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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,
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.
Boyden Seeking CEO for Creative BC
Boyden has been retained by Creative BC in Vancouver, British Columbia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership to an organization that sits at the center of British Columbia’s creative economy. The CEO will lead the execution of Creative BC’s mandate
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?
Signium Expands in Belgium
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of Valérie Schmitt to its Belgium team as leadership consulting partner. “She will support executive leaders and teams at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change and succeed in complex environments,” Signium said. “Drawing on more than 25 years in senior corporate roles, Valérie brings first-hand experience of the challenges
How AI Is Reshaping Executive Assessment and Leadership Development
As organizations look for better ways to evaluate leadership potential, attention is shifting beyond experience and credentials toward how executives actually think, communicate, make decisions, and respond under pressure. AI is creating new ways to analyze those behaviors at scale, giving executive search firms and their clients additional evidence when assessing qualities such as judgment,
Caldwell Assists the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the Recruitment of President for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
Toronto-based Caldwell has assisted the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the recruitment of Cheryl Nelms as president of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. Her appointment follows a competitive international executive recruitment process. The search was led by Drew Railton, Lucy Antrobus, and Vicky O’Connor. “With more than 25 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across Canada, Cheryl brings
TOC Arts Partners Fills Key Position for Film at Lincoln Center
New York City-based TOC Arts Partners has helped to recruit Trent Anderson as vice president of development of Film at Lincoln Center (FLC). This follows an extensive national search led by senior strategist, Brenna Thomas. “Throughout the search process, Trent distinguished himself with his strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and thoughtful leadership,” said Daniel Battsek, president of Film
True Launches Forensic Referencing Offering
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Forensic Referencing, a new executive intelligence capability designed to help investors, boards, and executive teams make more informed leadership decisions before high-stakes investments, new business relationships, and governance milestones. The firm named Christopher Jaros as partner to build and lead the offering. This expands True’s executive intelligence platform, complementing the firm’s executive
Long Ridge Partners Appoints Director
New York City-based Long Ridge Partners has named Chrissie Shin as director. “Please join us in congratulating Chrissie Shin on her promotion to director,” Long Ridge Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Chrissie’s expertise, dedication, and leadership have made her an invaluable member of the Long Ridge team. This well-earned promotion reflects the impact she’s made across
Navigating the Search for Tomorrow’s HBCU Leaders
Leadership searches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are becoming increasingly complex as boards weigh institutional legacy against rapidly changing demands on presidents. Executive search firms are being asked to identify candidates who can balance mission, financial stewardship, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategy while navigating a more uncertain higher education environment. For HBCUs,
Egon Zehnder Called in by CAAT Pension Plan for CEO Search
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been selected by the board of trustees of CAAT Pension Plan to lead in its search for its next chief executive officer. This follows the departure of longtime CEO and plan manager Derek Dobson, who recently resigned. The search will focus on leaders who can combine strategic vision with operational discipline,
The National Airlines Council of Canada Retains Odgers to Lead Search for CEO
Odgers was recently retained by the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Jeff Morrison has informed the board of his intention to retire. He will continue to lead the association until a successor is appointed to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. To support the
PierceGray Expands Staff with New Vice President
PierceGray has expanded with the addition of Kara Hennessey as vice president in the firm’s finance practice. She will be based in the New York office. “PierceGray is excited to welcome Kara Hennessey to the team as our newest vice president,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Kara brings almost 10 years of executive search
The ExeQfind Group Forms Alliance with Aspire HR Consultants
The ExeQfind Group has formed a strategic partnership with Aspire HR Consultants – Middle East, an executive search and leadership advisory firm covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from offices across Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. “Partnering with Aspire HR Consultants represents a significant step in strengthening our international capabilities,” said Warren
Private Equity Faces Growing Leadership Succession Risks
Private equity firms are placing greater emphasis on leadership planning as talent availability becomes an increasingly important factor in value creation. For executive search firms, that shift is expanding the mandate beyond filling immediate vacancies to helping sponsors identify succession risks, build deeper leadership pipelines, and prepare portfolio companies for transition well before a critical
Cook Silverman Search Tapped by EPACANDO to Help Find New Executive Director
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search was recently retained by East Palo Alto Community Alliance and Neighborhood Development Organization (EPACANDO) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Current executive director Duane Bay is planning to retire. The non-profit seeks an experienced, community-centered executive director to lead the organization into its next chapter: Building the capacity
RH Perry & Associates Retained by Skagit Valley College for President Search
RH Perry & Associates has been selected by Skagit Valley College (SVC) to lead in its search for a new president. The assignment is being led by senior consultant Sue DeWine and and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer. The president will strengthen the College’s ‘One College’ approach by enhancing coordination across the Mount Vernon and Whidbey
Modern Executive Solutions Names Managing Director
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Matheus Furlan as managing director. “Matheus brings a global perspective to leadership development, with experience helping executives and teams navigate change, build self-awareness, and lead more effectively across cultures and business contexts,” Modern said in a LinkedIn post. “His background as a master coach, facilitator,
HiBob Secures Funding to Drive AI-powered Enterprise
Tel Aviv-based HR tech platform HiBob has announced an investment led by Salesforce with additional participation from Farallon. This marks a key milestone in HiBob’s evolution from a modern HR platform into an organizational intelligence layer for modern businesses. The investment reflects a shared belief that trusted workforce data and organizational context will become critical infrastructure for the AI-powered enterprise.
