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The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Christine Pendleton, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
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.
Bell Oaks Executive Search Seeking Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search is currently seeking a chief finance and administrative officer (CFAO) for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF). The assignment is being led by partner Cynthia J. Moreland and senior search consultant Abi Gamino. The CFAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive
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?
Leadership Advisory Enters a New Capital Cycle
Private capital is making one of its strongest moves yet into the leadership advisory sector. Recent investments by KKR in ghSMART and Advent International in Heidrick & Struggles represent more than headline transactions. Together, they signal a growing conviction among investors that leadership advisory firms occupy a unique position within the modern enterprise, helping organizations navigate leadership succession, organizational effectiveness, talent assessment, and
Crist|Kolder Places CFO at Mondelēz International
Crist|Kolder Associates has placed Amit Banati as executive vice president and chief financial officer of NASDAQ-traded Mondelēz International in Chicago. He will report directly to Dirk Van de Put, chair and CEO, and will be a member of the Mondelēz International leadership team. “Amit is a highly experienced CFO who brings a strong blend of financial leadership
Why Searches Lose Discipline Late and How to Prevent It
Even well-run executive searches can lose focus as the process unfolds and pressure to reach a decision begins to mount. Without consistent alignment around the original mandate, organizations risk making compromises that can undermine long-term leadership success. Most executive searches start with real clarity, a recent report from Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company’s
NPAG Assists Proteus Fund with CEO Search
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Amardeep Singh the new president and CEO of Proteus Fund and Proteus Action League. He will officially assume the role in September. The Proteus Fund board of directors selected Mr. Singh following a rigorous national search supported by NPAG. The search was led by Ellen LaPointe, Ebony Breaux-Liang, and Andres Marcuse-Gonzalez. “On
Bullhorn Names Chief Innovation and Labs Officer and Chief Corporate Development Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn recently appointed Jason Heilman as chief innovation and labs officer and Ryan Murphy as chief corporate development officer. As members of the executive leadership team, they will help drive the company’s next wave of growth and innovation. Mr. Heilman joined Bullhorn in 2020 when the company acquired Herefish, the automation platform he led
5 Ways to Evaluate a Job Offer in 2026
In today’s hiring market, the strongest job offer isn’t always the one with the biggest paycheck. Candidates who treat their next move as a base-salary math problem usually leave real money behind, according to a recent report from Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles. The smarter approach, and the
McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Technology Officer for JenaValve Technology
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Edward Sarnowski as chief technology officer of JenaValve Technology, Inc. in Irvine, CA. The search was completed by partner Ken Dropiewski, and executive recruiter Michael Matranga. “Ed’s appointment marks an important step in the evolution of JenaValve as a company,” said John Kilcoyne, CEO of JenaValve. “With FDA approval now behind us and
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses for General Counsel Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for a general counsel based in Alexandria, VA. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the general counsel serves as IDA’s chief legal officer and secretary of the Corporation, with responsibility spanning legal counsel and
Korn Ferry to Acquire AMS in $1.1 Billion Talent Solutions Deal
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has entered into a definitive agreement with OMERS Private Equity to acquire U.K.-headquartered AMS. The transaction will combine Korn Ferry’s expertise across search, talent & organizational solutions, and workforce solutions with AMS’s expertise in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), early careers and campus recruiting, contingent workforce solutions, consulting, and skills creation. The combination will
CarterBaldwin Assists Ideal Tridon Group with Chief Information Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has helped to recruit Shane Dacus as chief information officer of Ideal Tridon Group, a portfolio company of Nautic Partners and global provider of engineered clamps, brackets, fittings, and metal framing systems. Mr. Dacus brings more than 25 years of technology leadership across industrial, manufacturing, and PE-backed platforms, with a consistent record of elevating IT
Lindauer Recruits CEO for Penn State Alumni Association
Lindauer has placed Reggie Bustinza as associate vice president for alumni relations and chief executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association. He was selected after a nationwide search to succeed Paul Clifford, who departed Penn State in January 2025. The search was led by Lindauer executive vice president Faith Montgomery and senior consultant Raegan Harvey in partnership with Penn State. “Lindauer
Why M&A Success Is Ultimately a Talent Challenge
In its latest market intelligence findings, The Role of HR in M&A: 5 Golden Rules for CHROs, Spencer Stuart argues that many transactions fail not because of flawed strategy, but because of shortcomings in leadership, culture, talent retention, and organizational execution. While financial and operational diligence often dominate deal planning, the firm’s research suggests that people-related
Greenwood Asher & Associates Leading Chief Marketing Officer Search for the College of Charleston
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) is currently seeking a chief marketing officer and vice president for marketing and communications for the College of Charleston. Kyle Pybus-Jerome and Jeremy Duff are leading the assignment. The College of Charleston seeks a strategic and innovative marketing executive to lead an integrated marketing and communications enterprise that
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
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
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,
What to Look for When Hiring an Executive Search Firm
Securing the right leadership talent can shape an organization’s strategic direction for years, making the choice of a search partner an important business decision. As companies compete for experienced executives who can drive growth, manage complexity, and guide transformation, many are turning to specialized firms that focus exclusively on identifying and attracting senior leaders. Understanding
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,
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
