AESC Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer

Martha Clement Rochford brings 25 years of branding, marketing and public relations expertise 

The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) today announced the appointment of Martha Clement Rochford to the position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) effective immediately. Rochford is a communications and marketing veteran with deep experience creating award-winning marketing initiatives, leading influential multimedia campaigns, expanding market share for businesses and building engaged, high-performing teams. Rochford has been acting as AESC Interim CMO since October 2022. She will report directly to AESC President and CEO Karen Greenbaum and will serve on the AESC leadership team.  

As AESC CMO, Rochford will lead global marketing, advertising and public relations initiatives in support of AESC’s strategic objectives. Working with the team, Rochford will deliver thought leadership, digital campaigns and targeted outreach to members, clients and candidates to elevate and inform the profession of executive search and leadership consulting and differentiate AESC members by their professional standards and commitment to excellence. 

AESC President and CEO Karen Greenbaum commented, “We at AESC are delighted to welcome Martha as our new Chief Marketing Officer after working closely together for several years on a consulting basis. Her expertise in strategic communication as well as her knowledge of AESC and our members will be invaluable in raising AESC and our members’ visibility in the marketplace.” 

Rochford brings more than 25 years of experience leading strategic communications efforts and building transformative marketing campaigns that capture the voice and elevate the brand of a range of organizations in the non-profit, international, technology and professional services sectors.  

In 2012, she formed Highland Words Communications, a public relations, branding, content development and marketing communications consultancy. Since its inception, Rochford has grown the organization and assisted clients in achieving key business outcomes. During this time, Rochford assisted AESC in updating many of our foundational documents and writing most of the articles published in AESC’s Executive Talent Magazine. Many of her articles have become AESC’s highest-trafficked content on the website. While working with AESC members and crafting AESC content, Rochford developed a deep understanding of the executive search and leadership consulting profession as well as the global trends that impact our members and their clients. 

Prior to Highland Words Communications, Rochford served as Director of Communications at Nixon Peabody LLP, leading brand development and communications for an AmLaw 100 law firm. She also served as Director of Public Relations at Community Based Care of Brevard in Florida.   

"I have loved working with AESC as my client, and am truly excited to join the team,” said Rochford. “It is a privilege to be part of an organization I believe in, and work with people—staff and members alike—whom I respect and admire.” 

Rochford earned an MA in Public Communication from American University in Washington D.C. and B.A. from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. 

About the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants    

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 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 connecting executive-level candidates to the world’s leading executive search firms, visit bluesteps.com.