The M&A Predictions That Shaped 2026
Ansarada’s 2026 Global M&A Predictions Report brought together 26 dealmakers from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand around four central expectations: M&A would remain resilient despite uncertainty, interest-rate relief could unlock activity, energy and technology would attract capital while consumer sectors lagged, and AI would become increasingly important to both asset
Korn Ferry Posts Q1 Fiscal-Year 2027 Revenues of $756.5 Million
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q1 fiscal-year 2027 revenues of $756.5 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year with growth in all regions. This marks the firm’s sixth consecutive quarter of top line growth. The growth was led by double digit growth in search and workforce solutions of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.In addition, first
AGB Search Seeking University of Illinois System President
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has tapped Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search to lead in its search for the University of Illinois System president. Roderick McDavis, Sally Mason and Garry W. Owens are leading the assignment. The president will lead the system into the next era of higher education with strategic vision, effective and authentic communication, and a
CarterBaldwin Assists AdelFi With Chief Innovation and Technology Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Cameron Forbes as chief innovation and technology officer of AdelFi, a division of Christian Community Credit Union. His appointment is a key piece of AdelFi’s strategy investing in enhanced cybersecurity and regulatory readiness, scaled digital channels for engagement and accessibility, and improved personalized, digitally enabled member experiences. Associate partner
Wilson Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has named Spiro Papanicolaou as chief marketing officer. Reporting directly to CEO Jean-Francois Vezina, Mr. Papanicolaou will lead Wilson’s global marketing and revenue operations, with accountability for go-to-market strategy, demand generation, brand, and commercial performance across the business. “As we continue shaping the future of Wilson, marketing leadership will be critical to how
The New Finance Reality: Managing Capital Regimes, Not Just Cycles
Energy CFOs are navigating a changing financial landscape in which access to capital is becoming as important as movements in commodity markets. As public markets, private capital, infrastructure investors, project finance, and incentive-driven structures increasingly operate under different expectations, finance leaders are being asked to manage a far more fragmented environment. According to The Energists,
SPMB Recruits Chief AI and Data Officer for Ford Motor Company
SPMB Executive Search has placed Mano Mannoochahr as chief AI and data officer of Ford Motor Company. Managing partner Mike Doonan led the assignment. “Few leaders bring Mano’s combination of modern AI expertise, experience operating at enormous enterprise scale, and deep industrial grounding,” Mr. Doonan said. “That made him uniquely suited to help Ford translate the potential
Isaacson, Miller Assists Folger Shakespeare Library with CFO Search
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Wendy Lin as the new CFO of Folger Shakespeare Library. Dan Rodas led the search with Stephanie Simon, and Robin Dougherty. Her arrival coincides with the start of strategic planning at the nearly 100-year-old organization, and she will guide financial analysis and operational execution under the leadership of Folger director Farah Karim-Cooper. Ms. Lin
Coulter Partners Places Chief Marketing Officer for NRG Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Claus Sundgreen as chief medical officer of NRG Therapeutics Ltd. Managing partner Kay Wardle led the assignment. “NRG was seeking a rare combination of clinical development expertise, neuroscience leadership, and deep knowledge of ALS. Our search focused on identifying leaders with a proven track record of advancing innovative therapies through critical
Candidate Confidentiality: Why It Matters
Executive search sits in a uniquely sensitive middle ground: recruiters are asked to represent an employer’s interests while also earning and protecting a candidate’s trust, explained a recent report from ExecSearches. That “in-between” position makes confidentiality more than a professional courtesy. “For the candidate, it can be the difference between a strategic career move and
A Look at the Shifting Roles of Today’s CFO
CFOs are responsible for managing risks and planning for the what if moments. They are the architects of business resilience and growth. They have taken on new responsibilities in environmental, social, and governance matters; mergers and acquisitions; and corporate strategy, to name a few, according to a recent report from Egon Zehnder. And they are
Kincannon & Reed Recruits President and CEO for CropLife America
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Alexandra Dunn as the new president and CEO of CropLife America in Arlington, VA. Heinrich Gugger, Stephen Coffey, Melissa Karman, Sally Day, and Jon Leafstedt led the assignment. “The CropLife America board of directors
Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking CHRO for Massachusetts College of Art and Design
A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) was recently selected to recruit the next chief human resources officer for Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The search is being led by managing partner Jennifer Muller. This is a vibrant period for
ZRG Names Managing Director of the Financial Services Practice
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has expanded with the addition of Peter Goddard as the managing director of the financial officers practice. “Peter’s appointment further strengthens ZRG’s commitment to providing top-tier talent solutions and strategic guidance to our clients,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “His deep industry knowledge, collaborative approach,
