August Leadership
Integrity Partner
August Leadership was born out of a belief that executive search and leadership advisory could—and should—be done better. Today, the firm serves as the Integrity Partner for the Global Business Hall of Fame, leading and managing the nomination and selection process to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with JA Worldwide’s goals and the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
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2002
Founded in Dubai under the name Mosaic
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2007
Becomes the second-largest executive search firm in the MENA region.
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2016
First North American operations established, following a decade of building a global footprint
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2024
Officially operates across six regions and 31 cities with more than 50 Partners and five global offices
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2025
Becomes Global Business Hall of Fame Integrity Partner
For more than two decades, August Leadership has united industry veterans who share a singular purpose: to deliver superior results and unparalleled experiences for clients and candidates. Founded in 2002, the firm emerged as a response to widening gaps in executive search and advisory, where “partner-led” had become a label, relationships were increasingly transactional, and integrity was too often sacrificed for scale. The human element was slipping away.
August Leadership set out with a different vision—one grounded in deep client partnerships, intellectual rigor, and truly bespoke service, with a model designed to eliminate barriers and deliver broader talent access, sharper collaboration, and better outcomes for clients.
What began as a regional business in the Middle East has since evolved into a global firm headquartered in New York City, with a presence across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Today, Partners at August Leadership collaborate across 31 cities worldwide to find and unleash force-multiplier leaders—those who inspire bold action, unlock potential, and elevate people, ideas, and results.
August Leadership was built for the clients, candidates, and consultants who seek purpose-driven impact through leadership. After two decades of consultative work rooted in humanity, collaboration, integrity, and excellence, August Leadership is proud to partner with JA Worldwide in fostering and celebrating leadership that is a global force for good.
“I founded August Leadership with a simple belief: leadership is human, and its power lies in multiplying impact. For more than two decades, we’ve brought integrity, inclusivity, and proactivity to the work of finding and recognizing leaders who multiply value far beyond themselves. Serving as Integrity Partner reflects this very commitment to championing leadership that lasts.”
Founders & Leadership
At the heart of August Leadership are leaders committed to integrity, empathy, and excellence.
Asad Haider, CEO, Founder, and Partner
Asad Haider’s career spans global leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo. Recognized for his fact-based, transparent, and solutions-driven approach, he advises organizations worldwide on strategic talent initiatives, particularly in emerging markets, high-growth companies, and diversity hiring. A committed advocate for gender equality through Paradigm 4 Parity, Asad and his team are known for delivering exceptional results in recruiting top executive talent.
Farah Haider, COO, Co-Founder, and Partner
Farah Haider is a global legal talent advisor with over 20 years of leadership experience across in-house and private practice, specializing in building and transforming high-performing legal teams for Fortune 500 companies. Known for her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and drive business-aligned legal strategies, Farah is also a committed advocate for developing future legal leaders and expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Lead Partner in Collaboration with JA
Michelle Partipilo, a Partner at August Leadership, has played a key role in JA’s recognition programs, initially serving on the selection committee for the JA Canada Business Hall of Fame, and now supporting the Global Business Hall of Fame through JA Worldwide. She specializes in global executive search for organizations across the aviation and aerospace, travel and hospitality, alternative energy, sports and entertainment, and non-profit sectors. With nearly two decades of international experience, Michelle has lived and worked across Canada and abroad, bringing a truly global perspective to her work.
Michelle leads senior-level executive searches across all functional areas, with a particular focus on VP, C-Suite, and Board-level appointments. She is passionate about leadership, organizational culture, and transformational change, and brings deep advisory expertise to each engagement. A dynamic public speaker, Michelle has been invited to share her insights at leading industry conferences and academic institutions, including NACO Canada, the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, and Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business.
A committed member of the business community, Michelle is actively involved in organizations that champion leadership and equity, including Board Ready Women, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE). Her philanthropic involvement includes longstanding support for initiatives such as Holiday Helper, Covenant House Sleep Out (Vancouver), the BC Children’s Wish Foundation, and the SPCA.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Michelle now resides in Calgary, Alberta. Outside of work, she enjoys polo, skiing in the mountains, and hiking with her dog.
A Global Force for Good
As the Global Business Hall of Fame Integrity Partner, August Leadership conducts thorough research, engaging with senior business leaders, and leveraging their extensive leadership and board networks worldwide to ensure nominees meet the Hall of Fame's criteria for excellence in global business and society. They work with the Selection Committee and Voting Jury to choose candidates who demonstrate integrity, leadership, and have made significant contributions to global business.
