DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for The Aspen Group
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Rafeh Masood as chief commercial officer of The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S. The search team consisted of Lindsay Stevens, Courtney Schluender, Brian Busse, and Sarah Basto. In his new role, Mr. Masood is responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient
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
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,
The Evolving CFO: Seven Traits Defining High-Impact Finance Leaders
The chief financial officer has emerged as one of the most pivotal figures in the C-suite, tasked with steering organizations through volatility, digital transformation, and heightened investor scrutiny. No longer confined to stewardship and reporting, today’s finance leaders are expected to influence enterprise strategy, guide capital allocation, and help chart the company’s long-term trajectory. As
TurnkeyZRG Adds Former 76ers/Nets General Manager to Roster
TurnkeyZRG has named Billy King as managing director in the private equity group and the sports group. “Too many search firms today are really just sales firms,” said Len Perna, chairman and CEO of TurnkeyZRG. ”Talent recruitment is supposed to be about building winning teams. Billy King at Duke, Billy King as a coach, Billy King in
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Founding Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Lawrence Technological University
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the placement of Mary Schutten as the founding dean of the College of Health Sciences at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, MI. This follows a national search led by managing partner Jennifer Muller. “Our College of Health Sciences was formed to address the growing need for technologically educated
COORS Leadership Capital Appoints VP of Talent Strategy
Charlotte, NC-based COORS Leadership Capital has expanded with the addition of Kelly Kirk as vice president of talent strategy. “We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Kelly Kirk.,” the search firm said. “With an impressive track record of 20 years in executive management within the healthcare industry, Kelly brings a wealth of expertise
Artificial Intelligence Requires a New Kind Of Leadership
Artificial intelligence will continue to be developed and implemented in the business world. However you may feel about this, you and your organization will need to prepare for the changes it brings, according to a recent report from Brainworks. The firm explains that your organization must be innovation-ready, and that is fostered through leadership. A
Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeking Provost for George Mason University
George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, has retained Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates to lead in its search for a new executive vice president and provost. Julie Holley and Lois Stetson are spearheading the assignment for the search firm. This role offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic
Spencer Stuart Partners with AI Provider Qlu.ai
Spencer Stuart has formed a strategic alliance with artificial intelligence (AI) company Qlu.ai. Founded by Fahad Jalal in 2020, Qlu is an innovator in using AI to automate the discovery of new companies and talent. “Qlu rapidly deploys new AI models that will integrate with industry leading technology platform and discovery processes used by Spencer
Ormsby Park Names Head of Financial Services/East Coast Region
The financial services industry is in a near-constant state of change. From embracing digital banking in the 2000s, to the rise of fintech, banking-as-a-service, and all of the new options available to consumers today, institutions have almost always been facing an ever growing need to evolve. Today is no different. Financial services firms must strategically
9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2024 and Beyond
In 2023, business leaders and organizations continued to contend with major shifts affecting the workplace, including the pressure of inflation, the emergence of generative AI, geopolitical turmoil, a series of high-profile labor strikes, increased tension over return-to-office mandates, a shifting societal landscape for DEI initiatives, and more… As we look toward 2024, we can expect disruption to continue.
The Millard Group Assists Language I/O with Chief Marketing Officer Search
As organizations becomes more complex and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging — and much more influential. The Millard Group, which focuses on building executive teams for venture capital and private equity backed growth stage technology
Artico Search Recruits CEO for Labster
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Alex Klein of Artico Search have assisted in the recruitment of Shawn Boom as the new CEO of Labster, a platform for virtual labs and interactive science in Boston. CEO and co-founder Michael Bodekaer Jensen will transition to executive board member. “My deep love for high-impact edtech innovation has only grown stronger over the past year with the
20/20 Foresight Rebrands to 20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions
20/20 Foresight Executive Search has changed to 20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions. This name change represents the culmination of the firm’s evolution into a full-service, vertically integrated talent advisory firm. In 1994, 20/20 Foresight Executive Search was founded as a real estate-focused executive search firm. Over the last 30 years, it has grown to include 13
Alexander Hughes Acquires DSML Executive Search
Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has acquired Chicago-based DSML Executive Search. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The move marks a significant milestone in Alexander Hughes’ global growth strategy, positioning the firm as the global executive search and leadership firm of choice for businesses and corporations worldwide,” the search firm said. “The acquisition includes
2024 M&A Dealmaking Outlook, With An Eye On Human Capital Markets
In the closing days of last year, the dry powder held by private equity firms reached a baffling all time high of $2.59 trillion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence and Preqin data. This marks an eight percent increase from the year earlier total of $2.39 trillion. The unprecedented build-up of dry powder is in
JDG Associates Seeking CEO for The National Board for Certification and Occupational Therapy
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been selected by The National Board for Certification and Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The assignment is being led by Paul Belford. NBCOT seeks an executive with a grounding in health care issues and policy. A fast-paced style is
CarterBaldwin Recruits CFO for Solo Brands
