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Harris Search Associates Helps Recruit Provost for Ferris University
Harris Search Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Sean Lancaster as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ferris University. Ed Christ led the assignment. He succeeds Dr. Bobby Fleischman, who has served in the role since 2020. “Dr. Lancaster is passionate about creating environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive, building an equitable academic community
Flatiron Search Partners Places CEO at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has placed David Stever as the new CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH. He joins the company at a time of strong momentum and will lead its next phase of growth as the brand continues to expand nationally and deepen its connection with customers and communities. “We are thrilled to welcome
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.
PitchBook’s 2026 PE Outlook Puts Talent at the Center of Value Creation
PitchBook’s 2026 U.S. Private Equity Outlook describes a market that is reopening – but under pressure. Exit activity improved meaningfully in 2024 and 2025, yet the inventory of PE-backed companies continues to grow older. As of Q3 2025, U.S. PE inventory had expanded to nearly 12,900 companies, with roughly 30 percent held for seven years or longer and
Spencer Stuart Recruits President for the National Outdoor Leadership School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Sandy Colhoun as its new president of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). “With a strategic mindset and a keen ability to assess operations and bring clarity to the school’s complex finances, Sandy met and exceeded these critical requirements,” said N. Stuart Harris, NOLS board of trustees
ON Partners Recruits CISO for SPS Commerce
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
Havencrest Capital Management Acquires Focus Staff Services
Havencrest Capital Management, a Dallas-based healthcare private equity firm, has acquired Focus Staff Services, a provider of temporary workforce solutions in the healthcare marketplace. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We have been extremely impressed with Focus’s growth to date and are excited about our partnership with the company,” said Matt Shofner, partner
What AI Could Mean for Talent in the C-Suite
AI is here and it will impact you no matter your sector or function, as its capabilities are growing exponentially. According to Forrester research, 100 percent of organizations will be using AI by 2025. But the impact will vary markedly across areas. A new report, authored by Heidrick & Struggles’ Victoria Reese, explains that the
U.S. Job Growth Slows in October
Employment rose by 150,000 in October as the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.9 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 6.5 million in October. Job gains occurred in healthcare, government, and social assistance. Employment declined in manufacturing due to strike activity. Among the major
University of Alaska Anchorage Taps AGB Search to Find CIO
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been selected by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to lead in its search for a new chief information officer. Margaret Plympton and Monica Burton are leading the assignment. The CIO will be managing a staff of 40 and a budget of $8.9 million. This
Lochlin Partners Recruits Executive Director for the Pentagon Memorial Fund
Executive search firm Lochlin Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Michael McCarthy as the executive director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc. succeeding Jim Laychak. He will lead the organization as it goes to the next phase of its initiative to build a visitor education center at the site of the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. “We are thrilled to have Mike
IIC Partners Makes Global Board Appointments
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has elected Oliver Schmitt and reappointed Vanessa Dalas to the board of directors. They were elected during the IIC Partners’ AGM held in October and will serve a three-year term. “Oliver Schmitt and Vanessa Dalas are highly accomplished global leaders who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to IIC
Predicting 2024’s Talent Acquisition Trends
No individual can see the future clearly. But when we blend the expert views of global talent leaders with comprehensive data, it becomes clearer. It’s this powerful combination of insights that fuels Korn Ferry’s annual talent acquisition trends report. Each year the search firm, which is the largest globally as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media, lays out
Isaacson, Miller Seeking VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Davidson College
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller, which serves mission-driven organizations has been retained by Davidson College to lead in its search for its inaugural vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Keight Tucker Kennedy, Diana Carmona, and Alexis Scott are leading the assignment. A search committee of faculty, staff, students, and a member of the board of trustees, supported
Slone Partners Fills Board Positions for Fusion Pharmaceuticals
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has recruited Jeremy Bender, Teresa Bitetti, and David Meek as members of the board of directors at Fusion Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. “Jeremy Bender, Teresa Bitetti, and David Meek are all very accomplished and highly respected leaders in the fields of biopharmaceuticals, oncology,
Brooke Chase Associates Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Wellborn Cabinet
Chairman and CEO Joseph McElmeel, Richard Mohrman, and Mark Otto of Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates have placed Mara Villanueva-Heras as the new chief marketing officer of Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. in Ashland, AL. With an extensive background in marketing, Ms. Villanueva-Heras most recently served as SVP of marketing with Emser Tile. Prior to that, she held various senior
Odgers Berndtson Names Managing Partner, Netherlands
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson Netherlands has appointed Kristien Janssen as managing partner. She succeeds Ed van der Sande, who returns to the leadership practice full-time after six years, focusing on executive search, assessments and (team) coaching. “Over the past four years, Kristien has made a special contribution to the transformation we are undergoing as an organization,”
The Dynamic State of the European Tech Ecosystem
The U.S. venture capital market has experienced an unprecedented slowdown over the past couple of years, with a decrease in IPOs and a substantial decline in investment funds, according to EY. But despite challenging global economic conditions and a slow venture market, Europe’s tech ecosystem is undergoing a transformative period. The market continues to display
Nexus Search Partners Recruits CEO for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has assisted in the recruitment of Suehila Glass as the first female president and CEO for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. She succeeds Stan Law, who retired earlier this year. “Throughout our partnership with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, the Nexus team focused
5 Reasons to Hire a Search Firm to Find Your Next HR Leader
In the realm of HR leadership, finding the perfect candidate often feels like searching for a unicorn. The unique blend of skills, experience, and cultural fit required for these roles can be elusive. Many organizations underestimate the challenges of such recruitment endeavors and the potential consequences of getting it wrong, according to a recent report
ZRG Partners Helps Place New CEO at Sunshine Coast Airport
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in the recruitment of Chris Mills as the new CEO of Sunshine Coast Airport in Australia. Garreth Ball led the assignment on the behalf of ZRG. “Chris’ extensive experience in finance, tourism, leisure, aviation, property planning and development across the private and
Ellig Group Acquires Corporate Director Academy
New York City-based Ellig Group has acquired Corporate Director Academy, a training program for those aspiring to become a corporate board director. “I didn’t want to just talk about board diversity, I wanted to do something about it,” said Maggie Wilderotter, the former Fortune 500 CEO and current corporate director, and champion of gender balance in the boardroom.
