Two Recognized for Notable Contributions to the Executive Search & Leadership Consulting Profession
Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants Excellence Awards presented to Eileen Finn and Joel von Ranson at annual global conference in New York City
NEW YORK, April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today at their annual AESC Global Conference in New York, the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) honored Eileen Finn, President and Founder of Eileen Finn & Associates, and Joel von Ranson, Consultant at Spencer Stuart, with the AESC Award of Excellence for their remarkable impact on the profession.
Eileen Finn
Eileen founded Eileen Finn & Associates 25 years ago with a vision of providing a suite of executive talent solutions focused on the placement of senior Human Resources executives. Today, Eileen's practice offers executive search, interim placement, and executive and onboarding coaching. Noting that Eileen has been an inspiration beyond her own firm, one colleague shares that Eileen's "work in her own firm has set an example for others in terms of innovation and best practices." Her Firm has been certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) through WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) since 2001.
Karen Greenbaum, AESC President & CEO, commented: "Eileen has been an active AESC member for many years, making significant contributions to the Boutique and Independent Firm Forums. Eileen's commitment to quality and innovation is inspiring."
Eileen's vision in starting her Firm in 1998 was to focus exclusively on HR search. She has also been interested and involved in the standards of the executive search industry, first through the IACPR and then AESC. One of the reasons that she became a member of AESC was their statement of Ethics for the Profession.
An active AESC member for more than 15 years, Eileen is integral in planning the association's Boutique and Independent Firm Forums (BIFF), events where AESC members in boutique and independent firms gather to discuss best practices, business and market challenges and new approaches/strategies. She also serves on the Americas Council and chairs the Membership Committee.
A colleague says of Eileen's work with the BIFF, "Eileen is constantly pushing the BIFF to think outside of the box. She will challenge assumptions, redirect the group toward a more pressing issue and always bring new ideas to the table. In doing so she drives AESC and the BIFF members to improve. This makes all of us better and helps AESC better support its members."
Her activities within the industry and on academic boards have included serving on:
- The Advisory Committees on Best Practices and Program Development
- The Board of the IACPR (International Association of Corporate & Professional Recruitment), including co-chairing their global conferences in 2012 and 2013
- Vice President of the Parent Board of Bucknell University as well as the University of Pennsylvania and currently serves as the President-elect of the Alumni Board of her alma mater, Rosemont College
- Was an active chapter member for the NY region on the Capital Campaign for Bucknell University from 2012-2017
Whether working with fellow boutique and independent firms to attain quality standards or volunteering to serve on boards, Eileen is constantly showcasing her passion to innovate and advance the profession.
One peer explains, "She has been a proponent of new practices in the field, including a focus on diversity, use of assessments in search and the expansion outside of search to offer leadership consulting services."
Prior to opening her firm, Eileen was President and Managing Director of the MVP Group (sector specialty in financial services) and Director of Human Resources at Coopers & Lybrand (PWC) for their Actuarial, Benefits and Compensation Consulting (ABC) practice based in New York. She graduated from Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business with an MBA and received her BA in English Literature from Rosemont College. In 2012, Eileen received her executive coaching certification through iCoach Global sponsored by Baruch College. She is also certified in the Hogan Assessment.
Joel von Ranson
Joel has been with Spencer Stuart since 2000, starting out as an associate and working his way up to become a renowned consultant and firm leader. He previously oversaw Spencer Stuart's functional practices globally and was a member of the firm's global practice leadership team.
Karen Greenbaum, AESC President & CEO, commented: "Joel exemplifies excellence in the profession, with his leadership acumen and passion for promoting next gen talent. I'm honored to recognize Joel with AESC's Excellence Award."
Joel's commitment to people and culture are why he was named Spencer Stuart's first-ever Americas People Committee chair. In this role, he focuses on expanding the firm's people development culture, helping ensure world-class recruiting and retention, advancing their DE&I agenda and supporting an inclusive culture. He is also executive sponsor for Spencer Stuart's LGBTQ+ affinity group.
Throughout his career, Joel has demonstrated a passion for developing the next generation of leaders. While acting as the regional and global leader of the firm's Financial Officers practice, the firm experienced one of the highest rates of associate promotions, with more than a quarter of the consultants being promoted from Spencer Stuart's associate ranks.
"This has contributed to more high-potential, young professionals joining our profession with the confidence that they will be able to successfully advance throughout their career," explains one of his peers. "Joel has further supported the next generation by leading thoughtful, transparent and inclusive consultant promotion processes globally. This sets a consistently high bar and keeps talented professionals engaged, knowing their advancement is not simply based on who they are or whom they know."
By emphasizing impactful client outcomes and trusted advisory relationships, Joel has raised the bar for what the market can expect from their search and leadership partners. A colleague noted, "What is truly distinctive about Joel is how exceptional he is in client and candidate care and delivery of a thoughtful, rigorous process."
Joel also has taken an active role within the profession and his New York community.
He:
- Served as Principal Chair and Partner Chair of Spencer Stuart's Nominating Committee, a group of partners charged with vetting and recommending consultants for election to principal and partner
- Co-authored several articles on finance topics, including "Perspectives of Leading Audit Committee Chairs"
- Been an expert speaker on topics including CFO trends, career planning and succession
- Serves on the board of directors of Manhattan Theatre Club
- Is a former member of the Museum of Modern Art's Contemporary Arts Council
One colleague says of Joel, "He is truly a force for good in our firm and our industry as a whole."
Prior to joining the executive search profession, Joel worked in senior roles at Time Warner and Condé Nast, and previously served as business manager and finance executive at The New Yorker magazine. He earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from the Stern Business School of Business at New York University and a bachelor's degree with honors from George Washington University.
About the AESC Award of Excellence
The AESC Award of Excellence honors individuals at the height of their careers who have made significant, outstanding contributions to the executive search and leadership consulting profession. Since 2000, this award has been given to recipients who promote AESC's commitment to the highest professional standards through its Code of Professional Practice at their firm and within the profession.
Media Contact
Martha Clement Rochford, AESC, + 1 (646) 695-6625, [email protected]
SOURCE AESC
Share this article