Press Release
Year-long sponsorship supports global rollout of Proactive Selling program amid increasing demand for business development excellence
New York, NY, April 6, 2026 — The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) today announced a new, strategic partnership with Ezekia, a leading CRM platform purpose-built for executive search firms, to advance business development capabilities across the profession.
As part of the partnership, Ezekia will serve as the exclusive sponsor of AESC’s Proactive Selling for Executive Search Professionals program throughout 2026, supporting four global cohorts in April, May, September, and December.
The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for the executive search industry. As client expectations evolve and competition intensifies, the ability to proactively originate and convert new business has become a defining differentiator for firms and consultants alike.
“The market is placing a premium on those who can consistently create opportunity—not just deliver on it,” said Rebecca Ditchey, Senior Program Manager – Learning & Development at AESC. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to equipping the profession with the capabilities needed to succeed in a more dynamic and demanding environment.”
AESC’s Proactive Selling for Executive Search Professionals program, developed and facilitated by Sara Barker, Founder of The Foundry Team, is designed to address this shift directly. The program provides practical frameworks and hands-on tools to help executive search professionals identify opportunities, engage clients more strategically, and build sustainable pipelines.
By supporting the program across multiple cohorts, Ezekia is investing in the long-term evolution of the profession, reinforcing the connection between strong commercial capability and firm performance.
“Executive search is undergoing a meaningful shift toward more intentional, data-informed business development,” said Max Woogler, VP of Revenue at Ezekia. “Partnering with AESC allows us to support that evolution by helping professionals strengthen not only how they manage relationships, but how they grow them.”
The first cohort begins in April 2026, with subsequent sessions scheduled throughout the year. Participation is open globally, with preferred pricing available for AESC members.
For more information or to register, visit https://www.aesc.org/learning-development/proactive-selling-for-executive-search-consultants/.
About Ezekia
Ezekia is a CRM platform designed specifically for executive search firms, helping teams manage relationships, streamline workflows, and drive business performance. Trusted by leading firms globally, Ezekia supports every stage of the search lifecycle.
About AESC
AESC Member firms place and advise the world’s board directors and C-suite leaders. Founded in 1959, AESC represents the global gold standard in executive search and leadership consulting, bringing together over 16,000 professionals in more than 80 countries. AESC Members are rigorously vetted to meet the highest standards in the profession, with only the top tier accepted into Membership.
To serve and promote its Members, AESC holds exclusive multi-day events and summits across the globe; provides in-person and online educational seminars and courses; operates the BlueSteps platform connecting candidates with AESC Member firms; publishes extensive industry research, as well as Executive Talent magazine; and provides access to exclusive Insight Exchanges and partnerships to assist Members with virtually every part of their business operations.
