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AI Redefining Search — Without Replacing Human Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping executive recruiting, speeding up how firms identify, evaluate, and engage leadership talent. As AI tools automate research and administrative work, search teams can move faster and surface stronger insights— changing what “best candidate” discovery looks like in practice. At the same time, demand is shifting toward leaders who can translate
How Leading Search Firms Are Turning AI Into Competitive Advantage
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a promising experiment to a core operating capability across the executive search profession. As firms face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, accelerate search timelines, and deliver deeper market intelligence, many are reevaluating how technology can enhance both recruiter productivity and business performance. While adoption continues to accelerate, industry leaders
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.
U.S. Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 162,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little in August. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August.
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?
WittKieffer Recruits President and CEO for the American Hospital Association
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Steve Walsh as the new president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris led the assignment. “Following a thoughtful national search, the board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, chair of the AHA
Egon Zehnder Appoints Global Leader of HR Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Ayşe Güçlü Onur as global leader of its human resources practice. She succeeds Rafael Altavini, who helped expand the practice’s work with leaders, teams and organizations navigating transformation and change. “This appointment comes as companies and boards increasingly look to CHROs to help shape business strategy, lead transformation, build leadership
The Industry’s Profit Conversion Problem — And Why Going AI-Native is the Way Out
The recruiting industry is not short on revenue. Fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. and Americas jumped 11 percent last year, topping $6.69 billion, according to Hunt Scanlon‘s 2026 annual rankings. Across broader staffing, the picture is more muted, but revenue is still flowing. The problem is what happens
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for the National Breast Cancer Coalition
BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Crystal Stephens and Terri Kohan. This is a rare opportunity: to lead one of the most respected and independent voices in breast cancer advocacy, building on three decades of momentum. Reporting
GHP Search Partners with Ascend Learning on Board Member Appointments
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently tapped by Ascend Learning to assist in growing both the Ascend Learning board of directors and the Ascend Charter Schools board of trustees. New members of the Ascend Learning board identified by GHP include Robert Childs, retired EVP, strategic initiatives at American Express and Amy Mbagwu-Bagolini, a founding leader of Amazon’s Streaming TV advertising business. Richard Young Jr, director,
FMG Leading Adds Healthcare Strategy and Transformation Expert
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has expanded with the addition of healthcare strategy and transformation expert Doug Van Wie as managing director. The firm explained that the addition further aligns FMG Leading’s capabilities with the needs of investor-backed organizations looking to add value and mitigate risk as they deploy purpose-driven capital into the rapidly evolving healthcare system.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launch its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as
M&A in the Search Industry: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Who Wins
M&A activity is becoming an increasingly important force across the executive search sector as investors and larger platforms look for opportunities to expand capabilities, sector expertise, and geographic reach. For independent firms, the trend is placing greater scrutiny on how effectively their businesses are structured, managed, and positioned for the future. Against this backdrop, search
Korn Ferry Completes Acquisition of AMS
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has completed its acquisition of U.K.-headquartered AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The combined organization brings together two highly complementary organizations across geographies and industries with a shared commitment to drive business performance. The collective firm will have more than 16,000 colleagues. In accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement and in the
Myers McRae Helps Pensacola State College Select Finalist for President Role
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted Pensacola State College (PSC) with the selection of J. Alex Kelly as the finalist to become it’s next president. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Kenny Daugherty of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. The search attracted 107 qualified applicants from across the country. The committee selected
Potrero Group Recruits CEO for Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has placed Karen Strolia as the next CEO of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in San Rafael, CA. She succeeds longtime CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs, who led the organization for 25 years. “The board is thrilled to welcome Karen as CVNL’s next chief executive officer,” said Luana Vaetoe,
Marovi Appoints Head of Engineering
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has expanded with the addition of Ebubechukwu “Don” Enwerem as head of engineering. “Over the past few years, Don has had several engineering terms with Amazon Robotics – work estimated to save millions in operational costs. In between stints, he was building with Marovi. When the opportunity came to continue with Amazon, Don chose
As Executive Search Accelerates, Judgment Becomes the Differentiator
