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Daily Newswire
Executive Search Continues Its Confident Climb As Transformation Takes Center Stage
The executive search industry entered 2026 from a position of strength. According to Hunt Scanlon, fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. / Americas – the global talent sector’s largest and most dominant region – jumped 11 percent last year, topping out at $6.69 billion. Seventy-five percent of search firms
Why Top Candidates Choose One Offer Over Another
Recruitment in the financial services industry, especially across wealth management, RIAs, and fintech roles, has become increasingly competitive, with strong candidates having multiple opportunities and greater choice in where they go, according to a recent report from Right Executive Search’s Elisa Sheftic. “It is especially disappointing when a top candidate withdraws from an opportunity during the
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.
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,
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?
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,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
Why Most Boards Underperform and Why 2026 is the Year to Fix It
Even the most capable boards can struggle to translate individual expertise into collective performance. If you spend enough time in boardrooms of any flavor, whether public, private, PE-backed, family-owned, or non-profit, you eventually notice a strange phenomenon, explained a recent report from Rob Andrews, founder and CEO of Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin. “Everyone is
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
DHR Global Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Under Armour
Globalization, digital disruption, financial markets, low-cost country sourcing, and customer service pressures have transformed supply chain from a tactical function into a strategic one, say recruiters. As speed to market, fulfillment rates and a global footprint become competitive advantages, companies need supply chain leaders with the right mix of business and financial acumen, risk management
TurnkeyZRG Seeking Chief Marketing Officer for the Chicago Fire
TurnkeyZRG has been retained by the Chicago Fire Football Club to lead in its search for a chief marketing officer. Allie Crone led the assignment. Coming off a record-breaking 2023 Season, Chicago Fire is seeking a data-driven and agile leader to join the executive team. Acting as brand steward, this role is responsible for developing
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Five Board Positions for PowerMyLearning
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. Greenwich Harbor Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Jean DeSombre, Floyd Fernandes, George Maddaloni, Jared Miller, and Jotham Nyamari as new members of
Acertitude Expands in London
Executive search firm Acertitude has expanded in London with the addition of Alexandra Ghashghai as partner working across private equity, infrastructure, and industrials. “Alexandra complements our steadfast commitment to delivering the highest standards of service and outcomes for clients,” said Guy Barnes, managing partner. “Her impeccable knowledge of the sectors and her strategic, collaborative approach aligns perfectly
Hedge Funds Set Out To Master The Talent Wars
The Alternative Investment Management Association polled 100 hedge fund managers to ascertain how their funds are evolving to attract top talent. The results were enlightening. Fierce competition for the brightest minds within the alternative investment sector has been set against a backdrop of large sell-side institutions raising the ante with sharp wage hikes for junior staff
TalentRise Recruits CEO for Leadership Buffalo
Pete Petrella of TalentRise recently assisted in the recruitment of Morgan Williams-Bryant as the new CEO of Leadership Buffalo, a non-profit leadership development program in Buffalo, NY. She replaces outgoing CEO, Althea Luehrsen, who is retiring at the end of 2023 after 12 years at the organization. “On behalf of the entire board of directors,
Anthem Executive Assists Midwestern State University with President Search
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive recently assisted in the recruitment of Stacia Haynie as the 13th president of Midwestern State University. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Haynie as the 13th president of Midwestern State University,” said Mark Griiffn, TTU System chairman of the board of regents. “On behalf of
Parker Executive Search Seeking New Director of Athletics for Wofford College
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has been retained by Wofford College to lead in its search for a new director of athletics. After 40 years of service to Wofford College, the past 23 as director of athletics, Richard Johnson has announced his retirement. He will step down at the end of the search for his replacement. Daniel
Amrop Re-Elects Chair
Amrop, a global leadership advisory and executive search partnership, has re-elected Hamburg-based Annika Farin as chair to direct the global group for a second term of three years. Since her initial election in 2020, Ms. Farin, a founding partner of Amrop in Germany, has led Amrop’s global partnership through the pandemic while building a strong strategic alliance
A Look at Today’s Most in Demand Executive Skills
In this post-Covid era, are there hiring trends or executive skills that are more prevalent and in demand? “As an executive recruiter focused largely on the private equity markets in B2B tech, we’re experiencing two distinct – but overlapping – macro trends in leadership hiring,” said Jon Landau, partner at SPMB, in a recent report.
Korn Ferry Recruits President and CEO for the Boy Scouts of America
Following an extensive selection process, Korn Ferry has assisted in the recruitment of Roger Krone as the new president and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He succeeds Roger Mosby as the 113-year-old organization’s top administrator. “Roger Krone has spent his entire career transforming complex businesses and preparing them for what lies ahead,” said Brad Tilden, who serves







