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WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Christine Pendleton, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
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 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
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
JM Search Expands 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,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
Hunt Scanlon Reports Executive Recruiting Sector Grew 11 Percent
Executive recruiters entered 2026 from a position of strength, according to Hunt Scanlon, as the media, intelligence, and M&A advisory firm released its annual rankings of executive search firms. “Growth is once again the predominant narrative for the recruiting sector,” said CEO Scott A. Scanlon. “But the real story is the ‘Big Shift’ – 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
The Impact of Interim Talent: Boosting Finance Teams with Flexibility and Expertise
Business leaders today are finding that hiring the right talent is hard. What people are looking for in their careers is constantly evolving, organizational needs are changing rapidly, and the economy is driving the need for companies to pivot as conditions change, according to Matt Shore, CEO of StevenDouglas. “The traditional employee model, while still effective
Savannah State University Taps AGB Search to Find New President
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Savannah State University (SSU) to lead in its search for a new president. Principal Kim Bobby and executive search consultant Gwendolyn Boyd are leading the assignment. Cynthia Robinson Alexander is the interim president of Savannah State. She assumed the role last year,
SPMB Recruits CFO for Emergence Capital
Chief financial officers are in high demand due to their critical role in managing financial strategy, risk, and compliance, which is crucial for organizational success. Their expertise helps companies navigate complex financial landscapes and drive growth, making them essential for strategic decision-making. SPMB Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Kristy Landers as the
True Acquires Paradigm Search
Global talent provider True has acquired Paradigm Search, a boutique executive search firm focused on finding engineering and product leaders. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founder and CEO Matt Johnson and the Paradigm team will join True’s product, data & technology (PDT) practice. “Matt and the Paradigm team have an excellent and well-deserved reputation
Nexus Search Partners Appoints SVP of Client Relations
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has expanded with the addition of Darci Galvin as senior vice president of client relations. In this position, she will focus on optimizing client success and fostering growth through the creation and execution of strategic initiatives. “We are thrilled to welcome Darci to the Nexus
Bullhorn Makes Third Acquisition this Year with the Addition of KonaSearch
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has acquired KonaSearch, a BasisTech portfolio company that offers match and discovery solutions for staffing, recruiting, and executive search businesses on the Salesforce platform. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Executive search firms need access to deep, comprehensive historical data on job histories and career achievements,” Bullhorn said. “KonaSearch’s powerful cross-entity search solution
The Moran Company Tapped by Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise to Lead CEO Search
The non-profit sector is appealing because it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on important social issues and contribute to positive change in communities, according to executive recruiters. Additionally, working in this sector often fosters a strong sense of purpose and personal fulfillment by aligning your career with your values and passions. This
Odgers Berndtson Names Co-Head of Education Practice
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has appointed Dario Cortes as partner and co-head, education practice. “Our education clients invest in senior talent with the expertise and experience to manage institutional and social tensions, evolving fiscal circumstances, and an urgent need to drive impactful innovation,” said Kennon Kincaid, CEO of Odgers Berndtson USA. “Dr. Cortes possesses unparalleled first-hand experience
Riviera Partners Expands Search Staff
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has named Austin Douglas as a partner. “We are thrilled to have Austin back with us,” said Eoin O’Toole, managing partner of Riviera’s venture-backed practice. “His extensive experience and deep understanding of the engineering and product space, combined with his
Korn Ferry Posts Q1 Revenue Decrease of Three Percent
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2025 fiscal first quarter revenues of $674.9 million, a decrease of three percent from the same period a year ago. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to lower fee revenues in professional search & interim and RPO driven by a decline in demand due to the current economic environment, partially offset by