AI Making Inroads Into Human Capital Sector, Jolting Investor Interest
A recent McKinsey & Company survey revealed a remarkable adoption of generative AI tools across various industries. Over one-third of respondents reported that their organizations were already leveraging artificial intelligence in at least one business function. What’s even more astonishing is that nearly a quarter of C-suite executives admitted to incorporating AI into their work processes, signifying
Hanold Associates Recruits CHRO for Phillips 66
Jason Hanold, Sarah Kennedy, Katrina Maione, and Eleanor Tetreault of Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search have assisted in the recruitment of Andrez Carberry as senior vice president and chief human resources officer to Phillips 66, a Houston, TX-based diversified energy company. “We are excited to have Andrez join Phillips 66 at such an important time for our company,” said
ON Partners Recruits CEO for META Materials
Mike Lynch of ON Partners has recruited Jim Fusaro as the new CEO of Meta Materials in Halifax, Nova Scotia. George Palikaras has been removed as president and CEO and is no longer with the company. “On behalf of the board of directors, it is my pleasure to welcome Jim Fusaro as CEO of Meta Materials,” said Jack Harding,
Caliber Associates Fills Chief Medical Officer Post for Palisade Bio
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates assisted in the recruitment of Mitchell Jones as the chief medical officer of Palisade Bio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company advancing therapies for acute and chronic gastrointestinal complications. “We are delighted to welcome Mitch to Palisade Bio as our chief medical officer,” said J.D. Finley, CEO of Palisade Bio. “His extensive
IMD International Search Group Adds Ishwa Consulting as Its Newest Member Firm
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group has added Ishwa Consulting as its newest member firm. With a team of 10 senior consultants strategically located in India’s key business hubs – Gurgaon (Delhi), Bangalore, and the Middle East, Ishwa Consulting has its global footprint with an office in Dubai. Founded in 2016 by Arvind Pandit,
Will the Surging M&A Market for Executive Search Firms Continue?
Over the past decade, a wave of consolidation activity across the executive search sector has profoundly changed the recruiting sector as we know it. And in the last five years, the role of executive search firms has fundamentally changed the look and feel of the sector even more. The industry has moved from simply identifying
True Recruits CEO for NODA Intelligence Systems
Karin Andersson of global talent provider True has assisted in the recruitment of Tatiana Brandt as the new CEO for NODA Intelligence Systems in Sweden. Former CEO and founder, Christian Johansson, takes on the role of chief strategy officer and remains a board member and largest shareholder in the company. “NODA is in a very exciting phase and
Buffkin / Baker Recruits Chief Growth Officer for aptihealth
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Amanda Conway as the new chief growth officer of aptihealth in Boston, MA. The search was led by Jackson Ross, partner, and Ryan Baggett, associate partner. “We are delighted to welcome Amanda Conway to the aptihealth family as our new chief growth officer,” said Tim Koehler,
Premier Staffing Solution Acquires Staffing Unit of TTi Global
Premier Staffing Solution has acquired the external staffing business of TTi Global, Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Included in the acquisition are client staffing contracts that will be transferred to Premier. The primary focus of the contracts is supporting large clients in the mobility sector and other industries in North America with temporary engineering,
Egon Zehnder Forms Partnership with The 350 Club
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has formed an alliance with The 350 Club, an online community that connects the FTSE 350 global board community. This partnership combines Egon Zehnder’s boardroom expertise with The 350 Club’s shared vision to fostering an online platform for board members to exchange insights and learnings. “We are incredibly honored to be
Identifying and Landing a Board Seat for Women
It is no longer news that a diverse board of directors can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. According to McKinsey, those companies in the top quartile for board member gender diversity are 25 percent more likely to outperform than those in the bottom quartile, and a Pipeline study found that organizations where women make
Blue Rock Search Recruits Global Head of Talent Acquisition for Cummins
Blue Rock Search has assisted in the recruitment of Basant Pandey as global head of talent acquisition for Cummins. “Blue Rock Search was pleased to partner with Cummins on their search for their global head of talent acquisition,” said Ruben Moreno, HR & diversity practice leader and founding partner at Blue Rock Search. “Remaining competitive in
ON Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Transformco
As business becomes more global and 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, recruiters say. Yet executive search firms are seeing no shortage of assignments for this important C-level position. ON Partners’ Andy Hickman and Alex Pelak recently placed Patrick
