GENEVA, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Distinguishing among the world's most talented and impactful young leaders is no easy task. Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), the premier provider of executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping worldwide, has partnered with the World Economic Forum for the ninth consecutive year to help assess the global nominees for the Young Global Leaders for 2016. 

For the full 2016 list of YGLs honored, http://wef.ch/ygl16.

Heidrick & Struggles again has leveraged its global talent expertise to assist the World Economic Forum in evaluating talented individuals across the world for selection to join the international community of Young Global Leaders. 

This year, 121 Young Global Leaders—all under the age of 40—were tapped from over 50 countries.

"These creative and talented young individuals already are making distinctive contributions to our global society," said Tracy Wolstencroft, Heidrick & Struggles President and CEO. "As they become connected through the World Economic Forum's YGL network, we expect the collective impact of these dynamic leaders to be even greater."

YGL efforts to date have led to initiatives and businesses aimed at tackling global water shortages, the working conditions of factories in poor countries, a waste-free world, poor health and education for schoolchildren and spinal injuries. A detailed list of notable initiatives involving YGLs is available here.

Previous YGL Nominees Include:

• David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Jack Ma, Executive Chairman, Alibaba Group
• Marissa Mayer, CEO, Yahoo
• Larry Page, Co-founder and CEO, Google
• Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy
• Naoko Yamazaki, Astronaut

The YGL Class of 2016 includes individuals from North America, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. 

The Forum of Young Global Leaders has established a comprehensive selection process for identifying and selecting the most exceptional next-generation leaders. Each year, thousands of candidates from around the world are proposed through a qualified nomination process and assessed according to rigorous selection criteria. With the purpose of creating a truly representative body, candidates are evaluated by the Forum's Young Global Leaders Team, Heidrick & Struggles and, as a final step, screened by a selection committee.

In total, more than 50 consultants and associates globally were involved in the review. Candidates are selected based on their proven track record of professional accomplishments, breadth of expertise, commitment to society and ability to overcome adversity, among other criteria.

About Young Global Leaders
The Forum of Young Global Leaders has three objectives:

• To transform the next generation of leaders: through personal experiences that exchange knowledge, build better understanding and define the major global challenges.
• To build a global community of peers: by engaging Young Global Leaders into networks and processes that search for forward-looking and innovative solutions for humankind.
• To positively impact global challenges: by engaging Young Global Leaders in collaborative actions that leverage individual contributions in to collective action and taskforces.

About Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) serves the executive talent and leadership needs of the world's top organizations as a premier provider of leadership consulting, culture shaping and senior-level executive search services. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 60 years ago. Today, the firm serves as a trusted advisor, providing integrated leadership solutions and helping its clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. www.heidrick.com

About The Forum of Young Global Leaders
Established by Professor Klaus Schwab in 2004, the Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multistakeholder community of more than 900 exceptional young leaders. Bold, brave, action-oriented and entrepreneurial, these individuals commit both their time and talent to make the world a better place. Every year, the Forum honours about 100 to 150 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. www.weforum.org

H&S Media Contact:
Lia Randazzo +1 312.731.4003
lrandazzo@heidrick.com

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SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles