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Daily Newswire
Middle Market Momentum Meets a Talent Bottleneck
PitchBook’s latest report, 2025 Annual US PE Middle Market Report, highlights a market that is stabilizing but not yet fully normalized. Deal activity rebounded in 2025, with value rising 8.5 percent year-over-year to $410.7 billion across more than 4,000 transactions, supported by improving sentiment and a more accommodative financing environment. The recovery, however, is uneven. Deal sizes
Winning the Mandate in the New Era of Business Development
As competition intensifies across the executive search landscape, firms are rethinking how they originate and win new business. Success is increasingly tied to a more disciplined, insight-driven approach that goes beyond traditional networking and relationship management. In this environment, firms that combine data, technology, and market intelligence with strong client engagement are setting a new
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.
The Moran Company Names CEO
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has announced that Mike English joins Bill Moran as a partner of the firm and has been named the company’s CEO. Mr. Moran will continue his role as president of the company he established more than 30 years ago. Since then, The
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?
DSG Global Appoints Managing Director
DSG Global has expanded with the addition of Arpan Narayan as managing director. “We are pleased to welcome Arpan to DSG Global at a time when leveraging technology and AI depends on leadership that can execute the agenda,” said Aileen Alexander, CEO of DSG Global. “People sit at the center of the most consequential decisions, and
Why Organizational Performance Is Becoming the New Competitive Edge
McKinsey & Company’s The State of Organizations 2026 report highlights a business environment undergoing structural transformation. Drawing on responses from more than 10,000 leaders across 15 countries and 17 industries, the research identifies three interconnected forces reshaping organizations: technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and workforce shifts. The pressure on organizations is intensifying from multiple directions at once. Companies
Preng & Associates Recruits CHRO for Caturus Energy
Houston-based Preng & Associates has recruited Mary Kenner as chief human resources officer at Caturus Energy LLC. The completion of the executive search comes at a pivotal moment for Caturus, as the company advances its ambition to build the nation’s leading independent integrated natural gas and LNG business through its differentiated wellhead-to-water strategy. Preng & Associates partnered with Caturus to
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Leading Executive Director Search for Seismic Foundation
DRiWaterstone Human Capital is currently leading in the search for an executive director for Seismic Foundation. This executive will fully own Seismic’s North American strategy and execution. The mission for this executive is to build out the Seismic Foundation operations as part of the AI governance ecosystem by delivering high-impact campaigns that shift the needle
Flatiron Search Partners Places CTO at Massage Envy
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has assisted in the recruitment of Abe Hong as chief technology officer of Massage Envy in Scottsdale, AZ. “Abe is a proven technology leader with deep experience supporting complex, multi-site businesses,” said Todd Schrader, CEO of Massage Envy Franchising. “His ability to align technology strategy with business goals, combined with his collaborative
Boyden to Acquire GreenSight Executive Search
Boyden has announced it will acquire GreenSight Executive Search, a retained search and consulting firm based in Atlanta. The acquisition strengthens Boyden’s presence, network and service in the Southeastern United States. The acquisition will see Boyden absorb GreenSight’s client portfolio and leadership team. Founding partners Trisha Hutchison and Daniel Kepler will join the Boyden Atlanta office as managing partners, bringing
AI Redefining Search — Without Replacing Human Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping executive recruiting, speeding up how firms identify, evaluate, and engage leadership talent. As AI tools automate research and administrative work, search teams can move faster and surface stronger insights— changing what “best candidate” discovery looks like in practice. At the same time, demand is shifting toward leaders who can translate
How Leading Search Firms Are Turning AI Into Competitive Advantage
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a promising experiment to a core operating capability across the executive search profession. As firms face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, accelerate search timelines, and deliver deeper market intelligence, many are reevaluating how technology can enhance both recruiter productivity and business performance. While adoption continues to accelerate, industry leaders
U.S. Adds 172,000 Jobs in May as Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.3 Percent
Employment increased by 172,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.3 million, changed little in May. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and healthcare. Employment in financial activities declined. “This is a labor
CarterBaldwin Recruits President and CEO for Kansas Fiber Network
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Danny Pate as the new president and CEO of Kansas Fiber Network (KFN). Partner Chris Guiney and search consultant Ted Wieber led the assignment. “We are pleased to bring Danny on board,” said Mark Gailey, chairman of KFN’s board of directors. “The board ran a diligent search to
The Broward County Aviation Department Retains ADK Consulting & Executive Search to Recruit Aviation CFO
The Broward County Aviation Department recently retained ADK Consulting & Executive Search to lead in its search for an aviation CFO for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (NPA). The assignment is being led by Theresia Schatz and Kim Kenville. The new aviation CFO will oversee the financial and business aspects of FLL and HWO.
How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on leadership as a driver of investment performance, talent functions are becoming increasingly embedded in the dealmaking process. What was once viewed primarily as a recruiting and portfolio support function is evolving into a strategic capability that informs executive assessment, succession planning, and value creation across the investment
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Booz Allen
Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Troy Lahr as executive vice president and CFO of Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA. “Troy’s deep and differentiated experience helps position Booz Allen for accelerated growth and bold transformation,” said Horacio Rozanski, chairman and CEO. “His success driving performance across large portfolios and leading through change will be a
The Moran Company Leading CEO Search for the Oklahoma State Medical Association
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, was recently retained by the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) to recruit the organization’s next CEO. Jon Rosell is leading the assignment. The OSMA board of trustees seeks an energetic, experienced, and highly skilled CEO to work collaboratively with the board, staff
Jackson Lucas Acquires Affinity HR Advisory Group
New York City-based Jackson Lucas has acquired Affinity HR Advisory Group, led by veteran HR executive Gayle Feinstein. “When we look at the growing firms we partner with, we constantly see founders and COOs getting pulled into the weeds of sensitive employee issues when they should be focusing on scaling their business,” said Anthony Fanzo, founding partner, Jackson Lucas. “Bringing
Heidrick & Struggles Launches AI-Enhanced Leadership Assessment Platform
Heidrick & Struggles recently launched Heidrick Immersive, a next generation, AI-enhanced leadership assessment platform. “Today’s leaders must navigate constant disruption, shifting stakeholder expectations, and accelerating technological change,” said David Peck, partner and global leader of the High-Impact Leadership Center of Excellence at Heidrick & Struggles. “By integrating AI-driven simulation and personalized feedback into our advisory offering, we’re
The Tolan Group Fills Senior Sales Position for FairCode
The Tolan Group (TTG) has recruited Ryan Canavan as vice president of sales at FairCode. This appointment reflects FairCode’s continued investment in scalable growth and innovation as the organization expands its revenue integrity and compliance solutions across the healthcare market. In his position, Mr. Canavan will lead FairCode’s national sales strategy, focusing on enterprise growth, strategic
Rosenzweig & Company Recruits President for PetSmart Canada
Executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company recently placed Pamela O’Rourke as president of PetSmart Canada and chair of the board of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Rose Perri, partner at Rosenzweig & Company, led the search. “Pamela’s experience leading large-scale operations and driving customer-focused strategies stood out,” said Katherine Sanford, senior director of talent acquisition at PetSmart. “Rosenzweig & Company brought tremendous thoughtfulness,
Funk Associates Assists Clemson University with the Recruitment of 16th President
Following a national search, Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Guskiewicz as the 16th president of Clemson University. “The search committee was overwhelmed with the robust and highly qualified candidates who expressed interest in leading our great University,” said search committee chair Cheri Phyfer. “Dr. Guskiewicz rose to the top of a remarkable
A Midyear Opportunity to Reinforce Leadership and Talent
With June now underway, the midpoint of the year offers a natural opportunity for leaders to evaluate progress and prepare for the months ahead. As priorities shift and organizations look toward second-half objectives, now is an ideal time to focus on the people, structure, and leadership capabilities that will drive future performance. A deliberate investment
Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and
Speed vs. Certainty: How Leading Search Firms Deliver Fast Shortlists Without Increasing Risk
Executive search firms are under increasing pressure to deliver qualified leadership candidates faster without compromising diligence or decision quality. As hiring timelines compress and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, many firms are turning to AI-driven intelligence tools to identify potential risks, validate candidate fit, and strengthen shortlists earlier in the search process. Balancing speed with certainty requires
Spencer Stuart Recruits Ninth Leader for Brunswick School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew T. Chappell as Brunswick’s ninth head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, led the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
How PE-Backed Businesses are Redefining the Interim CFO Role
