DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Middle Market Momentum Meets a Talent Bottleneck
PitchBook’s latest report, 2025 Annual US PE Middle Market Report, highlights a market that is stabilizing but not yet fully normalized. Deal activity rebounded in 2025, with value rising 8.5 percent year-over-year to $410.7 billion across more than 4,000 transactions, supported by improving sentiment and a more accommodative financing environment. The recovery, however, is uneven. Deal sizes
Winning the Mandate in the New Era of Business Development
As competition intensifies across the executive search landscape, firms are rethinking how they originate and win new business. Success is increasingly tied to a more disciplined, insight-driven approach that goes beyond traditional networking and relationship management. In this environment, firms that combine data, technology, and market intelligence with strong client engagement are setting a new
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,
Integration-Ready C-Suite Leaders Growing In Demand, and Influence
After two years of subdued activity, global M&A surged last year, with deal value climbing 40 percent to roughly $4.9 trillion, marking one of the strongest years on record. According to Bain & Company Global M&A Report 2026, the rebound was broad-based across sectors and geographies and driven by a renewed urgency among companies to reinvent
Three Hills Makes Investment in Specialist Leadership Advisory & Analytics Firm LCap Group
Three Hills has made an investment in LCap Group, a specialist leadership advisory & analytics firm that focuses on high-growth companies and private equity-backed businesses, as well as supporting private credit and equity houses directly. Three Hills has invested £32.5 million to support LCap Group’s active M&A strategy, which will allow the business to continue
The Corning Museum of Glass and Docker Corp. Retain The Christopher Group for Top Searches
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been retained by The Corning Museum of Glass and Docker Corp. to lead in searches for a chief people, culture, and belonging officer, and a head of people, respectively. “We are honored to partner with The Corning Museum of Glass in
CJPI Assists the British Airline Pilots’ Association with the Recruitment of New General Secretary
U.K.-based executive search firm CJPI has assisted in the recruitment of Amy Leversidge as the new general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA). She was nominated by the National Executive Council (NEC) after an extensive and exhaustive recruitment process. Ms. Leversidge, who will take up her post on January 8 will be the
Pearl Street Collective Recruits Chief Development Officer for Treehouse
Boston-based executive search firm Pearl Street Collective has assisted in the recruitment of Laura Perez Hamilton as chief development officer of Treehouse, a Seattle, WA-based non-profit focused on the specific educational needs of youth in foster care. Ms. Perez Hamilton brings over 20 years of advancement and development leadership including major gift fundraising experience to her
Kestria Appoints New President of the Executive Board; Elects New Board Members
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has appointed Katerina Meimaroglou as president of the executive board. In addition, the consortium elected Japheth A. Worthy representing Kestria Japan: Apex. K.K., and Monicca Yan, managing director at Kestria China & Singapore: HR Partners as executive board members. They join Ms. Meimaroglou leading Kestria Greece: MEIHUNT, Michael Kantel, Kestria Germany:
HR Leaders and Diversity Chiefs Continue to Push for Inclusion
HR leaders and executive recruiters alike say that promoting diversity and belonging in the workplace is not just a buzzword. It’s a crucial aspect of modern businesses. Companies that foster diversity and belonging have been proven to have better financial performance, increased innovation, and a more engaged workforce. However, a recent report from The Christopher
Pender & Howe Executive Search Seeking CFO for St. John’s-Kilmarnock School
Toronto-based Pender & Howe Executive Search has been retained by St. John’s-Kilmarnock School to lead in its search for a new CFO. Managing partner Travis Hann is leading the assignment. This leader will play a crucial role in overseeing all financial aspects of the school, ensuring fiscal responsibility, sustainability, and strategic financial planning. As a seasoned
Krauthamer & Associates Recruits CFO for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Over the past year, a growing number of transportation companies have enlisted executive search firms to help them find senior talent. Executive recruiting firm Krauthamer & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Raj Srinath as the new senior vice president and chief financial officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Mr. Srinath is a top-performing management professional
JM Search Launches Team Dedicated to Serving the Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Sector
