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The global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders adds new board directors and officers

The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders, today announces four new appointments to the 2025 Board of Directors and an updated slate of officers. AESC’s Global Board of Directors consists of elected representatives from each of AESC’s three Regional Councils: Americas; Asia Pacific; and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

“AESC has an amazing Board of industry leaders, and I am excited and inspired by what I know we will accomplish together to better serve our members and our industry. 2025 is going to be a transformational year for our association,” said AESC’s new president and CEO James Edmund Datri.

2025 Board of Directors Officers

Julian Ha, Washington, DC-based Partner and Leader of the Legal, Risk, Compliance, Government Affairs and Trade Association practices at Heidrick & Struggles, will maintain his position as AESC Global Chair.

Sophie Wigniolle, Paris-based Partner with Eric Salmon & Partners, will continue to serve as AESC Vice Chair.

David Turner, Phoenix, AZ-based Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner at Kincannon & Reed, will now serve as AESC Secretary and Treasurer.

“I am honored and excited to serve my second year as AESC’s Board Chair during a dynamic period of growth and opportunity for our industry and association. This newly appointed class of Directors brings a set of new skills, relationships, and expert knowledge to our Board. I am also excited that our new CEO, James Edmund Datri, is a recognized leader with a successful track record of transforming and growing member trade organizations. Together we are committed to further enhancing membership value in big and innovative ways, and to expanding the reach of AESC across verticals and partnerships around the world,” said AESC Board Chair Julian Ha.

2025 Newly Elected AESC Board Directors

Pilar Brogeras, Mexico City, Mexico-based Managing Director at Stanton Chase and Global Functional Leader for Startups and Scaleups. Collaborating with organizations in sectors including manufacturing, natural resources and services, and financial services. Brogeras received AESC’s Future of the Profession Award in 2017.

Ruth Curran, Dublin-based Consultant at Spencer Stuart, leads the firm’s global functional practices and the Financial Officer Practice across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She also runs the firm’s Dublin office and is a member of the CEO, CFO, Boards, Consumer, Financial Services, and Private Equity practices.

Julia Scheffer, Johannesburg-based Global Director of Business Development at AltoPartners, is the brand custodian and global communications head, responsible for growing the partnership through marketing and recruitment and onboarding of new member firms. She sits on the organization’s Global Operating Committee and oversees the internal coordination of the global member firms.

K Sudarshan, Mumbai-based Managing Director at EMA Partners India Limited and APAC Chair at EMA Partners International, leads EMA Partners across India, Singapore, and UAE and is part of the global firm’s executive committee. EMA Partners India Limited is the first publicly listed company in the executive search industry in India.

2025 AESC Global Board of Directors

Julian Ha, Heidrick and Struggles, Chair – Washington, DC

Sophie Wigniolle, Eric Salmon & Partners, Vice Chair – Paris

David Turner, Kincannon & Reed, Secretary and Treasurer – Phoenix

James Edmund Datri, AESC, Ex-officio – San Francisco

Jacques Bouwens, Russell Reynolds – Amsterdam

Michael Castleman, WittKieffer – Florida

Nick Chambers, Boyden – Toronto

Toni Clayton-Hine, Independent AESC Director, EY Americas – New York

Joe Coulter, Coulter Partners – London

Matrice Ellis-Kirk, Ellis Kirk Group - Dallas

Paul Jenkins, Independent AESC Director, McKinsey & Company – Oslo – New York

Nobi Kaneko, Kaneko & Associates – Los Angeles/Tokyo