Interim CFOs are increasingly central to the performance and stability of private equity-backed businesses. As deal cycles extend and operating conditions tighten, they are deployed not only for financial stewardship but also as value creation partners across the investment lifecycle. “Today’s interim CFOs are increasingly deployed as execution-focused operators responsible for stabilizing performance, improving financial
The Talent Studios Places CEO at GIBBON North America
The Talent Studios has placed Luke Droulez as the new CEO of GIBBON North America. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Droulez is an executive leader with a proven track record of scaling consumer brands from early stage to nine figures. He was an early executive leader and chief marketing officer of native digital
AI Adoption Linked to Stronger Revenue Growth Across Executive Search Firms
Macroeconomic conditions were unpredictable and labor markets remained sluggish in 2025, but many firms were able to find success in this challenging market. One way was with AI, which revolutionized the recruitment industry in 2025. Top-performing firms are four times as likely to be using AI, and 55 percent have seen KPIs increase more than
Buffkin / Baker Assists Augusta University with President Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker recently assisted in the recruitment of Russell Keen as the new president of Augusta University. Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt led the assignment. Her appointment follows an announcement last fall by AU president Brooks Keel, that he would retire following the 2023-24 academic year, ending a 40-year career in higher education. Reporting to the
TRANSEARCH International Opens New Office in South Korea
TRANSEARCH International has opened a new office in South Korea. Heading the new office is managing partner JH Baek. “This addition is a significant milestone for us, as it strengthens our presence in a key market that is critical to the growth and development of the Asia-Pacific region,” said Celeste Whatley, CEO of TRANSEARCH International. “South
Executives Prioritize Financial Rewards Over Job Titles
Despite evolving workplace trends emphasizing holistic motivators, reports continue to find that executives prioritize monetary incentives as a key validation of their efforts and value. Additionally, while company culture and alignment with organizational missions are important, Cowen Partners Executive Search’s Annual State of Executive Employment Survey found that executives place a stronger emphasis on competitive pay
Villanova University Retains WittKieffer to Find VP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been called in by Villanova University to lead in its search for a vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion (VPDEI). Leading the assignment are consultant Charlene Aguilar, senior associate Sandra Chu, and senior partner Robin Mamlet. The VP for diversity, equity and inclusion is a member of the president’s cabinet and reports directly to
Funk Associates Assists Purdue for Life Foundation with CEO Search
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Julie Dussliere, a Purdue alumna and longtime executive with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), as president and chief executive officer of the Purdue for Life Foundation. She was selected following a national search that included the assistance of Funk Associates and resulted in a large and
True Appoints Head of Talent Advisory in North America
Global talent provider True has named Tom Granado as the new head of talent advisory in North America. With his extensive leadership advisory background, he will collaborate with Debu Mishra, global head of talent advisory, to enhance the practice’s leadership impact. “Tom’s experience helping companies strategically define what clear leadership, successful talent management, and cultural alignment looks like will
TeamBridge Secures $28 Million in Funding
Workforce operating system TeamBridge has raised $28 million in a Series B round led by Mayfield, with participation from existing investors General Catalyst and Abstract Ventures. The new funds will be used to accelerate the product and AI roadmap, enhance client services, and continue to scale its enterprise-grade infrastructure. “Most tech companies are building for
Global Recruitment Outlook Steady for the Fourth Quarter Despite Year-Over-Year Decline
Global hiring intentions are holding steady for the fourth quarter of 2024, with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25 percent, though outlooks remain weaker compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, which gathered data from over 40,000 employers across 42 countries between July 1-31,
The Talent Studios Recruits CEO for ZICO Coconut Water
The Talent Studios has placed Chris Gallant as the new CEO of coconut water and hydration brand ZICO Coconut Water. Jeremy Cohen and Serena Smith led the assignment for The Talent Studios. Past CEO Tom Hicks will transition to chief commercial officer, continuing to lead ZICO’s sales and distribution efforts. “We are excited to welcome
