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So far Christina Claus has created 140 blog entries.

Findem Honored with Prestigious AESC Vanguard Award for Redefining the Future of Talent Intelligence

New York, NY, May 6, 2026 – The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) has named Findem the recipient of the 2026 AESC Vanguard Award, honoring organizations that challenge conventions, push boundaries, and leverage their influence to drive meaningful change through leadership. "The AESC Vanguard Award recognizes transformational leadership and its impact on culture and business success,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “Findem is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in executive talent and leadership decision-making. By challenging outdated conventions and applying technology in ways that reveal deeper insight into people, skills, and potential, Findem is helping shape a more dynamic and forward-looking future for leadership.” Tina Shah Paikeday accepts the AESC Vanguard Award on behalf of Findem Findem, an AESC Global Partner, has challenged one of the most deeply held assumptions in talent acquisition: that the traditional ways organizations identify, assess, and engage leadership talent are sufficient for the future of work. By building an AI platform that maps the full arc of a person’s career, Findem is helping organizations move beyond fragmented hiring processes and surface the kind of human potential that traditional tools often miss. The AESC Vanguard [...]

By |2026-05-06T11:18:51-04:00May 6, 2026|Press Release|0 Comments

How Trigger-Based Segmentation Can Strengthen Business Development in Executive Search

Key learnings from AESC’s member workshop on AI-enabled segmentation and empathy mapping Business development in executive search is most effective when it starts with understanding the client’s business context—not just the role to be filled. Clients rarely engage a retained search partner because of a title alone. More often, a leadership need is triggered by a specific business moment: rapid growth, founder transition, private equity investment, post-acquisition integration, succession planning, geographic expansion, transformation, or a failed internal hire. That was the focus of AESC’s latest member workshop on AI-enabled business development, delivered in partnership with Retrained. Building on the first session’s focus on preparation, research, and signals, this workshop explored how segmentation, empathy mapping, and AI-enabled tools can help executive search professionals make business development more relevant, precise, and advisory. The trigger shapes the need A central theme of the workshop was that firms should segment by business trigger, not only by title, sector, or company size. The trigger shapes what the client cares about, what they fear, what success means, and what kind of advisory partner they are most likely to trust. A company navigating a founder transition faces different concerns than a PE-backed business in its first 100 [...]

By |2026-05-05T15:42:43-04:00May 5, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

From Punch Cards to AI: Innovation in Executive Search – What Has Changed and What Hasn’t

The blog post reflects on how executive search has evolved from manual tools like McBee punch cards to today’s AI-assisted research and digital platforms. While technology has dramatically improved speed, reach, and access to talent insights, the author argues that the core work of executive search remains unchanged. High-stakes leadership decisions still require human judgment, contextual understanding, and experience—especially when assessing how leaders navigate pressure, complexity, boards, and organizations. The McBee card serves as a symbol that innovation has always been part of the profession, but tools are only valuable when used thoughtfully. As Boyden marks 80 years globally in 2026, the piece emphasizes that executive search continues to depend on curiosity, adaptability, and human insight. Read the Blog Connect with Boyden

By |2026-04-24T17:02:00-04:00April 24, 2026|Member Thought Leadership|0 Comments

Spencer Stuart Appoints Bill Launder as Chief Communications Officer

NEW YORK, NY, April 21, 2026 — Spencer Stuart, a leading global advisory firm, today announced that Bill Launder has been appointed Chief Communications Officer, a newly created role that reflects the firm’s continued investment in its market leadership, effective immediately. In this role, Launder will lead Spencer Stuart’s global communications strategy. He will focus on elevating the firm’s voice, strengthening its brand and reputation and deepening engagement with clients and stakeholders worldwide. “We are delighted to welcome Bill to Spencer Stuart in this important role at a pivotal time for our firm,” said Jordan Brugg, Chief Executive Officer of Spencer Stuart. “We operate at the intersection of talent and strategy, and how we communicate our insights and impact is increasingly important. Bill’s combination of in-house corporate communications experience, advisory perspective and newsroom instinct will be instrumental in strengthening how we tell our story, reinforcing our role as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and their organizations around the world.” Launder, who is based in New York, joins Spencer Stuart from Prudential Financial, where he served as Head of Corporate Communications, leading media relations, corporate reputation, executive messaging, crisis preparedness and financial communications for the multinational organization. He previously served as Vice [...]

By |2026-04-24T16:54:27-04:00April 24, 2026|Member News|0 Comments

7 Signs It’s Time to Engage an Executive Search Firm

Leadership decisions have an outsized impact on business performance. The right executive can sharpen strategy, strengthen culture, accelerate transformation, and build confidence among stakeholders. The wrong hire can stall momentum, create disruption, and introduce significant risk. That is why timing matters. Knowing when to engage an executive search firm can make the difference between a search process that is reactive and one that is strategic. While not every hiring need requires external support, certain moments call for a more rigorous, research-driven, and market-informed approach. Here are seven clear signs it is time to engage an executive search firm. 1. The role is critical to business performance. When a hire will influence enterprise strategy, growth, governance, innovation, or culture, the search carries too much weight to treat as a routine recruitment exercise. Board, CEO, and senior executive appointments shape the direction of the organization and often have consequences far beyond the role itself. The higher the stakes, the more important it is to bring discipline, objectivity, and deep market insight to the process. 2. You need access to talent beyond the active job market. The strongest executive candidates are often not searching for a new role. They are leading organizations, advising [...]

