DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
How Talent Diligence is Becoming a Priority for Private Equity Firms
Private equity firms are facing growing pressure to reduce execution risk as holding periods lengthen and operational performance becomes more critical to investment outcomes. In response, investors are placing greater emphasis on leadership evaluation earlier in the deal process, recognizing that management capability can have a direct impact on value creation, speed to scale, and
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for The Aspen Group
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Rafeh Masood as chief commercial officer of The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S. The search team consisted of Lindsay Stevens, Courtney Schluender, Brian Busse, and Sarah Basto. In his new role, Mr. Masood is responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient
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.
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
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?
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,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Laid Off by AI? What’s Really Driving the Latest Job Cuts
Companies are firing workers and saying AI made them do it. But new research from MIT and Oxford reveals the truth: 95 percent of companies investing in AI are getting zero return, yet they’re still using artificial intelligence as a convenient excuse for layoffs. This matters for anyone worried about job security in today’s market,
Protis Global Appoints VPs of Business Development
Protis Global has expanded with the addition of Samantha Marino Parker as vice president of business development for food and beverage, and Cliff Hall as vice president of business development for automation and robotics. “Samantha and Cliff bring invaluable experience fitting within the Protis Global framework nicely,” said Bert Miller, CEO of Protis Global. “Their appointments underscore our commitment
Diversified Search Group Expands Education Practice
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has named Jennifer Mason as a managing director in its education practice. “We’re thrilled to have Dr. Mason join our esteemed team of experts, especially at a time when the dynamics of leadership in higher education are rapidly evolving,” said Aileen
Private Equity In Hot Pursuit Of Chief AI Officers With Strategic Vision
AI has been increasingly buzzy in the past year as companies try to understand the potential benefits it can bring – from ringing out more efficiency in the workplace and streamlining decision-making, to improving employee productivity monitoring. Now, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has just announced a policy to help government agencies harness its power and mitigate
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Selected by Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts to Find New Leader
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, has been retained by the Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tiara D. Muse, managing associate, is leading the assignment. Newfields is in a pivotal moment of growth and evolution and is seeking a dynamic and visionary CEO to
NU Advisory Partners Assists Sigma7 with Chief Technology Officer Search
Executive search firm NU Advisory Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Andy Simpson-Pirie as chief technology officer of Sigma7 in New York City. Mr. Simpson-Pirie has a technology career spanning 25 years across a spectrum of early-stage, growth-phase, and large global corporations. Over that time, he has established a track record of launching new products, leading acquisitions,
Assembly Group Partners with Employ to Recruit CEO
Austin, TX-based executive search firm Assembly Group has placed Steve Cox as the new CEO of Employ in Waltham, MA. He succeeds former CEO, Pete Lamson. “Congratulations to Steve Cox on his new role of chief executive officer at Employ,” Assembly said in a LinkedIn post. “It was a pleasure partnering with the Employ team, and we wish the
IMD International Search Group Adds New 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. Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group has added Kaluzynski & Madeja in Warsaw,
Executive Women Making Progress Closing Pay Gap
Last month, ON Partners released its 2024 Women’s Report in recognition of Women’s History Month. The report revealed a positive trend as the gender pay gap is narrowing year-over-year (YoY), with executive women earning an average of $452K, compared to executive men’s average of $461K. In addition, when isolating director and vice president roles as a pipeline
Herbert Mines Assists Brixton with CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Seth Ellison as CEO of Brixton, an Altamont Capital Partners company. He replaces Raphael Peck, who left the company is December. “Herbert Mines Associates is proud to have partnered with Altamont Capital Partners to place Seth Ellison as CEO of
TalentRise Recruits Executive Director for the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Following a comprehensive, nationwide search, TalentRise recently placed Spencer Morgan as the executive director of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. He is taking the helm as incumbent executive director Stanton H. Hudson, Jr. steps down following 30 years of service to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Sarah Garcia, TalentRise consultant, led the assignment. “Stanton
The Hawkins Company Seeking Chief Equity Officer for the International City/County Management Association
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, is currently leading the search for a chief equity officer for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in Washington, D.C. Yonnine Hawkins Garr, William Hawkins, and Tisa Jones are leading the assignment. ICMA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spans over 80 years, with dedicated efforts
WilliamCharles Search Group Merges with Reflex Staffing Solutions
WilliamCharles Search Group, a boutique executive search and professional recruiting firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, has merged with Reflex Staffing Solutions, a Pittsburgh, PA-based recruiting firm. “The combined entity will continue operations under the WilliamCharles Search Group brand, expanding its geographic footprint and enriching professional capabilities and service offerings for even more comprehensive client
Evolving Life Sciences/Healthcare Sector Busier Than Ever for Recruiters
Search consultants continue to say that there is an unprecedented opportunity for visionary healthcare/life sciences leaders to redefine the future of the industry. A shifting economic climate and the rapid pace of innovation have fueled many changes in the healthcare industry through acquisitions, divestitures, and new company formations. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technologies
BrainWorks Delivers on RightCrowd CEO Search
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has secured Jason Bohrer as CEO of RightCrowd, a Bloom Equity Partners company. Ashley Peretick collaborated with Bloom Equity and RightCrowd to assess the optimal candidate for the CEO position. “Recognizing the significance of partnering with a private equity firm and the imperative of possessing adept security management skills alongside practical experience, Jason