Heidrick & Struggles Places Chief Marketing Officer for FloQast
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has recruited Ben Schechter as the new chief marketing officer of accounting transformation platform FloQast in Los Angeles. “Ben’s extensive experience in building and scaling marketing organizations, along with his proven ability to drive growth through innovative multi-channel strategies, makes him a valuable addition to the
SearchWide Global Names Global Head of New Division, SearchWide Connect
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has appointed Wendy Moran as the global head of its new division, SearchWide Connect. “This strategic move comes as part of the firm’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for swift and high-quality mid-level management placements in all sectors currently being served in the retained search division,” the search firm said. “We
Signium Expands in France
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of three new partners in France. The new partners include Pascal Moreau-Luchaire, managing director of PG&C Consulting, Alexandre Trotto, director at Hajime RH, and François Barbier, founder of FB Consulting. “France has always been a strategic market for Signium and we are delighted to welcome such experienced and successful individuals to the Signium
Unveiling the CEO’s Ultimate Role: Why Ensuring the Right Leader is Key to Organizational Success
Many have debated the single most important role of a CEO, often focusing on strategy, culture, vision, and shareholder value. Nobody could so precisely synthesize the unending responsibilities of a CEO into a single most important role. However, Price Harding and CarterBaldwin believes there is one … Mr. Harding explains that a simple search of
The Christopher Group Recruits Chief People Officer for Ideal Image
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has placed Monna Nevils as the new chief people officer of Ideal Image. Managing partners Nat Schiffer and Ayla Maloney led the assignment. “Leadership transitions can present both challenges and opportunities,” said Mr. Schiffer. “Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with the interim CEO
ON Partners Expands Search Staff
ON Partners named Chris Clements and Ashley Day as partners. Based in San Francisco, Mr. Clements is an experienced search executive with expertise in energy transition, climate tech, industrials, and software sectors. “Chris’ passion and expertise make him an invaluable asset to our team,” said Bryan Buck, partner. “His experience enhances our focus on technology and
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Partners with Bryan & Jordan Consulting
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has formed a partnership with Bryan & Jordan Consulting LLC, a Richmond, VA-based consulting firm focused on historical organizations, museums, libraries, and educational institutions. “With this collaboration, we can better serve public history and education clients through our partnership with specialized consultants with deep, industry-specific networks,” said Doug Trout, CEO at DRiWaterstone.
When Ghosting Reappears to Haunt Your Career Opportunities
Every time a person makes a decision to not do the right thing regarding the search for a new job or trying to change careers, it will come back to haunt them, according to Russ Riendeau, Ph.D., senior partner and chief behavioral scientist with New Frontier Search Company. “The trail of evidence around a lack of self-awareness, common
Harris Search Associates Assists Simmons University with Search for New Dean
After a comprehensive search process, Harris Search Associates assisted Simmons University in the recruitment of Ammina Kothari to serve as the new dean of the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Jeffrey Harris and Jon Schwantes led the assignment. The appointment of Dr. Kothari follows an expansive search which included vetting more than 60 candidates.
Furst Group Recruits Chief People Officer for Fairview Health Services
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
Academic Career & Executive Search Places CEO and Dean, School of Nursing at Tarleton State University
Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed John Michael Leger as chief executive officer and dean, school of nursing at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “Dr. Leger is well-equipped to lead our School of Nursing, having over 20 years of experience as a
L.Maxwell Global Appoints New CEO
Executive search firm L.Maxwell Global has named Kevin P. LeCompte as CEO. “As a private equity operating partner and former CEO of one of the country’s largest private equity backed staffing and professional services firms, Kevin LeCompte understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing leaders in human capital,” said Lisa Maxwell, founder of L.Maxwell Global.