Executive search firms are under pressure to demonstrate value earlier than ever. Clients increasingly expect firms to understand the market, identify credible candidates, and begin calibrating on potential profiles before a search has even formally launched. AI and new data tools are helping firms meet those demands. Tasks that once took days can now be
Fractional vs. Full-Time Executives: The Real Math for Mid-Sized Growing Companies
As mid-sized companies grow, one of the more consequential leadership decisions is determining when fractional executive support is sufficient and when the business requires a full-time leader. A recent ExactSearch.AI report examined the economics behind that decision, finding that the answer often depends less on compensation than on the level of ownership, accountability, and organizational
Lindauer Recruits Chief Development Officer for C-SPAN
Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Adele Hixon-Day as the first chief development officer of C-SPAN. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. “Adele joins C-SPAN at a pivotal moment,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist. “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently
Pyramind Recruits President and CEO for The SkillSource Group
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Clifford Yee as president and CEO of The SkillSource Group, Inc. (SSG), fiscal sponsor of Virginia Career Works – Northern. He succeeds interim executive officer Seema Jain, following a leadership transition supported by SkillSource’s staff, board, and community partners. “Cliff has a strong
Buffkin / Baker Acquires Fortra Search
In an effort to strengthen its venture capital and private equity search capabilities, Buffkin / Baker has acquired Fortra Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on executive sales and revenue leadership. The firm has also named its founder Andy Grosso as partner. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andy to Buffkin / Baker,” said Jackson Ross, partner
The Role of the CFO in PE-Backed Businesses
The role of the CFO in private equity-backed businesses has shifted materially in recent years. Historically a function for financial stewardship, the CFO role is now defined by operational accountability, value creation and the ability to translate investment strategy into outcomes. A recent report from U.K.-based executive search firm The Barton Partnership (TBP). The study examined how
JDG Associates Seeking Executive Director for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently selected by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) to lead its search for a new executive director. The position is remote and may be based anywhere in the United States, with proximity to the Washington, D.C. area considered a plus. NCART stands at a pivotal moment, with active,
Calibre One Assists Cibus with CEO Search
Calibre One has helped to recruit board member Craig Wichner as the new CEO for NASDAQ-traded Cibus, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Peter Beetham, who has served as the company’s interim CEO, will continue his role as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Concurrently, both Mr. Wichner and Dr. Beetham resigned from the Cibus board of directors as part
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for OneOC
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bonni Pomush as the new president and CEO of OneOC. She will succeed Tim Strauch, who will remain president and CEO through December 31, 2026, before retiring from OneOC after 19 years of service and leadership. “Bonni’s record of organizational transformation, collaborative leadership, and community engagement makes her exceptionally
NPAworldwide Forms Alliance with Dimensional Search Associates
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has formed a strategic partnership with the Sanford Rose Associates family of companies, including Dimensional Search. “This partnership brings together two strong organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to helping independent recruiting firms succeed,” NPAworldwide said. “For NPAworldwide, the agreement represents a meaningful extension of its mission to connect independent recruiting
Scaling Growth Through Transformative Talent
High-growth environments can compress time, magnify decisions, and expose leadership gaps in an instant. As companies move through periods of rapid expansion, the ability to build and evolve the right leadership team becomes increasingly critical to sustaining momentum and creating long-term value. Across private equity, venture capital, and technology-driven businesses, organizations are rethinking how they
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Allstate
Crist|Kolder Associates has recruited Christian Lown as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Allstate Corporation. “Chris’s leadership and capital markets expertise will enable us to continue increasing Property-Liability market share and expand protection provided to customers,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. With more than 25 years of senior
Protis Global Appoints Co-Presidents
Consumer packaged goods-focused executive search and advisory firm Protis Global has named Skye Miller and Isabel Cosby as co-presidents in a planned generational leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Bert Miller, who co-founded the firm in 1995, moves from chairman and CEO of Protis Global to chairman. He will continue as founder
Goldman Sachs Signals a New M&A Supercycle
Goldman Sachs’ 2026 Global M&A Outlook suggests the market is entering a new phase of strategic transformation driven by technological disruption, scale ambitions, and unprecedented levels of capital deployment. The report highlights a surge in large-scale deals during the second half of 2025, with global M&A volumes rising sharply and mega transactions accelerating across regions.Corporate and private
ZRG Partners Recruits CEO for The Washington Post
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in the recruitment of veteran media executive Will Lewis as publisher and CEO of the Washington Post. Erik Sorenson led the assignment on behalf of ZRG. “As I’ve gotten to know Will, I’ve been drawn to his love for journalism and passion for
Academic Search Recruits 18th President for Saint Michael’s College
Jay Lemons, Scott Flanagan, Jennifer Kooken, and Kate Cusimano of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search assisted in the recruitment of Richard Plumb as the 18th president of Saint Michael’s College. Lorraine Sterritt recently announced she was stepping down after becoming the first woman to lead the college. Dr. Plumb was selected by the college’s board of trustees with guidance from