JM Search has launched a dedicated team of recruiting experts focused on supporting the aviation, aerospace, and defense sector. In a sector that has experienced strong financial performance in recent years, JM Search has witnessed an increased demand from both investors and executives for key leaders within this sector. “JM Search has a significant track record
NPAworldwide Adds Nine New Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added nine new member locations in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkiye. “Congratulations to each of our new member firms,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining our recruiting network, these firms are invested as owners. Our continued membership growth allows independent recruitment firms to more effectively serve their clients
Companies Looking to Hire in the New Year Amid Talent Shortages
Employers anticipate measured hiring in the first quarter of 2024, while persistent talent shortages continue to impede hiring efforts, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The research is based on data collected from more than 40,000 employers in 41 countries. The net employment outlook for Q1 is 26 percent, up + three percent year-over-year,
BoardWalk Consulting Seeking New Leader for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been retained by Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital (GSNC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Director Cynthia Moreland and senior associate Diane Westmore are leading the assignment. The next CEO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital will be a dynamic visionary leader responsible for guiding the organization to fulfill its
RH Perry & Associates Leading President Search for Saint Martin’s University
RH Perry & Associates has been retained by Saint Martin’s University in Lacy, WA, to lead in its search for a new president. Leading the assignment are senior consultants Sue DeWine and Jean Scott. The Board of Trustees, the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, and the Saint Martin’s University community seek a servant leader with a comprehensive understanding
Conexus Recruiting Acquires Logis
Conexus Recruiting has acquired Logis, a recruiting firm based in Irvine, CA. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This strategic collaboration marks a milestone in Conexus’ trajectory as it continues to emerge as a leading national provider of interim consulting, retained search, and direct hire talent acquisition solutions. Both firms specialize in the “office of the
SucceedSmart Launches Executive Recruitment Process Outsourcing Solution
Los Altos, CA-based AI-driven executive search platform SucceedSmart has released an executive recruitment process outsourcing (eRPO) solution, designed to address the challenges of recruiting executives. Traditional RPO providers and staffing companies can now leverage SucceedSmart’s eRPO solution to fill director, vice president, and other senior-level roles given to them as a part of broader RPO deals.
Large Language Models in PE: Strengths & Limitations
Generative AI is making it easier than ever to turn unstructured data like blog posts, customer reviews, and resumes into structured data. “Think well formatted excel files, it can do this quickly, cheaply, and at scale,” says Josh Gardner, chief technology officer at AiFlow, a specialized CRM tool designed for private equity firms. “This is
Herbert Mines Associates Assists Beauty by Imagination with CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Doug Gillespie as the new CEO of Beauty by Imagination, Inc. (BBI), an ACON Investments backed haircare company. He succeeds current CEO Francesca Raminella, who joined the company in 2018. “Doug brings a wealth of relevant experience and a track record
Furst Group Helps the Public Health Institute Find New CEO
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has assisted in the placement of Melissa Stafford Jones as the new CEO of the Public Health Institute (PHI) in Oakland, CA. After an extensive and competitive national search, PHI’s board felt that Stafford Jones’s lifelong commitment to advancing health and healthcare for all,
Acertitude Fills Senior AI Position for DXC Technology
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Howard Boville as the new executive vice president and global lead of applications services and artificial intelligence of NYSE-traded DXC Technology, a Fortune 500 global technology services company. The search team was led by Kevin O’Neill, co-founder and managing partner, and Guy Barnes, managing partner and leader of the firm’s global
PierceGray Expands Search Team
Chicago-headquartered executive search firm PierceGray has expanded with the additions of Alyssa Quinn as managing director and chief commercial officer, and Matt Padberg as vice president. “PierceGray is excited to welcome two new senior hires to our team, Alyssa Quinn and Matt Padberg,” the search firm said. “We are looking forward to the unique experiences they each bring to the firm.
