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Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
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,
The Evolution of CEO Succession
Leadership stability has become harder to maintain in an environment defined by continuous transformation, shifting investor expectations, and increasing operational complexity. As a result, boards and sponsors are placing greater emphasis on how leadership evolves over time, rather than relying on static assumptions about tenure and timing. This shift is forcing organizations to take a
Saenger Associates Adds New C-Suite Leaders
Saenger Associates has expanded with the additions of Jason Fields as president and chief operating officer and Scott McKinney as executive vice president of talent and client solutions. They will both be based in Atlanta. The firm explains that additions allows Saenger Associates to broaden its scope, extending beyond product manufacturing, technology, and non-profit sectors to encompass
Women’s Representation in the C-Suites Declines as Gender Parity Remains Elusive
In March of 2024, S&P Global published an alarming report: for the first time in two decades, C-suite women lost seats in the S&P Total Market Index. In 2022, women held 12.2 percent of the 15,000 C-suite positions across publicly traded U.S. firms. However, this regressed to just 11.8 percent by the end of 2023. While
Envision Consulting Recruits Executive Director for Pacific Pride Foundation
Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Julio Roman as the new executive director of Pacific Pride Foundation. Allison Fuller, Matt Kamin, Melissa Montoya, and Jess McBride led the assignment. “As chair of the selection committee, it has been a pleasure working with the Santa Barbara LGBTQIA+ community and Envision Consulting to find the next leader for Pacific
Egon Zehnder Assists Bandhan Bank with CEO Search
Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive landscape, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders, both men and women, with a multidimensional skill-set and competencies that often go above and beyond any typical job description. Like all financial institutions, banks continue to turn to executive
BroadView Talent Partners Assists Communities in Schools in Ohio with Executive Director Search
BroadView Talent Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Adero Robinson as the new executive director of Communities in Schools in Ohio. Christie Angel, Johanna Vargas, Donna Young, and Elizabeth Keyser led the assignment. Mr. Robinson previously served as the senior vice president, executive director for City Year Columbus. He also served as the organization’s
Marsden Names Head of Financial Services, U.K. and Europe
U.K.-headquartered legal-focused executive search firm Marsden has named Liam Richardson as head of financial services, U.K. and Europe. Mr. Richardson is a seasoned and commercially driven recruitment leader with a track record in building, leading and managing successful teams and businesses, across multiple specialisms (legal, compliance, risk, CFO, tax & treasury) and geographies, including Asia,
Psychological Safety; The Bedrock of Organizational Culture
Research findings consistently reveal that a significant portion of the global workforce does not feel psychologically safe, leading to burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction, according to a report from TI Verbatim Consulting. In a 2023 study conducted by Workhuman, 48 percent of respondents reported experiencing burnout, 61 percent experienced elevated stress levels, and 32 percent felt
DHR Global Leading Director of Athletics Search for Fordham University
Glenn Sugiyama and Dan Guerrero of talent advisory firm DHR Global has been called in by Fordham University to lead in its search for a new director of athletics. Past athletic director Ed Kull recently left the school to take on another role. University president Tania Tetlow appointed a 12-person search committee assigned to choose candidates eligible
Lindauer Seeking Chief Development Officer for SeriousFun Children’s Network
Lindauer was recently retained by SeriousFun Children’s Network to lead in its search for a new chief development officer. Vice president Maureen Huminik and consultant Taylor Beard are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the CEO and working as a key member of the senior leadership team, the chief development officer will be tasked with expanding and
Prestige Scientific Appoints VP of Finance and Operations
Prestige Scientific has named Vanda Hart to vice president of finance and operations. “Vanda’s exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in driving our success,” said Stephen Provost, managing director and co-founder. “We look forward to her continued contributions as we embark on our next chapter of growth.” In her
A Changing Market Has AI and Cybersecurity Recruiters on Alert
The landscape of AI and cybersecurity recruiting is dynamic and constantly evolving. Executive recruiters say that there is a significant demand for skilled professionals in AI, including machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers. Companies across various industries are actively seeking talent to leverage AI for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage. Meanwhile, with the
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Taps DRiWaterstone Human Capital to Find New Leader
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been retained by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Arlington, VA, to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Reporting directly to the chair of the board, the CEO of AFP is responsible for the overall strategic direction, governance, and leadership of the organization, driving its
TurnkeyZRG Assisting the Los Angeles Sparks with Head Coach Search
TurnkeyZRG has been tapped by the Los Angeles Sparks to spearhead their search for a new head coach. Managing director Billy King, Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, and Katy Young Staudt, vice president, college & coaching practice, are leading the assignment. The three-time WNBA Champions Los Angeles Sparks are seeking a head coach
Slone Partners Launches Fractional Talent Service
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has launched a new fractional talent service. This new service line is designed to complement the firm’s executive search practice, providing current and new clients access to a network of fractional talent comprised of hundreds of verified seasoned leaders and functional experts. These professionals are available on-demand to fill commercial, clinical development, financial,
Randstad Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Randstad has named Jesus Echevarria, chief client and talent officer, as chief operating officer. He succeeds Chris Heutink starting on January 1. The supervisory board and Mr. Heutink have jointly agreed that he will officially step down from the executive board at the annual general meeting in March 2025 and Mr. Echevarria nomination as an executive
