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BarkerGilmore Fills Senior Legal Post for Firefly Aerospace
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has recruited Kristen Price as associate general counsel, commercial at Firefly Aerospace in Cedar Park, TX. “Firefly is at a defining stage as a newly public company, and Kristen joins at a pivotal moment as the company continues to scale its commercial capabilities
Myers McRae Assists the University of Montana Western with Chancellor Search
Kenny Daugherty of Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Estee Aiken as the next chancellor of the University of Montana Western (UMW). “Dr. Aiken’s broad and extensive experience as a teacher, administrator, and researcher as well as her demonstrated dedication to education at all levels, including teacher preparation, makes her an ideal
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,
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
How HR Can Harness AI to Advance DE&I
In today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have emerged as crucial imperatives. Corporations worldwide are recognizing the inherent value of fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, not only as a matter of ethics but also as a strategic advantage. Darryl Miller and Sunil Gandhi of The Taplow Group says in a new
Diversified Search Group Recruits CEO for Activate
Allen Chan, David Kuguru, and Jeannine Sommer of Diversified Search Group (DSG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Cyrus Wadia as the new CEO of Activate in Berkeley, CA. “Wadia personifies so much of what Activate is about,” said Ilan Gur, founder, former CEO, and now head of ARIA, the UK’s multibillion-dollar innovation agency. “He is impact-driven, entrepreneurial,
Coulter Partners Fills Senior Positions for hC Bioscience
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Jose Lora as chief scientific officer and Heather Hirsch as SVP of translational science and cancer biology of hC Bioscience. “It was our pleasure to work with Coulter Partners and we thank the team for their professionalism and outstanding support in making these appointments, both of which are critical to
Teneo Recruits CFO for Masco Corporation
John Moon, Marissa Conforti, and Marc Gasperino of global CEO advisory and executive search firm Teneo has placed Richard Westenberg as vice president and chief financial officer of NYSE-traded Masco Corporation in Livonia, MI. “I am very pleased to welcome Rick to Masco’s leadership team,” said Keith Allman, president and CEO of Masco. “Rick is a strategic, accomplished
AIMS International Adds New Member Firm in Norway
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Executive search consortium AIMS International has added HumanDrive Executive Advisors in Oslo, Norway
The Uncertain Future of Diversity and Hiring
Diversity has had it rough lately. First, there were cutbacks due to the economy and then came the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action. That was followed by a cohort of Republican attorneys general issuing a letter to Fortune 100 CEOs questioning the legality of some DEI efforts. The main issue for the moment centers
BrainWorks Completes CFO Search for RightCrowd
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has assisted in the recruitment of Catherine O’Brien as the new CFO of RightCrowd. Todd Shiner, VP, partner – accounting and finance, private equity PortCo. search for BrainWorks, and his team led the search for RightCrowd. Ms. O’Brien has experience in partnering with private equity firms, conducting M&A transactions, leading growth strategies,
ON Partners Recruits CFO for LightForce
Executive search firm ON Partners recently recruited Gene Fetisov as the new CFO for LightForce. He steps into this role as LightForce gears up for growth following the announcement of Series D funding. Partner Lenny Vairo spearheaded the assignment for the search firm. “Gene has been a very successful CFO for several high-growth companies in large markets where technology was
David Barrett Partners Helps Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Recruit Chief Investment Officer
Following a national search, David Barrett of David Barrett Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Nancy Orr as vice president for investments and chief investment officer of Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. She will succeed Jay Flaherty, who joined Mott in 2007 and will remain at the foundation until he retires in January 2024 to
A Look at Talent Trends Within the IT Sector in Germany
IT sector talent shortages are hindering business performance with negative impacts on project delivery, service launches and finances, however existing industry talent is competent in technical and soft skills, while increased training investment could drive commercial success, says a new report from Keller West, the specialist global IT search and recruitment consultancy, and part of
Top Practices for Retaining Senior Talent
The past few years have shifted the landscape of work in many ways. Many people were forced into remote work as both employees and employers had to adjust very quickly to new workplace environments. For some, they saw the incredible benefits and opportunities that it brought, including no commute time, more work/life integration like breakfast
Elite Search Partners Fills Position for eg.1 Global
London-based Elite Search Partners has recruited James Cowen as a director with eg.1 Global, which focuses on the management consulting, IT services, tax, accounting, and risk advisory sectors. “eg.1 Global were looking for a director in their executive search practice who could also add value to their consulting business/maximize their market intelligence offering,” said Matthew Eley, founder of
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for California State University, Stanislaus
After a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Sacha Joseph-Mathews as founding chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at California State University, Stanislaus (CSU). Managing partner Jennifer Muller led the assignment for the search firm. Dr. Joseph-Mathews has over 15 years of experience training executives, managers, and organizations in unconscious bias and
Talent Groups Acquires Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group
Recruiting company Talent Groups has acquired Dallas-based talent solution providers Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. “We are thrilled to welcome Abacus Technical Services and The InSource Group to the Talent Groups family,” said Matthew Ripaldi, CEO of Talent Groups. “These strategic acquisitions align perfectly with our
20/20 Foresight Launches Cloud-Based Client Portal
Real estate-focused executive search firm 20/20 Foresight has launched 20/20 Foresight Client Hub, a first-generation cloud-based client portal that will allow for improved collaboration, transparency, and efficiency throughout the search process. “The 20/20 Foresight Client Hub is unique in the search industry, furthering 20/20’s mission to be the most tech-forward executive search firm in the U.S. and the
7 Qualities and Experiences Needed to be a CHRO
The most common questions that come from executives who aspire to move into their first chief human resources officer (CHRO) role involve what it takes to be a strong and viable candidate. IIC Partners’ people and culture practice group, with consultants collaborating across 40 offices worldwide and, has had the opportunity to interact with many HR executives.
