Programs
AESC Award Recipients
- AESC Lifetime Achievement Award (FKA Gardner Heidrick Award)
- AESC Award of Excellence (including the European Outstanding Contribution Award)
- AESC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) Award
- AESC Commitment to the Community Award (FKA Eleanor H. Raynolds Award)
- AESC Future of the Profession Award
- AESC Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research
AESC Lifetime Achievement Award
Bestowed since 1982, AESC's Lifetime Achievement Award is the capstone award for the profession, honoring significant, career-long achievement while recognizing the highest standards of work. Nominees should embody AESC professional and ethical practices.
- Thomas Becker, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2024.
- Dr. Dieter Unterharnscheidt, Spencer Stuart, 2024.
- Judee von Seldeneck, Diversified Search Group, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Clarke Murphy, Russell Reynolds, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Alejandra Aranda (In Memoriam), Humanitas/Cornerstone, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Stephen Bampfylde, Saxton Bampfylde, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Trina Gordon, Boyden, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Dr. Bish Agrawal, Accord/AltoPartners, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Willie Carrington, Carrington & Carrington, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Kevin Connelly, Spencer Stuart, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Jo Fisher, Fisher Leadership, 2019
- Richard Boggis-Rolfe, Odgers Berndtson, 2019
- Gregory J. Duerksen, Kincannon & Reed, 2019
- Edward Speed, Spencer Stuart, 2018
- Bruce R. Raines, Raines International, Inc., 2018
- Peter Drummond-Hay, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2017
- Kevin Cashman, Korn Ferry, 2016
- James N.J. Hertlein, Boyden, 2015
- Egon Zehnder, Egon Zehnder International, 2014
- Robert L. Pearson, Pearson Partners International, 2013
- William B. Clemens, Jr., Spencer Stuart, 2012
- Luiz Carlos Cabrera, Amrop Panelli Motta Cabrera, 2011
- Henry G. Higdon, Higdon Partners, 2010
- Charles W.B. Wardell, Korn Ferry International, 2008
- Thomas Friel, Heidrick & Struggles, 2007
- Judith von Seldeneck, Diversified Search, Ray & Berndtson, 2006
- C. Douglas Caldwell, The Caldwell Partners, 2005
- Hobson Brown, Jr., Russell Reynolds Associates, 2004
- Dale Winston, Battalia Winston International, 2003
- Dayton Ogden, Spencer Stuart, 2002
- Roger Kenny, Board Room Consultants, 2001
- Windle B. Priem, Korn Ferry International, 2000
- Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., The Directorship Search Group, Inc., 1999
- Thomas J. Neff, Spencer Stuart, 1998
- Paul R. Ray, Jr., Ray & Berndston, 1997
- Richard M. Ferry, Korn Ferry International, 1996
- Gerard R. Roche, Heidrick & Struggles, 1995
- Spencer R. Stuart, Spencer Stuart, 1994
- Max M. Ulrich, Ward Howell International, 1993
- Gardner W. Heidrick, The Heidrick Partners, Inc., 1992
- Frederick W. Wackerle, McFeely Wackerle Shulman, 1991
- Skott B. Burkland, Scott/Edwards Consultants, 1990
- Gretchen Long, Haskell & Stern Associates, 1989
- Christopher J. Mill, Christopher Mill & Partners, 1988
- William E. Gould, Gould & McCoy, Inc., 1987
- William C. Houze, William C. Houze & Company, 1986
- Alden S. Blodget, Jr., Paul Stafford Associates, 1985
- Leon A. Farley, Leon A. Farley Associates, 1984
- Clarence E. McFeely, McFeely Wackerle Associates, 1982
AESC Award of Excellence
AESC's Award of Excellence honors significant, outstanding contribution to the executive search and leadership consulting profession to individuals at the height of their careers.
- Lorraine Kron-du Luart, Eric Salmon & Partners, 2024.
- Terry D. Thornley and Yanqing Sui, Spencer Stuart, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Rick DeRose, Acertitude, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Cathy Powell, Heidrick & Struggles, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Sabine Vinck, Spencer Stuart, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Eileen Finn, Eileen Finn & Associates, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Joel von Ranson, Spencer Stuart, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Ineke Arts, Hoffman, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Alan Kaplan, Kaplan Partners, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Juerg Herbert Baertschi, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Janice Ellig, Ellig Group/IIC Partners, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Dale Jones, The Diversified Search Group, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Marco Boni, Spencer Stuart, 2019
- Dr. Christine Stimpel, Heidrick & Struggles, 2018
- Bonnie W. Gwin, Heidrick & Struggles, 2018
- Jesus Castillo, Contevenca/IIC Partners, 2018
- Julie Daum, Spencer Stuart, 2017
- Aidan Kennedy, Saxton Bampfylde, 2015
- Peter M. Felix, AESC, 2014
- Bernard Zen Ruffinen, Korn Ferry International, 2013
- Hermann Sendele, Board Consultants International, 2012
- Ulrich F. Ackermann, TRANSEARCH International, 2011
- Marc Lamy, Boyden France, 2010
- Anders Borg, Hansar International/Penrhyn International, 2009
- Richard Boggis-Rolfe, Odgers Ray & Berndtson, 2008
- Jean Van den Eynde, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2007
- Eric Salmon, Eric Salmon & Partners, 2006
- David Kimbell, Spencer Stuart, 2005
- Didier Vuchot, Korn Ferry International, 2004
- Anthony Saxton, Saxton Bampfylde/The Amrop Hever Group, 2002
- Juergen Mulder, Heidrick & Struggles, 2000
AESC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) Award
The AESC IDEA Award builds from the AESC Diversity Pledge by recognizing initiatives that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access (or “IDEA”). These initiatives should be of sufficient significance and external impact to be recognized as excellent by the profession.
