LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2016 - At its annual global conference held in New York City today, the worldwide Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) presented Korn Ferry Senior Partner Kevin Cashman with its prestigious Gardner W. Heidrick Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is the first time in the 34-year history of the award that the recipient is being honored for lifetime achievement in leadership consulting. Previous winners have been honored for their achievements in the executive search arena, including Korn Ferry co-founder Richard Ferry.

“AESC is proud to honor someone whose industry-changing achievements underscore the impact leadership development can have on both the individual and the organization,” said AESC President and CEO Karen Greenbaum. “When Kevin began his career, the focus was on what leaders did – their competencies, skills, experiences and accomplishments. Kevin’s work helps leaders focus on who they are and how genuine self-expression multiplies the value they bring to their work.”

“There are very few people in the world who have engendered as much trust with Chief Executives as Kevin,” said Gary Burnison, Chief Executive, Korn Ferry. “The skills and experiences he has amassed over the span of his career have enabled him to act as a trusted advisor to hundreds of CEOs, but it is his preternatural sixth sense that has made his counsel invaluable. I can think of no one more deserving of this lifetime achievement award.”

Over the past thirty years, Cashman has been involved in coaching and developing thousands of senior executives and senior teams in more than 60 countries. For many years, he has been named as a Top Thought Leader by multiple sources.

Cashman joined Korn Ferry in 2006 via its acquisition of LeaderSource, a firm he founded, which was ranked as one of the top three in leadership development globally. Since 2006, Kevin has played a pivotal role in helping to expand Korn Ferry’s leadership and talent consulting business from $20 million to $800 million, now the global leader in talent optimization.

Cashman is the author of six books on transformative leadership and career development, including Leadership from the Inside Out and The Pause Principle.

A frequent keynote speaker at conferences and corporate events, he is the founder of the Chief Executive Institute and is a senior fellow of the Caux Roundtable, a global consortium of CEOs dedicated to enhancing principle-based leadership internationally and fostering ethical leadership in corporations. He is also a Board Member of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures. Cashman earned a degree in psychology from St. John’s University.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm. We help leaders, organizations, and societies succeed by releasing the full power and potential of people. Our nearly 7,000 colleagues deliver services through our Executive Search, Korn Ferry and Korn Ferry divisions. Visit kornferry.com for more information.

About the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants

Since 1959, AESC has set the standard for quality and ethics in executive search and leadership consulting worldwide. Because AESC members must commit and adhere to AESC's industry and government recognized Code of Professional Practice and Standards of Excellence, clients can be assured that AESC members are able to serve as trusted advisors for their most important engagements. As the voice for executive search and leadership consulting worldwide, today AESC is comprised of more than 300 member firms in 72 countries. To learn more about AESC and its membership, visit www.aesc.org. For information about AESC's career service for executive-level professionals, visit www.bluesteps.com.