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Laura Coffey as the new CFO of Solo Brands, Inc. in Grapevine, TX. Partner Jennifer Sobocinski led the search along with search consultant Greg Hart. Leading the company’s financial operations, Ms. Coffey will report to Chris Metz, president and CEO of Solo Brands. “We are thrilled to have
AMN Healthcare Acquires MSDR
AMN Healthcare recently acquired MSDR for a purchase price of $300 million. MSDR consists of two healthcare staffing companies that specialize in locum tenens and advanced practices, Medical Search International (MSI) and DRW Healthcare Staffing (DRW). “We are very excited to welcome the MSDR team into the AMN Healthcare family and expand the workforce solutions
Diversified Search Group Appoints Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has named Caitlin Iseler as practice leader and managing director, software technology. She is based in Philadelphia, PA, and Jackson Hole, WY. “As a VC-backed founder and talent advisor Caitlin approaches every client and engagement with a listen-first approach to ensure the best
5 Interview Questions to Ask a Chief People Officer Candidate
A chief people officer (CPO) is a senior executive responsible for championing an organization’s talent through the development and execution of a comprehensive people strategy and employee experience. A proficient CPO is attuned to employee needs, sentiments, and feedback and is responsible for upholding the company’s commitments to its workforce, according to a recent report
Elevate Sports Ventures Acquires SRI to Launch Elevate Talent
The Elevate Sports Ventures agency has acquired SRI and launched Elevate Talent, a new executive search and global talent advisory practice. The new firm will recruit senior leaders across sports, entertainment, media, lifestyle, technology, and gaming. Elevate is led by Al Guido, who also serves as president of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. Jim Chaplin, formerly CEO of SRI, will become global
RH Perry & Associates Recruits 19th President for New Mexico Highlands University
RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Neil Woolfe as the 23rd president of New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU). Sam Minner recently retired after nine years with the school. The assignment was led by senior consultants Sue DeWine and Pam Shockley-Zalabak. Dr. Woolf has been appointed to a conditional five-year term with an annual salary of $290,000, and
Buffkin / Baker Finds New CFO for Princeton Theological Seminary
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker recently assisted in the recruitment of Jean Hall as the new CFO of Princeton Theological Seminary. Leading the assignment were Martin M. Baker, managing partner, and Pelema Ellis, associate partner. “Jean Hall’s appointment as chief financial officer represents a continuation of her excellent work to date and a commitment to the
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Head of Greater China
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has appointed Sherman Leung as the head of Greater China practice, taking over the leadership role from Grace Cheng to lead the business growth and operations in China. “With over 20 years of experience, Sherman Leung possesses extraordinary vision and leadership in market expansion and client success,” said Ms.
Leveraging Portfolio Talent At L Catterton
In the ever-evolving landscape of private equity, the strategic deployment of talent stands out as a pivotal factor in achieving sustained growth and optimizing returns. As a middle market PE firm with $34 billion in assets under management, L Catterton is a distinguished player in the PE sector. They’ve positioned talent at the core of their investment philosophy,
The University of Nebraska Taps Academic Search for Find Next President
Jay Lemons, Jennifer Kooken, and George Ross of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been retained by the University of Nebraska to lead in its search for a new president. Past president Ted Carter left the school last year to become the president of Ohio State University, a search that was led by Santa Barbara, CA-based Education Executives. The president must
The Christopher Group Leading Chief People Officer and VP of Talent Acquisition Searches for Vertex Service Partners
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of 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 executive recruiters. CEOs, in particular, want
Campbell & Company Assists Friendly Center with CEO Search
Campbell & Company has recruited Kenia Hernandez Cueto as the new president and chief executive officer for the Friendly Center, a non-profit that provides free programs and services for low-income families and individuals in Orange County, CA. Leading the assignment were Dan Nevez, vice president, executive search, and Kole Farrise, associate consultant, executive search. After
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints Leader of On-Demand Talent
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has named Sunny Ackerman as global managing partner, On-Demand Talent, effective February 12. In this role, Ms. Ackerman will lead on-demand talent solutions across all Heidrick & Struggles globally, which is inclusive of Business Talent Group (BTG) and Atreus. “High-end independent talent solutions are increasingly being
Key Areas in DEI to Prioritize in 2024
Workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is in the midst of a perfect storm. The Supreme court decision to overturn race-based affirmative action policies in college admissions gave way to a series of legislative challenges targeted at workplace DEI. Now, organizations are grappling with the aftermath and continued close inspection on DEI, with many asking ‘what now?’. To address
How Non-Profits Can Identify and Recruit Their Next Great Leader
Thanks to younger generations, interest in and support of mission-aligned organizations is surging. According to the Better Business Bureau, seventy-five percent of millennials believe that a business should have a higher purpose beyond generating capital. For Gen Z, the desire is even greater, according to a recent report from Johanna Vargas, vice president and senior
Bryant Group Tapped by Hope College to Find VP of Philanthropy and Engagement
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group was recently retained by Hope College to lead in its search for vice president of philanthropy and engagement. Chris Bingley, president of Bryant Group, is leading the assignment. “The ideal leader for this position is energized by big challenges,” said Matthew A. Scogin, president of Hope College. “We are
Arts Consulting Group Recruits New Leader for the New England Museum Association
Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has assisted in the recruitment of Kayla G. Coleman as the new executive director of the New England Museum Association (NEMA). Wyona Lynch-McWhite, senior vice president, and Geoff Chang, vice president, led the assignment for the search firm. “The NEMA staff and board are thrilled to welcome Kayla Coleman as
