AESC Lifetime Achievement Award

Bestowed since 1982, AESC’s Lifetime Achievement Award  is the capstone award for the profession, honoring significant, career-long achievement while recognizing the highest standards of work. Nominees should embody AESC professional and ethical practices.

  • Marcus Herold, MPS Enterprises Ltd., 2025
  • Dr. Bjørn Johansson, Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates AG, 2025
  • Patrick Johnson, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2025
  • David Daniel, Spencer Stuart, 2025
  • Richard Slayton, Slayton Search Partners, 2025
  • Thomas Becker, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Dr. Dieter Unterharnscheidt, Spencer Stuart, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Judee von Seldeneck, Diversified Search Group, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Clarke Murphy, Russell Reynolds, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Alejandra Aranda (In Memoriam), Humanitas/Cornerstone, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Stephen Bampfylde, Saxton Bampfylde, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Trina Gordon, Boyden, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here. 
  • Dr. Bish Agrawal, Accord/AltoPartners, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Willie Carrington, Carrington & Carrington, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Kevin Connelly, Spencer Stuart, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Jo Fisher, Fisher Leadership, 2019
  • Richard Boggis-Rolfe, Odgers Berndtson, 2019
  • Gregory J. Duerksen, Kincannon & Reed, 2019
  • Edward Speed, Spencer Stuart, 2018
  • Bruce R. Raines, Raines International, Inc., 2018
  • Peter Drummond-Hay, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2017
  • Kevin Cashman, Korn Ferry, 2016
  • James N.J. Hertlein, Boyden, 2015
  • Egon Zehnder, Egon Zehnder International, 2014
  • Robert L. Pearson, Pearson Partners International, 2013
  • William B. Clemens, Jr., Spencer Stuart, 2012
  • Luiz Carlos Cabrera, Amrop Panelli Motta Cabrera, 2011
  • Henry G. Higdon, Higdon Partners, 2010
  • Charles W.B. Wardell, Korn Ferry International, 2008
  • Thomas Friel, Heidrick & Struggles, 2007
  • Judith von Seldeneck, Diversified Search, Ray & Berndtson, 2006
  • C. Douglas Caldwell, The Caldwell Partners, 2005
  • Hobson Brown, Jr., Russell Reynolds Associates, 2004
  • Dale Winston, Battalia Winston International, 2003
  • Dayton Ogden, Spencer Stuart, 2002
  • Roger Kenny, Board Room Consultants, 2001
  • Windle B. Priem, Korn Ferry International, 2000
  • Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., The Directorship Search Group, Inc., 1999
  • Thomas J. Neff, Spencer Stuart, 1998
  • Paul R. Ray, Jr., Ray & Berndston, 1997
  • Richard M. Ferry, Korn Ferry International, 1996
  • Gerard R. Roche, Heidrick & Struggles, 1995
  • Spencer R. Stuart, Spencer Stuart, 1994
  • Max M. Ulrich, Ward Howell International, 1993
  • Gardner W. Heidrick, The Heidrick Partners, Inc., 1992
  • Frederick W. Wackerle, McFeely Wackerle Shulman, 1991
  • Skott B. Burkland, Scott/Edwards Consultants, 1990
  • Gretchen Long, Haskell & Stern Associates, 1989
  • Christopher J. Mill, Christopher Mill & Partners, 1988
  • William E. Gould, Gould & McCoy, Inc., 1987
  • William C. Houze, William C. Houze & Company, 1986
  • Alden S. Blodget, Jr., Paul Stafford Associates, 1985
  • Leon A. Farley, Leon A. Farley Associates, 1984
  • Clarence E. McFeely, McFeely Wackerle Associates, 1982

AESC Award of Excellence

AESC’s Award of Excellence honors significant, outstanding contribution to the executive search and leadership consulting profession to individuals at the height of their careers.

AESC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) Award

The AESC IDEA Award builds from the AESC Diversity Pledge by recognizing initiatives that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access (or “IDEA”). These initiatives should be of sufficient significance and external impact to be recognized as excellent by the profession.

AESC Commitment to the Community Award

AESC’s Commitment to the Community Award (formerly known as the Eleanor H. Raynolds Award) was established in 1993 to recognize an individual who combines excellence in executive search or leadership consulting with a strong commitment to community service and volunteerism toward charitable causes.

