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The Hidden Talent Pool: Turning AI Investment into Enterprise Value
Across industries, organizations are discovering that the most effective AI leaders don’t always emerge from traditional technical backgrounds. A new report from Modern Executive Solutions finds that as companies race to implement AI strategies, many are overlooking a hidden talent pool: executives with deep domain expertise, proven change management skills, and the business acumen to
DHR Global Recruits Head Coach for Oregon State Men’s Basketball
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Joyner as the next head coach of the Oregon State men’s basketball team. “It is vitally important that we create momentum and an upward trajectory for this program,” vice president and director of athletics Scott Barnes said. “Our move to the new Pac-12 demands a leader like Justin who
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Why Executive Search Firms Remain Essential for High-Stakes Leadership Hires
Executive search firms deliver unique value when filling leadership positions that impact organizational performance, according to a new study from Denver, CO-based TriSearch. Reports find that most qualified executive candidates (85 percent) aren’t actively seeking opportunities, making traditional recruitment methods insufficient. These firms provide access to a network of passive candidates developed through years of relationship
Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting Seeks Chancellor for Southern Arkansas University Tech
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been chosen to help Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) find its next chancellor. Jennifer Barfield, executive vice president, is spearheading the assignment. SAU Tech’s next chancellor will be expected to be an innovative, inspirational, and visionary leader committed to academic excellence and student success, said Myers
Princeton Theological Seminary Selects Buffkin / Baker to Find New CFO
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been retained by the Princeton Theological Seminary to lead in its search for a new chief financial officer. Leading the assignment is Martin M. Baker, managing partner, and Pelema Ellis, associate partner. The search appears to be in its final stages as the firm recently stopped taking new applications. The CFO
Gerard Stewart Rebrands as L.Maxwell Signifying Next Phase of Growth
Gerard Stewart, a global provider of retained search for executives in human capital and professional services, recently rebranded to L.Maxwell Global. The name change aligns with the firm’s continued expansion and underscores the position of its founder Lisa Maxwell. “I am thrilled to share a momentous milestone in our 18-year history with the birth of
What CHROs Need to Know About DEI Moving Forward
What obstacles stand in the way of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the companies of today and tomorrow? What approaches can leaders adopt to drive the necessary changes? And what comes next for chief human resources officers in the context of DEI? These are some of the pressing topics that CHROs explored in a
The Tolan Group Assists Max Surgical Specialty Management with CFO Search
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. The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the placement of Paul Olson as the
Kincannon & Reed Places Two Top Leaders for AgReliant Genetics
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, recently helped to fill two key leadership roles for AgReliant Genetics in Westfield, IN. Brian Barker is the new chief executive officer and president of the biotechnology research company, and David Pugh, who was hired a few weeks earlier, is
Artico Search Recruits Sales Leader for Mitek Systems
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, Sarah Scheer, and Todd Daniel of Artico Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Jason Kontos as vice president of sales for NASDAQ-traded Mitek Systems Inc. in San Francisco. Mr. Kontos previously spent over 10 years with OneSpan, where he most recently served as vice president of North American sales. Prior to that, he spent a brief time
Leathwaite Appoints Co-Managing Partners
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite has named Martha Harvey-Jones and Tom Pemberton as new co-managing partners. Co-founder Andrew Wallace, who has served as managing partner since 2017, will step into the chair role as successor to Martin Leuw. All four founders, Martin Phillips, James Rust, Neil Ejje, and Andrew Wallace, will continue to be key members of the team at Leathwaite, central to the firm’s growth strategy
Why Businesses Should Embrace the Imperfect CEO
Imperfection isn’t failure. Yet when it comes to CEO succession, businesses today often expect candidates to be the full embodiment of excellence and success—to be perfect. They expect CEOs to avoid any missteps as they set the direction and strategy of the company, lead and develop the executive team, build and maintain relationships, make decisions,
ON Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for SOCi
Daniel Bolger and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Falk Gottlob as chief product officer of SOCi Inc., a co-marketing cloud for multi-location enterprises, located in San Diego, CA. “We are thrilled to have Falk join us at this critical juncture in our journey, as we continue to evolve our platform and define
Campbell & Company Seeks CEO for the Friendly Center
Campbell & Company has been enlisted to find the next president and chief executive officer for the Friendly Center, a non-profit that provides free programs and services for low-income families and individuals in Orange County, CA. Leading the assignment are Dan Nevez, vice president, executive search, and Kole Farrise, associate consultant, executive search. After 25
TurnkeyZRG Adds Senior Leader to Drive International Expansion
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of George Williams as managing director, U.K. and Europe. In addition to serving as a driving force in TurnkeyZRG international expansion into the European market, Mr. Williams will collaborate closely with ZRG’s Sucherman division to further support its growth within the region as well. “TurnkeyZRG is excited to welcome
Bullhorn Ventures Makes Investment in Staffing Engine
Bullhorn Ventures has made a strategic investment in Boulder, CO-based Staffing Engine. Financial terms of the funding was not disclosed. The investment aims to accelerate the adoption of the next generation of conversational and generative AI within Bullhorn’s customer base, transforming the recruiting experience, and heralding a new era of efficiency and innovation. “We are
AI’s Impact on Growth Strategies in a Shifting M&A Landscape
The first half of this year saw M&A activity in the U.S. experience a significant decline in dollar value, falling by 41 percent compared to the same period last year. However, the number of deals decreased by only five percent, according to Korn Ferry’s recent report, “What Happened to Big Deals?” This trend reflects the
CarterBaldwin Recruits Fourth President of Charleston Southern University
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of B. Keith Faulkner as the fourth president of Charleston Southern University (CSU). The selection followed an extensive nationwide search led by CarterBaldwin, the same executive search firm that landed outgoing president Dondi Costin at CSU five years prior. Chaired by Jerry Williams, a former trustee board chair, and
AGB Search Seeks New President for University of Dubuque
Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been selected to find the next president for the University of Dubuque (UD) in Iowa. Senior executive search consultant Sally Mason and executive search consultant Larry Ladd are spearheading the assignment. Earlier this year, Rev. Jeffrey Bullock announced he would be stepping down from
Diversified Search Group Appoints Senior Leader
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has named Megan Shattuck as global managing partner of its corporate business. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in media, journalism, and advising Fortune 500 public and private company CEOs and boards, she will lead Diversified Search Group’s global corporate business across
The SR Group Launches Keller West to Help Secure Senior IT Talent
Global search company The SR Group has launched a specialist IT consultancy, Keller West, to drive the acquisition of senior IT talent. The new brand will initially focus on the DACH region, coming at a critical time for the German economy and the future development of its IT sector. Plans are already underway to further deploy
Retaining and Promoting Talent for Hedge Funds
Sandy Gross formed Pinetum Partners LLC in 2004 as a retained executive search and executive coaching firm; it has since been recognized as one of the top 50 executive search firms in the U.S. in financial services. In her coaching work, Ms. Gross partners with managers and leaders across a range of industries, including hedge funds.