By |2026-04-17T13:50:11-04:00April 17, 2026|Blog|0 Comments

Leadership Moves: February 16 – March 15, 2026

Boyden placed Michelle Moore as Chief Operating Officer for the University of Canberra. Bryant Group placed: Michele Miller as Associate Vice President for Advancement Services for Belmont University. Maria Kuntz as Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the University of Oklahoma Foundation. Ccentric placed: Dr. Clare Huppatz PSM as Chief Health Officer for Western Australia. Linny Phuong as Clinical Director, Women's & Children's Services, for Bendigo Health. Buffkin / Baker placed: Chase Jutras as Vice President of Sales for Freight Handlers Inc. (FHI). Search led by David Alexander and Ian Turnbell. Jack Holmes as Controller for Lakeside Industries. Search led by David Alexander and Evan Wescott. Patrick Lafferty as President for APR Appoints. Search led by Jen Coleman and Craig Buffkin. Jay Howard as General Counsel for Stormont Vail Health. Search led by Jami Herzberg, Brad Veal, and Emily Perkins. Renee Maccannon as Director, Managed Care Contracting for Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter Hires. Search led by Brad Veal, Susan O'Hare, and Evan Wescott. Coulter Partners placed Dr. Adam Davenport as Chief Scientific Officer for Concept Life Sciences. Ichor Leadership Search placed David Shanks a Deputy Director - General - Regulatory Services for the Ministry of Health New Zealand. Odgers placed: [...]

By |2026-04-14T10:48:09-04:00April 14, 2026|Leadership Moves|0 Comments

AESC Launches Leadership Essentials for Executive Search Consultants

New Program Empowers Executive Search Leaders to Build High-Performing Teams  New York, NY, April 6, 2026 — The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders, is proud to announce the launch of Leadership Essentials for Executive Search Consultants. AESC is proud to partner with Sara Barker, Founder of The Foundry Team, to offer this new program designed especially for the executive search and leadership advisory profession.   Leadership Essentials equips participants with practical tools and proven frameworks to lead with the same confidence they bring to every client engagement. Through interactive learning, live exercises, and peer discussion, participants will strengthen their leadership mindset, build coaching capabilities, and apply strategies to drive accountability, performance, and team engagement.  Leadership Essentials for Executive Search Consultants helps participants develop the skills to:  Apply the right leadership style at the right time by adapting their approach to meet the evolving needs of individuals and teams  Drive accountability through delegation and prioritization using time management tools and high-impact delegation techniques  Give feedback that inspires growth and strengthens trust, clarity, and performance  Coach with confidence to unlock team potential through structured coaching frameworks and practical leadership conversations  Lead high-performing teams in a [...]

By |2026-04-13T09:57:14-04:00April 13, 2026|Press Release|0 Comments

Structure Is Not Strategy: When Organizational Design Undermines Organizational Effectiveness

Organizations are increasingly operating with an “hourglass” talent structure, where the middle layer of management has permanently thinned, leaving fewer roles that develop future leaders and connect strategy to execution. That shift has created a growing leadership gap, made worse by Baby Boomer retirements that are taking institutional knowledge, judgment, and relationship capital out of organizations faster than many can replace it. The piece positions CHROs as central to solving this problem by auditing true leadership readiness, strengthening succession and external talent pipelines, and taking a more active role in business strategy rather than staying focused on administration. Stronger performance over the next decade will come from organizations that deliberately redesign leadership development, manage knowledge transfer, and build talent for the structure that exists now. Read the Article Connect with Slayton Search Partners

By |2026-04-10T11:16:48-04:00April 10, 2026|Member Thought Leadership|0 Comments

Industrial Private Equity Multiples Are a Leadership Decision

Leadership plays a direct role in industrial exit value by shaping what buyers believe the business can achieve under new ownership. Buyers are not just evaluating past performance; they are judging whether the CEO can scale the company, manage greater complexity, build a durable leadership bench, and sustain results beyond the current phase. When that confidence is high, buyer interest broadens and pricing strengthens; when it is low, valuation compresses through added caution and perceived transition risk. In that sense, CEO selection is not just an operating decision but a valuation decision that can materially influence private equity returns. Read the Article Connect with Acertitude

By |2026-04-10T11:13:05-04:00April 10, 2026|Member Thought Leadership|0 Comments

Faith Montgomery Promoted to Executive Vice President at Lindauer

Since joining Lindauer in 2014, Montgomery has played a key role in expanding the firm’s executive recruiting services across higher education, health, and the nonprofit sector. Lindauer, one of the world's leading retained executive search firms serving nonprofits, is pleased to announce that Faith Montgomery has been promoted to Executive Vice President. In this expanded leadership role, Montgomery will continue partnering with clients to find exceptional leaders while helping to guide Lindauer's strategic direction as the firm enters an exciting new phase of growth and possibility. Since joining Lindauer in 2014, Montgomery has advanced the firm's executive recruiting and talent services across higher education, health, and the nonprofit sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving a range of C-suite recruitment offerings that serve the complex, dynamic needs of today's mission-driven organizations. Montgomery's promotion comes at a pivotal moment in Lindauer's evolution. Over the past two years, the firm has strategically expanded its leadership team and service capabilities, welcoming Paula Fazli from Sage Search Partners in 2024, Dan Nevez as part of Campbell & Company's executive search practice transition in 2025, and, most recently, Adele Mezher and Maeve Clifford through the addition of Pearl Street to the Lindauer family. "Faith [...]

By |2026-04-10T10:44:07-04:00April 10, 2026|Member News|0 Comments
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