Understanding Organizational Culture
Culture is a complex construct and, as you’d expect, measuring it is equally as complex. The best approach to understanding a company’s culture is by taking a holistic measurement approach, according to Jeffrey Hanrahan, Ph.D, director of organizational optimization, TI Verbatim Consulting, a culture assessment and DEI-oriented consulting firm. “This includes a combination of survey
BarkerGilmore’s 2024 Compliance Compensation Report: Rising CCO Pay and Gender Pay Gaps Highlight Industry Trends
As a compliance professional, how does your compensation benchmark against that of your peers? How can your organization leverage compensation to create a competitive advantage within its compliance department? To answer these questions, BarkerGilmore has released its 2024 Compliance Compensation Report. The report reflects changes in chief compliance officer (CCO) total compensation, factoring in salary,
SearchWide Global Recruits Executive Director for the Alaska Raptor Center
After an extensive six-month national search, SearchWide Global has assisted in the recruitment of Carol Bryant-Martin as the new executive director of the Alaska Raptor Center. Nicole Newman, the search firm’s vice president, led the assignment. “We conducted a national search and are thrilled to welcome Carol and her family from Tallahassee, Florida,” said Roger Hames, board chair. “She
RH Perry & Associates Recruits First VP of People, Culture and Equity at Holyoke Community College
RH Perry & Associates has helped to recruit Marlowe Washington as the first vice president of people, culture, and equity at Holyoke Community College. Senior consultant Jessie Thompson and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer, led the assignment. “I am very excited about the hiring of Dr. Washington as our inaugural vice president for people, culture, and
Taylor Bennett and Birchwood Knight Merge to Create New International Search Firm
Taylor Bennett and Birchwood Knight have joined forces to create a new international search firm, Taylor Birchwood. Merged firm will be jointly led by Taylor Bennett’s managing partner, Matthew Wall and Birchwood Knight’s founder and managing director, Wayne Reynolds. The firm will focus on finding senior talent in corporate affairs, communications, government relations, investor relations, and adjacent disciplines. They will recruit
Recruiting Women in Asset Management
As an executive search practice led by women, Jamesbeck has been on the front lines of recruiting qualified, diverse leaders in the investment management industry for the past 22 years. When economic historian and labor economist Claudia Goldin was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences last year for her work on the gender
NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Empower AI
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has recruited Jennifer Sample as the new chief technology officer of Empower AI in Reston, VA. The assignment was led by director Jonathan Rice. “Federal agencies know the importance of emerging technology when it comes to operational performance, but they need a trusted partner,” said Jeff Bohling, CEO of Empower AI. “Dr. Sample
Herbert Mines Associates Assists PacSun with CFO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Aina Konold as the new CFO of PacSun. She succeeds Russell Bowers, who was appointed chief operating officer of the company last year. “We are pleased to welcome Aina Konold to our leadership team as Pacsun’s new CFO,” said Brie Olson, CEO
20/20 Foresight Launches ESRA
20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions has launched of Executive Search Research Assistant — known as ESRA — a proprietary technology developed by the firm that improves candidate identification and research process. A cornerstone of any successful executive search firm is the ability to efficiently and accurately identify both active and passive candidates and match them with
August Leadership Creates Media & Entertainment and Legal Practices
Executive recruitment firm August Leadership has added two new specialized practices: media & entertainment and legal. Leading these new practices are partners Marina Paganucci, John Zaffarano, and Glenn Tannous. Ms. Paganucci and Mr. Zaffarano have joined the firm to lead the media & entertainment practice which spans leadership and talent within film, TV, streaming, VFX, VR/AR, video games, eSports, live events, sports, and gaming. “Our