Royal Family Taps Search Firm to Find CEO
Kensington Palace has engaged Odgers Berndtson to find a CEO to lead the household reporting directly to the Prince and Princess of Wales. It has released a job description which stresses the unique nature of the role. Prince William and Catherine are said by sources to have led this decision to hire a search firm
Comhar Partners Seeks CFO for DHR Health
Executive search firm Comhar Partners has been enlisted to find a chief financial officer for DHR Health, a physician-owned health system in Edinburg, TX. Leading the assignment are managing director Marion Spears Karr and director Morgan Layton. “Reporting to the president, the chief financial officer will examine how to enhance growth, profitability, and value creation
Peña Search Seeks New Leader for Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Peña Search has been retained by the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI) to head its search for a new executive director. Bill Holston is stepping down from his role after 11 years at the helm. Travis Hillier and Cindy Maloney are leading the assignment. HRI is seeking a dynamic successor to compassionately lead a committed team
Heyman Associates Appoints New CEO
New York City-based executive search firm Heyman Associates has appointed Jessamyn Katz as its new chief executive officer. Founder and CEO Bill Heyman, who established the firm in 1989, will be retiring at the end of the year. Ms. Katz has served as president since 2019. Mr. Heyman will remain as an advisor to the
Building A PE-Value Creation Team for the Future
A growing number of private equity firms are adding value creation teams to their organization. But many are finding that designing the structure of these teams has its difficulties, says JM Search’s Andrew Henry in a new report. “With many variations present in the market, building a strategy that fits the fund size and investment
ON Partners Recruits Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Searchspring
Daniel Bolger and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have helped to recruit Rebecca Grimes as chief sales and marketing officer of Searchspring in San Antonio, TX. “We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca to our leadership team,” said Alex Kombos, CEO of Searchspring. “She is an experienced revenue leader with a strong track record of driving revenue growth and
Paving the Way to Rehire a High Performing Employee
So, your high performer just resigned. You’re feeling frustrated and let down. That doesn’t make you a bad leader. It makes you human. In fact, if you’re taking it personally, it’s most likely because you exerted significant effort into mentoring and helping this employee grow. “While these feelings are perfectly natural, how you react to
Artico Search Recruits VP of Enterprise Sales for CharterUP
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, Sarah Scheer, and Todd Daniel of Artico Search recently assisted in the recruitment of David House as vice president of enterprise sales of CharterUP. “A special thanks to Armir Harris, CEO, and Howard Bornstein, president, for their remarkable partnership,” Artico Search said. “We look forward to the next chapter of growth with David and the rest of
The Taplow Group Adds McDonald Search Group in Canada
Global recruiting consortium The Taplow Group has expanded in Canada with the addition of the MacDonald Search Group as its newest member firm. Led by Bruce MacDonald, founder and managing partner, their Canadian operation spans from the east to west coast with a presence in seven cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Moncton, Ottawa, and Toronto. “We were
Global Hiring Outlook and How Hiring Continues to Rely More On AI
Employers anticipate closing out 2023 with a calculated approach to hiring, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey of nearly 39,000 employers in 41 countries. The net employment outlook for Q4 is +30 percent, up one percent from Q4 2022, and a two percent increase from last quarter. “The data for Q4 reveals employers
The Loring Group Recruits CIO for Diamonds International
San Francisco-headquartered executive search firm The Loring Group recently placed Duke del Prado as the new chief information officer for Diamonds International. The search was led by senior partner Rich Kampmann. Mr. del Prado joins Diamonds with over 25 years of information technology leadership experience working in a variety of industries including consumer goods, retail, manufacturing, professional
Slone Partners Finds Chief Medical Officer for X4 Pharmaceuticals
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has placed Christophe Arbet-Engels as chief medical officer at X4 Pharmaceuticals Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company. The enterprise is developing novel small molecule therapeutics to benefit patients with diseases of the immune system. Dr. Arbet-Engels previously served as CMO at several life science companies, including Neurogastrx, Millendo Therapeutics, and Poxel Pharmaceuticals,