Artico Search Recruits CISO for Xactly
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
Renovata & Company Recruits President for Hodess Cleanroom Construction
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has recruited Mike DiNapoli as president for Hodess Cleanroom Construction, LLC, a Stellex Capital portfolio company and provider of cleanroom design and build for blue-chip corporations in automotive, aerospace, medtech and semiconductor. “Mike is a seasoned E&C leader with a proven track record of business success and
Candidate.fyi Closes $1.3 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Candidate.fyi recently secured a $1.3 million pre-seed funding round. The company’s platform offers a candidate portal for candidates to receive information in their journey, pulse surveys to collect feedback from job candidates, the ability for job candidates to book meetings online and create profiles and an upcoming scheduling feature. Founded by brothers, Kyle and Chris
Mercuri Urval Launches Board and CEO Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has launched a new board and CEO practice. “MU board and CEO practice is our response to the increasing demand for our services in the realm of board and CEO recruitment and advice,” said Christian Schaffenberger and Mieke Weijenberg, global board and CEO practice leads and partners at MU. “MU provides a reliable alternative
How Research First Data-Driven Recruiting and Talent Mapping Make for Smarter Hiring Decisions
Finding the ideal candidate for the job is a delicate dance. Good recruitment firms are experts in understanding what potential employers are looking for in their ideal candidate and scouring the available talent pool to match them with that perfect fit. According to a report from SGA Talent’s Sheila Greco. “What sets these firms apart
ZRG Partners Recruits CFO for Traditional Medicinals, Inc.
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in the recruitment of Scott Bowman as the new CFO of Traditional Medicinals, Inc. Dave Pearce and Richard Dowd led the assignment. Experienced strategic and financial manager with expertise in analyzing businesses, developing strategic and financial goals, communicating with senior management, directors, and staff,
TalentoHCM Assists Lancer Skincare with CEO Search
Jill De Forest, managing director of TalentoHCM, Los Angeles, has assisted Marc Kravets as the new CEO of Lancer Skincare in Beverly Hills. “I was pleased that Jill De Forest at Talento, introduced this CEO role at Lancer Skincare to me,” said Mr. Kravets. “Jill and I have worked together over the past 10 years,
Krauthamer & Associates Recruits SunLine Transit Agency
Executive recruiting firm Krauthamer & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Mona Babauta as the new CEO of SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, CA. “We are so pleased to be welcoming Mona to the helm of SunLine Transit Agency today,” said Lisa Middleton, board chair of SunLine Transit Agency. “Our board is impressed by the
IMD International Search Group Adds Member Firm in Spain
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently expanded in Madrid, Spain, with the addition of Padula & Partners as its newest member firm. Padula & Partners has a track record in executive search on the Spanish market as it was founded in 2005. They have since then provided bespoke service to clients in a vast
5 Ways Search Firms Support the Talent Management Priorities of PE Companies
In recent years, private equity firms’ desire for top talent has reached an all-time high. This high level of demand is in response to a recognition across the industry that having the right people in key executive roles is a critical factor in how private equity firms are able to maintain growth amid significant market
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for Stax Payments
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently recruited Paulette Rowe as the new CEO of Stax Payments in Orlando, FL. The search was led by Brian Waivada and Alexandra Bossetta. “Following an extensive global search, we’re pleased to welcome Paulette to Stax,” said Ross Croley, founder and CEO of GSV and chairman of the board of Stax. “An accomplished
Frederickson Partners Recruits CFO for Bluberi Gaming
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed chief financial officers at various companies, especially private equity-backed outfits. Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners has recruited Billy Register as the new CFO
Acertitude Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Sunrise Senior Living
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Marco Trecroce as chief technology officer of Sunrise Senior Living, a provider of senior living lifestyles. “Marco — who is an accomplished technology executive with exemplary hospitality experience – is a pivotal addition as Sunrise continues to integrate digital solutions to deliver best-in-class resident-centered services that support holistic health and wellness,”
BarkerGilmore Appoints Senior Advisor
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has named Kristin Campbell as senior advisor. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Kristin to our team as a senior advisor,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “With her remarkable expertise in the consumer and hospitality sectors, Kristin brings a
CEOs Positioning their Companies for the Long Haul
How do you prepare for a recession that never quite arrives? More than halfway through 2023, economists and market watchers in the United States are starting to take seriously the possibility of a domestic “soft landing” buoyed by labor market resilience, moderating inflation and gently slowing final demand growth, according to EY. But corporate leaders







