AESC CEO Karen Greenbaum to Step Down at the End of 2024

Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants CEO Karen Greenbaum will step down when her current contract expires, effective December 31, 2024. Greenbaum will close her tenure as President and CEO after ten years at AESC.

Greenbaum was unanimously elected by the AESC Board and search committee in 2014, in part for her global perspective, operating savvy and experience in both entrepreneurial and institutional professional service settings.

Julian Ha, AESC Board Chair, led the search committee when Greenbaum was elected. “First, let me thank Karen for her ten years serving as AESC’s CEO. Her departure at the end of this year will mark the end of an exceptional career with AESC,” Ha said. “Under her leadership, AESC has made many critical changes to its strategic direction ensuring that AESC and our members continue to be seen as industry leaders meeting the highest quality standards.”

Greenbaum was instrumental in leading the association’s elevated professional practice standards, ensuring they remain rigorous and relevant as the profession evolved. She helped guide the industry through the transition from an exclusive focus on executive search to the expanded arena of leadership and talent advisory.

Recognizing the evolving risks associated with digital transformation, Greenbaum led the development of best practices for data protection in the executive search profession.

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and with the CEOs of AESC’s largest member firms, Greenbaum helped drive the development of AESC’s first Diversity Pledge and the creation of AESC Regional IDEA Councils, focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

"My time at AESC has been deeply rewarding," Greenbaum said. “As I reflect on the last ten years, I am proud of the team of leaders that I have personally hired. Every leader at AESC is exceptional, smart, collaborative, hard-working, and committed. Together, we’ve taken great pride in capturing opportunities and driving positive change with creativity, empathy, and optimism.”

“These leaders, combined with the entire AESC team, provide me with assurance that I will be leaving AESC in very good hands. I look forward to 2024 with continued pride in being the CEO of the association that has set the standards of excellence for our profession for 65 years.”

Ha said, “I have the deepest respect for Karen’s fierce advocacy of inclusion, diversity and fairness, and her commitment to integrity and excellence. Under her leadership, Karen has elevated the association and our profession globally and we wish her all the very best in her next chapter.”

The Board has begun a formal search for a successor. Karen will continue to lead AESC and will support the transition to a new CEO.

About AESC   

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership consulting profession. AESC Members represent 16,000+ trusted professionals in 1,200+ offices, spanning 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized experts providing consulting services in the areas of leaders, teams and culture to the world’s leading organizations. They leverage their access and expertise to place more than 100,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions across industry sectors. Dedicated to strengthening leadership together, AESC and its members share a deep commitment to the highest quality standards in executive search and leadership consulting—for the benefit of clients and the profession. We Shape. Connect. Educate. Innovate. Learn more about us at aesc.org. For AESC’s career services, visit bluesteps.com.