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U.S. Adds 115,000 Jobs in April as Unemployment Holds at 4.3 Percent
Employment increased by 115,000 in April as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.2 million, changed little in April. Job gains occurred in healthcare, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade. Federal government employment continued to decline. Among the major worker
HARTZ Search Seeking CFO for Lake Charles Memorial Health System
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently tapped by Lake Charles Memorial Health System to lead in its search for a new CFO. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will provide strategic leadership and executive oversight of all financial operations across the health system. The
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
CFO Recruiting Summit — Beyond the Balance Sheet: Executing Growth and Value Creation
As business complexity accelerates across industries, the office of the CFO is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Once centered primarily on financial stewardship, today’s CFO organizations are becoming enterprise-wide strategic engines—driving growth, managing risk, enabling transformation, and serving as critical partners to the CEO and board. As the CFO role increasingly serves as a pipeline to
Massey Henry Recruits Chief Risk Officer and CFO for SaskCentral
Toronto-based executive search firm Massey Henry has assisted in the recruitment of Cheryl Maksymiw as chief risk officer and chief financial officer of SaskCentral. “Cheryl brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services, with deep enterprise risk management and financial reporting expertise,” Massey Henry said. “Having held progressive positions with the organization since 2009,
ECA Partners Expands Search Staff
Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has expanded with the addition of Natasha Bunten as a senior director. “Natasha, with her distinguished career in private equity and sales operations, brings valuable expertise to this vital role,” the firm said. “Natasha’s extensive experience in the private equity, B2B services, and healthcare sectors, combined with her track record
Winning Through M&A: The Remarkable Habits Of Successful Dealmakers
Nearly 15 years ago, McKinsey & Company set out to answer a critically important management issue: What type of M&A strategy creates the most value for large companies. The answer that came back was clear: Companies that practice programmatic M&A are likely to outperform competitors. In 2019, McKinsey took another look. It’s research reflected the growing importance
Chartwell Partners Recruits CFO for First United Bank
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Brian Johnson as the new CFO of First United Bank. Scott Petty, managing partner of Chartwell Partners’ financial services practice, led the search along with principal Sean O’Neal. “We were excited to partner with Greg Massey on this strategic hire,” said Mr. Petty. “Brian
Cooper Coleman Seeking New Leader for the Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kathy Kraushar of Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC is currently at the final stages of its search for a new president and CEO for the Kalamazoo Nature Center in Michigan. The CEO is responsible for all financial, operational, administrative, and legal/compliance aspects of organizational management, including but not limited to public relations, financial management, fundraising, organizational development, and
N2Growth Launches Cloud-Based Platform Vue
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has launched cloud-based Vue. “Vue marks a significant leap in the executive search industry, offering unparalleled transparency, collaboration, and data-driven insights at every stage of the search process,” the search firm said. “In an era where data and transparency are paramount, we’ve engineered Vue to reshape the
Acertitude Expands Search Staff
Executive search firm Acertitude has expanded with the addition of Heather Johnson as a partner working across healthcare services, HCIT, and private equity. “Heather’s deep sector knowledge in services and health-tech, along with her extensive network, client engagement skills, and talent identification capabilities perfectly complement our healthcare expansion strategy,” said Rick DeRose, co-founder, managing partner, and leader of
The Bridge Between Talent and Value
In a world where organizations are driven by talent, the executive search industry plays a critical role in identifying and placing top professionals in key positions. From mid-level roles to the C-suite and boards of directors, recruiters serve as the bridge between talent and value across all industries and sectors. But the world of executive
Academic Search Seeking President for Tennessee State University
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was recently selected by Tennessee State University to lead in its search for a new president. Current president Glenda Glove has announced that she is retiring. The assignment is being led by senior consultants Maria Thompson and John W. Garland. The Tennessee State University board of trustees is seeking an exceptional leader to serve
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Board Positions for Start Early
Recruiting for boards of directors, considered the backbones of organizations, has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Greenwich Harbor Partners recently recruited Claudia Teran VP, deputy general counsel and global head of commercial legal at Snap Inc., Adam Waltuch, EVP,
Executive Search Firm Leap Solutions Acquired by George Peterson Insurance Agency
Santa Rosa, CA-based George Peterson Insurance Agency has acquired executive search firm Leap Solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Leap Solutions, also based in Santa Rosa, is a management consulting company specializing in organizational development, human resources, executive search and recruitment. In the announcement sent from George Peterson Insurance Agency’s chief operating officer
Pender & Howe Launches New Interim and Fractional Search Service
Across the board, in every industry, today’s market is fueled by growing demand for top talent against a landscape of short supply. This has led to nearly three million people taking temporary jobs, a number that is expected to grow at a healthy pace over the next few years as companies strive to stay agile
The Business Case for Gender-Inclusive Leadership Teams
The power of women in leadership has been widely documented over the past decade. When companies appoint more women to senior positions, research shows profitability grows, openness to change rises, and customer experiences improve. It’s no surprise that global organizations are strengthening diversity initiatives, seeking equal gender representation in leadership roles—and increasingly, companies are recognizing the
Lindauer Recruits CEO for the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare
Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Gustafson as the new CEO of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. The search was led by Lindauer senior consultant Diane Felicio and executive vice president Libby Roberts. “Michael’s visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of healthcare workers, patients, and families
Furst Group Recruits VP of HR for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Why such pent-up demand for top flight HR experts? Corporate leaders want HR leaders who are sophisticated, proactive and strategic-minded, with strong business savvy to drive their people capabilities like they would a P&L, according to
KeyStone Executive Search and CorTalent Merge to Form Strategic Talent Partners
Founder and CEO of KeyStone Executive Search, Mike Frommelt, and founder and CEO of CorTalent, Mary Nutting, have announced the merger of their firms under the new name – Strategic Talent Partners (STP). “The executive search industry has shifted from solely recruiting leadership talent, to helping organizations manage a more complex set of talent challenges,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in Buenos Aires
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Buenos Aires, Argentina-based Wall Chase to its global network of executive search firms. “This represents a significant milestone in IIC Partners’ strategic efforts to enhance its global footprint and further develop its presence in Latin America,” the search consortium said. “We are thrilled to welcome Wall Chase to IIC Partners,”
AI Leadership: Driving Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
As a partner at SPMB, Natalie Ryan has observed the transformative impact of the newly formed chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO) role within the modern business ecosystem. “Far from being confined to the realms of technology alone, the CAIO has emerged as a vital driver of innovation across diverse organizational domains, including marketing, sales, customer
Harris Search Associates Assists Johnson County Community College with Senior HR Search
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Why such pent-up demand for top flight HR experts? Corporate leaders want HR leaders who are sophisticated, proactive and strategic-minded, with strong business savvy to drive their people capabilities like they would a P&L, according to
Calibrate Recruits Chief Legal Talent and Inclusion Officer for Fish & Richardson
Austin, TX-based management consulting and executive search firm Calibrate recently assisted in the recruitment of Dana Gray as chief legal talent and inclusion officer for Fish & Richardson, a global intellectual property law firm headquartered in Boston, MA. “Dana is a leader who is dedicated to promoting excellence and a culture of collaboration,” said Kristine McKinney, chief
Royer Thompson Recruits CTO for Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
After an extensive search that attracted interest from within Nova Scotia and across Canada, Royer Thompson has assisted in the recruitment of Gaëtan Boudreau P.Eng as the chief technology officer of Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. “Attracting a leader of Gaëtan’s caliber is a big step forward, and I’m confident he will bring a new
NPAworldwide Elects New Board
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has elected a new slate of representatives to its board of directors. “As president of NPAworldwide, I am delighted to welcome our newly-elected board of directors members,” said Kerry Crockett, president and chief operating officer. “Each individual brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to our organization, embodying the spirit of
Unemployment Rate Edges Down to 3.8 Percent
Employment rose by 303,000 in March as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 6.4 million in March. Job gains occurred in healthcare, government, and construction. “This is another really strong report,” said Lauren Goodwin, economist and chief market strategist at New
AGB Search Recruits 22nd President for Seton Hall University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly as the 22nd president of Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Melissa K. Trotta and Matthew J. Kilcoyne led the assignment. “There is no one better suited to leading the university at this
Phillips Oppenheim Seeking CEO for Inspirica
New York City-based Phillips Oppenheim has been retained by Inspirica in Stamford, CT, to lead in its search for a new CEO. Susan Gluck Pappajohn and Addie Jones are leading the assignment on behalf of Phillips Oppenheim. Inspirica is seeking an energetic and compassionate leader with a strong operational and fundraising background and a track record
Vanguarde Names Managing Partner and Head of Operations
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Vanguarde has appointed Gabrielle Brown as managing partner & head of operations. She will report to LP Green, chairman and CEO of Vanguarde. “We welcome Gabrielle and the experience that she brings to the Vanguarde team,” said Mr. Green. “With her wealth of knowledge in fostering a best-in-class employee experience, boosting productivity, and
Alexander Hughes Adds New Member Firm in Paris
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. Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has added Kienbaum Executive Consultants International in Paris as its
Connecting Talent with Opportunity Across Borders
Securing top leadership talent is essential in the dynamic and fast-paced business world. Global executive search firms are entrusted with identifying and recruiting experienced and qualified executives worldwide. A recent report from N2Growth’s Leslie Goldhill explains that their reach extends beyond borders, tapping into a wider pool of talent and thus making their services invaluable to
BraddockMatthews and David Barrett Partners Join Forces
Alliances and partnerships continue to gain traction in the executive search industry. BraddockMatthews LLC and David Barrett Partners have closed a transaction to combine their firms, creating asset management executive search firm BraddockMatthewsBarrett. The merging of the two firms, which serve complementary segments of the investment management industry, creates an international executive search firm with
KEES Tapped by the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency to Find New Leaders
The Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) has tapped Kistner Eddy Executive Search (KEES) as its executive search consulting partner leading the spring 2024 interim CEO search, followed by the permanent CEO search anticipated to begin in November 2024. Leading the assignment for KEES are president and CEO Heather Eddy, executive search manager Yoo-Jin Hong, and
Cardinal Grange Retained by Stephen F. Austin State University to Lead AD Search
Stephen F. Austin State University has hired search firm Cardinal Grange to lead in its search for a new athletic director. The school has also formed an in-house committee to work alongside Cardinal Grange during the recruitment process. “The decision means that Stephen F. Austin will benefit from the leadership and vision of Cardinal Grange’s Jim Nichols, who has over
