DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Onboarding Executives for Non-Traditional Roles
As organizations confront increasingly complex challenges, leadership requirements are evolving beyond traditional industry boundaries. Companies are beginning to recognize that experience alone may not be the best predictor of success in roles that demand fresh thinking and adaptability. In response, many are exploring talent from adjacent sectors to bring new perspectives and capabilities into critical
Occam Global Recruits CEO for Aura Biosciences
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has recruited Natalie Holles as CEO of NASDAQ-traded Aura Biosciences in Boston, MA. She succeeds Elisabet de los Pinos, the company’s founder, who stepped down from her roles as CEO and president and member of the board of directors on the same date. “We are delighted to welcome Natalie as CEO
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.
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
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?
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,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
How Executives Are Using AI to Gain a Competitive Edge
Private equity firms are increasingly evaluating chief executive candidates through a new lens: digital fluency and the ability to translate emerging technologies into enterprise value. As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to implementation across industries, leadership teams are expected to move beyond curiosity and into disciplined execution. For incoming CEOs, demonstrating practical command of AI
NU Advisory Partners Expands Search Staff
Executive search firm NU Advisory Partners has expanded with the addition of three experienced executive recruiters. Jay Hussey joins as a partner who will focus on C-level executive searches for public and private capital-backed companies in the media, technology, and data/analytic services industries. He has spent more than 20 years in executive search, most recently
5 Recruitment Trends to Look Out for in 2024
Just as with nearly every facet of the business world, the realm of recruitment is in a perpetual state of flux, responding to evolving demographics, market influences, employee expectations, and technological progress, according to a new article from Jason Hanold, founder and CEO of Hanold Associates Executive Search. “Within the field of human resources, 2024 will bring
Caldwell Records Q1 Revenue Decline of 26.7 Percent
Toronto-based Caldwell posted Q1 revenues of $17.5 million (Canadian), a 26.7 percent decrease from a year ago. “From a revenue perspective, this remained a challenging quarter, as client focus on the uncertain macroeconomic environment continued to dampen and delay hiring decisions,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer. “With improving economic news and expectations of falling interest rates,
Spencer Stuart Assists St. Louis Fed with CEO Search
Federal Reserve Bank president searches are some of the most coveted assignments to take on among executive recruiters, and a number of leading search firms have gotten in on the action. Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Alberto G. Musalem as the 13th president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. He succeeds
Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting Recruits Chancellor for Southern Arkansas University Tech
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Jerry W. Thomas as the new chancellor of Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech). Jennifer Barfield, executive vice president, led the assignment. “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Thomas will be our new chancellor at SAU Tech,” said David Rankin, president emeritus. “His impressive
Korn Ferry Forms Alliance with AI Specialists Yoodli
Korn Ferry has formed a partnership with Yoodli to provide professionals with private and real-time communication coaching using artificial intelligence (AI). “We’re pleased to partner with Yoodli to help professionals upskill themselves at their own pace,” said Bryan Ackermann, head of AI strategy and transformation, Korn Ferry. “Communication skills are one of the consistent enablers
N2Growth Names Partners
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has appointed Chris Fryer and Robert Meara as partners. They will report directly to CEO Kelli Vukelic. “This significant addition aligns with N2Growth’s mission of empowering leaders to achieve next-level growth,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Both Chris and Robby embody the values and expertise N2Growth stands for. Their collective experience and unique
2024 M&A Outlook: PE Comes Off the Bench
2023 brought a relatively sluggish year for M&A as macroeconomic conditions kept many key players on the sidelines. However, S&P’s latest analysis predicts that several factors may spur dealmakers into action in 2024. The decline in deal announcements and total value, observed since 2022, has been attributed to the impact of a rising interest rate environment, leading
Griffith Group Tapped by Habitat for Humanity Canada to Lead CEO Search
Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group has been selected by Habitat for Humanity Canada to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Julia Deans announced that she will step down in June. Jane Griffith, managing partner and founder, and Caroline McLean, partner, are spearheading the assignment. Reporting to the national board of directors, the president
Bespoke Partners Initiates Coverage of the Healthcare IT Sector
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners is initiating coverage of the healthcare IT sector to provide clients with access to its network of software and SaaS leaders. “The healthcare IT sector is undergoing extraordinary growth and innovation,” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO. “As an executive search firm in software and SaaS, we recognize the urgent need for transformative leadership
