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Bain Data Signals a More Selective Hiring Market
Bain & Company’s Global Job Market Trends report shows a synchronized global slowdown in hiring activity. Job postings declined across all major markets, with the U.S. down 32 percent, Germany down 34 percent, and India down 29 percent. Even sectors historically insulated from labor volatility, such as healthcare, saw meaningful contraction. The breadth of the decline
Reffett Associates Leading Provost Search for the Naval Postgraduate School
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been selected by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to lead the search for a new provost and academic dean. The search will be conducted by Marshall Reffett, managing director in Seattle and Washington, D.C., and Eric Reffett, managing director in Washington D.C. Mr. Marshall has spent the last 15 years recruiting talent for
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 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
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?
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 CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
Hunt Scanlon Launches HSiQ Talent Intelligence Advisory Unit
HSiQ, a data-driven, AI-enabled talent intelligence platform that delivers real-time competitive intelligence, deep people analytics, and strategic leadership insights to enterprises across financial services, private equity, multinationals, and executive search. With HSiQ, organizations will have access to a powerful new engine that combines proprietary data, original research, and market-wide benchmarking to inform strategic hiring, leadership
ECA Partners Grows Search Staff with PE Veteran
Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has expanded with the addition of Curtis Wise as a senior director. “Curtis brings significant experience in lower middle-market and middle market private equity, as ECA continues to expand in the space,” said Burt Francis, managing director at ECA. “Most notably, he comes with a strong track record of supporting his
Kestria Appoints Consumer & Retail Global Practice Leader
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has named Katerina Meimaroglou as the new consumer & retail global practice leader. “In a world of constant change, the consumer and retail industry is at the core of modern commerce,” Kestria said. “Shaping economies and redefining customer engagement, this sector offers both challenges and opportunities for
Russell Reynolds Associates Acquires Savage Partners
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has acquired Savage Partners, a boutique executive search firm that serves growth equity and private equity-backed software companies across North America. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Intrepid Investment Bankers acted as the strategic advisor to Russell Reynolds Associates in the transaction. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, a
Furst Group Recruits CEO for Center for Hospice Care
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, recently assisted in the recruitment of John Mastrojohn as the president and CEO of the Center for Hospice Care. He also will take on the role of president and CEO of the Hospice Foundation, Global Partners in Care and Milton Adult Day Services. The
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits New Leader for Michigan Radio
Following an extensive nationwide search, Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has placed Wendy Turner as the new executive director and general manager of Michigan Radio, the public broadcasting service of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. She replaces Stephen Schram, who retired as Michigan Radio’s leader in late 2022. “Michigan Radio’s legacy of excellence has
DHR Global Appoints Vice Chairman
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has appointed James Abruzzo as vice chairman. In this role, he will represent the firm while speaking at industry conferences and forums, provide search and consulting advice to clients, and mentor associates pursuing partner-level positions. “We are grateful for the steady and experienced leadership James has demonstrated heading DHR’s non-profit practice for
Beecher Reagan Appoints Leader of Digital and Technology Officers Practice
Houston, TX-headquartered executive search firm Beecher Reagan has expanded with the addition of Jeff Harms as managing director and leader of the digital and technology officers practice. “Digital transformation continues to be top of mind for CEOs and business leaders, and demand will only increase as technology rapidly evolves,” said Clark Beecher, managing partner and co-founder of Beecher Reagan.
Interim Executives & Leadership: What You Need To Know
Organizations today are facing unprecedented challenges in securing suitable leadership amidst rapidly changing workplace dynamics, an uncertain global economy, swift technological advancements, and ongoing post-pandemic stressors. Recent insights from McKinsey show a profound talent scarcity across all levels, from managers on the front line to leaders in the C-suite. Corroborating this, the U.S. Bureau of
Storbeck Search | Diversified Search Recruits First Female/Black President for Boston University
Higher education-focused Storbeck Search, part of the Diversified Search Group, has assisted in the recruitment of Melissa L. Gilliam as the 11th president of Boston University. Robert Brown announced that he will retire as president at the end of the 2022–2023 academic year. “Dr. Gilliam will be the first female president of Boston University and first person of
Focus Search Partners Expands
Executive search firm Focus Search Partners, a Vaco company, has expanded with the addition of Michael Caggiano as managing partner. In his role, he will look to grow new revenue streams for Focus Search Partners from both inside and outside of the Vaco Holdings family of companies. “Michael has a rich track record in executive search,
Egon Zehnder Opens New Office in Seattle
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has expanded in the Northwest with the addition of a new office in Seattle, WA. The firm notes that they will be opening another location in Vancouver, British Columbia opening in early 2024. “Time and again, the Pacific Northwest has proven itself as a hotbed for innovation and forward-looking leadership. Seattle continues
Psychological Safety: A Foundation for an Inclusive Workplace
Many business leaders are referring to the past year as “The Great DEI Resignation” as hordes of chief diversity officers and DEI leaders are quitting their roles or being pushed out – a result of insufficient buy in from colleagues and other leaders, or budget constraints. As a result, it is important to reassess the
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Flock Safety
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Sarah Scheer of Artico Search have assisted in the recruitment of Dee Anna McPherson as the new chief marketing officer of Flock Safety. “Over the past year, Flock Safety has attracted an executive team with proven experience building the top-tier technology companies in their respective markets, and our current position as a multi-product, multi-market
