Director

Alejandro joined Talengo in 2023 as the Director of Private Equity and Venture Capital practices. He brings extensive experience in investment banking and strategy in the retail sector, as well as strategic advising to consumer companies, family groups, financial services, Private Equities, and Scale-Ups. His focus is on business strategy, change management, team leadership, and talent development.

He has successfully advised Private Equities on acquisitions, turnarounds, and Board configuration, contributing to investment goals and the selection of key professionals. He has also supported Scale-Ups in raising funds, forming management teams, and implementing sustainable growth strategies.

He began his career at Bear Stearns in the foreign exchange derivatives area. After a period dedicated to mergers and acquisitions operations advising Private Equities at Deloitte and William Blair, he joined El Corté Inglés as the Director of Home and Fashion Operations. In 2020, he began his career in leadership consulting by joining the Egon Zehnder Spain team to lead international and Ibex 35-level search and evaluation processes. With family groups, he worked on succession plans, governance issue resolution, and team professionalization.

Alejandro holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) and an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Additionally, he is fluent in Spanish, English, and German.

Director

Álvaro Arce joined Talengo in 2021 as Director of Executive Search for the Financial Services, Private Equity, Real Estate and Energy practices.

He started his career in investment banking, initially at JP Morgan and after 2 years he joined Deutsche Bank where he held various positions of responsibility for Ibex 35 clients within Corporate and Investment Banking. In 2013 he moved to Switzerland to join a special situations fund (SGI) covering Southern Europe.

In 2017 he started his career in the field of executive search in a well-known multinational firm, where he reached the position of Head of Banking & Financial Services. Prior to joining Talengo he was a Principal at an international headhunting firm where he worked in the search for Banking, Private Equity and Real Estate positions.

During the last 5 years Alvaro has been involved in executive search projects in Spain, Portugal and UK, offering his knowledge as an expert advisor for the Financial Services and Investment Funds sector both nationally and internationally, with a special focus on the European market, and covering in particular positions for investment, financial and management teams.

In 2018 and 2019 he was chosen as one of the Choiseul Institute's 100 Economic Leaders of Tomorrow. Alvaro holds a degree in business administration and management from CUNEF.

In addition to Spanish, his native language, he is fluent in English having worked in different countries.

Director

Anna Segarra joined Talengo in 2022 as Principal of the leadership consulting area. ​

Her professional career has always been connected with management development consultancy. She began her career in an executive search boutique specializing in different areas and sectors, although mostly focused on the technology area. Later, she joined Hay Group as Development and Assessment Consultant. In 2019 she joined Overlap as a Manager, with a strong focus on Talent and Leadership aspects. ​

She has more than 20 years of experience in skills assessment projects for critical groups in organizations, as well as in the design and implementation of talent development programs and cultural change projects. During these years, she has led projects for the definition of leadership models, creation of corporate universities, definition of business systems and associated competencies, as well as definition and implementation of performance management systems. Also, she has led projects related to the improvement and development of people and organizations at national and international level for companies in the pharmaceutical, banking, industry, services and automotive sectors. ​

Degree in Psychology from the University of Barcelona, specializing in Clinical Psychology. Master in Management and People Management by EADA. She is a certified Coach by the European School of Coaching and accredited by ICF. She teaches postgraduate courses in Human Resources at centers such as the UdG. ​

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Director

Antonio joined Talengo in 2023 as Director in the Executive Search area for the Investment Banking and Private Equity practice.

He began his professional career as Investment Banking Analyst at BBVA. He later moved to the United States to work as Financial Analyst at Royal 4 Systems. In 2018 he returned to Spain where he began his professional career in the executive search market. In recent years, he has held different positions in two local firms, always in the Investment Banking and Private Equity practice.

For the last six years, Antonio has participated in executive search projects in Spain and in the United Kingdom, offering his knowledge as an expert advisor to the Investment Banking and Private Equity sector both nationally and internationally.

Antonio has helped design the growth strategy of investment banking teams for both mergers and acquisitions and restructuring areas, as well as equity, debt and special situations funds. He has advised different Private Equities in situations of raising new funds and in times of disinvestment, helping the growth of investment teams and the selection of the best C-Level professionals for their portfolio companies.

Antonio holds a degree in business administration and management from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

In addition to Spanish, his native language, he speaks fluent English and Italian.

Partner

Berta Arisó joined Talengo in 2023 as Partner to lead the Life Sciences practice.​

Since 2006, she has worked in consulting and management positions within two well-known multinational firms, where she had the opportunity to evolve professionally and hold different positions of responsibility.

