One Year as an AESC Global Partner: What Search Leaders Taught Us

A year ago, Fama joined the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) as a Global Partner. Our mandate was simple: improve the way search firms vet executives by reducing high-risk blind spots, preventing unwanted surprises, and ensuring every shortlist is one you can defend.  

That matters more every year. Clients can now look up candidates on their own, in seconds. When a client finds something online that the search firm missed, the information advantage shifts to the client, and so does the credibility.

Twelve months later, we sat at the table with search leaders at two Global Summits, regional events and luncheons across four U.S. cities, and a webinar. Executive search has grown into one of the communities we serve most closely.

Our Year With AESC

• Global Summit on Leadership in London: We started as a Diamond Partner at the AESC Global Summit in London in 2025, building community and sharing executive vetting insights from day one.
• Washington, D.C.: We co-hosted the AESC Member Luncheon at the historic DACOR Bacon House. Together we discussed the shifting information advantage and how to close the new blind spot. Thank you to Walter Baker and Cornerstone International Group for hosting.
• The Shortlist Webinar: Ben Mones and Lynne Murphy-Rivera led "Modernizing the Executive Search Shortlist."
• Global Summit on Leadership in New York: The AESC Global Summit in New York brought two days of conversations with firms of every size, from global leaders to independent boutiques. 
• Atlanta: At the Blue Ridge Grill, we asked a room of search leaders one question: "Are you filtering in what others filter out?" Thank you to Jeff Anderson and The Goodwin Group for hosting.
• Philadelphia: Over dinner with search leaders from across the region, we discussed new risks, shortlist defensibility, credibility, reputation, and best practices.
• Dallas-Fort Worth: Greg Babinecz and I facilitated tables at the Boutique & Independent Firm Forum at Shady Oaks Country Club. The conversations ran so well that no one wanted to leave. Thank you to Mark Magruder and Magruder Executive Search for hosting.

What We Heard in Every Room

From D.C. to Dallas, member firms raised the same tension. Clients expect more in the AI era. Firms are asked to conduct fast, comprehensive due diligence, but adding a new tool to their tech stack is burdensome.

We built Fama 360 to meet that need: designed for search firms, delivered by Fama experts, with no new system for your team to manage. You bring your client a shortlist that is well researched and easy to defend.

Thank You

To everyone at AESC: thank you for opening doors and building community. And thank you to every member firm that trusted us with its shortlist.

Year Two Starts in London

We’re heading back to where it all began. Join us at the AESC Global Summit on Leadership in London, November 16–17, 2026, at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower.

Your shortlist, our table. Stop by to say hello, or bring your toughest vetting question.

Book time with our team.

See you at the Summit.