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Lakeside Software
As business becomes more complex and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging — and much more influential. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor and Erin Harris of Artico Search helped to recruit Kimberly Kaminski as the new chief marketing officer of Lakeside Software,
Recruitment Entrepreneur Sells Shares of Elite Cyber to Eurocom Group
Recruitment Entrepreneur, a private equity firm specializing in the startup and scale of recruitment businesses, has announced the sale of their shares in a global cybersecurity recruitment services company Elite Cyber (EC) to Eurocom Group, a Luxembourg-based investor. This will add to Eurocom Group’s already portfolio of investments within Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Switzerland. Recruitment
Eastward Partners Names Equity Partner
New York-based Eastward Partners has named Brett Vecchio as an equity partner. He will now head the New York office and continue to support Eastward’s private equity search capability. “Brett and I have worked together for the better part of a decade, so to be part of his ascension from a staff member in one of my practice
Why CEOs are Looking to Prepare Now for 2024
In the current business environment, most leaders understand the benefits of convening core team members at moments of transformative change. When a merger, buyout or reorganization materializes, there’s accepted wisdom that in-person group meetings best ensure alignment and trust with organizations and individuals—moving people forward in unison toward collective success, according to a recent report
DHR Global Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Under Armour
Globalization, digital disruption, financial markets, low-cost country sourcing, and customer service pressures have transformed supply chain from a tactical function into a strategic one, say recruiters. As speed to market, fulfillment rates and a global footprint become competitive advantages, companies need supply chain leaders with the right mix of business and financial acumen, risk management
TurnkeyZRG Seeking Chief Marketing Officer for the Chicago Fire
TurnkeyZRG has been retained by the Chicago Fire Football Club to lead in its search for a chief marketing officer. Allie Crone led the assignment. Coming off a record-breaking 2023 Season, Chicago Fire is seeking a data-driven and agile leader to join the executive team. Acting as brand steward, this role is responsible for developing
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Five Board Positions for PowerMyLearning
Recruiting for boards of directors, considered the backbones of organizations, has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Greenwich Harbor Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Jean DeSombre, Floyd Fernandes, George Maddaloni, Jared Miller, and Jotham Nyamari as new members of
Acertitude Expands in London
Executive search firm Acertitude has expanded in London with the addition of Alexandra Ghashghai as partner working across private equity, infrastructure, and industrials. “Alexandra complements our steadfast commitment to delivering the highest standards of service and outcomes for clients,” said Guy Barnes, managing partner. “Her impeccable knowledge of the sectors and her strategic, collaborative approach aligns perfectly
Hedge Funds Set Out To Master The Talent Wars
The Alternative Investment Management Association polled 100 hedge fund managers to ascertain how their funds are evolving to attract top talent. The results were enlightening. Fierce competition for the brightest minds within the alternative investment sector has been set against a backdrop of large sell-side institutions raising the ante with sharp wage hikes for junior staff
TalentRise Recruits CEO for Leadership Buffalo
Pete Petrella of TalentRise recently assisted in the recruitment of Morgan Williams-Bryant as the new CEO of Leadership Buffalo, a non-profit leadership development program in Buffalo, NY. She replaces outgoing CEO, Althea Luehrsen, who is retiring at the end of 2023 after 12 years at the organization. “On behalf of the entire board of directors,
Anthem Executive Assists Midwestern State University with President Search
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive recently assisted in the recruitment of Stacia Haynie as the 13th president of Midwestern State University. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Haynie as the 13th president of Midwestern State University,” said Mark Griiffn, TTU System chairman of the board of regents. “On behalf of
Parker Executive Search Seeking New Director of Athletics for Wofford College
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has been retained by Wofford College to lead in its search for a new director of athletics. After 40 years of service to Wofford College, the past 23 as director of athletics, Richard Johnson has announced his retirement. He will step down at the end of the search for his replacement. Daniel
Amrop Re-Elects Chair
Amrop, a global leadership advisory and executive search partnership, has re-elected Hamburg-based Annika Farin as chair to direct the global group for a second term of three years. Since her initial election in 2020, Ms. Farin, a founding partner of Amrop in Germany, has led Amrop’s global partnership through the pandemic while building a strong strategic alliance
A Look at Today’s Most in Demand Executive Skills
In this post-Covid era, are there hiring trends or executive skills that are more prevalent and in demand? “As an executive recruiter focused largely on the private equity markets in B2B tech, we’re experiencing two distinct – but overlapping – macro trends in leadership hiring,” said Jon Landau, partner at SPMB, in a recent report.
Korn Ferry Recruits President and CEO for the Boy Scouts of America
Following an extensive selection process, Korn Ferry has assisted in the recruitment of Roger Krone as the new president and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He succeeds Roger Mosby as the 113-year-old organization’s top administrator. “Roger Krone has spent his entire career transforming complex businesses and preparing them for what lies ahead,” said Brad Tilden, who serves
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