In the Life Sciences sector, she is a specialist. Her entire professional career has been focused on a sector that she is passionate about for its purpose, values, and constant innovation. She has 17 years of experience working with pharmaceutical companies, medical device, diagnosis, and hospitals, with the mission of helping them incorporate the best talent. During the last few years, Berta has participated in executive search projects, offering her knowledge as an expert in C-Level and all the most specific areas of her sector (R&D, Quality, Records, Access, and Medical). She has been trusted with such strategic searches as the creation of new subsidiaries in Spain, new leadership in business units, and searches that require transformation, both in functional, technical, and different business areas.

Berta holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Barcelona. She is a member of EJECON and the AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants).

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Partner

Gabriel joined Talengo in 2022 as Partner to support the growth and diversification of the firm in Mexico, both in financial services and other industries.

Gabriel brings a wide experience of more than 25 years in corporate banking, private banking, asset management and executive search, having lived in Mexico, England and Spain. Gabriel started his career as corporate banker in Citibank Mexico. After the fulfillment of his MBA in England in 1999, Gabriel worked for six years in Madrid for The Citibank Private Bank and later for Afina-Pentor (a JV of local partners with Commerzbank).

In 2005, Gabriel jumped into the executive search and leadership consulting business and worked for more than fifteen years for two renowned global executive search firms as Partner of Financial Services before joining Talengo. Gabriel has successfully combined business development, execution and delivery of executive search and leadership consulting projects. Gabriel has managed executive and senior level assignments, from general management roles to functional and technical positions. Likewise, he has led search processes for real estate, retail, consumer and services companies.

Gabriel holds a BS Degree in Business Administration and Finance from the Universidad Panamericana, a Degree in Corporate Finance from the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), and an MBA Degree from Warwick Business School in the United Kingdom. Gabriel has participated for ten years as Board member of schools Colegio Montefalco and Fundación El Peñón, established to help low-income families in Morelos State. Gabriel speaks fluent Spanish and English.

Director

Gema Gómez is a Principal of the Leadership Consulting area.

An expert in people management and development-related technological solutions, she boasts an extensive track record in the design and start-up of talent and management skill programmes, high-performance teams and the development of new team competencies in an ever-changing environment.

With over 15 years’ experience in HR, since she started out she has deployed digital methodology-related projects and, in a significant portion of her professional career, has been engaged in technology consulting. Gema has taken part in and led projects as a consultant involving the selection, design and start-up of technology-organisation-environment frameworks.

She has deployed projects that entailed coaching in environments such as: SuccessFactors, BlackBoard, Moodle and Cornerstone, as well as in other local and bespoke environments. She has an excellent command of digital tools linked to assessment and development processes.

As a consultant, she has participated in the design of integrated leadership development programmes, working with management teams and Executive Committee members.

She has acted as an in-house mentor in the different posts she has held.

She holds a degree in Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master’s degree in Business Management and Creation from the Industrial Organisation School (EOI) and a Postgraduate degree in Sales and Commercial Management from ESIC Business and Marketing School.

Partner

Jorge Matiz joined Talengo in 2014 to lead the Colombia office. With a professional track record spanning over 25 years, he specialises in the search for senior management positions for the finance sector.

For over 8 years, he worked for a renowned global executive search firm, where he led the finance practice advising local and international firms. He previously spent 16 years in different executive positions in the finance industry, in the corporate banking segments for entities such as Bancolombia, Leasing Sudameris and Banco GNB Sudameris. He spent his recent years working as a Private Banker, supporting the Banco General de Panamá in strengthening, developing and consolidating the business in Colombia.

Jorge holds a Business degree from the Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración CESA and studied Investment Banking at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and Top Management at the Universidad de los Andes.

Director

José Ignacio Jiménez joined the firm in 2003 as a Director to lead the Professional Services, Energy and Public Sector practices. In 2004, he was promoted to Managing Director of the Search Area and in 2007 to Partner General Manager of Talengo Spain.

Jiménez began his professional career in Arthur Andersen as an Auditor and Consultant of the Energy sector. He later moved to EDS Electronic Data Systems assuming various positions in the international finance area.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in executive search specialising in positions within the Professional Services, Energy and Public sectors. He has taken part in searches for partners of different practices for prestigious Law Firms, both in growth and start-up scenarios. He is an expert in Executive Committee and Board of Director positions as well as in the assessment of M&A executives.

José Ignacio has a Degree in Business Management and Economics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He is a member of the Círculo de Empresarios and the AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants). He is also a trustee and Vice-President of Fundación Caico, a funding and cooperation organisation for children with cancer.