Reffett Associates Leading Two Top Searches for the Federal Aviation Administration
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been called in by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to lead in its search for an executive director labor & employee relations and associate administrator, security & hazardous materials. Managing directors Eric Reffett and Marshall Reffett are leading the assignments along side Thomas Young, VP of operations. “It’s an honor to
Calibre One Creates Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Regulatory Practice Group
Executive search firm Calibre One has launched a new legal, compliance, risk and regulatory practice group. The firm has hired Paul DeCoster as a partner and leader of the new practice working from the firm’s New York City office. “Nearly every industry has a need for legal, regulatory and compliance officers, and with Paul’s extensive law background
Leathwaite Adds Leader to Build Operations in Germany
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite has expanded with the addition of Clemens von Guggenberg as a partner and managing director in Germany. He is responsible for building out the firm’s German and European business, and for supporting the team in growing the global strategy and transformation practice. He will be based in Munich. “We’re thrilled to share
The Future of C-Suite Roles
With the ever-increasing pace of technological change and shifting workforce demographics, is it any wonder that C-suite roles at large enterprise firms are changing too? Several new roles have appeared in the last few years that reflect these technological, economic, and social challenges, while several traditional roles are also evolving and becoming more prominent, according
ON Partners Data Demonstrates CFOs Increasing Importance
ON Partners’ internal data shows the CFO role has seen the most significant increase year over year in diversity hiring compared to other C-level roles. Additionally, the data shows that not only is the position proving challenging to recruit for while the role continues to be in high demand, but total compensation for CFO positions over
Envision Consulting Assists the Los Angeles Conservancy with CEO Search
Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Adrian Scott Fine as the new CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy. He will succeed Linda Dishman, who has been with the organization for over 31 years. “I’m thrilled that Adrian was chosen to lead the Conservancy into the future,” said Ms. Dishman. “He’s been an incredible
Benchmark Executive Search Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Firefly Aerospace
Benchmark Executive Search, a boutique provider of cybersecurity talent, has recruited Brett Alexander as chief revenue officer of Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company with launch, lunar, and on-orbit services. “We retained Benchmark because this is absolutely a can’t miss role for us, and we knew we needed the right industry leader to join our
BarkerGilmore Names Senior Advisor
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has appointed Paulette Dodson as senior advisor. “Paulette brings a wealth of expertise to our firm,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “Her experience of successfully navigating complex challenges and transformations, including IPOs, acquisitions, and leadership changes, speaks volumes about her strategic
Women Returning to Workforce in Droves
For the better part of the past three years, professional women have been challenged with significant gender equity setbacks. Slayton Search Partners’ last analysis of women in the workforce revealed a dismal state; in 2022, female workforce participation was at its lowest in 33 years. “Women were burning out and leaving the labor force at far higher rates than
Chartwell Partners Recruits CISO for the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyberattacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This has
RSR Partners Recruits CEO for The Shyft Group
Greenwich, Conn.-based RSR Partners has assisted in the recruitment of John Dunn as president and CEO of The Shyft Group in Novi, MI. Brett Stephens and Alan Renne led the assignment. “The Shyft board is pleased to name John as CEO of Shyft following a deliberate and comprehensive succession process,” said James Sharman, chair of The Shyft board of directors.
Hightech Partners, Hoffman & Associates, and Ataya & Partners Join Forces
Belgian executive search firms Hightech Partners (HTP), Hoffman & Associates, and Ataya & Partners are joining forces under the name HTP Group Holding. They will help clients identify and develop talent to lead the ongoing digital and business transformation. Hightech Partners is an 38-year old executive search consultancy focused on digital transformation. Hoffman is a leadership advisor,
ZRG Partners Recruits CEO for The Washington Post
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in the recruitment of veteran media executive Will Lewis as publisher and CEO of the Washington Post. Erik Sorenson led the assignment on behalf of ZRG. “As I’ve gotten to know Will, I’ve been drawn to his love for journalism and passion for
Academic Search Recruits 18th President for Saint Michael’s College
Jay Lemons, Scott Flanagan, Jennifer Kooken, and Kate Cusimano of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search assisted in the recruitment of Richard Plumb as the 18th president of Saint Michael’s College. Lorraine Sterritt recently announced she was stepping down after becoming the first woman to lead the college. Dr. Plumb was selected by the college’s board of trustees with guidance from
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Lakeside Software
As business 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. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Erin Harris of Artico Search helped to recruit Kimberly Kaminski as the new chief marketing officer of Lakeside Software,
Recruitment Entrepreneur Sells Shares of Elite Cyber to Eurocom Group
Recruitment Entrepreneur, a private equity firm specializing in the startup and scale of recruitment businesses, has announced the sale of their shares in a global cybersecurity recruitment services company Elite Cyber (EC) to Eurocom Group, a Luxembourg-based investor. This will add to Eurocom Group’s already portfolio of investments within Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Switzerland. Recruitment
Eastward Partners Names Equity Partner
New York-based Eastward Partners has named Brett Vecchio as an equity partner. He will now head the New York office and continue to support Eastward’s private equity search capability. “Brett and I have worked together for the better part of a decade, so to be part of his ascension from a staff member in one of my practice
Why CEOs are Looking to Prepare Now for 2024
In the current business environment, most leaders understand the benefits of convening core team members at moments of transformative change. When a merger, buyout or reorganization materializes, there’s accepted wisdom that in-person group meetings best ensure alignment and trust with organizations and individuals—moving people forward in unison toward collective success, according to a recent report







