The International Executive Search Federation Elects First Woman President
October 20, 2026 – The International Executive Search Federation (IESF) has elected Adelina Rosca, managing partner of Rosman Talent Solutions (RosMinds), as president of its global network. She became the first woman and the first leader from Eastern Europe to lead the organization since its establishment in 2002. Ms. Rosca takes over this month from Gertjan van de Groep of the Netherlands. During her three years mandate she will focus on international expansion, cross-border corporate and entrepreneurial partnerships, and operational innovation within executive recruitment.
“Leading IESF over the past five years and serving on its leadership council for eight has been a privilege,” Mr. van de Groep said. “What sets our global network apart is not just our shared operational standards, but the deep trust, peer collaboration, and long-standing professional relationships forged across borders. I hand over the presidency to Adelina Rosca with total confidence. Her extensive track record in cross-border executive search and strategic vision make her exceptionally qualified to lead IESF into its next phase of global expansion and innovation.”
The upcoming presidency follows the work of previous IESF leaders who structured the global network. past president Normand Lebeau established the organization’s operational foundation, while Victor Carulla expanded its footprint across Latin America. As part of his leadership plan, Mr. van de Groep structured a transition process to prepare Ms. Roșca for the executive role. “Working alongside Gertjan prepared me for this responsibility. I am taking over an organization with a solid foundation and a partner network whose collective experience allows us to expand further,” said Ms. Roșca.
Ms. Roșca has a 20-year career in executive search, during which she built cross-border networks connecting corporate leadership and international business partners. Through Rosman Talent Solutions, which operates offices in Bucharest and Timisoara, her team manages national and international recruitment projects across more than 15 industrial sectors. Ms. Rosca began her career as a school counselor before transitioning into executive search. She advanced from research roles to consultant, branch manager, and country manager within an international recruitment firm.
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In 2014, Ms. Rosca founded Rosman Talent Solutions, focusing on executive search, organizational consulting, and career coaching. She has also served on the board of Romanian Business Leaders since 2024. A member of IESF since 2010 and involved in its leadership structure since 2018, Ms. Roșca has contributed to the network’s development, the recruitment of new partners and the initiation of international assignments.
Incorporating AI
The new leadership plan also incorporates technology integration alongside partner expertise sharing. “Artificial intelligence streamlines data analysis and operational efficiency,” Ms. Rosca said. “However, the core value in executive search remains our ability to evaluate corporate culture, assess leadership fit, and build trust. My goal is to encourage knowledge exchange across the network so we apply technology effectively and deliver measurable value to our clients.”
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 assess executive talent, strengthen leadership benches, and prepare teams for the demands of the next stage of growth. From founder-led recruiting and executive assessment to AI-enabled talent intelligence, cybersecurity leadership, and organizational design, the focus is shifting toward more deliberate, data-informed decisions about the people ultimately responsible for scaling the enterprise.
Hunt Scanlon Media will convene more than 250 private equity & venture capital operating partners, chief talent officers, and executive recruiters at The Marker Hotel in San Francisco on October 28, 2026. The program will explore how organizations across venture capital, private equity, and high-growth technology sectors are building the leadership infrastructure required to scale—examining how talent decisions, executive team design, and leadership assessment strategies are evolving to support sustained growth, innovation, and long-term enterprise value.
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“IESF relies on the combination of global coverage and local market expertise,” said Ms. Rosca. “We understand client organizational cultures, the individuals behind executive roles, and specific regional dynamics. Consequently, a company recruiting in Romania, India, Brazil, or France receives the same service standards and operational commitment. During my presidency, I want to strengthen this collaboration, including through mentoring and sharing best practices, so that we continue to adapt to companies’ needs and changes in the business environment.”
Founded in 2002, the International Executive Search Federation identifies talent and leadership from 50 offices and 22 countries. The IESF offers a fully customized, local approach to search projects, based on culture, regional economics, and the local candidate marketplace.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