Director

Juan Luis has more than 20 years of experience advising management teams from different fields. He began his career in strategic technology consulting. After 16 years leading national and international projects for private companies and public administration, he began working in the environment of entrepreneurship ecosystems and start-ups. He mentored new projects in the application of agile methodologies in entrepreneurship for the definition and validation of their business models. He collaborated with the EOI, the University of Oviedo, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Santander International Entrepreneurship Center, among others.

In 2017 he founded Vitamina Lean, providing services to organisations for the promotion of intra-entrepreneurship, agile design of products and services and cultural transformation with a focus on continuous improvement.

In 2018 he joined a cultural transformation consulting firm as Digital Innovation Lead Expert and Business Development Manager, dedicated to the management of large accounts in projects accompanying organisations in their Agile Transformation process. He combined this role with that of a trainer and certified evaluator in Lean IT and Management 3.0, as well as in the application of the agile approach in the design and development of product and service (Lean Startup, Design Thinking, Agile).

Juan Luis holds a Degree in Pedagogy, Information and Communication Technologies from the University of Oviedo. He is certified in Management 3.0 (official Facilitator), Agile Talent (ICP-AHR), Agile Team Facilitation (ICP-ATF), Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC), Lean IT (certified by LITA) and In & Out of The Box.

Partner

Krista Walochik joined Talengo (previously Norman Broadbent) as Managing Director and Executive Board Director to found the company in Spain. In 2004 she was appointed COO and one year later CEO of the firm worldwide, as well as main Board Director of the quoted holding corporation. In 2007 she led a Management Buy-out of the business in Iberia and Latin America, rebranded as Talengo, and is partner of the company.

Krista is an expert in senior executive and board searches within the Services, Industry, Construction & Real Estate and Infrastructure sectors.

As of 2018, she is Chair Emeritus and Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee of the global association of the world’s leading headhunters, AESC, and has served in governance roles since 2010.

Krista is a member in good standing of the Instituto de Consejeros Administradores (Spanish Institute of Directors), International Women’s Forum and Women Corporate Directors.

She holds a B.A. cum laude from George Washington University and an M.A. with honours from Middlebury College, both in Spanish Literature and Language, as well as a Masters in Administration from the University of Maryland, with a special focus on Organizational Development. She is an accredited Master Coach of the Spanish Association of Coaching (AECOP), and is a Certified Coach of the Institute of Human Development (IHD) in the U.K.

Krista is recognized as one of the 100 leading businesswomen in Spain. She is a frequent speaker in international forums on Leadership and Corporate Governance.

Partner

Manuel Clavel joined Talengo in 2003 to lead the FMCG and Retail Practice. In 2005, he was appointed Managing Director of the Barcelona Office and since 2007 has been a Partner of the company in Spain.

Manuel began his professional career at Ernst & Young as an Auditor and Consultant specialising in Distribution and Services, where he also participated in the creation of the IT Security Systems Division. He later led the opening of the Barcelona office of a well-known executive search multinational. His experience in executive search for the FMCG and Retail sectors is both national and international, with special emphasis on the European market, and specifically covering positions in Executive Committees for companies in the food, beverage, personal care, household and textile sectors.

He has a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Barcelona and is a member of the Círculo Ecuestre, Barcelona Global and the AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants). Committed to social initiatives (he is the founder and trustee of Fundación Clavel), he takes part in endurance and "ultra distance" events raising money for a variety of foundations. Enthusiastic about sport and adventure, he has competed in numerous international marathons, Ironman distance triathlons and is a "finisher" of the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert.

Managing Partner

Manuel has an extensive experience in investment banking both in Mexico and New York. He was Managing Director and Chairman of the Board at The Royal Bank of Scotland between 2011 and 2013.  Before that, Manuel had spent  0 years leading the Corporate Banking team with responsibility for both commercial and investment banking. Previously, he held several senior positions at JP Morgan in Mexico and New York, where he acted as Vice President of Corporate Banking in Mexico, and LatAm Financial Advisory Division in New York.

In 2014 Manuel jumped to the executive search and leadership consulting sector, where he worked in one of the top international firms until joining Talengo in 2022.

In addition to leading Talengo Mexico, Manuel leads the financial services practice where he provides strategic leadership advice to companies in the Mexican financial system in retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, private equity, private banking and insurance companies.

Manuel holds a Degree in Accounting from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), and an MBA from Tulane University AB Freeman School of Business in New Orleans, LA.

Partner

Marta García-Valenzuela leads Talengo’s Diversity practice, and, in recent years, she has turned the firm into a benchmark in strategic diversity management in executive search, leadership consulting and director advisory services.