- David Evans, Watermark Search International, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Karen Greenbaum, AESC, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Mina Paul, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Helen Tudor, Sheffield Haworth, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Denielle Pemberton-Heard, Esq., Diversified Search Group, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Shami Iqbal, Spencer Stuart, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Nick Chambers, Boyden, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Anna Luiza Osser, Osser & Osser, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Stuart H. Sadick, Heidrick & Struggles, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Ben Johnson, Sheffield Haworth, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Johnson Partners, 2020
- Tina Shah Paikeday, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Lyndon Taylor, Heidrick & Struggles, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Sophie Tredinnick, Saxton Bampfylde/Panorama, 2020. Watch the acceptance speech here.
AESC Commitment to the Community Award
AESC's Commitment to the Community Award (formerly known as the Eleanor H. Raynolds Award) was established in 1993 to recognize an individual who combines excellence in executive search or leadership consulting with a strong commitment to community service and volunteerism toward charitable causes.
- Louisa Wong, Global Sage, 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Jennifer Mondoux, MondouxRollins Partners, Inc., 2024. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Kate Wheeler, Future Leadership, 2023. Read the release here.
- Odgers Berndtson US, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Quinton Anthony, 2021
- Leathwaite, 2020
- TRANSEARCH ChildFund Foundation, TRANSEARCH International, 2019
- Paul Rush, Odgers Berndtson, 2019
- Tom Daniels, Spencer Stuart, 2019
- Odgers Berndtson, United Kingdom, 2018
- Renee Baker Arrington, Pearson Partners International/IIC Partners, 2018
- Thomas Fuller, Epsen Fuller/IMD, 2017
- David Moyer, Moyer Sherwood Associates, 2016
- John F. Salveson, Salveson Stetson Group, Inc., 2015
- Joe Onstott, The Onstott Group, 2014
- Betsy Gibbons, Korn Ferry International, 2013
- Alfredo José Assumpção, Fesa Group, 2012
- Sam Pettway, Boardwalk Consulting, 2011
- E. Wade Close, Jr., Boyden, 2010
- Janice Reals Ellig, Chadick Ellig, 2008
- Bonnie Crabtree, Korn Ferry International, 2007
- Robert Heidrick, Spencer Stuart, 2006
- Jacques C. Nordeman, Nordeman Grimm, 2005
- Nancy Stephenson Nichols, Heidrick & Struggles, 2005
- Caroline W. Nahas, Korn Ferry International, 2004
- Susan Bishop, Bishop Partners, 2003
- Paul Czamanske, Compass Group, Ltd., 2002
- Abram Claude, Jr., Ray & Berndtson, 2001
- Judith von Seldeneck, The Diversified Search Companies, 2000
- Millington F. McCoy, Gould, McCoy & Chadick, Inc., 1999
- Kenneth M. Rich, Ray & Berndtson, 1998
- Eunice J. Azzani, Korn Ferry International, 1997
- Herbert T. Mines, Herbert Mines Associates, 1996
- David A. Bueschel, Shepherd Bueschel & Provus, Inc., 1995
- Robert W. Dingman, Robert W. Dingman Company, Inc., 1994
- Paul R. Ray, Jr., Ray & Berndston, 1993
AESC Future of the Profession Award
AESC's Future of the Profession Award is designed to engage the next generation of leaders in executive search and leadership consulting. It honors innovation and leadership, and applies to professionals earlier in their careers. Nominees should have at least seven years in the profession.
- Nicholas Sehmer, Sheffield Haworth, 2024.
- Romain Eyherabide, Eric Salmon & Partners, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Emily Plahanski, Stanton Chase, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Nordia Edwards, Spencer Stuart, 2022. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Jamiee Eddington, Heidrick & Struggles, 2021. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Zdenka Vitkova, Coulter Partners, 2018
- Pilar Brogeras, Stanton Chase, 2017
- Andrew P. Chastain, WittKieffer, 2016
- Anneke Ferreira, Ferreira & Associates, 2015
Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research
AESC's Award for Excellence and Professionalism in Research honors an AESC member Researcher who has demonstrated the highest standards of research, and who has represented themselves and their firm in a highly ethical manner at all times. This prestigious award is presented at the annual AESC Researchers and Associates Forums.
- Kan Hei Ching Cecilia, Andrews Partners, 2023. Watch the acceptance speech here.
- Lili Mao, CT Partners, 2014
- Heather Fookes, Davies Park, 2014
- Annette Wimsatt, Heidrick & Struggles, 2013
- Joan Schlachter, BoardWalk Consulting, 2013
- Nathaniel Stapleton, Johnson, 2013
- Allison Parsons, Preng & Associates, 2012
- Edward Walton, Godliman Partners, 2012
- Hallie Banker, Tyler & Company, 2011
- Florrie Wallace, Kincannon & Reed, 2010
- David Howells, The Curzon Partnership, 2009
- Siobhan Walsh, The Amrop Hever Group, 2009>
- Elizabeth Dunkley, Odgers Berndtson, 2008
- Mary Summers, Korn Ferry International, 2007
- Carol O'Driscoll, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2007
- Gwattie Bakker, Eric Salmon & Partners, 2006
- Ann L. Jeffrey, Gardiner International, 2005
- Chantal McClean, Glenn Irvine International, 2004
