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NACD Directorship 100
Landmark NACD-AESC Strategic Partnership Strengthens Corporate Board Leadership
Alliance Will Enhance Benefits for Members of Both Associations
WASHINGTON, DC & NEW YORK, NY (August 26, 2025) – The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) today announced a landmark strategic partnership between the two leading organizations committed to advancing board leadership. This new relationship brings together NACD, the organization representing corporate board members, with AESC, the organization representing the firms that recruit and place board directors across every corporate vertical.
Exclusive, Enhanced Benefits for Members of Both Associations
AESC’s executive search and leadership advisory firms are constantly seeking top board talent for new opportunities. NACD’s members are accomplished board leaders who stand to gain from these opportunities. This partnership, which directly connects the memberships of AESC and NACD, uniquely benefits members of both associations, plus the companies they serve.
Only through NACD can board members access this exclusive partnership with AESC—gaining tools and insights that enhance their leadership impact. Likewise, companies working with AESC member firms benefit from direct access to NACD’s network of highly qualified board members. This partnership offers unmatched value, available only through this collaboration.
As an initial touchpoint, NACD and AESC will deliver custom resources from BlueSteps, AESC’s executive careers services platform, to NACD AccelerateTM members. BlueSteps provides senior leaders with board readiness tools and training, informed by the practices of leading board candidacy advisors, search consultants and board experts from AESC Member firms. It complements NACD’s suite of governance offerings by helping boards meet their composition, succession planning, and human-capital strategy needs in a constantly evolving business environment.
“Corporate board service is one of the most important roles in business today. This seamless access to the Blue Steps program, which is the latest in NACD’s best-in-class member benefits, will help corporate directors and their boards meet their leadership needs today and in the future,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of NACD.
“AESC members work with the world’s top companies to build boards that are effective, innovative, and future -ready,” said James Edmund Datri, president and CEO of AESC. “Through this NACD-AESC partnership, we’re creating a powerful and unique bridge between governance and leadership that will benefit our members and those that hire them.”
“Our goal is to help current and aspiring directors understand how they are viewed by the firms that shape boardrooms,” said Kulsoom Gul, managing director of BlueSteps. “This partnership brings together two trusted institutions to deliver relevant, proven support for directors navigating the next step in their board- service journeys.”
NACD members may visit NACD’s website to learn more about the benefits of this partnership.
Looking Ahead
This announcement marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration between NACD and AESC. Later this year, and throughout 2026, NACD and AESC will introduce more joint initiatives, events and networking opportunities for all NACD and AESC members.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors® (NACD®) is the leading member organization for corporate directors who want to expand their knowledge, grow their network and maximize their potential. For more than 47 years, NACD has helped boards and the business community elevate their performance and create long-term value. Our leadership continues to raise standards of excellence and advance board effectiveness at thousands of member companies. Learn more at nacdonline.org.
About AESC and BlueSteps
The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) represents the world’s most respected executive search and leadership advisory firms. AESC members advise companies, organizations, boards and CEOs on senior level talent recruitment and development, succession, and leadership strategy. BlueSteps, AESC’s executive platform, supports senior leaders in preparing for and finding board and C-suite opportunities. Learn more at aesc.org and bluesteps.com.
Media Contacts:
AESC
Martha Clement Rochford
mrochford@aesc.org
NACD
Shannon Bernauer
sbernauer@nacdonline.org