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Daily Newswire
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.
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,
Global Shift Elevates DEI as a Strategic Imperative in the C-Suite
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly moving from corporate initiatives to core elements of business strategy as organizations respond to evolving workforce expectations and market demands. Companies are under growing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress, particularly at the leadership level, where representation and decision-making have the greatest impact on culture, performance, and long-term growth.
Nolan Partners Assists United States Tennis Association with CFO Search
Nolan Partners, an Excel Sports Management company, has placed Kevin Flaherty as chief financial officer of United States Tennis Association (USTA) in White Plains, NY. “Congratulations to Kevin Flaherty on his recent appointment as CFO of United States Tennis Association,” Nolan Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you to our partners at USTA for trusting us
Griffith Group Expands Search Staff
Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Daniel Atlin as associate of leadership assessment and coaching. “Griffith Group Executive Search is very pleased to announce that Daniel Atlin will be joining the team as our associate, leadership assessment and coaching expert,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “A very
Global Hiring Intentions Hold Steady from Q2, Drop Year-over-Year
Global hiring intentions are holding strong for the third quarter of 2024, with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 22 percent, though outlooks weaken since Q3 2023 according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, which gathered data from over 40,000 employers across 42 countries, reveals that while the NEO remains unchanged from
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Seeking Chief Development Officer for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, has been retained by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to lead in its search for a chief development officer. The assignment is being led by Gerard F. Cattie Jr. Reporting directly to the president and serving on the executive leadership team, the chief development officer will be responsible
HARTZ Search Recruits CHRO for LCMC Health
CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company. Their job description calls for them to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk-taking, and evolving expectations from top stakeholders. Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest success will have diverse skill-sets,
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Names CEO
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has appointed Doug Trout as its new CEO succeeding Jennifer Dunlap, who has served as president and CEO since the organization opened its doors in 2001. Ms. Dunlap will continue to serve as an advisor to the CEO and to work with a limited number of clients until her retirement from the organization
ZRG Appoints Leader of Global Education Practice
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has named Rosa-Lyn Morris as the new leader of its global education practice. “We are excited to have Rosa Morris join our team,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “Her expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we pursue our vision to build education
Human Sustainability: A Strategic Imperative for HR Leaders
Human sustainability ensures the long-term well-being, development, and engagement of an organization’s employees. Put into practice, it encompasses initiatives promoting physical, mental, and social health, diversity and inclusion, continuous learning, and ethical labor practices, according to a recent report from Odgers Berndtson’s Ramona Kraft and Elaine Roper. The study explains that human sustainability is about
Korn Ferry Assists the Green Bay Packers with President and CEO Search
Korn Ferry has assisted the Green Bay Packers with the recruitment of Edward R. Policy as its next president and CEO. He will succeed Mark Murphy, who will retire as the team’s president and CEO next year. Mr. Murphy is required to retire when he turns 70 in July 2025. The Korn Ferry team is led by Jed
Shelli Herman and Associates Fills Senior Position for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has helped to recruit Megan Longo as the new senior vice president of guest experience, brand, and revenue of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. With a national search led by Shelli Herman and Associates, Ms. Longo emerged as the top choice, bringing expertise in customer-centric leadership, communications and strategic operations.
RH Perry & Associates Recruits 13th President for Briar Cliff University
Following a competitive nationwide search, RH Perry & Associates has placed Matthew J. Draud as the 13th president of Briar Cliff University. Leading the assignment were Sue DeWine, senior consultant, and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer. Briar Cliff University launched a nationwide presidential search in January 2024. Four finalists, including Dr. Draud, were invited to campus
Cooper Coleman Expands Search Staff
Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has expanded with the additions of Ben Bisbee and J. Michael Durnil as directors of executive search. “These new appointments come at a time of significant expansion for Cooper Coleman, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to driving meaningful growth and impact for non-profit organizations,” the search firm said. “Driven by their core values of
What You Need to Know When Using a Retained Search Firm for the First Time
Retained executive search firms operate on an exclusive mandate. They focus primarily on C-suite and board positions, although they are also used to fill specialist leadership roles. The retained part of it comes from the upfront fee that you pay to initiate the search process, according to a new report from AltoPartners. The study says
JM Search Recruits CIO for Subaru of America
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, recruiting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find, and move. JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, recently helped to recruit Aurelian Sin
TurnkeyZRG Recruits Executive Director for the Head of the Charles Regatta
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted in the recruitment of Tori Stevens as the new executive director of the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR), the world’s largest rowing regatta in Boston. Succeeding Fred Schoch’s 33-year tenure leading the Regatta, Ms. Stevens comes to HOCR as its second executive director in its 59-year history after serving as CEO for
