Profiles
KAREN RUSSO – PRESIDENT
A fourth generation female entrepreneur, Karen Russo has built an incredible 28 year career in executive search and human resources by challenging the norm, taking smart risks and really understanding what drives people and teams. Recognized for being a best employer by the Working Women’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, Karen has conducted search in most major industries and some of the nation’s leading Fortune 500 companies through her firm K. Russo Consulting Inc.
Knowing that a critical part of the process in search is identifying the talent pool, Karen launched Mexico-based IIPE International Executive Research, a global name generation and customized research service. IIPE uses a proprietary search methodology relying on boolean logic, custom search engines and traditional cold calling to source high quality, targeted candidate lists. With IIPE, Karen can offer her clients a choice between a hands-on search or 100% validated list generation. Recognizing the value and innovation that IIPE provides, search firms and corporate recruiting teams began to hire us to do their research and name generation. With a growing portfolio of clients, IIPE is the engine that supplies talent across industries. In 2014, the AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants) named IIPE a strategic alliance partner.
A recognized authority in her field, Karen is frequently quoted in the media, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Business Week. Karen was also a finalist in the Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Karen is an AIRS Certified Diversity Recruiter. Since 2001, she has been part of The Pinnacle Society, the nation’s premier consortium of top recruiters with membership limited to 75 people nationally and now serves on its membership committee. Her memberships include IACPR (The International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruiters), NAPS (National Association of Personnel Services) and SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management). Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Pace University. Karen is fluent in English and Spanish.
Karen lives her version of the dream, splitting her time between her home in Mexico and businesses in Mexico and Connecticut. She is an avid salsa dancer and a triathlete. She also volunteers for Hope for Ek Balam, a cause dedicated to a small village in the Yucatan, buying supplies, medicines and supporting families there. As a former NFTE (Network For Teaching Kids Entrepreneurship) volunteer, she is now helping her 22 year-old son start his own business and continue the family tradition of entrepreneurism. Whether on the dance floor, on a bike or in her office, she’s likely to inspire you and make you want to seek your best self.
RICARDO MARRUFO – DIRECTOR, CLIENT STRATEGY & OPERATIONS
If you work with IIPE, then you know Ricardo Marrufo. Ricardo started with IIPE in 2009 as a Research Associate and quickly rose to lead and develop the research team, becoming an expert in custom search engine and Boolean search logic.
With a previous background in client relations within the accounting arena and national call centers, Ricardo naturally evolved into IIPE’s Manager of Client Strategy. He is responsible for all client project management. Ricardo leads all client specific strategies, analyzes the development of the international corporate structures and establishes target company lists. He handles full management and execution of IIPE’s research projects. His broad business background allows Ricardo to multitask on providing candidate development, assessment and interviewing on our executive searches in Latin America.
Ricardo is a graduate from Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua with a degree in finance administration. His previous experience as an Accountant developed his analytical talents, handling salary calculations, managing payroll and preparing client taxes aligned to the accounting rules, regulations and labor laws within Mexico. As Business Unit Analyst in a manufacturing plant, he learned to navigate in complex environments. Prior experience also rounds out his strong client facing skills as a Call Center Customer Service Agent for Teleperformance, a company which provides customer service for the Microsoft Xbox and a tour guide for the Sierra Tarahumara. Ricardo is fluent in Spanish and English.
When Ricardo is not strategizing with the IIPE team you can find him “schooling” his buddies on the tennis courts or surfing in the Caribbean.
ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ – MANAGER, NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SEARCH OPERATIONS
Alejandro Fernandez joined our team in 2012 and is our Manager, New Business Development and Search Operations. Alejandro is responsible for ensuring the compilation of accurate, timely and comprehensive candidate data. He applies an acute focus to data integrity, thereby assuring the highest quality name generation reports and analysis to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, Alejandro handles specific profile targeting and candidate assessments for executive search projects within IIPE.
Alejandro attended Universidad Nacional De Rio Negro where he studied Hotel Management. Prior to joining IIPE, he worked in the hotel industry for several years in Argentina and Mexico. Alejandro is fluent in Spanish and English as well as conversational in Portuguese.
When Alejandro is not ensuring information at IIPE you can find him trekking during the summer or snowboarding during winter, or simply enjoying the wildlife of Argentinian Patagonia with his family.
SWAN LOPEZ – MANAGER, CLIENT STRATEGY AND QUALITY
Swan Lopez, IIPE’s Manager of Client Strategy and Quality leads with a detailed eye on performance metrics. As a project manager for our search clients, Swan has oversight of quality assurance, responsible for analyzing team performance and project timeliness as well as ensuring customer satisfaction. Swan drives for continual process improvement, focusing on best practices and working to implement methods that bringing new ideas to the company with a fresh focus based on his experience.
He is a graduate from Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua with a degree in business administration. His past experience allowed him to develop a strong leadership managing several teams and lead them to achieve their objectives successfully through motivation and work team. As a Business Unit Manager of Servifon (a service provider for Telcel, Mexico’s largest communication company), he and his team accomplished one of the highest records in contract renewal. Swan is fluent in Spanish and English.
Swan loves playing guitar, listening to music and has a passion for learning new things, especially, technologies and programming.
LORENA ESTRADA – RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Lorena is a new team member at IIPE, she started in 2015. As a Research Associate, you will find Lorena supporting the team with her superior skills in candidate profiling, interviewing and validation. Lorena has a passion for learning and has recently been immersed in an intensive two month recruitment training program with the goal of helping IIPE clients find top talent internationally with a focused attention on results and cost savings.
With a previous background in Internal Communications and Public Relations, Lorena is expert in knowing how to deal with a variety of clients.
Lorena is a graduate from ITESM-CEM with a degree in Communication. Her previous experience in Public Relations and Sales has enabled her to help clients with laser-like focus and attention to their business goals. Lorena has developed a sensibility around accurately assessing individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Lorena is fluent in Spanish and English.
When Lorena is not strategizing and learning with the IIPE team, you can find her bicycling with friends in Playa Del Carmen or enjoying time with her family.
TINE MATHYS – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Tine is responsible for the office management. This includes overseeing the legal, finance, business and technology operations as well as the hiring and on-boarding of new employees.
Graduated as an engineer, Tine possesses a strong background in computer technology and software tools. She has first-hand experience working in multi-national organizations based in Europe, in different areas of product management, sales and marketing. Being a natural team leader, she motivates the research team to effectively handle executive search, candidate cold calling, pre-qualifying screening, in-depth interviewing, and candidate profile assessment.
Tine has worked in many continents and is fluent in Spanish, English, Dutch and French. Previously, she owned her own company in Mexico providing entertainment in the tourist industry and supported other companies as a business and financial consultant.
Tine is a member of the National Society for Hispanic Professionals.