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So far Christina Claus has created 64 blog entries.

Russell Reynolds Associates: Succession Stories: How to Identify the Best Leaders for a Changing World

David Lange and Erin Zolna consultants from Russell Reynolds Associates published new insights Russell Reynolds Associates research shows that leadership succession plans are already falling short. Boards continue to underestimate the effort, costs, and risks that accompany successful succession planning, resulting in less than half of directors believing their CEO succession plans will succeed. Meanwhile, CEO tenures are hitting record lows amid evolving role demands. Organizations are also on the brink of a looming succession crisis in the levels below, with 71% of next generation leaders expressing interest in leaving their employers. Paired with changing employee value propositions and automation-driven collapsing of the traditional career ladder, it’s clear that organizations need to act now to fortify their leadership pipelines. Read the full article Connect with Russell Reynolds Associates

By |2025-10-17T16:18:12-04:00September 16, 2025|Member Thought Leadership|0 Comments

Leadership Moves: September 5 – 16, 2025

Buffkin / Baker placed Donald Hamelberg as VP For Research and Economic Development for Georgia State University. Kamau Oginga Siwatu as Dean of the College of Education for Texas State University. Christopher Johnson as President for University of West Georgia. Coulter Partners placed: Ed Samuel as COO for Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. Valerio Ferri as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for ExoLab Italia. Johnson Partners placed: Jonathan Waecker as Chief Executive Officer for Michael Hill. Evelyn Halls OAM as Group Customer Advocate for Westpac. David Fisher as Chief Risk Officer for Bank Australia. PFM Executive Search placed: Jeff Brown as Vice President, Advisory & Regulatory Solutions for Stabilization Central Credit Union. Olga Smirnova as Vice President, Finance & Operations for JA British Columbia. Sheffield placed: Dita Ciulacu as a Board Director for Alpine Energy Limited. Michelle Hollands as Chief Executive Officer for Hockey New Zealand. Celyn Fenwick as People and Capability Manager for Saunders Robinson Brown. TRANSEARCH International placed Viv Louzado as Chief Transformation Officer for Royal Flying Doctor Service VIC. Connect with AESC Members To be featured in Leadership Moves, submit your placements to marketing@aesc.org.

By |2025-10-17T15:36:43-04:00September 16, 2025|Leadership Moves|0 Comments

Russell Reynolds Associates Appoints Jeremy Shi as Shanghai Office Manager

Russell Reynolds Associates, a global leadership advisory firm, has appointed Jeremy Shi as Office Manager for our Shanghai office. Jeremy succeeds Kevin Harris, who is retiring after 13 years of outstanding leadership and dedication. As an active contributor to the Shanghai office, Jeremy has consistently elevated our ability to deliver exceptional value to clients across Greater China by spearheading client events and mentor programs. His proactive approach has enriched our workplace experience and enhanced our ability to serve clients with insight and agility. Looking ahead, Jeremy will champion a strong, inclusive office culture, fostering collaboration to advance both client excellence and employee engagement in Shanghai and across our global network. Jeremy brings deep expertise as a trusted advisor to clients in the industrial and natural resources sectors, specializing in executive search and leadership development. As a key member of our Chemicals, Materials, and Packaging Practice and the Energy Transition Practice, he partners with multinational and local companies to identify top leadership talent, drive transformation, and support succession planning. He also advises private equity clients throughout the deal lifecycle, providing strategic organizational solutions. “I am honored to step into the role of Office Manager and build on the strong foundation that Kevin and [...]

By |2025-10-17T15:33:21-04:00September 16, 2025|Member News|0 Comments

Jeffrey Sturman Joins WittKieffer as Managing Partner and Information Technology Practice Leader

WittKieffer, the premier global executive search and leadership advisory firm committed to enhancing quality of life through impactful leadership, announced a leadership transition within its Information Technology Practice. Hillary Ross, JD, who has led the Practice with distinction since 2017, turns the reins over to Jeffrey Sturman, who has joined the firm as Managing Partner and Information Technology Practice Leader. Ross will shift her full-time priorities to client engagements and working alongside Sturman to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities. Sturman brings over 30 years of experience in technology leadership and consulting. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Information Officer at Memorial Healthcare System/South Broward Hospital District—the third-largest public healthcare system in the U.S. In that role, he oversaw a diverse portfolio including IT, Business Intelligence, Clinical Engineering, Clinical Efficiency, Population Health, and Contact Center operations, leading a team of more than 1,000 professionals and managing a $200 million annual budget. A nationally recognized thought leader and change agent, Sturman has held senior roles at top consulting firms including Chartis, Cumberland Consulting Group, and Ernst & Young. “I’m honored to join WittKieffer and lead the Information Technology Practice at such a pivotal time for digital [...]

