Our Team

DENISE PIRROTTI HUMMEL, J.D. is the CEO and Director of Universal Consensus. In addition to her role in leading the Universal Consensus team on client projects, she focuses her work on the development of UC intellectual property and the global strategic business development of the company. She lives in San Diego, California, U.S.A., and speaks English and Italian.

JACK KELLY is our Director of Sales & Client Relations. Jack Kelly has over 20 years of experience growing business services companies. His focus on building trust and value in all of his business dealings has created a track record of consistent double digit sales growth with Fortune 500, small business and start-up companies.  Mr. Kelly holds both a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego. Mr. Kelly remains active in his community serving on the San Diego Film Foundation board of directors, as a parent volunteer Notre Dame Academy Catholic School and an active member of the University of San Diego Alumni Association.

WARREN D. HEAPS is currently a Partner with Birches Group LLC, based in New York, a firm specializing in labor market conditions in the developing world. Warren leads the business development efforts for the firm, focused on 147 developing countries, including all of the countries of Africa. Prior to joining Birches in 2007, Warren was the Director, International Compensation for the Colgate-Palmolive Company, where he had oversight for global mobility and compensation in Colgate’s operating divisions outside the United States. During his tenure, key initiatives in the areas of business simplification, automation, tax planning, compensation design, and global equity planning were successfully undertaken, resulting in significant savings and improved customer service.  Earlier in his career, Warren was instrumental in designing many of the initial policies that helped Colgate to staff Central European operations immediately following the fall of the Soviet Union. Warren D. Heaps has a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Lehman College, and holds both SPHR and CEBS certification. He is the former chairman of the National Foreign Trade Council Expatriate Management Committee, and past president of the Latin America Compensation & Benefits Forum.

PETER KELLY, Ph.D (Australia & China) is an accomplished senior manager with a wealth of international experience, focused primarily in South East Asia. The majority of his adult life has been spent in the region, and his commercial activities have been targeted at ensuring his clients receive maximum value from his endeavors. Peter Kelly has been a consultant to a wide range of clients, including companies that wish to commence commercial operations in South East Asia, particularly the People’s Republic of China. Peter is an accomplished Chinese linguist, having graduated from the RAAF School of Languages in 1979. Peter began his tertiary studies in arts (Asian studies), business and science (computing) after graduating from the RAAF School of Languages. In 1996 he completed both a graduate diploma in Strategic Marketing from the International Marketing Institute, as well as working towards his Master’s in business from Charles Sturt University. Peter’s academic achievements culminated in an honorary PhD in international business in 2007. Along the way, Peter has accumulated an impressive array of contacts, from heads of state to senior government officials. He holds a hereditary title from the Sultan of Sulu, is a member of the Norman Academy and an honorary life member of the European Bioethics Centre in Rome. Peter has also received awards from several governments for his military service and other work in the international arena. Peter Kelly is a frequent visitor to China and he speaks Chinese, basic Tagalog, Malay, Indonesian and Russian.

ZUNAIRA MUNIR, Ph.D (Pakistan) is a world-leading Blue Ocean Strategist; Managing Director and Founder of ‘Strategize Blue’, a Blue Ocean Strategy consulting and training firm based in California. She has worked with numerous major companies worldwide in their pursuit to ‘make competition irrelevant’ and create Blue Oceans of highly profitable growth. Key recent clients include HP, Coca Cola, T-Mobile, Deloitte, Honeywell International, and China Mobile. She is an Affiliate Member of the Global Blue Ocean Strategy Network and has worked directly under Professors Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne as a Visiting Researcher at INSEAD, France. Having lived, educated and worked in Asia, USA and Europe, Dr. Zunaira Munir has truly global credentials. With a PhD in Innovation Management from Wuhan University of Technology in China, an MBA and Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Sciences, she offers an interesting blend of multi-disciplinary knowledge and expertise. Her multi-lingual command on English, Urdu, Hindi and Mandarin as well as her diverse experience in global business environments gives her a clear edge in effectively catering for her global clientele. As an educator, she has over 6 years of experience teaching graduate and undergraduate courses at various universities. As an executive, she played a major contribution in taking Clary Business Machines to the ranks of the fastest growing privately held companies in the nation. As a researcher her work has been published in China Business Review, International Review of Business and research, the PDMA Research Forum and others. Her book “Key Concepts in Innovation” was published by Palgrave McMillan. Dr. Munir is a dynamic trainer and presenter and is extremely good at giving the audience concrete ideas that can be translated into practical steps for breaking out of competition and making it ‘irrelevant’. Dr. Zunaira Munir speaks English, Urdu, Hindi and Mandarin.