Forging Strategic Alliances: The Collaborative Efforts of PE Firms and Search Firms to Enhance Value
In the rapidly evolving landscape of private equity, the interplay between private equity firms and search firms has transformed dramatically. No longer confined to a simple client-vendor relationship, these interactions have grown into strategic alliances that are essential for success in a highly competitive environment, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. As the demand for
Parker Executive Search Seeking Director of Athletics for Villanova University
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search was recently selected by Villanova University to lead in its search for a new vice president and director of athletics. The director of athletics is responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, management and administration of the university’s athletic and recreation program, in addition to overseeing budgets, personnel, planning, fundraising, revenue generation, marketing, media
NU Advisory Partners Retained by USA Swimming for CEO Search
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) continue to collaborate with search firms to identify and recruit new talent for various roles, including coaching C-level roles, administrative roles, and other leadership vacancies. The latest, NU Advisory Partners has been retained by USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, CO, to find its next CEO. “NU Advisory Partners
Spencer Stuart Names Leader of the Global Technology, Media, Telecommunications & IT Services Practice
Spencer Stuart has named Emanuela Aureli as leader the global technology, media, telecommunications & IT services practice. “I’m excited to announce my new role as partner and global practice leader, tech, media, telco & services practice at Spencer Stuart,” Ms. Aureli said in a LinkedIn post. “To my clients, candidates and colleagues: thank you for your trust,
The Critical Role of Executive Leadership in Navigating Change
Executive leadership has long played a critical role in navigating organizational change, but the question remains, how do executives effectively lead people, and an organization, through change? A new report from Paul Frankenberg, founder and managing partner of Focus Search Partners, points to Warren Buffet, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. “He is admired
McCormack+Kristel Seeking Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Openhouse
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by Openhouse to lead in its search for a director for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (DJEDI). Bryan Epps is leading the assignment. Working across departments and with the board’s JEDI committee, the new director will identify real-time opportunities and challenges for Openhouse to deepen its commitment, competency, and JEDI
Cooper Coleman Recruits Chief Development Officer for Rainforest Flow
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is Job No. 1. Following an extensive national search,
NU Advisory Partners Appoints Partner
Executive search firm NU Advisory Partners has expanded with the addition of Matt Levy as a partner. “Matt’s deep knowledge of talent markets, combined with his curious and analytical approach, aligns perfectly with NU’s commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients,” said Nada Usina, co-founder and CEO. “We’re excited to see the impact Matt will make as a trusted advisor
The Barton Partnership Forms Alliance with Strategy in Action
The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has formed alliance with Strategy in Action, a leader in the field of strategy formulation and execution. “We are delighted to partner with Strategy in Action to offer our clients a comprehensive and innovative approach to strategy,” said Oliver Phoenix, managing director EMEA. “By integrating SiA’s platform
Bridging Leadership Gaps: The Journey from Education to Executive Search
People are often drawn to the executive search industry for a multitude of reasons. It could be due to their interest in talent acquisition and helping organizations find key leadership. For many, the opportunity to engage with diverse industries and build strong professional networks can be appealing. Also enticing is the potential for high earnings
Funk Associates Leading Searches for College of Charleston and University of Houston
Funk Associates has been retained by College of Charleston to lead in its search for a founding dean of the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. Willie Funk is leading the assignment. Separately, Funk Associates was selected by University of Houston to lead in its search for new dean of its prestigious C. T. Bauer College of
Caldwell Recruits Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for General Catalyst
Carlos Cata and Anna Power of Caldwell have assisted in the recruitment of Arielle Gross Samuel as chief marketing and communications officer of General Catalyst. She succeeds Jennifer Zimmerman, who will remain as a consultant with the company. “Arielle’s rich experience across both technology and finance brings to the forefront the impact these sectors have on
Egon Zehnder Expands in Canada with New Vancouver Office
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has opened a new office in Vancouver, British Columbia. The expansion comes on the heels of opening a Seattle office last year and reflects the firm’s efforts to serve clients across the Pacific Northwest. “We are thrilled to expand our footprint into Vancouver, a city known for its innovation and unique, vibrant business
Livingston James To Fill Several Senior Roles for the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Livingston James has been tapped to launch searches for the leadership team for the “sustainable” 2026 Commonwealth Games. The firm will spearhead efforts to find a CEO, chief operating officer, chief finance and corporate services officer, chief information officer, chief marketing and communications officer, and several non-executive directors. The selected candidates will be responsible for shaping
Understanding Executive Search Pricing
Executive search pricing can vary widely based on several factors, including the complexity of the search, the level of the position being filled, and the specific services offered by the search firm, recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. Generally, firms charge a retainer fee, which is a percentage of the estimated first-year compensation for the position.
PFM Executive Search Seeking CEO for Bright Health
PFM Executive Search has been retained by Bright Health to lead in its search for a new CEO. Partners Allison Rzen and senior consultant Suchin Pawa are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the chair of the board, the CEO is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organization including the development and ongoing refinement of