NPAworldwide Names President and COO
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has appointed Kerry Crockett as its new president and chief operating officer. She succeeds past president Dave Nerz, who will retire June 30, 2024 after an 18-year tenure. “Kerry Crockett comes to us with a wealth of experience and a proven record of success in leading diverse teams and developing innovative strategies,”
How Job Seekers Can Assess Company Culture
When job hunting, finding the perfect role goes beyond a company’s reputation or the allure of a job title. One critical factor that often takes precedence is the company culture. The culture of a company can significantly impact your job satisfaction, professional growth, and overall well-being, according to a new report from Protis Global. So,
Newland Associates Selected by Consolidated CareerSource to Lead CEO Search Serving Hillsborough County and Pinellas County
As a direct result of Florida’s Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act, a Florida Workforce System Transformation Plan was created which includes the consolidation of CareerSource Tampa Bay and CareerSource Pinellas. This plan entailed the establishment of: a newly formed Consortium, an advisory committee, a set of staff workgroups representative of both organizations and
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits Inaugural Executive Director for the West Virginia First Foundation
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has recruited Jonathan Board as the inaugural executive director at the West Virginia First Foundation. This search was led by managing director, Julio Suárez, with the support of the DRiWaterstone team. “It’s a huge relief, not only that we have an executive director, but that we have Jonathan Board as an
TalentRise Appoints Leader of Coaching and Leadership Development Practice
TalentRise has named Kristen Fox Lampert as leader of its coaching and leadership development practice. She will focus on expanding TalentRise’s coaching and leadership development offerings, including fast start coaching and mental fitness for leaders programming. “Kristen’s thoughtful approach to coaching and leadership development is truly one-of-a-kind,” said Pete Petrella, TalentRise practice leader for executive search.
Saenger Associates and GrowthPhases Form Partnership
Saenger Associates and GrowthPhases AG have formed an alliance to expand each firm’s client offering to include retained executive search, interim management and business consulting. “Our mission is to provide executive placements for the long-term success of our clients, and the win-win result for candidates and clients alike,” said Gary Saenger, founder and president of
7 Talent Trends for 2024 and Beyond
Executive recruiters are hoping that 2024 becomes a landmark year in the continuing redefinition of talent – human, artificial, C-suite, board, mid-level, high-potential, and front line. And it is changing so fast: if you blink, you can miss a trend that can significantly impact your business. As a boutique, global executive search firm dedicated to
Pacific Pride Foundation Taps Envision Consulting to Find New Leader
Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting has been retained by Pacific Pride Foundation to lead in its search for a new executive director. Allison Fuller, Matt Kamin, Melissa Montoya, and Jess McBride are leading the assignment. Reporting to the board of directors, Pacific Pride Foundation is seeking an experienced, growth-minded executive leader to serve as their next leader. The
Frederickson Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Proofpoint
Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners has recruited Kim Sullivan as chief people officer for Proofpoint, a cybersecurity and compliance solutions provider. In her role, Ms. Sullivan will lead the global human resources organization in driving business growth through strategic HR programs. She will report to the CEO, Sumit Dhawan. Ms. Sullivan brings more than 25 years of experience
Vetted Solutions Seeking New Leader for the American Peanut Shellers Association
The American Peanut Shellers Association has retained Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions to lead in its search for a new executive director. The executive position offers a special opportunity to lead a proven, highly committed membership and staff in an aggressive effort to promote the best interests of shellers and the broader peanut industry. This
Hudson RPO Acquires Executive Solutions
Hudson RPO, a global total talent solutions company owned by Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc., has acquired Executive Solutions, a Dubai-based talent solutions company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close later this month. “With the entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hudson RPO is
CEO Transitions Decline in 2023
In 2023, the number of S&P 1500 transitions declined from 2022 and have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to findings from Spencer Stuart’s CEO Transitions report. Transitions among the large-cap S&P 500 companies had been on track for a “normal” year of transitions but ultimately were lower than pre-pandemic averages, weighed down by
BroadView Talent Partners Retained by Oweesta Corporation for Multiple Searches
BroadView Talent Partners has been selected by Oweesta Corporation in Longmont, CO, to lead in its searches for a new chief program officer and chief lending officer. Oweesta provides training, technical assistance, investments, research, and policy advocacy to help Native communities develop an integrated range of asset-building products and services, including financial education and financial products.