By |2025-10-17T15:29:55-04:00September 16, 2025|Member News|0 Comments

Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants Welcomes Crelate as New Regional (Americas) Partner

AESC Partnership with Crelate Brings Unified Talent Acquisition and CRM Solutions Through the AI-Powered Living Platform™ to Member Firms Across the Americas The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, is proud to welcome Crelate as its newest Regional (Americas) partner. Crelate is the AI-powered Living Platform™ for modern recruiting and executive search, serving more than 25,000 professionals worldwide and helping firms attract, engage, and place top talent more effectively. “AESC is committed to partnering with organizations that understand and support the unique work of executive search and leadership consulting,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “We’re excited to welcome Crelate as a Regional (Americas) partner. Their innovative recruiting technology and commitment to client success will bring value to our members across the region.” Founded with the mission to help talent-focused businesses grow, Crelate delivers an all-in-one solution that unifies applicant tracking, customer relationship management, recruiting workflows, and sourcing in one intelligent platform. The Living Platform™  empowers firms to streamline operations, reduce tool sprawl, strengthen client relationships, and accelerate placements – continuously evolving with new AI capabilities and enhancements to keep firms competitive. In addition to [...]

By |2025-10-17T13:32:23-04:00September 15, 2025|Press Release|0 Comments

Leadership Moves: August 21 – September 4, 2025

Baxter Executive Search placed Anna Cleaver as Chief Financial Officer for Tuatahi First Fibre. Bryant Group placed Loran Zenonian as Executive Director for Whatcom Hospice Foundation, PeaceHealth System. Buffkin / Baker placed: Robert Ritchney as President of Pharmacy Services for Mosaic Life Care. Stacy Waters-Bailey as President for South Piedmont Community College. Guy Zeldin as Director of FP&A for Alliance Clinical network. Emu Search placed Ishani Samarasekera as Director, Finance & IT for Chobani Australia & New Zealand. Future Leadership placed Catherine Portelli as Executive Director, People and Culture for West Gippsland Healthcare Group. Ichor Leadership placed Sandip Ranchhod as Chief Executive of Ferry Holdings Limited. Johnson Partners placed Bruce McEwen as Chief Executive Officer for Ideal Electrical Suppliers. Kincannon & Reed placed Brian Sorbe as President of PTX for AGCO Corporation. PFM Executive Search placed: Stephen Smith as Principal, Commercial Property Management & Leasing for BGO. Geoff Ritchie as Preisdent & CEO for Prince George Airport Authority. Alexa Young as Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs for Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Connect with AESC Members To be featured in Leadership Moves, submit your placements to marketing@aesc.org.

By |2025-10-17T15:27:19-04:00September 5, 2025|Leadership Moves|0 Comments

Leadership Moves: August 7 – 21, 2025

Buffkin/Baker placed: Matthew Thompson as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Shearwater Health. Search led by Jackson Ross and Ryan Baggett. Tiffany Coursey as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for FBMM Entertainment Business Management. Jonathan Collins as Chief Financial Officer for America's Car-Mart. Heather Shotton as President for Fort Lewis College. Coulter Partners placed: Steven Sciuto as Chief Financial Officer for iOnctura. Fredrick Westhorpe, PhD as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for Bioma. Dieter Weinland as Chair of Board of Directors for AstriVax Therapeutics NV. Emu Search placed: Lyza MacLennan as Group Financial Controller for Novotech. Soulla Nicodimou as Interim Chief Financial Officer for QANTM IP. Future Leadership placed Chris Pemberton as Interim Chief Operating Officer for Swinburne University. Johnson Partners placed: Mgaire Ashmore as Board Trustee for Dilworth Trust. David Green as Nonexecutive Director for Stride Property Limited. David Mackrell as Chief Financial Officer for Sky New Zealand. Lance Walker as Chief Executive Officer for Unimed. Odgers Asia Pacific placed Andrew McCormack as Chief Executive Officer for Nexus Global Payments (NGP). Sheffield placed: Hamish McDouall as Registrar for Medical Sciences Secritariat. Kirsty Falzon as Director of Boarding for Christchurch Girls High School. Dr. Aaron Columbus as Principal for [...]