  • Emmelin Teng, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2025
  • Watermark Search International, Watermark Search International, 2025
  • Louisa Wong, Global Sage, 2024.  Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Jennifer Mondoux, MondouxRollins Partners, Inc., 2024.  Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Kate Wheeler, Future Leadership, 2023. Read the release here.
  • Odgers Berndtson US, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Quinton Anthony, 2021
  • Leathwaite, 2020
  • TRANSEARCH ChildFund Foundation, TRANSEARCH International, 2019
  • Paul Rush, Odgers Berndtson, 2019
  • Tom Daniels, Spencer Stuart, 2019
  • Odgers Berndtson, United Kingdom, 2018
  • Renee Baker Arrington, Pearson Partners International/IIC Partners, 2018
  • Thomas Fuller, Epsen Fuller/IMD, 2017
  • David Moyer, Moyer Sherwood Associates, 2016
  • John F. Salveson, Salveson Stetson Group, Inc., 2015
  • Joe Onstott, The Onstott Group, 2014
  • Betsy Gibbons, Korn Ferry International, 2013
  • Alfredo José Assumpção, Fesa Group, 2012
  • Sam Pettway, Boardwalk Consulting, 2011
  • E. Wade Close, Jr., Boyden, 2010
  • Janice Reals Ellig, Chadick Ellig, 2008
  • Bonnie Crabtree, Korn Ferry International, 2007
  • Robert Heidrick, Spencer Stuart, 2006
  • Jacques C. Nordeman, Nordeman Grimm, 2005
  • Nancy Stephenson Nichols, Heidrick & Struggles, 2005
  • Caroline W. Nahas, Korn Ferry International, 2004
  • Susan Bishop, Bishop Partners, 2003
  • Paul Czamanske, Compass Group, Ltd., 2002
  • Abram Claude, Jr., Ray & Berndtson, 2001
  • Judith von Seldeneck, The Diversified Search Companies, 2000
  • Millington F. McCoy, Gould, McCoy & Chadick, Inc., 1999
  • Kenneth M. Rich, Ray & Berndtson, 1998
  • Eunice J. Azzani, Korn Ferry International, 1997
  • Herbert T. Mines, Herbert Mines Associates, 1996
  • David A. Bueschel, Shepherd Bueschel & Provus, Inc., 1995
  • Robert W. Dingman, Robert W. Dingman Company, Inc., 1994
  • Paul R. Ray, Jr., Ray & Berndston, 1993

AESC Future of the Profession Award

AESC’s Future of the Profession Award is designed to engage the next generation of leaders in executive search and leadership consulting. It honors innovation and leadership, and applies to professionals earlier in their careers. Nominees should have at least seven years in the profession.

Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research

AESC’s Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research honors an AESC member Researcher who has demonstrated the highest standards of research, and who has represented themselves and their firm in a highly ethical manner at all times. This prestigious award is presented at the annual AESC Researchers and Associates Forums.

  • Carey Alun Maeder, Andrews Partnership, 2025
  • Kan Hei Ching Cecilia, Andrews Partners, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
  • Lili Mao, CT Partners, 2014
  • Heather Fookes, Davies Park, 2014
  • Annette Wimsatt, Heidrick & Struggles, 2013
  • Joan Schlachter, BoardWalk Consulting, 2013
  • Nathaniel Stapleton, Johnson, 2013
  • Allison Parsons, Preng & Associates, 2012
  • Edward Walton, Godliman Partners, 2012
  • Hallie Banker, Tyler & Company, 2011
  • Florrie Wallace, Kincannon & Reed, 2010
  • David Howells, The Curzon Partnership, 2009
  • Siobhan Walsh, The Amrop Hever Group, 2009>
  • Elizabeth Dunkley, Odgers Berndtson, 2008
  • Mary Summers, Korn Ferry International, 2007
  • Carol O’Driscoll, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2007
  • Gwattie Bakker, Eric Salmon & Partners, 2006
  • Ann L. Jeffrey, Gardiner International, 2005
  • Chantal McClean, Glenn Irvine International, 2004