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Buffkin / Baker Recruits Chief Information Security Officer for Oklahoma State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has helped to recruit Marjorie McLagan as chief information security officer (CISO) of Oklahoma State University. Martin M. Baker and Chelsie Whitelock led the assignment. “Cybersecurity is foundational to everything we do at Oklahoma State University,” said Jason Ramsey, chief operating officer. “As we advance research, serve students and support Extension programs in all 77 counties,
Allen Austin Appoints Partner
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin has expanded with the addition of Nick McQuarry as a partner. “We are so excited to welcome Nick McQuarry back to the Allen Austin team as a partner,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Nick’s career journey has come full circle—returning to the firm where it began, now with broader
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,
When Founders Step Aside: Navigating Leadership Transitions In Private Equity
A recent Harvard Business Review article examining founder transitions highlights just how precarious these leadership handoffs can be. Founder CEO transitions carry a risk of failure or performance decline two to three times greater than standard CEO successions. The reason is simple: founders are rarely just executives. They are often the cultural center of gravity, the strategic
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
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,
