine a world where advanced algorithms can sift through countless resumes in seconds, yet the final hiring decisions are driven by human empathy and insight. This is bionic recruiting—an ideal blend of
Cowen Partners Assists Okland Construction with Chief People Officer Search
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
The Hawkins Company Seeking CEO for the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, has been selected by Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Vice president Todd Hawkins is leading the assignment. Candidates should possess a high level of integrity and skills that influence and demonstrate a vision of
The Talent Studios Expands Search Staff
The Talent Studios has expanded with the addition of three new search consultants. Renée Motley has joined The Talent Studios as associate partner to lead its talent and performance management practice. As a natural complement to its leadership search business, the firm will be able to offer tools around assessment, onboarding, high-performance team facilitation and succession planning.
Korn Ferry Acquires Trilogy International
Korn Ferry has closed its acquisition of U.K.-based Trilogy International. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Korn Ferry’s adjusted earnings. “We’re pleased to have Trilogy join Korn Ferry,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. “Trilogy operates at the forefront of change, in a
Unlocking Success: How Leadership Development Drives Growth and Innovation
Have you ever thought about what makes an organization across the world successful? This is because of outstanding leadership. According to a recent report from The Taplow Group, leadership development programs refer to an organized approach to enhancing organizational leadership skills. Leadership must be addressed in today’s business environment, where change is the only certainty,
NU Advisory Partners Recruits CEO for Talogy
NU Advisory Partners has recruited Russ Becker as the new CEO of Talogy, a market leader in the talent assessment and development space and a portfolio company of Waud Capital Partners. He succeeds Steve Tapp, who will continue to serve in a transitional role as special advisor to the Talogy board of directors. “Congratulations Russ Becker on
October Job Gains Stand at Only 12,000 Ahead of Election
Employment rose by 12,000 in October as the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 7.0 million in October. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare and government. Temporary help services lost jobs. Employment declined in manufacturing due to strike activity.
Myers McRae Recruits Dean for the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting recently assisted the University of South Carolina in the recruitment of accomplished public health leader Tara Sabo-Attwood as the new dean of the Arnold School of Public Health. Ms. Sabo-Attwood will take the helm of the Arnold School from retiring dean, Tommy Chandler, who served the school for 17 years.
Odgers Berndtson Names Head of the Canadian Education Practice
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has named Julia Robarts as country as head of the Canadian education practice. Ms. Robarts joined Odgers Berndtson 17 years ago and has become a trusted advisor to universities, colleges, and schools across the country. “I’m very happy to share that I’ll be leading our work across the country as head of
Speed, Communication, and AI are Key to Keeping Top Talent Engaged With Search Firms
What does it take to produce a satisfied, loyal talent community? Speed and accuracy in search and match, and clear, timely communication top the list, according to a recent report from Bullhorn. The recruiting software provider surveyed more than 2,400 global workers on their experiences working with search firms in 2024 to produce this year’s GRID Talent
True Recruits COO for Wonder
Global talent provider True has assisted in the recruitment of Tony Hoggett as the new chief operating officer of Wonder. Todd Zangrillo, Joe Illsley, Hannah James, and Alan Cork led the assignment. “At Wonder, we are deeply committed to investing in exceptional talent as we strategically shape our company’s future,” said Marc Lore, founder and CEO. “Bringing
Isaacson, Miller Seeking President for Marquette University
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller was recently retained by Marquette University to lead in its search for its 25th president. Vice president and director Julie Filizetti, partner Phillip Petree, and senior associate Rafael Escobedo, are leading the assignment. Past president Michael Lovell recently died after a three-year battle with cancer. The president serves as the CEO for Marquette and
Egon Zehnder Names Co-Leaders of the Global Technology Officers Practice Group
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Joon Yoon and Sven Michaelis as co-leaders of the global technology officers practice group. “I am thrilled to take on this new co-leadership role for the global technology officers practice group at Egon Zehnder,” said Mr. Yoon. “As technology and innovation continue to advance at an unprecedented pace, the demand for
Friisberg & Partners Appoints Chief Business Development Strategy Officer
