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A Playbook for Speed to Hire at the Executive Level
In executive recruiting, companies often focus heavily on identifying the right candidate while overlooking another factor that can determine the outcome of the search: momentum. In today’s competitive executive talent market, highly sought-after leaders are evaluating opportunities in real time, and organizations that hesitate risk losing top talent before the process is complete. The ability
Isaacson, Miller Recruits Chief Information Officer for the Smithsonian Institution
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Zack Kahn as chief information officer for the Smithsonian Institution. Karen Avery and Dan Rodas led this search with Stephen Kalogeras and Caroline Corry. Mr. Kahn joins the Smithsonian Institution with more than two decades of strategic technology leadership across federal agencies, global operations, and mission‑driven institutions. He previously served as
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,
Atlanta Fed Retains Heidrick & Struggles for President/CEO Search
Leadership searches for top roles within the Federal Reserve system rarely come to market, making them highly visible assignments within the executive search industry. When they do, institutions often turn to globally recognized firms to help identify candidates with the experience and credibility required to guide regional monetary policy organizations. One such search is now
WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Texas Tech
A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer was recently selected by Texas Tech University to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Ryan Crawford and Luis Bertot are leading the assignment. The school seeks an CHRO to lead the institution’s efforts to redefine human
Wilton & Bain Opens Office in Dubai
Wilton & Bain recently opened a new office in Dubai. “We are delighted to announce the opening of our new office in Dubai,” said David Heron, CEO. “We will serve clients across the Middle East and North Africa, with further announcements to follow of our new managing partner who will be leading Wilton & Bain
Creating a Winning M&A Leadership Team
What makes a merger or acquisition a success? It all starts with having the right leaders in place. Research shows that strong leaders predict M&A strategy success and specific competencies are associated with high-performing deals. The right leadership team is so critical because they have a big job on their hands: ensuring executive alignment, setting the
Aspen Leadership Group Leading Chief Development Officer Search for the Pittsburgh Public Theater
Aspen Leadership Group, an executive search firm that specializes in recruiting top talent for philanthropic organizations, has been called in by the Pittsburgh Public Theater to lead in its search for a new chief development officer. Jeanette Rivera-Watts is leading the assignment. Reporting to the managing director and partnering closely with the artistic director, the
The New York Society for Ethical Culture Taps Development Guild DDI to Find New Leader
Non-profit specialist recruitment firm Development Guild DDI has been retained by the New York Society for Ethical Culture (the Society) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Senior vice president and principal Tracy Marshall is leading the assignment. Reporting to the Society’s board of trustees and working in close collaboration with clergy
Lindauer Appoints Leader of the Independent School Practice
Lindauer has named Jackie Sullivan as senior vice president and leader of the independent school practice. “Jackie consistently drives client success by providing strategic counsel that is equally focused on tactical implementation and big-picture visionary thinking,” said Deb Taft, CEO of Lindauer. “By tuning her approach to the ambitious goals of her clients, she has
StevenDouglas Names VP, Technology Executive Search
Executive search firm StevenDouglas has appointed Matthew Richards as vice president, technology executive search. “What sets Matthew apart is his strategic and detailed approach to executive search,” StevenDouglas said. “Rather than solely focusing on finding candidates, Matthew delves deep into understanding organizational dynamics and talent requirements, collaborating closely with the C-suite to build transformational leadership teams. This
Here’s How PE Firms Can Reduce Talent Churn and Produce Better Leaders
Participants in the ninth annual PE leadership survey conducted by AlixPartners generally agree that the most important thing they can do to achieve the financial results they demand is to pay attention to leadership and talent. For PE firms, which prioritize C-suite leadership, and portcos, which emphasize talent at all levels, “the quality of leadership and succession
Egon Zehnder Retained by Bandhan Bank for CEO Search
Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive landscape, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders, both men and women, with a multidimensional skill-set and competencies that often go above and beyond any typical job description. But there’s a big problem: In most countries, while women
Evolve Giving Group Seeking CEO for the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
The economic strength of the non-profit field has increased in recent years and it is now the third largest employer in the U.S. This has certainly kept search firms busy. Chicago-based executive search firm Evolve Giving Group was recently retained by the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte to lead in its search for a new
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board Using Sterling Martin to Find New CEO
Sterling Martin Associates, an executive search firm which specializes in recruiting talent for associations and other non-profit organizations, has been tapped by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Under the direction of the Certification Commission, the CEO makes recommendations and participates with the
Remofirst Secures $25 Million in Funding
Remofirst, a San Francisco-based employer-of-record provider, has closed a $25 million series A funding round. The round was led by Octopus Ventures, a London-based venture capital firm, with participation by existing investors QED, Mouro Capital and Counterpart Ventures. Remofirst says that the funds will go toward new products and services as well as to bring
5 Essential Aspects of an AI-Ready Corporate Culture
The recent buzz around AI has brought a great deal of hope and excitement to organizations, particularly in the last few years. However, reflecting on the progress of other “digital transformations” over the past many years should give executives reason to pause. For example, one study on big data showed that while corporate investment in data
BarkerGilmore Fills Legal Post for Bragg Companies
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has recruited Chris Connelly as the new vice president and director of legal for Bragg Companies in Long Beach, CA. The search was led by Max Gelernter, managing director of BarkerGilmore. “Chris’s unique blend of legal expertise spanning over two decades and his immersion in the construction industry
Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking CHRO for Washtenaw Community College
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) was recently retained by Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI, to lead in its search for a new chief human resources officer. The search is being led by managing partner Jennifer Muller. Reporting to the president and serving on the president’s executive leadership team, the CHRO is responsible for integrating human
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