Building Your Pipeline to the C-Suite
In the fast-paced world of corporate leadership, the journey to the coveted C-suite begins long before talented individuals reach the executive level. A new article from BroadView Talent Partners’ Steven Hatchett is designed to highlight the pivotal role that a well-structured talent pipeline plays in developing strong and diverse leadership. “As we navigate the challenging landscape
SPMB Recruits President for Omnidian
Todd Greenhalgh and Gina Burns of SPMB Executive Search’s innovation & sustainability practice, have placed Minesh Shah as president of Omnidian in Seattle, WA. “After an exhaustive and careful selection process, we are pleased to welcome Minesh to our team,” said Mark Liffmann, co-founder and CEO of Omnidian. “His demonstrated leadership skills and alignment with our values
Bryant Group Recruits Chief Development Officer for Target ALS
Following a national search Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Jessica Chapman as chief development officer at Target ALS. Sarah Hempen, vice president, led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Chapman to Target ALS as our chief development officer,” said Manish Raisinghani, CEO of Target ALS. “Her distinguished expertise
Preng & Associates Seeking Senior Operations Leader for PJM Interconnection
Houston-based Preng & Associates has been retained by high-voltage electric power system PJM Interconnection to lead in its search for a new executive vice president – operations, planning & security. Consultants Mark Ciolek and John Goodrum are leading the search on behalf of Preng & Associates. This important role will continue to focus on reliability, planning for
HireQuest Acquires TEC Staffing Services
HireQuest Inc., a NASDAQ-traded national franchisor of on-demand, temporary and commercial staffing services, has closed the acquisition of Fort Smith, AK-headquartered recruiting company TEC Staffing Services. Simultaneously with the closing of the acquisition, HireQuest closed the sale of all TEC’s offices throughout Northwest and Central Arkansas to franchisees and completed their conversion to HireQuest’s Snelling franchise
Seven Steps to Successful CEO Succession
The market for qualified, motivated, and innovative CEOs is rapidly shifting. The external risks of 2020 and 2021 saw CEO departures fall each quarter. Then, in 2022, global CEO turnover hit a five-year high. And the trend of significant turnover at the top continues, creating a supply imbalance for great CEOs. This is making isolated CEO
How Senior Leaders are Using AI in the Life Sciences Sector
Unlocking value and automation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) is top of mind for business leaders today. As organizations across industries look to differentiate themselves and grow, technology leadership continues to be a key driver. A new report from talent advisory firm DHR Global’s John Baker, Sal DiFranco, and Patrick Haberland, explain how AI is impacting the life science
ON Partners Recruits CEO for ReviveHealth
ON Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Eric Leaver as the new CEO of ReviveHealth, a Ponte Vedra Beach, FL-based whole-person care solution for employer groups and association members. The assignment was spearheaded by Brad Westveld, the search firm’s co-founder and partner, and Alexis Rohe, partner. “We are thrilled to welcome Eric to Revive and the Eir investment
The Hawkins Company Assists Los Angeles Urban League with CEO Search
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, has assisted in the recruitment of Cynthia Mitchell Heard as its new president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL). Michael A. Lawson recently announced he is retiring as CEO. Yonnine Hawkins Garr, Todd Hawkins, and Adrienne Montgomery led the assignment. Ms. Heard will become
ZRG Partners Opens New Office in Mexico City
Following recent growth in Middle East, South America, Europe, the U.K., and Australia, ZRG Partners has expanded with the addition of a new office in Mexico City. The office will be led by managing director Pablo Perella-Berdun and senior advisor Hugo Lara. “The new office of ZRG Partners Mexico SRL de CV is positioned to deliver
What Talent Acquisition Trends Will Dominate 2024?
It’s been another busy year for talent acquisition leaders but what does 2024 have in store? Will AI continue to dominate? Will we see more organizations adopting skills-based hiring strategies and will there be more uncertainty? The answer is a resounding yes, according to a new report from Wilson Human Capital Group (WilsonHCG). The firm outlined
