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So far Christina Claus has created 87 blog entries.

Who Should Attend the AESC Global Summits on Leadership?

The best leadership events aren’t designed for everyone. They’re designed for the people whose decisions and advice shape outcomes at the highest levels. That’s what makes the AESC Global Summits on Leadership different: they’re built for senior professionals who operate at the intersection of leadership, governance, and talent.  If your work involves advising boards, CEOs, and leadership teams or influencing the quality of executive selection and leadership outcomes, these Summits belong on your calendar.  Executive search leaders and senior practitioners First and foremost, the AESC Global Summits are highly relevant for professionals working in executive search, particularly those who lead client relationships, shape strategy, or operate in complex, high-stakes mandates.  You should attend if you want to:  Stay current on what boards and CEOs are prioritizing in leadership decisions  Strengthen your ability to advise beyond the shortlist  Compare best practices with peers across regions and sectors  Build relationships that support business development and collaboration  In a market where clients expect more insight and more confidence, attending is a strategic investment in your advisory edge.  Leadership advisory and leadership consulting professionals As leadership advisory expands into succession, leadership assessment, team effectiveness, and broader organizational transformation, the need for shared insight [...]

By |2026-02-11T12:36:46-05:00February 13, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

What Is the AESC Global Summit on Leadership?

In a leadership landscape defined by rapid change, rising stakeholder expectations, and increasing complexity at the top of organizations, senior talent decisions have never carried more weight. Boards are asking different questions. The C-suite is well beyond the shortlist.  That’s where the AESC Global Summit on Leadership comes in.  The AESC Global Summit on Leadership is AESC’s premier in-person convening designed to bring together leaders from the executive search and leadership advisory community, alongside senior voices from the broader leadership ecosystem, to explore what’s changing in leadership, governance, and talent, and what it means for the future of advisory work. It is a place for high-level discussion, practical takeaways, and relationship-building with peers who share a commitment to quality, standards, and impact.  A global summit series with regional relevance  A key differentiator of the AESC Global Summits on Leadership is that they are global in outlook but grounded in local market realities. In 2026, the Summit series takes place in New York City, Hong Kong, and London, creating multiple access points for leaders across regions while offering distinct perspectives shaped by each market.  Each location provides its own lens on leadership priorities:  New York City offers a South and [...]

By |2026-02-11T12:29:41-05:00February 11, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

Sheffield Haworth Appoints Monica Agrawal as Chairperson & Country Head, India

Mumbai/Delhi, 11th February 2026 – Sheffield Haworth, a global leader in executive search and consulting, is delighted to announce the appointment of Monica Agrawal as Chairperson & Country Head, India. Monica will join on February 11th 2026, and will be responsible for leading Sheffield Haworth’s India Business, deepening client partnerships, and driving strategic growth in one of the world’s most dynamic economies. India today is one of the fastest-growing and most influential markets globally, on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade. With a rapidly expanding financial services sector, an increasingly globalised private equity market, and a vibrant ecosystem of fintechs, global capability centres, and multinational corporations, the demand for world-class leadership talent has never been greater. Sheffield Haworth’s investment in the region reflects both this opportunity and the firm’s commitment to supporting clients in India and internationally with leadership and transformational change solutions. Monica joins from Korn Ferry, where she spent the past 13 years, most recently serving as Head of Financial Services and Head of Board Services, India. She is widely recognised as one of the most respected executive search and leadership consultants in the region, with deep relationships across Chairs, Chief [...]

By |2026-02-11T10:09:40-05:00February 11, 2026|Member News|0 Comments

Executive Search Jobs: Roles and Responsibilities Explained

The executive search market is dynamic and highly competitive—and so are careers within it. While many people picture executive search as a single “headhunter” role, the reality is a coordinated team of specialists working together to deliver a successful placement. From market mapping and candidate outreach to assessment, client advisory, and business development, each role plays a distinct part in the search process.  Below, we break down the most common executive search jobs including what each role does, what success looks like, and the skills that help professionals stand out.  How executive search teams are typically structured  Most retained search assignments are run by a team with complementary responsibilities:  Researchers and/or analysts build market intelligence and identify talent  Associates manage execution, candidate engagement, and search momentum  Consultants lead strategy, assess candidates, and advise clients  Partners, Managing Partners and/or Managing Directors drive relationships, win work, set quality standards, and often lead the most complex searches  Titles vary across firms, but the responsibilities below are widely consistent across the industry.  Executive Researcher or Analyst: The market-mapping and talent intelligence engine  In many executive search firms, Executive Researcher and Analyst roles focus on turning a role brief into a clear, insight-driven view of [...]

