IMD International Search Group Adds New Board Members
June 13, 2025 – Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Park City, UT, and announced the election of several board members. “Congratulations to all – IMD members fully support the new IMD board of directors,” the consortium said.
Jose Ruiz (Alder Koten, IMD Mexico and USA) was elected chairman of the board after sitting as president for three years. “The IMD board and all members wish to warmly thank Jose Ruiz for his dedication and achievements as an IMD president since 2021,” the consortium said. “Jose can now sit back and enjoy being an advisor to the new president and other board members, ensuring a smooth succession with the new president.”
Mr. Ruiz is involved in executive search work focused on board members, CEOs, and senior-level executives as well as consulting engagements related to leadership and organizational effectiveness helping clients create thriving cultures. He is also involved in research work focused on organizational effectiveness centered on leadership and culture. His professional experience includes leadership positions in engineering and operations management for manufacturing organizations in the U.S. and Mexico. Mr. Ruiz’s firm, Alder Koten, helps clients acquire, develop and transition leadership talent through a combination of research, executive search, cultural and leadership assessment, and other talent advisory services, which include career planning, outplacement, coaching and leadership training. The firm has offices in Bogota, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Mexico City, Monterrey, and New York.
Former VP of finance and legal, Simona Cremascoli (Carter & Benson, IMD Italy), was elected president. “After brilliantly handling the budget of our association, Simona is up to her new responsibilities in heading our organization,” IMD said. In 1998, Ms. Cremascoli started her career in the human resources field as consultant. Since 2004, she has been partner of Carter & Benson. In 2022, she became senior partner. The firm supports Italian and foreign market leader companies offering tailor-made advisory services through three divisions: Executive Search, Middle Management and Strategy. Ms. Cremascoli is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
In addition, directors – Jennifer Silvester (Silvester & Company, IMD USA) and Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) join the IMD board. The team is complete with Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) who continues her mandate as director.
Related: IMD International Search Group Adds Member Firm in Spain
Founded in 1972, IMD International Search Group is one of the top 40 global search organizations with more than 41 offices in major markets and business centers throughout the world. Its executive search professionals, many of whom held senior positions in the industry sectors they now serve, conduct hundreds of senior-level searches for clients worldwide each year.
The consortium said: “We are proud to have retained many members for decades now, for instance Dr. Heimeier & Partner (member since 1989), Telkes Consulting (1997), Sirca Executive Search (1998), IMS Talent (2001), Lisberg (2002), Panamera (2003), Schilling Partners (2004), and Executive Network (2005). This stability allowed us to build trustful relationships, to the benefit of our clients. It also helped attract new members during the last decade, expanding our geographical coverage to Australia and New Zealand (Fisher Leadership), Brazil (Osser & Osser), Chile (SommerGroup), China (GMPTalent International), and the U.S, (Alder Koten, Onstott Group).”
Latest Member Firm
Late last year, IMD expanded South East Asia with the addition of Singapore-based Timeo – Performance. Founded in 2008 by Isabelle Larche and Fabien Mailhe, Timeo Performance operates in Asia (Southeast Asia and Greater China) with their headquarters based in Singapore.
With their in-house team of experts in executive search and coaching / training, Ms. Larché and Mr. Mailhe operate in a wide range of sectors including consumer, industrial, financial services, transportation & logistics, across all C-level and their direct report.
Before opening the firm, both founders had built solid experience as consultants in the human performance – change management practice of a global consulting firm Akteos Asia. Of European origins, they decided to create their own consultancy, based in Asia – with a strong focus to bridge a build for western organizations who wish to establish and/or expand their business in Asia.
Related: IMD International Search Group Adds New Member Firms in North America
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
