AESC Bestows 2018 Awards on Exemplars of Excellence in the Executive Search & Leadership Consulting Profession

The worldwide Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) honors during today’s AESC Global Conference in New York City the achievements of four executive search and leadership consultants for their outstanding contributions to the profession and to the community.

The AESC Lifetime Achievement Award honors long-term achievement in the executive search and leadership consulting profession. This year’s award goes to Bruce R. Raines, President and Chief Executive Officer of Raines International Inc., based in New York. Since establishing Raines International in 1969, Raines’ work has contributed to the growth and evolution of the profession by representing the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and client service, which has led to client relationships lasting more than 30 years. As CEO, Raines leads the firm’s team in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Bentonville, and personally leads the C-Suite and Board Practice. He was instrumental in establishing the AESC’s Advanced Certificate in Executive Search and Leadership Consulting, which launched in 2012 in partnership with Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

The AESC Award of Excellence, recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact in enhancing the executive search and leadership consulting profession in a meaningful way, is bestowed on two AESC members this year: Bonnie W. Gwin, Vice Chair and Co-Managing Partner of the global CEO & Board Practice at Heidrick & Struggles, and based in New York; and Jesus Castillo, Managing Partner, Contevenca/IIC Partners, and based in Caracas.

Gwin has been an executive search consultant at Heidrick & Struggles for more than 20 years. She is a widely regarded expert on leadership effectiveness, diversity, and corporate social responsibility at the CEO and board level. As a global thought leader, she is often interviewed by media organizations, including CNN, Fortune, New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and has spoken at high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum. Gwin has been named by NACD Directorship to its “Directorship 100” list of influential boardroom recruiters every year since 2010.

Castillo has been in the executive search profession in Venezuela for nearly 30 years. He continues to invest in his community and deliver the highest quality executive search services despite the challenging market conditions of his home country. Castillo has been an inspiration to executive search and leadership consulting firms in the Latin American region and across the globe. He is determined to weather the volatile conditions of present-day Venezuela and one day return the Venezuelan business community to its original vigor and robust economic status.

The AESC Commitment to the Community Award recognizes a strong commitment to service and volunteerism and goes to Renee Baker Arrington, Senior Vice President, Shareholder Partner and Member of the Board at Pearson Partners International/IIC Partners, and based in Dallas. Arrington has worked in executive search for more than 25 years and is involved in numerous not-for-profit and civic organizations, often conducting pro bono and reduced-fee searches for their executive leadership. Renee also volunteers her time serving on boards and engaging with not-for-profits. She is also Chair of the Board for the Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) in Fort Worth. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit that secures resources to support academic and leadership excellence at YWLA.

Karen Greenbaum, AESC President & CEO, said: “We are delighted to honor the exceptional achievements of these AESC members at our 2018 Global Conference. Through their commitment to excellence within the profession and the community at large, our 2018 award recipients are outstanding examples of how AESC members both serve client organizations worldwide as trusted advisors and give back to their communities, too.”

About the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants

AESC is the voice of excellence for the executive search and leadership consulting profession worldwide. Its rigorous Code of Professional Practice guides members in nearly 1,300 offices in 74 countries and beyond to serve as strategic advisors on behalf of their clients. In turn, AESC members are best positioned to provide companies with a competitive advantage—the ability to find, attract and develop the best talent in the world and ensure that executives are successfully integrated.