Work&Partners Retained by Toppan Merrill
New York-based Work&Partners has been selected by Toppan Merrill to lead in its search for a director of ESG. “Our client is the best-in-class partner for complex, secure communications,” said Alan Work, founder and president of Work&Partners. “A company that is trusted, responsive, expert and human, our client delivers premier technology-driven solutions to communicate mission critical content
Conexus Launches Advisory Practice
Irvine, CA-based executive search firm Conexus has launch of its launched a new advisory practice. The addition of the new advisory practice demonstrates the firm’s commitment to serving the “office of the CFO” for private equity-backed and public companies across Southern California. “Comprised of Big Four CPAs with technical and operational expertise in accounting and finance, the
Corporate Culture & Talent: Navigating the New Norms
The keys to unlocking a successful corporate culture are predicated upon how leaders in organizations perceive culture as a top priority. Most senior leaders agree that a healthy company culture is a basic component of any successful organization. It lays the groundwork for strong employee engagement, retention, and performance. In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape,
The Rise of First-Time CEOs in Private Equity Portfolio Companies
In the fast-paced world of private equity, success hinges on effective leadership. With approximately 23,000 PE-owned portfolio companies in the United States alone, the demand for top-tier CEOs is relentless. Traditionally, PE firms have favored seasoned executives with prior industry or exit experience to lead portfolio companies post-buyout, however, a paradigm shift is underway as
Vetted Solutions Tapped by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants to Find New Leader
Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions was recently selected by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Karen Greenbaum will step down when her current contract expires, effective December 31, 2024. She will close her tenure as president and CEO after 10 years at
Chartwell Partners Recruits CFO for Highland Homes
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Mike Loftus as the new CFO for Highland Homes in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Mr. Loftusis a strategic and operationally minded finance executive focused on helping companies grow by building high-performing teams and partnering closely with leaders to develop strategy and drive performance to
Diversified Search Group Expands Corporate Practice
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has strengthened its corporate practice with the additions of Nora Sutherland and John Burnes as managing directors. Ms. Sutherland, who will serve as managing director in the corporate practice’s technology team, will provide talent consulting to private equity clients and other high-growth
Private Equity’s Top Value Lever: Outside Talent
Most research on the CEO labor market looks at public company chief executives while largely ignoring CEOs in private equity funded companies. New research from Paul Gompers, the Eugene Holman Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, contends this is skewing our views of value creation and the big role certain CEOs play in
Bullhorn Acquires Textkernel
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has acquired Textkernel, providers of sourcing AI solutions. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Sourcing AI is a huge investment area for Bullhorn, and we are truly excited to embark on this journey with Textkernel,” said Matt Fischer, president and chief operating officer of Bullhorn. “We congratulate CEO Gerard Mulder, COO
Anthem Executive Recruits CIO for Texas Woman’s University
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive has placed Henry G. Torres as the new chief information officer Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton, TX. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Torres joins TWU from the Arkansas State University System, where he has served as vice president of information technology & CIO. In his role at Arkansas
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits President for Milwaukee Area Technical College
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Anthony Cruz as the new president of Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Tracey Weldon, Jim Johnsen, and Itza Walters led the assignment. The board made its selection during a special meeting following an expert-led national search. The process included a rigorous review
Kennedy Executive Search Adds Member Firm in Poland
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, recently expanded
ZRG Secures $120 Million in Funding
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has secured $120 million in debt financing from Main Street Capital Corporation and its affiliates. “This significant funding will bolster ZRG’s growth initiatives and enhance its ability to deliver innovative talent solutions to clients worldwide,” the firm said. “It is a great time to
Reffett & Associates Selected to Assist in Search for Architect of the Capitol for the U.S. Congress
The U.S. Senate Rules Committee, along with the U.S. House Committee on Administration, has selected Seattle, WA-based Reffett & Associates to assist with their search for the next Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Reffett & Associates was selected to work with the U.S. Congress based on their history of successful civilian senior level recruitments across all
McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for Cocoon Inc.
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has recruited James R. Callan as president and CEO of Cocoon Inc., a middle-market leader in innovative corrosion-prevention solutions. This executive search was led by McDermott + Bull partner Jared Moriarty and senior executive recruiter Alyssa Camire. According to Leo Crotty, Cocoon founder and chairman of the board, the company was impressed
Cardinal Grange Assists Stephen F. Austin State University with AD Search
Cardinal Grange recently assisted in the recruitment of Michael McBroom as director of athletics at Stephen F. Austin State University. “We are excited about the future of Lumberjack athletics under McBroom’s leadership,” said Gina Oglesbee, interim president. “His proven ability to build championship-worthy programs — both on the playing surfaces and in the classroom —
