DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
How Talent Diligence is Becoming a Priority for Private Equity Firms
Private equity firms are facing growing pressure to reduce execution risk as holding periods lengthen and operational performance becomes more critical to investment outcomes. In response, investors are placing greater emphasis on leadership evaluation earlier in the deal process, recognizing that management capability can have a direct impact on value creation, speed to scale, and
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for The Aspen Group
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Rafeh Masood as chief commercial officer of The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S. The search team consisted of Lindsay Stevens, Courtney Schluender, Brian Busse, and Sarah Basto. In his new role, Mr. Masood is responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient
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.
Bell Oaks Executive Search Seeking Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search is currently seeking a chief finance and administrative officer (CFAO) for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF). The assignment is being led by partner Cynthia J. Moreland and senior search consultant Abi Gamino. The CFAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive
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?
Leadership Advisory Enters a New Capital Cycle
Private capital is making one of its strongest moves yet into the leadership advisory sector. Recent investments by KKR in ghSMART and Advent International in Heidrick & Struggles represent more than headline transactions. Together, they signal a growing conviction among investors that leadership advisory firms occupy a unique position within the modern enterprise, helping organizations navigate leadership succession, organizational effectiveness, talent assessment, and
Crist|Kolder Places CFO at Mondelēz International
Crist|Kolder Associates has placed Amit Banati as executive vice president and chief financial officer of NASDAQ-traded Mondelēz International in Chicago. He will report directly to Dirk Van de Put, chair and CEO, and will be a member of the Mondelēz International leadership team. “Amit is a highly experienced CFO who brings a strong blend of financial leadership
Why Searches Lose Discipline Late and How to Prevent It
Even well-run executive searches can lose focus as the process unfolds and pressure to reach a decision begins to mount. Without consistent alignment around the original mandate, organizations risk making compromises that can undermine long-term leadership success. Most executive searches start with real clarity, a recent report from Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company’s
NPAG Assists Proteus Fund with CEO Search
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Amardeep Singh the new president and CEO of Proteus Fund and Proteus Action League. He will officially assume the role in September. The Proteus Fund board of directors selected Mr. Singh following a rigorous national search supported by NPAG. The search was led by Ellen LaPointe, Ebony Breaux-Liang, and Andres Marcuse-Gonzalez. “On
Bullhorn Names Chief Innovation and Labs Officer and Chief Corporate Development Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn recently appointed Jason Heilman as chief innovation and labs officer and Ryan Murphy as chief corporate development officer. As members of the executive leadership team, they will help drive the company’s next wave of growth and innovation. Mr. Heilman joined Bullhorn in 2020 when the company acquired Herefish, the automation platform he led
5 Ways to Evaluate a Job Offer in 2026
In today’s hiring market, the strongest job offer isn’t always the one with the biggest paycheck. Candidates who treat their next move as a base-salary math problem usually leave real money behind, according to a recent report from Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles. The smarter approach, and the
McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Technology Officer for JenaValve Technology
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Edward Sarnowski as chief technology officer of JenaValve Technology, Inc. in Irvine, CA. The search was completed by partner Ken Dropiewski, and executive recruiter Michael Matranga. “Ed’s appointment marks an important step in the evolution of JenaValve as a company,” said John Kilcoyne, CEO of JenaValve. “With FDA approval now behind us and
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses for General Counsel Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for a general counsel based in Alexandria, VA. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the general counsel serves as IDA’s chief legal officer and secretary of the Corporation, with responsibility spanning legal counsel and
Korn Ferry to Acquire AMS in $1.1 Billion Talent Solutions Deal
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has entered into a definitive agreement with OMERS Private Equity to acquire U.K.-headquartered AMS. The transaction will combine Korn Ferry’s expertise across search, talent & organizational solutions, and workforce solutions with AMS’s expertise in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), early careers and campus recruiting, contingent workforce solutions, consulting, and skills creation. The combination will
CarterBaldwin Assists Ideal Tridon Group with Chief Information Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has helped to recruit Shane Dacus as chief information officer of Ideal Tridon Group, a portfolio company of Nautic Partners and global provider of engineered clamps, brackets, fittings, and metal framing systems. Mr. Dacus brings more than 25 years of technology leadership across industrial, manufacturing, and PE-backed platforms, with a consistent record of elevating IT
Lindauer Recruits CEO for Penn State Alumni Association
Lindauer has placed Reggie Bustinza as associate vice president for alumni relations and chief executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association. He was selected after a nationwide search to succeed Paul Clifford, who departed Penn State in January 2025. The search was led by Lindauer executive vice president Faith Montgomery and senior consultant Raegan Harvey in partnership with Penn State. “Lindauer
Why M&A Success Is Ultimately a Talent Challenge
In its latest market intelligence findings, The Role of HR in M&A: 5 Golden Rules for CHROs, Spencer Stuart argues that many transactions fail not because of flawed strategy, but because of shortcomings in leadership, culture, talent retention, and organizational execution. While financial and operational diligence often dominate deal planning, the firm’s research suggests that people-related
Greenwood Asher & Associates Leading Chief Marketing Officer Search for the College of Charleston
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) is currently seeking a chief marketing officer and vice president for marketing and communications for the College of Charleston. Kyle Pybus-Jerome and Jeremy Duff are leading the assignment. The College of Charleston seeks a strategic and innovative marketing executive to lead an integrated marketing and communications enterprise that
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
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
Wilton & Bain Recruits CEO for Spring Fibre
Wilton & Bain has assisted in the recruitment of Gareth Greppellini as the new CEO of Spring Fibre in the U.K. Jay Siddiki, a partner in the global technology & digital infrastructure practice at Wilton & Bain, led the search. “It’s an exciting journey ahead for Spring Fibre,” said Mr. Siddiki. “Whilst the AltNet industry is going through
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