She began her professional career in the selection and evaluation area of an international consulting firm, coordinating the teams in Madrid and Barcelona. In 2011, she joined Talengo to develop the diversity practice in its three key dimensions: gender, culture and generation. Since then, she has advised the senior management of major national and international corporations on the impact on the business of correct strategic diversity management. Under her management, Talengo has developed diversity management projects based on the organizational diagnostic provided by a diversity audit. She has created diversity committees, trained diversity ambassadors and development cultural transformation projects from an inclusive leadership model.

She is a psychology graduate from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and an expert in legal psychology from the COP. She is certified as a Coach by ICC. She was awarded a scholarship to study on the Female Leadership programme of Fundación Rafael del Pino. She is certified in competency management tools, assessment centre and other evaluation tools. She holds a Certificate in Diversity Management from the Chamber of Commerce, the Diversity Foundation and the CEPAIM. She also collaborates with APD, the Chamber of Commerce and Intrama as a speaker in leadership and diverse talent topics and with the mass media specializing in economics and human resources subjects as a diversity and sustainability expert. She is currently a mentor in several programs to promote women towards leadership positions, Member of the Academic Advisory Board of the General Management Area of EAE Business School,. She is also a trustee of the NGO “Alianza por la solidaridad” and has been chosen as a Top 100 woman in Spain in the management category. She is also the author of the book "Heroes of Diversity".

Talengo Tech Director

Marta joins Talengo in 2023 as a Director to lead Talengo Tech. With more than 20 years of experience in the world of talent attraction and development within the technology sector, she has achieved an outstanding professional career, working both in executive search boutiques and in renowned multinationals in human resources services. Her extensive experience has always kept her linked to the world of technology and Industry 4.0, and she is passionate about the search and development of leaders who promote and drive technological disruption in companies.

Marta has accompanied clients throughout the roadmap of internalisation of tech talent in the face of the profound transformation of their software architectures, advising on the redefinition of the technological talent map in the face of the change of strategy from product to service and designing new gamified assessment solutions focused on the candidate experience. Her strategic vision and deep knowledge of market needs make her an expert in the complete talent cycle in the technology sector, being able to design customised and effective solutions for each of her clients.

She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Salamanca, a MBA from the Instituto de Empresa, and a Master in Human Resources Management from the European Business School.

Partner

Mayte joined Talengo as Marketing & Communications Director in 2001. In 2005, she redesigned the methodologies and operating system of the firm’s services to achieve the ISO 9001 Certificate. In 2009, she took on a new role as the Organisation and Media Director with responsibilities in the Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Finance and External Alliance divisions. She took part in the set-up of Talengo’ subsidiaries as well as in the rebranding from Norman Broadbent to Talengo. In 2017 she was appointed Partner to lead the operations and resources in Spain, Colombia and Mexico.

Mayte holds a degree in Marketing & Business specializing in International Marketing from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. She began her professional career as Director of External Relations at an international business school until she joined the Marketing + Sales magazine of Wolters Kluwer’s group as Professional Development Program Director.

Partner

Pamela Parra is an expert in the design and start-up of global identification and executive talent development projects and advises clients in the financial, electric, FMCG and healthcare sectors.

Her more than 11 years’ experience have enabled her to acquire a sound, global profile relating to integrated talent management inside organisations. Pamela has led 360º feedback projects and mentoring, management by values, competency cartography, performance evaluation and personal branding programmes. Furthermore, she runs and teaches on executive skill development programmes.  On account of her expertise, Pamela is a leader in the potential evaluation and talent 2.0 practice, applying new technologies that allow working in relocated and virtual contexts, using on- and off-line evaluation elements.

Pamela has been a Mentor on the Galatea Programme promoted by the Official Association of Psychologists of Madrid. She is currently rounding out her know- how in topics relating to neuroscience and emotion management.

She is an education graduate, specialising in labour matters, and holds a 3-year degree in Social Education from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She also has a Master’s degree in HR Management from the CESMA Business School.

Partner

Rafael Sarandeses joined Talengo in 2019 as a Principal to lead the financial services practice. In 2021, he is appointed Partner of the firm.

With a combined 20-year multicultural track record as a professional athlete, investment banker and entrepreneur, and a passion for career development, Rafael brings a deep understanding of performance and change management to the firm.

His career began as a professional racing driver (Spanish Formula 3 Champion in 1998). In 2005 Rafael joined the world of financial services in London, first at Goldman Sachs and later at Morgan Stanley, where he was the head of foreign exchange sales for Southern Europe until the end of 2013.

In 2014, he co-founded ThirdWay Africa, a merchant banking services firm focused on impact investment opportunities with offices in London, Maputo (Mozambique) and Harare (Zimbabwe). He served as Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer from inception, transitioning to an advisory role as an Affiliate Partner in 2019.