By |2026-02-03T15:50:37-05:00February 3, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

Leadership Moves: December 15, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Acertitude placed: Rebeca Sarmiento as Finance Operating Partner at Sixth Street. Sharad Dutta as Chief Information Officer at Veritas Capital. Jack Aleksanyan as Operating Director – Value Creation at Marlin Equity Partners. Boyden placed Chris Wilesmith as Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at Bapcor Limited. Buffkin / Baker placed: Telisha Yosten as Plant Manager at James Avery Artisan Jewelry. Search led by David Alexander and Jennifer Conkle. Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D, as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida Atlantic University. Search led by Ann Yates. Douglas Mays as VP of Facilities, Security, and Environmental Care at Columbia Memorial Hospital. Search led by Brad Veal and Evan Wescott. Cornerstone International Group placed Kristi Kangas as SVP for North America Manufacturing Operations at Dawn Foods. Samuel Dergel led the search. Coulter Partners placed: Dr. Daniel Green as COO of mOm Incubators. Mark Rothera as CEO of TreeFrog Therapeutics. Future Leadership placed Aya Rajakaruna as General Manager at Australian Council for Educational Resources UAE. Johnson Partners placed: Susan Peterson as Chair of Kiwi Group Capital Limited. Elodie Guillaumond as Chief Financial Officer for Michael Hill. Louise Griffin as Executive General Manager External Affairs for Transpower New Zealand. Sheffield placed: [...]

By |2026-02-13T11:35:21-05:00January 30, 2026|Leadership Moves|0 Comments

Acertitude: Why CEO Quality in Now a Deal Variable in Industrial Private Equity

Title: Communication is Redefining Executive Leadership

By |2026-01-30T10:49:41-05:00January 30, 2026|Member Thought Leadership|Comments Off on Acertitude: Why CEO Quality in Now a Deal Variable in Industrial Private Equity

Future-Ready: How AESC Is Powering Lifelong Learning in Executive Talent Acquisition

As agility, technology, and human insight converge, one thing is clear: the path to excellence in executive search and leadership consulting is paved with continuous learning. The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) is rising to this moment, reimagining learning and development not just as a resource, but as a strategic advantage.  At AESC, we believe investing in people is the most powerful way to elevate the profession. That’s why our learning offerings aren’t just keeping pace with change, we’re anticipating what’s next. From foundational research skills to advanced executive selection strategies, and from AI transformation to preparing future firm leaders, AESC is equipping executive talent acquisition professionals with the insights, tools, and capabilities they need to deliver better searches—and build stronger careers.  Agile Learning for a Dynamic Profession The executive search and leadership consulting profession is evolving at unprecedented speed. New technologies, global complexity, and rising expectations from clients and candidates alike demand a more informed, future-ready workforce. That’s why AESC’s learning experiences are designed to be nimble, practical, and deeply relevant—whether you’re just starting out or preparing to lead your firm into the future.  AESC’s Learning and Development portfolio spans every career stage, with a [...]

By |2026-01-30T10:06:34-05:00January 28, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

Bryant Group Welcomes Nick Miller as Vice President & Consultant

Impact-driven relationship builder joins the firm to expand partnerships across higher education, healthcare and nonprofits. DALLAS, TX — January 28, 2026 — Bryant Group, a woman-owned executive search and leadership consulting firm specializing in higher education, healthcare and nonprofits, announced today that Nick Miller has joined the organization as Vice President & Consultant. Miller brings deep experience in consultative relationship development and new business growth, most recently with Huron/Advancement Resources, where he converted prospects into qualified opportunities through multi-channel outreach and managed a portfolio of 75+ nonprofit organizations. In his new role, Miller will help Bryant Group strengthen and steward relationships with senior leaders while supporting the firm’s continued growth in executive search and leadership development—work rooted in service, alignment and emotionally intelligent leadership. “Growth only matters if it strengthens what you stand for and how you serve,” said Sally Bryant, CEO of Bryant Group. “At Bryant Group, our work begins with relationships—and Nick is exactly that kind of leader: a natural connector with the discipline, follow-through and service mindset to build long-term trust with executives doing mission-critical work.” “I’m honored to join Bryant Group,” said Nick Miller. “The firm’s mission and values are clear—and the work is meaningful. I’m excited [...]

By |2026-01-29T10:29:14-05:00January 28, 2026|Member News|0 Comments

AESC Announces New Global Board and Regional Council Officers for 2026 to Continue Transformation Begun in 2025

Sophie Wigniolle Begins Service as Global Board Chair; New Slate of Officers Elected New York, NY, January 28, 2026 — The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders, today announced its 2026 Global Board of Directors and Regional Council Officers and new members joining both the Global Board and AESC’s Regional Councils. The new slate builds on the organizational transformation initiated in 2025, reflecting renewed momentum and strengthened global representation. Led by newly elected Global Board Chair Sophie Wigniolle, the Global Board brings together a dynamic group of officers committed to advancing strong governance, global representation, and increased value for AESC members worldwide. “Sophie Wigniolle is enormously well-respected in the profession and in our organization,” said AESC President & CEO James Edmund Datri. “Working closely with our former Global Chair Julian Ha, Sophie was instrumental in our turnaround last year as AESC’s Vice Chair. I now look forward to working with her in her new role as AESC’s Global Chair, along with our new Vice Chair Jacques Bouwens, our Treasurer David Turner, our Chair Emeritus Julian Ha, and our entire Global Board to continue the exciting [...]

By |2026-02-06T09:51:56-05:00January 28, 2026|Press Release|0 Comments
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