AESC European Conference 2018

Emanuela Aureli is a member of the firm's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice and Data & Analytics Practice. She brings 20 years of experience in executive search and leadership development. Emanuela works with large corporations and private equity-backed organisations, focusing on European and global appointments at board and senior executive levels in software, IT services, financial technology and communications services.

Dr. Christine Stimpel is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Düsseldorf office and a member of the global Chief Executive Officer & Board of Directors Practice. Her focus is on industrial and life sciences clients with a strength in advising clients on the different cultures and needs.
Prior to joining the firm, Christine worked for another international executive search firm, leading that company's German division as managing partner. Before her career in executive search, Christine worked as general manager of Ogilvy & Mather Healthcare International and was with Johnson & Johnson Germany in marketing and clinical research.
She is a co-author of the German issue of ‘Five patterns of extraordinary careers’ and author of about 100 publications in print and other media. She is chair of the AESC DACH Steering Committee (Association of Executive Search Consultants), and on the faculty board at the TUM School of Management of the Technical University Munich.

Christine holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Munich and an MBA from the German branch of the City University of Washington.

Alexander Wink is Senior Client Partner and member of the Global Technology Practice where he is responsible for leading the firm’s digital speciality practice across EMEA.
Besides that, he is managing Korn Ferry’s Communications Practice within Europe and is an active member of the Steering Committee in Central Europe at the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC).
His diverse experience and comprehension of the digital ecosystem and its influence on emerging and transitioning markets and talent requirements distinguishes his practice, enabling him to serve clients across the technology, financial services, media and entertainment, consumer, automotive, real estate and industrial sectors. Furthermore, he is an advisor to private equity and family-owned businesses.
His team specializes in digital leadership and transformation and has successfully recruited transitional and entrepreneurial leaders for companies at various stages of their development from start-ups to DAX 30 companies.
Clients have entrusted Mr. Wink and his team with the identification of accomplished professionals to assume CEO/C-level, Board and critical digital lifecycle roles ranging from classical e-Commerce, customer outreach and acquisition, brand activation and engagement, product development and user experience, analytics, IoT, Big Data, AI, VR, Digital Twin, Blockchain and MarTech.
In fast-changing and complex industries he provides best expertise to serve demanding clients and assists key players in the industry to progress in maturing their approach to change-management, leadership culture, organizational design, talent acquisition, succession, retention & development, in the context of M&A of large companies, change of shareholders, change of business paradigm, and in the development of pure play companies.
Mr. Wink assists the industry in developing better governance, and accelerate company successes through the ever-growing contributions made by knowledgeable, independent non-executive directors.

Nell Watson (FBCS, FIAP, FRSA, FLS, FRSS, CITP) is an engineer, educator and tech philosopher who grew up in Northern Ireland. Nell founded Poikos (now QuantaCorp). This original, patented technology enables fast and simple 3D body measurement from only two planes (front and side), using a simple cellphone camera, by applying sophisticated deep learning technologies. This service enables fast and accurate personalization services in telemedicine, mass customization, and retail. Today, Nell educates others in how to implement such technologies, for example, by creating video coursebooks for O'Reilly. She is also Co-Founder of EthicsNet, a non-profit, building a movement of people who are committed to help machines understand humans better. This community acts as role models and guardians to raise kind AI, by providing virtual experiences, and collecting examples of pro-social practices. In her spare time, Nell enjoys coding games, such as her startup life simulator, Founder Life. Founder Life attempts to teach the mindfulness and psychological habits necessary for entrepreneurs to consistently execute under pressure. Nell lectures globally on Machine Intelligence, AI philosophy, Human-Machine relations, and the Future of Human Society, serving on the Faculty of AI & Robotics at Singularity University.

Karen Greenbaum is President and CEO of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the nearly $13b+ profession worldwide. with membership of 325 firms in 72 countries around the world. AESC’s rigorous Code of Professional Practice and Standards of Excellence guide its members, spanning nearly 1,300 offices in 74 countries and beyond, to serve as strategic advisors on behalf of their clients. AESC members are best positioned to provide companies with a competitive advantage—the ability to find, attract and develop the best talent in the world and ensure that executives are successfully integrated.

Grant Duncan leads Spencer Stuart's Digital Practice in Europe, the Middle East and Africa advising companies and boards on the leadership challenges and opportunities brought about by digital transformation. He also leads the firm's UK Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice with a particular focus on media and content businesses. He brings more than 25 years of experience as a senior leader in advertising, marketing and executive search to his role.

Elke Guhl is a business leader, digital enthusiast and lecturer with more than twenty years of international experience in Marketing & Branding, Digital, General Management. She has been in C-Level positions in different industries e.g. FMCG, e-Commerce & Financial Services, including leading teams of over 50 people and budget/P&L responsibility. Elke's strengths are in Brand Strategy, Digital Transformation, the Customer and Change Management as well as challenging business situations. Ultimately, her personal passion and motivation is serving customer needs through innovation and by creating surprisingly valuable brand experiences. Elke's personal competences include high resilience, analytical and solution-oriented thinker, distinctive communication ability, people management.

Sarah is Chief Growth Officer at HyperJar, a FinTech start-up launching in the new year, and a non-executive director at MoneySuperMarket group plc. Prior to HyperJar she was CMO at J Sainsbury plc, with a diverse remit covering data, loyalty, digital, customer experience, corporate affairs and Christmas, as well as the core functions of marketing.
Before Sainsbury’s, Sarah was CMO at Heineken UK and learned the ropes as a grad trainee at Unilever.

Steven is the author of four bestselling books. He became known for his first book, The Conversation Manager, which won the award for most innovative marketing book of 2010. Steven also wrote The Conversation Company, When Digital Becomes Human (best marketing book of 2015) and his most recent book, Customers The Day After Tomorrow. Over 100,000 copies of his books were sold and they are published in 7 languages. Customers the day after tomorrow is nominated for the award of best international business book. Steven is also an entrepreneur. He is a co-founder of consultancy firm Nexxworks and the co-founder of content creation company Snackbytes. He spent the first 12 years of his career as a consultant and managing partner of the innovative market research company InSites Consulting. During that time, the company grew from 8 to 130 staff with offices in 5 countries. Steven is also a part-time marketing professor at Vlerick Business School.