Deb Barbanel

A New Chapter for ProboTalent When I founded ProboTalent, the goal was to build a platform that finally balanced the "wild west" of AI hype with the scientific rigor that talent acquisition deserves. Today is a significant milestone in that journey. I am incredibly proud to announce that Nathan Mondragon, Ph.D., is joining us as our President and Chief Strategy Officer. Nathan is what I call a "triple threat": he brings deep Ph.D.-level scientific credibility, a 30-year history of building scalable products, and an unmatched instinct for designing technology grounded in sound science. From creating the industry’s first online selection assessment in 1996 to scaling HireVue’s science practice into a global leader, his career has been defined by moving this industry forward. Beyond the resume, what truly makes Nathan the right fit is our shared vision for Responsible AI. As Nathan says, AI should be an assistant to the recruiter, not a replacement for human judgment. What this means for the future: A Powerhouse Reunion: Nathan reunites with our Chief Science Officer, Dr. Charles Handler, to ensure our AI-first solutions remain the most ethical and predictive in the market. Strategic Expansion: His experience will be vital as we execute our 2026 expansion within the Employ ecosystem, including Lever, Jobvite, and JazzHR. Redefining the Race: We aren't just trying to build a faster horse; we are here to redefine the race entirely. Nathan, it’s an honor to have you on board. I can’t wait to see what we build together. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e-vUaeNE #ProboTalent #Leadership #HRTech #Psychometrics #AI #FutureOfWork #ResponsibleAI #HiringInnovation

68

5 Comments

One of the biggest takeaways from Highspring's Agility Index Report? High-agility organizations are better prepared for exits thanks to stronger talent alignment, faster decision-making, and fewer disruptions. What really stood out: early planning and cross-functional leadership help PE firms increase valuations and minimize risk across their portfolio companies. For PE firms, success isn’t just about reacting to market conditions—it's about building operational agility into portfolio companies from day one. If you're working with PE firms or supporting CFOs through change, this article’s worth a read. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGbvJeXE

7

In the realm of governance, strategic board transitions go beyond mere formalities. Our CEO, Andrew Chastain, alongside Laura Orr and Susan M. Snyder (she/her), explore essential phases of board member transitions in an article featured in the June 2025 issue of The Governance Institute's BoardRoom Press. Examining aspects like emotional challenges and onboarding missteps, this piece is essential for those involved in developing board structure amid rapid changes. https://lnkd.in/gN7bEuwz #BoardGovernance #ImpactfulLeadership #TGIBoardRoomPress

16

Heidrick & Struggles’ new research shows that only 16% of PE-backed companies treat CEO succession planning as a top priority. With longer hold periods and higher turnover, taking a more strategic approach is critical for sustained performance. Read more: https://bit.ly/47335rW #PrivateEquity #Leadership #SuccessionPlanning

23

2 Comments

Board leadership has never been more complex—or more consequential. NACD’s latest boardroom tool outlines how activism is evolving and what that means for board governance today. With five key steps and 20 discussion questions, this resource offers a critical resource for boards to strategically and purposefully oversee their companies amid threats of reputational risk, stakeholder expectations and other disruptions, often simultaneously. As an advisor on this essential boardroom tool, I share how the definition of “activism” is changing. It's no longer just about activist investors. Boards are now navigating pressure from a much wider range of stakeholders—employees, customers, regulators, and the public—often all at once. Understand the new era of boardroom activism—and how to lead through it: https://lnkd.in/eT-4WDX9

23

2 Comments

#executiverecruitment is being reshaped as organizations confront rapid change, tighter operating conditions, and rising expectations of the C-suite. Today’s boards are placing less emphasis on traditional markers of readiness and more on leaders who can navigate complexity, integrate functions, and deliver impact across the enterprise. A recent report from N2Growth highlights six trends that will influence how companies assess, attract, and appoint top talent in 2026. #executivesearch #leadershipadvisory #panafricanrecruitment AfricSearch

2