KEES Recruits New Leader for Learning Bridge
Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES has recruited Bernice Mahan as the new executive director of Learning Bridge, a community-based, non-profit early education center founded in 1944. Leading the search were president and CEO Heather Eddy and executive search manager Yoo-Jin Hong. Learning Bridge retained KEES earlier this year after reviewing several competitive proposals. A comprehensive search was
TRANSEARCH Opens New Office in Istanbul, Turkey
TRANSEARCH International has expanded in the Middle East and Africa region with the opening of a new office in Istanbul, Turkey. The firm has named Murat Öztürk as managing partner to lead the office. “We are delighted to expand into Turkey,” said Celeste Whatley, CEO of TRANSEARCH International. “Having a presence in Turkey again is
Creative Talent Endeavors Launches AI-Powered Algorithm For Transparency In Search Pricing
Executive search and HR advisory firm Creative Talent Endeavors recently launched Fairantee, an algorithm that uses AI and data to allow companies to understand how much they should be paying for an executive search before they sign a contract. “Traditional executive search firms charge the same price for a search without taking into account how difficult
Cooper Coleman Recruits CEO for the Montrose Center
Following an extensive national executive search that began in August, Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has assisted in the recruitment of Avery Belyeu as the new CEO of the Montrose Center in Houston, TX. Past CEO Ann J. Robison recently retired. “We are so excited to select Avery Belyeu to lead the Montrose Center for the next generation,” said Tara
PFM Executive Search Seeking CEO for Parkinson Society British Columbia
PFM Executive Search has been retained by Parkinson Society British Columbia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Partners Shaun Carpenter and Jennifer Madden are leading the assignment. This executive is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations including fundraising, program development, marketing and communications, financial management and staff leadership. Reporting
Kincannon & Reed Announces Leadership Changes
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has started the year with some leadership changes. After four years of dedicated service as the president of Kincannon & Reed, managing partner David Turner will assume the role of chairman of the board. “This transition is a carefully considered step
CIO Partners Appoints Leader of Private Equity Practice
CIO Partners has named Jennifer Becker as the new managing director and leader of its private equity practice. “Jennifer’s knowledge in the private equity space and expertise in executive search position her to strategically lead our private equity practice,” said Joe Gross, president of CIO Partners. “Her appointment is a planned move to enhance our capabilities
Ways to Avoid Unintended Bias During the Executive Hiring Process
Hiring at the C-suite and executive level typically involves considering many variables when evaluating candidates. To find the strongest “fit” for an executive role, candidates must undergo a gauntlet of interviews, assessments, and referencing, according to a recent article from JM Search’s Louis Montgomery and Chuck Egoville. Along the way, they are vetted against key requirements such
PierceGray Seeking Chief Operating Officer for Consumer Safety Technology
PierceGray has been retained by Consumer Safety Technology (CST) to lead in its search for a new chief operating officer. With the sponsorship of its investors, CST is now seeking to hire a new COO to take responsibility for product development (including hardware, firmware, and software), enterprise IT, THC detection technology development and supply chain.
The Beckman Foundation Turns to Shelli Herman and Associates to Find New Board Member
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. Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been called in by The Beckman Foundation to fill a seat on its board
Sheffield Haworth Names CEO; Makes Other Senior Appointments
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has announced a series of management appointments. “These appointments mark an important milestone and new chapter for Sheffield Haworth,” said Tim Sheffield, founder and chair of Sheffield Haworth. “Each executive brings a unique set of skills and experience to the future growth and success of the company.
Bullhorn Acquires Mployee
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has acquired Mployee, a Netherlands-based provider of Salesforce-based solutions for recruitment agencies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mployee’s technology will accelerate Bullhorn’s vision to deliver a full, end-to-end, enterprise solution for Bullhorn customers using the Salesforce platform. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in customers using Bullhorn for Salesforce globally in recent
Trends for Private Equity in 2024
As we kick off the new year, DHR Global asked its practice group leaders to reflect on the trends they have seen in their industry in 2023 and what may lie ahead in 2024. The firm’s private equity practice, led by Keith Giarman, managing partner, global private equity, discusses C-Suite talent, relocation and work-from-home challenges, growth-focused leadership,
CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for the American Bible Society
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Jennifer Holloran as the new president and CEO of the American Bible Society in Philadelphia, PA. The assignment was led by partner Andrea McDaniel Smith. “While we are continuing to support the essential work of Scripture translation, ABS must also develop new ways to make the bible
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