ZRG Acquires Wiser Partners
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Wiser Partners, a retained executive search firm headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, with offices across the U.S. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “By welcoming Wiser Partners, ZRG gains valuable experience in working with marketing, sales, and analytics senior executives
Lantern Partners Assists Wondr Health with Chief Technology Officer Search
The forces that shape the technology, internet, telecom, and IT services industries move at the speed of light. In these industries, having the right leaders—with the vision and ability to drive growth and innovation—is an absolute necessity. Recently, Chicago-headquartered executive search firm Lantern Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Greg Tracy as chief technology officer of
Daversa Partners Names First Chief Marketing Officer
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has appointed Nicole Daversa as the firm’s first chief marketing officer. “I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nicole on her well-deserved promotion to chief marketing officer,” said Laura Kinder, president at Daversa Partners. “Nicole’s dedication, innovative strategies, and leadership have been instrumental
Felix Appoints Managing Director in Executive Search Practice
Leadership development, recruiting, and outplacement firm Felix has expanded with the addition of Scott Sammon as a managing director in the executive search practice. He will join practice leader and managing director J. James O’Malley in supporting the firm’s healthcare and life sciences practice and other industry segments. “We are excited that Scott brings his expertise
Hiring Confidence Slows as Employers Steer Economic Headwinds
Employer hiring intentions continue to moderate for the second quarter of 2024, according to the lates ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The research is based on data collected from more than 40,000 employers in 41 countries. Used internationally as a bellwether of labor market trends, the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) — calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who
Creating an Impactful Succession Plan
CEO succession is a critical process for companies, ensuring that they have the right leadership in place to drive success and growth. The process refers to the strategic process of identifying and developing individuals within an organization to take over key leadership positions when they become vacant. Without well-executed succession plan best practices, organizations can face
Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeking President for Milwaukee Area Technical College
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has been selected by Milwaukee Area Technical College to conduct a national search for their next college president. Tracey Weldon, Jim Johnsen, and Itza Walters are leading the assignment. “We are honored to have been selected by the Milwaukee Area Technical College board to support their
Lindauer Appoints Co-Leader of Higher Education Practice
Lindauer has expanded with the addition of Paula Fazli as senior vice president. She will also serve as co-leader of the firm’s higher education practice along with Faith Montgomery and will expand its executive recruitment, talent management, and consulting services. “Throughout her respected career in executive search, Paula has helped some of the most prestigious institutions
How Companies are Using Interim CFOs
In recent years, the role and responsibilities of CFOs have grown greatly beyond their historical boundaries. No longer seen simply as stewards of the company’s financial management, compliance, and reporting, a Raconteur report recently noted that CFOs today are taking an increasingly prominent role as key strategic partners to the CEO, tapping vast troves of data
The League of Women Voters of the United States Retains BoardWalk Consulting to Find New Leader
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by The League of Women Voters of the United States in Washington, D.C. to lead in its search for a new CEO. Managing director Kathy Bremer and senior research associate Lysondra Somerville are leading the assignment. Reporting to the board of directors and the League of Women Voters Education
20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions Assists the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with Marketing and Communications Search
20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Julie Stapf as vice president of marketing and communications of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Stapf is a highly accomplished, award winning marketing and communications leader. She joins the Pittsburgh Symphony from the Cleveland Orchestra, where she served for several years as vice president
Newcastle United Taps Odgers Berndtson to Lead Sports Director Search
Given the search industry’s knack for finding a need and filling it, it was only natural that recruitment firms would soon step to the fore in the sports sector, which has become a growth area for executive search businesses. Many C-suite-focused recruiting firms are now active in the sector and some specialize only in the
EMA Partners Adds Dasein in Brazil as Newest Member Firm
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. EMA Partners International, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has added Dasein in Brazil as
Conviction And Speed To Drive M&A Deals In 2024
The M&A market has always operated in a boom/bust cycle of expansion and contraction. And the last couple of years have been no exception. According to Bain & Company’s latest Global M&A Report, rising interest rates among other factors represented a significant obstacle for dealmakers. But the biggest hurdle according to the consultancy was the valuation gap between
