DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
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
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,
AI Moves from Hype to Workflow in Executive Search as Innova Launches Hands-On Summit
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to execution within executive search, reshaping how firms approach everything from business development to candidate delivery. As expectations rise around speed, insight, and precision, search firms are under increasing pressure to rethink traditional workflows and identify where technology can meaningfully enhance performance rather than simply add complexity. Unlike
McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has placed Anya Lynn-Alesker (they/she) as executive director of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. “We are confident that Lynn-Alesker will lead our organization to new heights as we continue our important mission of promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity,” said Bendita Cynthia Malakia,
Collegiate Sports Associates Assists St. Johns with Director of Athletics Search
Raleigh, NC-based Collegiate Sports Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of alumnus Ed Kull as the eighth vice president and director of athletics for St. John’s University. “Ed Kull has demonstrated a commitment to excellence on and off the field of competition,” said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, president of St. John’s University. “This is an important hire
JM Search Expands Team Focused on Recruiting Key Executives Across the Financial Services Sector
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded its team of experts dedicated to recruiting executives for financial services organizations and fintech businesses. “JM Search is seeing increased demand for key leaders within financial services, including investment management, banking, consumer & commercial finance, fintech, and insurance, and is committed to
The Transformation of HR in the Age of AI
The integration of artificial intelligence into HR is not a trend; it’s a transformative shift that is reshaping how organizations manage people, optimize processes, and drive innovation. As businesses seek to enhance efficiency and effectiveness while fostering a more dynamic and engaging workplace, AI and automation are increasingly being implemented into HR strategies, according to
Acertitude Assists Sterling Site Access Solutions with CEO Search
Executive search firm Acertitude recently assisted in the recruitment of Kaye Ceille as the new CEO of Sterling Site Access Solutions in Chicago. Kevin O’Neill, co-founder, managing partner, and leader of the industrial practice at Acertitude, led the search together with Max Stubenvoll, principal overseeing business services in North America. “In our search for CEO, we looked
The SAFE Alliance Taps Peña Search to Find Chief Development Officer
The SAFE Alliance (SAFE) recently retained Peña Search to lead in its search for a new chief development officer. Holly Sherman Peña and Carlos González Peña are leading the assignment. The chief development officer is a critical member of SAFE’s executive and senior leadership teams. In collaboration with the CEO and others, the CDO will help co-create,
TurnkeyZRG Expands Revenue Functional Practice
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Jamie Spencer as a managing director within the revenue functional practice. “Jamie Spencer has been a top revenue executive for 25+ years – especially in tickets, premium and season ticket holder programs,” said Len Perna, chairman and CEO of TurnkeyZRG. “Jamie is joining TurnkeyZRG as our managing director to
NPAworldwide Adds 11 New Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 11 new member firms. The new partners are located in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Spain and the U.K., with recruitment specialties including engineering, healthcare, information technology, sales, and more across multiple industry sectors. “Congratulations to each of our new member firms,” said NPAworldwide. “By joining our recruiting network, these firms are
A Look at Key Trends in Executive Recruiting for Private Equity-Backed Companies
A long-awaited interest rate cut in the U.S. finally arrived in September. Bespoke Partners’ Second Half 2024 Private Equity Talent Report asks will it thaw the deep freeze gripping private equity deal-flow and exits? Signs were that prospective deals in late Q2 and early Q3 had already priced in the expected rate cut and deals
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits CFO for Rexford Industrial Realty
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has placed Michael Fitzmaurice as the new CFO of NYSE-traded Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. in Los Angeles. Deb Barbanel and Nick Roberts led the assignment. “We are very pleased to welcome Michael Fitzmaurice to the Rexford Industrial team,” said Michael Frankel and Howard Schwimmer, co-chief executive officers of the company. “Michael is a strategic,
AGB Search Seeking Chancellor for the University of Colorado Denver
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, was recently retained by the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) to lead in its search for a new chancellor. Roderick McDavis, Monica Burton, Kimberly Templeton, and Carlos Hernandez are leading the assignment. The chancellor is the campus’s chief executive officer, reports to the CU
Caldwell Launches Academic Healthcare Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launched a new academic healthcare practice, a specialized division dedicated to finding senior leaders for academic health systems. “With the increasing complexity of academic health systems, there is a growing need for leaders who can navigate the intricacies of clinical, research, and education missions,” said Chris Beck, CEO. “Our new practice is designed to connect
Blue Rock Search Appoints VP of Business Development
Blue Rock Search has expanded with the addition of Colleen Barker as vice president of business development. “On behalf of the entire Blue Rock Search team, I’m so pleased to welcome Colleen Barker to our organization,” said Ruben Moreno, HR & diversity practice leader of Blue Rock Search. “As the executive search landscape continues to evolve in response to
Urgent Action Needed to Attract Talent in a Rapidly Changing World
Often the process of getting the right people employed into the right jobs at the right time to achieve operational objectives has lagged behind because the yearly budget process gets finalized too late. Today the pace of change in business, throughout the business year, has accelerated to such a speed that this approach severely affects
The Christopher Group Recruits Chief People Officer for Mintz Group
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has placed Cynthia Cherry as chief people officer for Mintz Group, a global provider of investigative services, specializing in uncovering the truth for corporations, law firms, and other organizations. Managing partner Pam Noble and recruiting director Kristen Perez led the assignment. “We are thrilled to have partnered
