Recognized for Exceptional Dedication to Social Impact and Purpose-Driven 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 Watermark Search International with the AESC Commitment to the Community Award. “Watermark’s work goes beyond corporate responsibility—it reflects a profound commitment to using their expertise and resources to create real, lasting impact,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “They have set a new benchmark for how our profession can serve the communities in which we operate.” For Watermark International, community engagement is not an afterthought—it is woven into the fabric of the firm’s identity. Each year, the firm commits to at least one pro bono executive search, a program designed to provide mission-critical leadership to organizations making a difference. Over the last five years, these searches have placed high-impact leaders into roles at organizations such as St John Ambulance Australia, Red Cross Australia, and Injalak Arts Centre—organizations whose work directly improves lives. One such example was Watermark’s support for the Injalak Arts Centre, a remote Aboriginal-owned art center in Arnhem Land. Facing a period of urgent transition, the Centre needed immediate leadership to stabilize operations [...]

Alliance Will Enhance Benefits for Members of Both Associations The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) today announced a landmark strategic partnership between the two leading organizations committed to advancing board leadership. This new relationship brings together NACD, the organization representing corporate board members, with AESC, the organization representing the firms that recruit and place board directors across every corporate vertical. Exclusive, Enhanced Benefits for Members of Both Associations AESC’s executive search and leadership advisory firms are constantly seeking top board talent for new opportunities. NACD’s members are accomplished board leaders who stand to gain from these opportunities. This partnership, which directly connects the memberships of AESC and NACD, uniquely benefits members of both associations as well as the companies they serve. Only through NACD can board members access this exclusive partnership with AESC—gaining tools and insights that enhance their leadership impact. Likewise, companies working with AESC member firms benefit from direct access to NACD’s network of highly qualified board members. This partnership offers unmatched value, available only through this collaboration. As an initial touchpoint, NACD and AESC will deliver custom resources from BlueSteps, AESC’s executive career services platform, to NACD Accelerate™ members. BlueSteps provides [...]