Slone Partners Recruits CEO for Magnetic Insight
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has recruited Chris A. Raanes as the new CEO of Magnetic Insight, a global provider of magnetic particle imaging (MPI). “Chris Raanes is a highly accomplished and respected leader in the quickly evolving medical device field with the vision and management acumen necessary to engage all stakeholders in a growing, successful
The Lapham Group Helps Recruit COO for Hiscox
The Lapham Group has assisted in the recruitment of Leigh Hellrung as chief operating officer of Hiscox. She will serve on the Hiscox U.S. leadership team and will report to Kevin Kerridge, CEO of Hiscox USA. “Leigh has earned a well-deserved reputation as an inclusive, transformational leader, with a glittering track record of creating best-in-class customer
Hudson RPO Acquires Dubai-Based Striver
Hudson RPO, a global total talent solutions company owned by Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc., has acquired Striver, a Dubai-based executive search firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “With the new acquisition of Striver in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hudson RPO is strongly equipped to partner with new
Top Five Mistakes Companies Make with Succession Planning
Appointing the wrong chief executive officer carries significant costs, negatively impacting morale, productivity, reputation, culture, and the bottom line. From a financial perspective alone, unplanned CEO turnover across the globe costs shareholders $112 billion in annual returns. Despite this, CEO succession planning remains underdeveloped in many companies, according to a new report from Odgers Berndtson’s Robert C. Satterwhite
Peña Search Recruits CEO for the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Peña Search has assisted in the recruitment of Ashley Brundage as the new CEO of the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. Travis Hillier and Cindy Maloney led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Ashley O. Brundage to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity as our new, and first woman CEO; she is a force for good with a proven
JDG Associates Assists the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge Innovation Institute in Finding New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has assisted in the recruitment of David Sholl as the new executive director of the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) and vice provost of University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His selection comes after an extensive national search and selection process that involved leadership across the UT System
Fisher Leadership Recruits CEO for Dementia Australia
Executive search firm Fisher Leadership has placed Tanya Buchanan as the new CEO of Dementia Australia. Last year, Maree McCabe AM notified the Board of her decision to complete her time as CEO in 2024 after 13 years with the organization. “Finding someone to replace Ms. McCabe was not an easy task,” said Merran Kelsall, chair of
KBRS Appoints Regional Head, DEI Co-Lead
Nova Scotia-headquartered executive search firm KBRS has named Ryna Young as regional head, executive search and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) co-lead, based in Toronto, Ontario. “We have witnessed significant growth in demand for trusted talent advisors, nationally,” said Andrea Forbes Hurley, managing partner of executive search at KBRS. “We’ve placed hundreds of leaders in education, public, private,
How to Build Teams with Cultural Depth for Global Success
Cross-cultural remote teams have become a common phenomenon, professionals collaborate from wherever they are all over the world thanks to the power of technology. This has made it possible for the rapid growth in global business. A new report from Signium’s Didier Busard explains that more and more businesses operate in teams crossing time, cultural
7 Ways to Unlock Value with Executive Search Firms
In today’s fiercely competitive job market, securing top-tier talent has become more challenging than ever. This is where executive recruiters step in as invaluable allies, offering a range of services beyond simply matching candidates with job openings, according to a recent report from Prestige Scientific’s Kristin Call. “While their primary role is well-known, there are
CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has placed Bradley Gamble as the new CEO of the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville, FL. He will replace Phoebe Cade Miles who has served as its interim CEO since March of 2023. “On behalf of the entire board, we are thrilled to welcome Brad to the Cade, and
WhiteCrow Acquires Armstrong Craven
Talent research provider WhiteCrow has acquired U.K. headquartered search firm Armstrong Craven. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “This partnership signifies a remarkable milestone in our commitment to delivering unparalleled talent solutions on a truly global scale. We are thrilled to welcome Armstrong Craven to the WhiteCrow family and look forward to maximizing
Major, Lindsey & Africa Places General Counsel at NeighborWorks America
Hanover, MD-based executive search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa has assisted in the hiring of Nakeasha L. Sanders-Small as the general counsel and corporate secretary of NeighborWorks America in Washington, D.C. “I am so pleased to welcome Nakeasha L. Sanders-Small as our incoming general counsel,” said Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO. “Nakeasha is a collaborative, strategic leader
Solomon Page Appoints VP of Search, Accounting & Finance
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has named Shawn Gillespie as vice president, search, accounting & finance. Based in Los Angeles, he will support the firm within the region, leading search engagements with expertise in accounting, finance, treasury, audit, and tax disciplines across all industry verticals. Reporting to Managing Director Tim Calley, Mr. Gillespie will be
The Demand for Interim CFOs Soars
Leading organizations are recognizing the value of integrating highly skilled on-demand talent—independent consultants, executives, project managers, and subject matter experts—into their workforce. With 72.1 million American workers (43 percent of the U.S. labor force) and countless other professionals worldwide choosing to work independently on a project-by-project basis or in interim leadership engagements, companies that rely
Caldwell Posts 17.2 Decrease in Revenue
Toronto-based Caldwell posted Q2 revenues of $17.8 million (Canadian), a 17.2 percent decrease from a year ago. “We saw modest sequential improvement in our results, as the softness in executive search bookings that we experienced in the first quarter dampened our second quarter revenue,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer. “There has been a measurable uplift in new
TurningPoint Executive Search Fills Marketing Position for Jones Lake Management
TurningPoint Executive Search has placed Shara Evans as the director of marketing at Jones Lake Management. “Shara will take Jones Lake Management to new heights,” said Melanie Strauss, the TurningPoint Executive Search partner who led the search. “This is a very niche market with a limited candidate pool of professionals who possess the knowledge and business acumen