Kincannon & Reed Fills Senior Operations Role for MPS Egg Farms
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Edward Chisholm as vice president of operations at MPS Egg Farms in North Manchester, IN. “A future-focused leader, Edward has a demonstrated track record of success in optimizing operational performance,” said Jim Gerardot, Jr., managing
Randstad Acquires Zorgwerk
Randstad has acquired Zorgwerk, a digital healthcare marketplace in the Netherlands to strengthen its specialized offering in the healthcare and care sector. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are excited to welcome the Zorgwerk team and its extensive network of qualified and dedicated healthcare and care professionals to Randstad,” said Sander van‘t Noordende,
Career Partners International Adds Advantage Consultores in Spain to Network
Columbus, OH-headquartered Career Partners International (CPI) has added Advantage Consultores as an affiliate in Barcelona, Spain. “I’m excited to be rejoining CPI and contributing to our common goals once more,” said Sylvia Taudien, CEO of Advantage Consultores. “Based in Barcelona, at Advantage Consultores we look forward to supporting Spanish and Portuguese market needs. I’m also happy to reconnect
More Than Coaching: How the Right Advisor Can Help Untangle the Human Dynamics that Derail Portco Value Creation
When private equity investors make their pitches, they often point out their ability to provide organizations with the support that creates value – typically meaning financial and operational support. However, most PE firms find it challenging to help their portcos manage the inevitable human capital challenges, which are typically enormously complex and time-consuming for even
Interim Positions: Effectively Closing Talent Gaps
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies often face unexpected talent gaps that can disrupt operations and hinder growth. Interim jobs have emerged as a strategic solution, allowing organizations to fill these gaps swiftly and effectively, according to a recent report from SGA Talent, which delves into the significance of interim jobs in talent management and explores
Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for Nitinotes
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Lloyd Diamond as the new CEO of Nitinotes Surgical in Caesarea, Israel. He succeeds Raz Bar-On, who will continue as general manager. “We are thrilled to welcome Lloyd to lead Nitinotes into its next chapter of innovation and growth,” said John Barr, chairman of the
Boyden Merges with WMB Partners
Boyden has announced a merger between its Miami office and Miami-based boutique executive search firm WMB Partners. Roberto Laub joins Boyden as a new managing partner alongside current managing partner Eduardo Rabassa, as well as managing associates Marcela Ordine Sia and Virginia Tomazela. “Boyden and WMB Partners share a unified philosophy on how executive search should be conducted,” said Mr. Rabassa. “It is
Navigating Uncertainty: How Global Business Leaders Are Adapting to Disruption and Complexity
A Protiviti and North Carolina State University study of over 1,300 board leaders and C-suite executives from around the world, found disruption and ongoing economic uncertainty are among the top concerns of global business leaders today. The study shows that these external forces add to the growing complexity of business leadership. In addition, a report from Boardroom Insiders shows
Griffith Group Retained by Jack.org to Lead CEO Search
Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group Executive Search has been retained by Jack.org to lead in its search for a new CEO. Jane Griffith, managing partner and founder, and Caroline McLean, partner, are leading the assignment. The search firm is a seeking a highly regarded and respected leader who has held progressively senior leadership roles from an
Bryant Group Tapped by the University of Washington to Fill Senior Role
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been selected to lead the search for the executive director for annual philanthropy for the University of Washington. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, is leading the assignment. “We are looking for a people-first leader who understands and has a passion for public higher education;
Riviera Partners Names Partner to Lead Financial Services Practice Expansion
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has named Mike Flood as a partner, where he will lead the expansion of the firm’s financial services practice. “With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in executive search and leadership advisory, Mike’s expertise will enhance the firm’s capabilities
Diversified Search Group Expands Healthcare Practice
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has expanded with the addition of Rick Barr as managing director in the healthcare practice. “Dr. Barr’s consultative approach combined with his leadership and industry experience will provide tremendous value to our healthcare clients during this time,” said Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of
Spencer Stuart’s U.S. Board Index: Shift to Specialized Leadership and Diversity Milestone in S&P 500 Boards
Spencer Stuart’s 39th annual U.S. Board Index reveals that 59 percent of the 406 new independent directors appointed to S&P boards in 2024 possess chief executive or financial expertise, highlighting a shift towards specialized leadership amid low boardroom turnover. Despite this, the report emphasizes the need for boards to embrace proactive refreshment strategies to stay
Bespoke Partners Recruits CFO for WorkWave
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has assisted in the recruitment Greg Doran as the new CFO for WorkWave in Holmdel, NJ. Katelyn Quaresma, partner, and Erin McElfresh, vice president at Bespoke Partners, led the assignment. “At WorkWave, we have set exceptionally high growth goals for ourselves, and while we are making great strides through our innovative solutions
Buffkin / Baker Recruits Chief Lending Officer for Three Roots Capital
Chief lending officers play a crucial role in managing and overseeing an organization’s lending strategies and operations. They ensure that lending practices align with regulatory requirements and risk management standards while maximizing profitability. Craig Buffkin and Ryan Baggett of partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker recently assisted in the recruitment of Keith Hickey as senior vice
SPMB Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for ChargePoint
Todd Greenhalgh and Nick Hoffmire of SPMB Executive Search have placed David Vice as the new chief revenue officer of ChargePoint. “Congratulates our longtime client ChargePoint on the appointment of David Vice as chief revenue officer,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “David’s proven leadership and deep expertise in scaling global sales and go-to-market orgs will be pivotal in