Friisberg & Partners International has added Sabine Pirkner to its executive board as chief business development strategy officer. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading and shaping the firm’s business development strategy, furthering its growth and market expansion goals. “We are delighted to have Sabine on our executive team,” said Zoltan Petho, chair
The Evolving Role of Leadership Advisory Services in Executive Search
Leadership advisory services are consulting offerings that help organizations enhance their leadership effectiveness through tailored development programs, coaching, and succession planning. They focus on assessing and aligning leadership strategies with organizational goals while managing change and talent. Ultimately, these services empower leaders to drive performance and foster a positive organizational culture. Leadership advisory services have
Funk Associates Recruits Dean for the University of South Alabama College of Engineering
Funk Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Darryl James as dean of the University of South Alabama College of Engineering. He takes over the deanship from John Usher, who will remain on faculty. “Dr. James brings a wealth of experience to South, both as a faculty member, and as a highly effective leader,” said Andi Kent,
Renovata & Company Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Cleversoft
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Gerard McNamara as chief revenue officer of Cleversoft, a cloud-based RegTech company. “Gerard has an impressive track record in scaling software companies and building dynamic teams who execute rigorously,” said Lucy Brealy, principal at Renovata. “He has deep expertise in commercial strategy and building go-to
Mercuri Urval Names Global Practice Head of the Public Sector
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has named Christian Nyhlén as partner and global practice head of the public sector. “The public sector practice is a multifaceted environment with many different layers,” said Mr. Nyhlén. “Especially in a complex, volatile and rapidly changing world the demands on leadership will be higher and more challenging than ever.
Lyneer Search Group Appoints Director of Branding and Content
Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles, has expanded with the addition of Karen Childers as director of branding and content. “We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the Lyneer Search Group team,” said Scott Noga, vice president. “Karen’s expertise in digital marketing and her vision for creating
A Look at the Growing Need for Cybersecurity Executives
The market for cybersecurity recruiting is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats faced by organizations globally. Companies are seeking skilled professionals to protect their data and infrastructure, leading to high demand for cybersecurity talent across various industries, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. This competitive landscape has resulted
McDermott + Bull Recruits U.S. Leader for Rayner
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull recently assisted in the recruitment of Scott Corning as vice president, Americas, for Rayner, a global manufacturer of products for cataract surgery headquartered in Worthing, U.K. The search was completed by partner Jake Vander Zanden, and head of search operations Mallory McDermott. Mr. Corning will play a pivotal role in developing and executing
Work&Partners Fills Senior Positions for Toppan Merrill
New York-based Work&Partners has recruited John Dalton as director of product management and Chelsi Tryon as director of ESG for Toppan Merrill, further strengthening the company’s leadership team. “The additions of both Chelsi Tryon and John Dalton to the Toppan Merrill team will have a positive impact going forward across their all business lines and product
Reffett Associates Appoints Leader of Consumer Practice
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has expanded with the addition of Tom Danowski to lead its consumer practice. “Tom is an exceptional executive,” said Marshall Reffett, managing director of Reffett’s Seattle office. “He brings deep industry experience and will be a great compliment to not only our team but, also to our clients.” “Tom Danowski brings years of leadership
Archer Search Partners Opens Doors
Venture-backed executive search firm Archer Search Partners has been launched by Alexis DuFresne and Fraser Trimble, specializing in aligning human capital strategies with business goals for asset managers. The firm places investment and distribution professionals at alternative asset management firms. Clients include private equity, credit, and hedge fund firms. The firm also offers fractional human
Predicting Talent Acquisition Trends for 2025
As organizations navigate the post-AI boom and the shift to skills-based hiring, many are experiencing analysis paralysis, but now is the time to act with purpose. Korn Ferry recently surveyed over 400 talent acquisition professionals and consulted with more than 40 of its experts to uncover five key hiring trends shaping 2025, including the critical
How Executive Search Firms Adapt
In today’s dynamic hiring landscape, executive search firms like BrainWorks are adapting their strategies to focus on stable sectors such as technology, healthcare, and essential services during uncertain times. BrainWorks recently joined Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss how recruiting firms can meet evolving client needs by adjusting search strategies and leveraging advanced tools. Key insights from
