Blog
AESC has experienced a transformative 2025. The year began with a change in leadership, and from there we reimagined how we bring our community together, expanded our partnerships and took deliberate steps to strengthen how we support our Members and the clients and candidates they serve. Our association looks markedly different than it did only a year ago. We are an all-new AESC.
Every initiative we launched in 2025 and every priority we carry into 2026 are meant to provide our Members with more visibility and impact. Every strategic objective we're pursuing has a focused purpose: to deliver powerful Member value, to support Member success and competitive advantage, and to elevate and promote our Members and the executive search and leadership consulting industry globally.
As the year comes to a close, we're celebrating all that we've accomplished together, and looking forward to all that we can achieve next year.
5 Transformational Highlights from the Last 365 Days
AESC Events become the place to be for executive search firms, corporate decision-makers, and executive talent.
In 2025, AESC launched Global Summits on Leadership across all three regions, with events hosted in New York City, Sydney, and London. These Summits brought together the world's leading executive search firms, corporate decision-makers, and top executive talent for inspired discussion, strategic networking, and actionable insights on growing their business, brand, and career.
We also expanded our event portfolio with Executive Edge SF: AESC's Exclusive Bay Area Leadership Connection, an event designed for Members looking to deepen their presence in one of the world's most dynamic innovation hubs.
Across all events, AESC connected more than 500 attendees from 40 countries and 250-plus firms/companies – more than double the engagement from previous years.
These events have expanded the AESC ecosystem, engaging C-suite leaders and industry partners in ways we never have before. Through AESC, Members had direct access to influential voices including the Chief Executive Officer of TIME Jessica Sibley in New York; Gold Medal Olympian turned successful CEO Grant Hackett in Sydney; San Francisco's Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rodney Fong in San Francisco; and Organizational Psychologist and Founder of APS Intelligence John Amaechi in London, plus many more.
AESC adds 6 new Partners, expanding service options for Members.
Throughout the year, AESC has sought out and engaged with the best-in-class industry service providers across a number of verticals to provide our Members with more options. In 2025, we doubled our alliances, adding four new global partners and two regional (Americas) partners:
- Cognadev (Global)
- Ezekia (Global)
- Fama (Global)
- Fieldfisher (Global)
- Crelate (Regional – Americas)
- G&A Partners (Regional – Americas)
These organizations join an already-extraordinary lineup of six global partners including:
- Bullhorn for Executive Search
- Cluen
- ES Leaders
- Findem
- Hogan Assessments
- Mintz Group
The AESC Member Success Toolkit showcases competitive advantage.
Every AESC Member should have the resources to showcase their competitive advantage to clients, so we created the AESC Member Success Toolkit. This ready-to-use package helps Members amplify their Membership across every channel. With official AESC logos and branding assets, customizable pitch decks and RFP copy, a complete social media kit, and FAQs on the vetting process, this toolkit equips you to showcase your firm's integrity, trust, and excellence.
Used effectively, these tools help build confidence in choosing you, even if clients were not familiar with AESC before the pitch process.
All-new Aesc.org launches to amplify our online presence.
AESC officially launched an all-new website in October 2025, a bold step forward in showcasing the global gold standard in executive search and leadership consulting.
This modern platform is designed with Members and their clients in mind: a fresh look, simplified navigation, and powerful new resources. From a browsable Insights library to a dynamic calendar of global events, and from streamlined awards applications to dedicated pages that show why clients choose AESC Members, this website is a game-changer for our community.
It puts Member excellence on display and strengthens our connection to clients and candidates.
AESC embarks on a strategic alliance with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
In August of 2025, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) 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. 
This announcement marked the beginning of an exciting collaboration between NACD and AESC. Throughout 2026, NACD and AESC will introduce additional joint initiatives, events, and networking opportunities for all NACD and AESC Members.
The alliance forms a model for similar affiliations we are already exploring in other regions.
5 Future Initiatives in the New Year & Beyond
A selection of AESC Learning & Development programs will become complimentary for all AESC Members.
AESC plans to launch an AESSC Learning & Development Hub, where select Learning & Development programs will be offered free-of-charge to all Members. This includes the AESC Executive Search Advantage Workshop Series – which will be expanded from three to nine annual sessions – and select modules from the Certificate in Executive Research course. All AESC signature programs, including the AESC | Cornell Executive Search Essentials, Proactive Selling for Executive Search Professionals, and Leadership Essentials for Executive Search Professionals, will be offered at newly reduced Members-only rates.
AESC will continue and bolster EU AI Act and regulatory change assistance.
In partnership with law firm Fieldfisher, AESC is providing members with access to practical guidance, tools and training resources to support Member readiness ahead of the August 2026 EU AI Act deadline.
In 2026, AESC will also remain a resource to Members on regulatory change, while exploring other Partnerships around the world to help our Member firms navigate regulatory challenges, wherever and whenever they arise.
Members can expect expanded research and quarterly "pulse checks."
AESC Research is evolving to deliver sharper insights, faster. We've streamlined our Member Outlook survey, tested sector-specific research with strong results, and launched co-branded client surveys that return direct value to Members.
In 2026, we'll build on this momentum with quarterly "temperature checks" to capture Member business trends.
AESC will elevate Member AI readiness to stay ahead in changing times.
Through strategic partnerships, tailored learning, and responsible innovation, AESC is committed to helping Members navigate AI with confidence.
In collaboration with AESC Global Partner Findem, we have launched the Talent Intelligence Innovation Accelerator to help AESC Member firms discover insights, accelerate sourcing, and deliver more strategic outcomes for clients. By blending Findem's next-gen talent intelligence with the BlueSteps trusted network, the Accelerator empowers firms to deliver smarter, faster, and more strategic outcomes to lead in the AI era.
AESC's Learning & Development team now offers bespoke AI training programs tailored specifically for Member firms. Each program is designed around a firm's unique tools, objectives, and stage of AI adoption, ensuring practical, relevant learning that enhances productivity and decision-making. From foundational understanding to applied use, these custom sessions empower firms to integrate AI responsibly and effectively across their practices.
In 2026, AESC will continue to provide research and resources to support Members in their AI transformation journeys.
Planning Begins for the Inaugural AESC Leadership Hall of Fame Gala & Dinner in 2027.
Designed to be the most prominent global event for our industry, AESC is planning the inaugural annual AESC Leadership Hall of Fame Gala & Dinner, targeted for 2027. This event will place the executive search and leadership consulting industry, specifically AESC Members, at the heart of the global Leadership conversation; celebrate our industry; and create new opportunities for recognition and connection across the profession.
Pride, Momentum, and What Comes Next
As we close out 2025, one thing is clear: AESC is moving with purpose.
Every step forward has been rooted in the strength of this community and the shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and leadership in a profession that continues to shape organizations and boards around the world.
In the year ahead, AESC will continue to focus on what matters most: helping our Members stay competitive, visible, and recognized as the gold standard in a changing market.
We're proud of what we've built in 2025, and even more energized by what's ahead. We hope you will explore what's new at AESC, participate in upcoming programs and events, and help carry this momentum into 2026.
The strength of AESC has always come from our Members, and the next chapter will be written together.
