Author Information:

Michael Boroian is the Managing Partner of Sterling International, an executive search firm specializing in Luxury Goods & Fashion which he founded in 2001 and with offices in Paris, Milan, New York and Brussels. For three years prior he was with TMP Worldwide Executive Search in Paris where he was Partner and Practice Leader for the Fashion, Retail & Luxury Goods sector for the firm's 13 offices in Europe. Earlier career positions were with Hermes as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the American subsidiary, and as Director of Development & Marketing with Sonia Rykiel. A member of the French-American Foundation and on Baccarat's Board of Directors, Michael is recognized in Europe as one of the leading executive search consultants in luxury and fashion. He has an MBA from DePaul University. Alix de Poix's professional career has been a mix of consulting and high-level human resources positions both at national and international levels. In 1994, she joined Heidrick & Struggles, where she was in charge of the luxury practice worldwide and as a Senior Partner, her work in executive search covered a wide range of executive and non-executive directors' appointments, from small entrepreneurial or family businesses to global listed corporations. Alix now runs her own executive coaching and consulting company for family businesses as well as listed firms throughout the world. Alix has a Master of Economics from Paris University and an MBA from INSEAD.