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TM² Executive Search Retained by Lumina Foundation and Southern University to Fill Senior Roles
TM² Executive Search (TM²),the executive search firm of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), was recently awarded a grant from Lumina Foundation to launch a board governance excellence initiative. “HBCUs have long deserved this level of targeted investment in their governance capacity,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF. “TM²’s work will generate
Buffkin / Baker Seeking 11th President for Valdosta State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker is currently assisting Valdosta State University (VSU) in its search for its 11th president. Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt are leading the assignment. President must provide transformational leadership that brings clarity, confidence and momentum to the university’s next chapter. This role begins with the ability to articulate a clear, compelling vision
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.
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
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?
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The AI-Ready Chief People Officer
As artificial intelligence accelerates across the enterprise, the people function is emerging as one of its most critical proving grounds. Nowhere is the balance between innovation and responsibility more visible than in the evolving role of the chief people officer. AI is reshaping how organizations operate, how leaders make decisions, and how people experience work.
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Provost for Clarkson University
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Christopher Robinson as the new provost for Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Robyn Hannigan stepped down from the role last June to become president of nearby Ursinus College. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “We are thrilled to have Chris Robinson take on the permanent
SPMB Executive Search Recruits CFO for Secure Code Warrior
SPMB Executive Search, which helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, recently placed Jim Stuebner as the new CFO of Secure Code Warrior. The assignment was led by partner Steven Popper. “We’re pleased to congratulate our client Secure Code Warrior and our placement Jim Stuebner who joins the leadership team as chief financial officer,” SPMB said. “Cheers to an exceptional
ZRG Partners Expands Global Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Practice Group
ZRG Partners has expanded with the addition of Patrick Gray as managing partner. In this role, he will oversee the global aerospace, defense & government services practice group. “Patrick’s wealth of experience, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with our mission to deliver critical talent solutions to our clients, and we are thrilled to
The Keys to Making Corporate Progress in DEI
The past few years, every aspect of the business world has been touched by the growth of the diversity, equity, and inclusion field. Research by Culture Amp, 81 percent of HR and DEI professionals believe that DEI initiatives are beneficial to their organizations. In fact, 71 percent reported that their organizations are “focusing on doing
Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.7 Percent
Employment rose by 216,000 in December as the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 5.7 million in December. Employment continued to trend up in government, healthcare, social assistance, and construction, while transportation and warehousing lost jobs. Among the major worker groups,
TurnkeyZRG Seeking Director of Athletics for the University of Iowa
TurnkeyZRG was recently selected by the University of Iowa to lead in its search for a new director of athletics. Past athletics director Gary Barta announced last year that he will retire after 17 years at the university. The director of athletics provides leadership and strategic direction to the university’s athletic programs, ensuring the overall success, integrity, and compliance
Work&Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for Toppan Merrill
New York-based Work&Partners has placed Jonathan Chu as chief product officer of Toppan Merrill. The search firm was seeking executives with demonstrated success in taking products from discovery to execution, producing measurable business value as well as a track record of success in driving culture change and mind-set shifts. Mr. Chu fit the bill. He was
Sinecure.ai Acquires Grace Blue Partnership
Sinecure.ai, an SaaS software company dedicated to finding talent through AI and Large Language Model (LLM) innovation, has acquired London-based executive search firm Grace Blue Partnership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The most effective hiring outcomes in the future will involve a balance of advanced technology with human understanding and ingenuity,” said Joel
Reasons for Cautious Optimism in 2024
The labor market didn’t follow the script many people wrote for it last year. Despite many projections for a recession, a historically fast tightening of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, a banking crisis, and geopolitical crises and uncertainty, the labor market stands strong. Getting to this spot required a few unexpected things to happen,
RH Perry & Associates Assists New Mexico Highlands University with President Search
RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Neil Woolf as the 19th president of New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU). Sam Minner recently retired after nine years with the school. Senior consultants Sue DeWine and Pam Shockley-Zalabak led the assignment. Dr. Woolf has been appointed to a conditional five-year term with an annual salary of $290,000, and he will begin
ON Partners Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Victory Live
Matt Mooney and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have helped to place Sathish Gaddipati as chief technology officer of Victory Live, a Clearlake Capital Group backed technology platform. “I am honored for Sathish to join Victory Live as CTO,” said Sam Soni, founder of Victory Live. “Sathish is an experienced executive that will help propel our engineering and product
The Moran Company Seeking New Leader for Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been retained by Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States to lead in its search for a new executive director. Ann Graff, senior search consultant, is leading the assignment. The executive director has primary responsibility for the strategic and organizational
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints New Global and Regional Leaders
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has announced a series of global and regional leader appointments. “I look forward to the positive impact these dynamic leaders will make across the industries we serve as they continue to advise our clients on critical leadership and human capital issues in an increasingly complex
Preparing Your Search Firm for AI Adoption
AI isn’t just a buzzword in recruiting anymore. A recent survey of Bullhorn customers revealed that 63 percent have started using generative AI, and 54 percent plan to roll out new AI-driven solutions within a year. If you’re not already using AI during the hiring process, now is the time to prepare your business, according to a recent report from Bullhorn. The
