Programs
AESC Awards
We are proud of our members—those firms and individuals who represent the top of the profession and commit to the values of our Code of Professional Practice—every day.
Since 1982, AESC has honored individuals who truly stand out. AESC Awards recognize members for their personal achievements and contribution to their firm, our profession and the communities in which we serve. View past AESC honorees.
Nomination Process
Clients and colleagues can nominate a member for recognition! Consider the criteria for the categories below, and simply download the nomination form. Then contact the AESC Managing Director for your nominee’s region, and they can help with the various elements of your nomination.
Lifetime Achievement Award nominations are reviewed by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the AESC Board of Directors. All other nominations are reviewed by the respective AESC regional Nominating and Governance Committee.
AESC represents the highest standards in Executive Search and Leadership Consulting, and is uniquely positioned to celebrate excellence within the profession. Recognition elevates award recipients in the market, brings positive attention to firms, and highlights what best practice looks like for the benefit of the profession.
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 have a long and distinguished career in executive search and/ or leadership consulting. As practitioners, they should clearly rise above the rest, and have outstanding reputations. They could be considered icons in the profession and unquestionably meritorious of the recognition.
The nomination should provide concrete examples of the impact they have had on the profession as well as their firm at the local, regional, and/ or global levels. The nomination must include two written recommendations from colleagues or clients.
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.
Nominees should clearly be deserving of the recognition, having contributed something that is remarkable, innovative, or ground-breaking in their firm and for the profession, which makes them worthy of receiving this highest recognition.
The nomination should include examples of the leadership they have shown in their firm and beyond for the good of the profession.
AESC IDEA 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.
The nominee should be able to clearly articulate the external impact of a strategy or initiative focused on encouraging diversity and inclusion. The demonstrated impact of the effort will be supported by examples and testimonials.
Nominations can be submitted for individuals, organizations, a group within an organization, but must reference a specific initiative sponsored by an organization.
AESC Commitment to the Community Award
AESC's Commitment to the Community Award was established in 1993 to recognize a firm, office or individual who combines excellence in executive search or leadership consulting with a strong commitment to community service and volunteerism toward charitable causes.
Nominees should have involvement in a charitable organization, contribution to a philanthropic endeavor, pro-bono search or leadership consulting, or service in a nongovernmental organization (NGO).
The nomination should include specific examples of their community activity and the impact of the effort, as well as testimonials from leaders of those organizations about the impact on these organizations and the people or communities that they serve. The nomination should also reinforce the quality work in executive search or leadership consulting as well.
AESC Future of the Profession Award
AESC's Future of the Profession Award is designed to recognize the next generation of leaders in executive search and leadership consulting. It honors innovation and forward-thinking leadership and recipients are viewed as trailblazers in the profession.
The nomination should provide specific examples of the innovation and leadership they have shown, for example: innovative client solutions; improvements to existing processes; the introduction of new technology; or creative approaches to standard operating practices. The nomination should share specifically how, through their work, the individual is making a difference for the benefit of the firm, clients, and /or candidates. Nominees should have at least seven years in the profession.
AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research
The AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research was established in 2004 and honors an AESC Member (Researcher or Associate) who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution in executive research and reinforces AESC's commitment to the highest professional standards by representing themselves and their firm in a highly professional and ethical manner.
Nominees should clearly be deserving of the recognition, having demonstrated excellence through evidence of innovation, involvement with system improvement or through exemplary feedback from colleagues or candidates.