By |2025-10-17T15:24:49-04:00September 4, 2025|Leadership Moves|0 Comments

Spencer Stuart Bolsters Industry-leading North America Board Advisory Practice

Spencer Stuart, a leading global advisory firm, today announced that Rebecca Thornton has rejoined the firm in its New York office. She will co-lead the Board Advisory Practice alongside George Anderson, who is based in Spencer Stuart’s Boston office. Anderson previously led Board Effectiveness, an essential service line within Spencer Stuart’s Board Advisory business. Julie Daum, a longtime firm leader in Board Advisory, will serve as Chair of the practice. Thornton brings 25 years of experience advising CEOs, boards, individual directors and aspiring directors on board recruitment, board design and composition, shareholder engagement and CEO succession. She is a recognized governance thought leader, named to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Directorship 100 list of most influential voices in corporate governance. Anderson has extensive experience advising boards and conducting searches for directors, consulting with CEOs and boards on leadership and governance matters such as CEO and board succession. He has been named multiple times to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Directorship 100 list of most influential people in corporate governance and is a recipient of Spencer Stuart’s Lou Rieger Quality Award for outstanding client service. Anderson is a frequent speaker at leading governance forums, regularly convenes directors to support their development, [...]

By |2025-10-17T15:22:17-04:00September 4, 2025|Member News|0 Comments

Richard Jackson Honored with AESC Future of the Profession Award

JacksonGrant Executive Founder & Managing Partner Recognized for Innovation & Leadership The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, has awarded Richard Jackson, Founder and Managing Partner of JacksonGrant Executive, with the AESC Future of the Profession Award. “Richard Jackson has raised the bar for executive search in emerging markets,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “He has brought global standards to Thailand’s executive search industry, embedding ethics, innovation, and strategic rigor where they are needed most. His work exemplifies the future of our profession.” Only four years after beginning his career in 2012, Richard Jackson made it his mission to professionalize executive search in a market where contingency recruitment has long been the norm in 2016. In 2022, he launched JacksonGrant Executive, Thailand’s only AESC-accredited independent boutique focused exclusively on board and senior-level appointments. By separating this practice from domestic recruitment operations, Richard signaled a bold commitment to global best practices, ethical delivery, and client outcomes measured not by volume, but by lasting impact. The results speak for themselves. Under his leadership, JacksonGrant has delivered 46 senior-level appointments and achieved 40% female placements [...]

By |2025-10-17T13:27:25-04:00September 3, 2025|Press Release|0 Comments

Andrews Partnership Associate Recognized for Excellence in Executive Research

AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research Honors Carey Alun Maeder for Raising the Bar in the Profession The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, has awarded Carey Alun Maeder, Associate at Andrews Partnership, with the AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research. “Carey’s work embodies the integrity, professionalism, and forward-thinking that define AESC’s standards,” said James Edmund Datri, President & CEO of AESC. “He represents the kind of talent that elevates our entire profession, and we are proud to recognize him with the AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research.” Carey’s contributions have consistently exceeded expectations and delivered strategic value far beyond task execution. One standout example was his work on a regional Corporate Affairs Executive search across APAC, where he built a market map of over 200 qualified candidates across five countries in under three weeks. This effort led to the appointment of a high-performing leader who would not have been uncovered through traditional channels. She hit the ground running and within six months was already improving business performance metrics. Innovation is at the core of Carey’s approach. He has pioneered the use of [...]

By |2025-10-17T13:22:51-04:00September 3, 2025|Press Release|0 Comments
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