AGB Search Tapped by Mount Saint Mary College to Find New President
Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into the coffers of executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business has never been better. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels. With so much activity, it seems, talent demand is far outstripping the supply. In recent months,
NorthWind Partners Recruits CEO for Frontgrade Technologies
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Mitch Stevison as president and CEO of Frontgrade Technologies in Colorado Springs, CO. He succeeds Mike Elias, who is transitioning out of his role as president and CEO. Mr. Stevison brings substantial leadership and industry experience to his new role. He previously led Mercury Systems’ Mission
SearchWide Global Assists the International Association of Exhibitions and Events with CEO Search
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has assisted in the recruitment of Marsha Flanagan as the new president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). She succeeds David DuBois, who left the association to take the role of president and CEO of Exhibitor Group last October. Executive vice president Mark Gnatovic led
Sheffield Haworth Partners with Progress Together
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has formed an alliance with Progress Together, an initiative focused on addressing the socio-economic disparity within the financial services sector. This strategic alliance comes in response to the recent study commissioned by Progress Together and conducted by Bridge Group called Shaping Our Economy, which highlighted socioeconomic background is more
CHRO’s Impact on CEO Succession Planning
The role of the chief human resources officer (CHRO) has become increasingly complex, with responsibilities ranging from navigating the “future of work” to addressing the implications of artificial intelligence. However, nowhere is the significance of the CHRO more evident than in CEO succession planning, where HR leaders can play a crucial, nuanced and pivotal role,
WittKieffer Tapped by Franklin Pierce University to Lead President Search
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been selected by Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, to lead its search for a new president. Current president Kim Mooney has announced she is retiring at the end of this academic year. Lucy Leske, Jeff Compher, and Kim Migoya are leading the assignment. “As the search process gets underway, the WittKieffer team will
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Seeking Major Gifts Officer for American Humane
For not-for-profit organizations, these are particularly challenging days. Declining support from government sources, increased demand for their services and competition for donor dollars are just a few of the issues that charitable groups must overcome to stay afloat each year. With COVID-19, donations are down even further. Simply put, major gift officers are top-level fundraisers.
Peña Search Finds New Leader for the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Peña Search has assisted in the recruitment of Shalaina Abioye as the new executive director of the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI). Bill Holston recently stepped down from his role after 11 years at the helm. Travis Hillier and Cindy Maloney led the assignment. Ms. Abioye joins HRI with more than a decade of experience leading immigrant-and-refugee-serving agencies.
Cowen Partners Launches Operating Partners Cohort
Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search has launched its operating partners cohort. The group consists of six strategic executives who are available for consulting engagements and also provide support to new and existing executive search clients. Many of the executives in the cohort have leadership experience. “These strategic operating partners reinforce Cowen Partners’ commitment to providing
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2023
For the recruiting industry, 2023 was a mixed bag. Recruiters continued to look for new ways to provide value to clients, AI remained a hot topic, and market consolidation led by investors continued to impact the industry. While fears of a recession, talent shortages, and candidate-driven market have been challenges for search consultants. Meanwhile, finding
Cook Silverman Search Retained to Find New Executive Director for the Eviction Defense Collaborative
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search was recently called by the Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Victoria L. Silverman, managing founder of the search firm, is leading the assignment. Eviction Defense Collaborative is seeking a remarkable civic leader who is passionate about social justice to serve as their
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in South Africa
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Drayton Glendower in Johannesburg, South Africa as its newest member firm. “We are thrilled to welcome Drayton Glendower to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. “Their remarkable standing in South Africa and track record across sub–Saharan Africa enhance our global reach and introduce highly valued knowledge and
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 5 Recruiting Acquisitions of 2023
Acquisitions made huge news in the executive search industry this year, and for good reason. Outside investors finally caught on to the sector’s expansion potential and long growth runway ahead. Top search leaders also found ways to maximize profit. That made them highly attractive to private equity firms looking for platforms they could accelerate. Hunt Scanlon
TurningPoint Executive Search Fills HR Post for Hyundai Motor America
TurningPoint Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Kara Vande Hoef as director of human resources for Hyundai Motor America (HMA). “Kara’s professional journey to date speaks to her wealth of expertise across all HR functions,” said Raquel Gallant, TurningPoint’s managing director of executive search. “She has successfully developed and implemented HR programs, scaled operations, and
Buffkin / Baker Assists Princeton Theological Seminary with CFO Search
Following a comprehensive national search, partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker assisted in the recruitment of Jean Hall as the new CFO of the 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
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2023
2023 was a challenging year for many sectors. But it was also a year when the best recruiting leaders stepped up their game. Across the board, from non-profits, universities, and even the royal family, to start-ups, the Fortune 500, and PE-backed companies, top leaders were in high demand to help guide organizations through formidable challenges
LHH Knightsbridge Assists Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, with CEO Search
LHH Knightsbridge has assisted in the recruitment of Beverly Kobe as the new president and CEO of Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes. Partner Tara Veysey led the assignment. She succeeds Michelle Quintyn, who will remain with the organization for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition of her role and responsibilities. “This is an
