Life Sciences

Sofía Said

Sofía Said manages Talengo’s senior executive search projects for the Latin American market within the FMCG & retail and healthcare sectors.

She has 10 years’ experience in the commercial, marketing and entrepreneurship areas, both in Colombia and in the United States. She began her professional career in media agencies, specifically in the design and publishing area, responsible for the creation and design of campaigns for Latin American companies located in the southern United States. She combined this experience with web content editing for large accounts such as BMW, Versace, La Riviera and Korloff Colombia. She later joined C.I. Vhera Lucci as Commercial Manager of Advertising and Marketing. In 2011, Sofia decided to make a complete change in her professional career, joining a benchmark leadership and executive search consultancy in order to specialise in positions in the sales and marketing areas.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Communication from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Manuel Clavel

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.

Iñigo Arizmendiarrieta

Iñigo Arizmendiarrieta joins Talengo in 2017 as Director to lead the Industrial practice in Mexico.

Iñigo started his professional career in the Pharmaceutical Industry, working for Wyeth Pharma first in Spain and then in Mexico. In 2005 he joins Leo Pharma in Ireland as Quality Management Director in the Penicillin Plant. In 2006, he returns to Mexico to start his own business engaged in the Representation of Spanish Industrial Companies in Mexico and Texas, with offices both in Mexico City and in Laredo, TX.

In 2013, he decides to join the professional services world as Country Manager for an Executive Search boutique in Mexico. Iñigo has lived and worked in Mexico for the last 15 years, always close to the industrial sector and the world of consulting, which has allowed him to position himself as an advisor for industrial groups in processes of growth, international expansion and professionalization of the business. He has led search processes of Senior Executives for companies operating in Mexico as well as for Mexican companies in the Agroindustry, Metal-Mechanic and Chemical Industry.

He holds a Bachelor´s Degree in Pharmacy (Universidad de Navarra) a Master´s Degree in Pharmaceutical Industry (CESIF) and an MBA (IED BS).

Juan Diego Casas

Juan Diego Casas joined Talengo in 2019 as a Principal to lead the life sciences practice.

With an extensive national and international background in human resources, Juan Diego brings a multicultural, diverse and unique vision to each project. Juan Diego has been focused on the industrial, life sciences, energy and logistics sectors.

Juan Diego began his career in the field of executive search more than 15 years ago in a well-known multinational firm, where he held the position of Executive Director and member of the Spain Steering Committee. In 2014, he joined as Regional Director a world leader in human resources solutions to manage operations and multidisciplinary teams in different countries of Europe & MENA. During this professional stage, he has developed attraction, retention and talent management solutions for different companies in the life sciences, industrial and services sector. The focus on cultural transformation of organizations and technological innovation has been the common denominator in recent years.

Juan Diego holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineer from Universidad de Burgos, has completed several Leadership Management programs at both IESE and IMD Business School. He has lived in Spain and the United Kingdom and is fluent in Spanish and English.

Krista Walochik

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.