CEOs from Leading Executive Search & Leadership Consulting Firms Commit to Joint Actions Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) convened a group of CEOs from the executive search and leadership consulting profession to develop a clear and measurable commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access. The CEOs of AESC member firms Boyden, Diversified Search, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds & Associates, Spencer Stuart, Stanton Chase and Witt Kieffer, along with AESC CEO Karen Greenbaum, formed the initial working group to develop the AESC Diversity Pledge and its Guiding Principles.

Through the AESC Diversity Pledge, the firms represented by the working group and more than 100 other firms who have signed the pledge, all members of AESC, share a commitment to combat racism, prejudice, and discrimination within their own organizations, with candidates and the clients they serve, and in their communities. They pledge to use their collective voices and actions to help create a world that is inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible for all.

The AESC Diversity Pledge is supported by four Guiding Principles:

Accelerate
Each CEO who signs the pledge is committing to developing and deepening actions within their own firms. The Guiding Principles will help inform firm-based actions which will accelerate a sustainable positive impact.

Educate
Signatories to the Pledge commit to listen, engage, and learn so that they can do better both as employers and as trusted advisors. They will understand and leverage best practices to greatly enhance attracting and developing diverse talent for their own firms and their clients. They will work with their clients to identify leaders and assess them for their ability to create inclusive cultures where diverse talent thrives.

Advance
Signees will develop stronger and more diverse slates of candidates through robust research, outreach, and alliances. They will use their expertise to mentor diverse talent to raise their visibility and their success and will identify partnerships that allow them to engage more people, and thus have a greater impact.

Advocate
The firms that have signed on to the Pledge will advocate with clients to help them embrace best practices that further their diversity and inclusion efforts which, in turn, will enhance business results. They will contribute their time and expertise to under-served communities to advance racial equity and economic empowerment and to fight for social justice.

To learn more about the AESC Diversity Pledge and to view the firms that have signed on in commitment, visit aesc.org.

About AESC

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership advisory profession. AESC Members represent 16,000+ trusted professionals in 1,200+ offices, spanning 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized leaders of global executive search and leadership advisory solutions. They leverage their access and expertise to place more than 100,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions for the world’s leading organizations of all types and sizes. Dedicated to strengthening leadership worldwide, 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. Learn more about us at aesc.org. For AESC’s career service for executive-level candidates, visit bluesteps.com.