Rafael is an executive coach (Columbia Coaching Certification Program) and a certified habits coach (BJ Fogg's Behavioral Model). He is also an Associate Professor at IE Business School, where he collaborates with the IE Talent & Careers division in the development of professional and self-management skills, and as a career coach for students in their Master and MBA programs.

He holds a double master´s degree in law and business management from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE E-3). In addition to Spanish, his native language, Rafael is fluent in English, Italian and Portuguese, having worked and founded businesses in 5 countries in Europe and Africa.

Director

Susana Pérez de Vries is a Principal of the leadership consulting area. Her specialty is the design and implementation of international programmes.

She began her career in leadership consulting more than 15 years ago. Before joining Talengo, she was the Head of Talent and Development for Spain, Italy and Portugal for professional services multinational EY (Ernst & Young).

Susana has wide-ranging experience in projects with an international scope and multicultural teams, with a focus on the incorporation of cultural, generational and gender dimensions that ensure the adaptation of key collectives. She has designed and coordinated transformation projects with high organisational impact, such as talent evaluation and identification systems, development programmes for high potential employees, leadership models, process revisions, culture change management and the design of career plans. Her business experience and people development focus have led her to accompany executives in the definition of human resource policies as well as processes involving their own professional development. In the latter field she is an expert in the development of high performance teams and relationship skills, in addition to being an executive coach for individuals or teams.

Susana holds a degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Master’s in Human Resources. She is an ICF ACTP Coach certified at the Escuela Europea de Coaching, and an ICF Team Coach in Lider-Haz-Go. Susana is certified as Professional Scrum Master. She is accredited in Social Styles and Versatility by TRACOM ® Group, in 360º Feedback by the Center from Creative Leadership, Coaching by values by Zinquo and Sustainable Leadership by London Business School.

Principal

María Teresa González de Cossío joined Talengo in 2023 as Principal to lead the Consumer and Health sectors in Mexico.

She started her professional career at Hugo Boss being responsible for Public Relations and Marketing in Mexico and Latin America. Afterwards, she joined the Trade Commission of Mexico in Chicago to foster Mexico´s foreign trade in United States. In 2011 she returned to Mexico and joined one of the leading top Executive Search firms in the world.

Teresa offers more than ten years of experience giving leadership advice to companies from the Consumer and Health sectors investing in Mexico and different countries of Latin America. She has worked in search processes of key strategic positions in companies dedicated to diverse markets (such as food and beverage, homecare, personal care, apparel, luxury goods, retail, entertainment, hospitality, pharmaceuticals and hospital chains) including roles with regional and global scope. She has helped her clients in searching for their leaders in new business unit´s creation, joint-ventures, transformation processes and start-ups in Mexico.

Teresa earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business by the Anahuac University. She has lived in Dublin and Chicago developing the ability to work in multicultural environments. In addition to speaking fluent Spanish and English, she has an intermediate knowledge of French.

Partner

Vivian Acosta joined Talengo in 1996 where she was in charge of setting up and leading the leadership consulting practice.

Her professional career has always been linked to Strategic HR Consultancy, leading projects in Management Evaluation and Development for major Spanish corporations in their international, business diversification, merger and acquisition processes. With over 25 years’ experience, Vivian Acosta is a benchmark in Spain in the design and implementation of talent programmes for organisations. In recent years, she has advised the senior management of a variety of corporations in the implementation of an inclusive leadership strategy as one of the key levers for the digital transformation of businesses.

She is a professor on the HR Master’s and Executive Programme at Garrigues, Centro Europeo de Estudios. She is co-author of the books: Diversidad y Coaching and En Clave de Talento. She is a regular speaker at forums and seminars in the sector and an active member in a variety of professional women’s forums. She is a regular writer for Motivación y Más magazine in her capacity as a leadership expert.

She holds a Degree in Psychology from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, specialising in Industrial Psychology. She has a Master’s Degree in Evaluation Techniques and Behaviour Modification from CINTECO and a Master’s Degree in Executive Coaching from Newfield Consulting. She was trained by the ICA in its Good Corporate Governance Programme for Directors.
In 2016, she completed a post-graduate course in digital transformation at the ISDI. She is certified as Professional Scrum Master.

She is a founding member and a Senior Professional Coach of AECOP (The Spanish Coaching and Processes Association).
From 2007 to 2011, she was a member of the Ethics Committee of the International Coach Federation, a member of the ICA, Institute of Counselors and Administrators, and in 2015 she received the “Mujer Inspira” Award granted by Intrama.