JENNIFER MCQUEEN (Australia & Asia) has spent over two decades working in the international arena, assisting clients wishing to expand their operations into unknown territories. Now Managing Partner of Ausnindo-Asia/Pacific, Australia’s oldest International Business Consultancy and Government Advocates, McQueen co-ordinates staff and clients from across the globe, but specializing in the Asia Pacific region. Ausnindo’s unique point of difference is that each client is assigned a single, experienced consultant who works with them at home and abroad, including conferences and negotiations with potential business partners. As part of her role, McQueen personally undertakes a select number of clients each year, guiding their endeavors in export, import, joint ventures, off-shore manufacturing, investment or investment sourcing. Prior to joining Ausnindo, Jennifer McQueen spent 15 years with the Australian Trade Commission, specializing in export education and market research, development and expansion for literally hundreds of clients across a wide range of industries. This background has given her a high level of entree to Australian government agencies and a clear appreciation of how best to work with government agencies. She is now also a Director of China Commercial Services Group, a company that specializes in industry, commercial and private background intelligence reporting on China based businesses and individuals. This service is highly valued by companies and individuals from across the globe intending to do business in China. McQueen was a founding member of the Queensland Export Facilitation Council, the Maroondah Business Advisory Council and Organization of Women in Trade (Australia). She is a current member of the Australian Institute of Export, Women’s Network Australia and Marketing Communications Executives International. McQueen has lectured in university level international business courses and is regularly invited to speak or write business articles on subjects related to international trade matters. Jennifer McQueen speaks English, German, Bahasa Indonesian and Mandarin.

TOMAS SIBAJA (Mexico) is an international contractor with more than fifteen years of experience in promotion, international sales, foreign investment and off-shore marketing strategies in cross-border regions where comparative and competitive advantages existed. Multicultural executive with first-hand professional experience living in Asia, North America, the Middle East, Europe and Mexico. Tomas Sibaja is currently a PhD Candidate from L’école internationale d’administration (ISM) in Paris, France. He holds a MBA from the University of Redlands and earned a Diploma in economic and political studies by the Cambridge University in England. He also has post-graduated Diplomas in related business administration topics in Temple University of Tokyo, Japan; St. John’s University in New York and the Korean Trade Advanced Studies (Kotra) in Seoul South Korea. Career diplomat, businessman and humanitarian advocate, Mr. Sibaja has learned over the years in four continents, to perform in different cross-cultural environments with a result-oriented performance at all times. This included a two-year assignment as Sr. Business Manager in Iraq – since 2004-2006 – in the US reconstruction efforts of hospitals, schools, and water/sewer and electricity projects. Mr. Sibaja is a frequent speaker in national and international forums on a wide array of topics related to foreign investment, international trade and US-Mexico cross-border issues. Mr. Tomas Sibaja is the Director of Business Development at BC Manufacturing, a premier near-shore integrated service center located in the Tijuana/San Diego region with a proven history of success assisting companies in achieving their operational goals in Mexico. Tomas Sibaja speaks English, French, Mandarin-Chinese and Spanish.

MIGUEL DUARTE FERREIRA (Iberia) is an international consultant and competitive intelligence expert based in Portugal that consults in Southern Europe. Miguel’s language skills (Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian) allow him to be involved in projects with a wide geographical span. Miguel Duarte Ferreira founded the first company specializing in competitive intelligence in Portugal. He is currently an invited professor at the Technical University of Lisbon, where he is also responsible for the coordination of the competitive intelligence course in the MBA, Master of Sciences and post graduation course of “Systems and Technologies of Information for Organizations,” and he is also responsible for the coordination of the competitive intelligence course within the post graduate course of “Foresight, Innovation and Strategy.” Miguel is a regularly invited speaker at national and international CI seminars and conferences. He is a member of SCIP – Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals and a certified trainer for the Center for Leadership in Studies in Portugal. He is also the co-author of the first book published in Portugal by Portuguese authors in Competitive Intelligence – “Competitive Intelligence – Concepts, Practices and Advantages”. Miguel has an undergraduate degree in Economics and a post-graduation degree in Marketing Management. Miguel Duarte Ferreira speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian.

VICTORIA SPASHCHENKO (Ukraine) is a business trainer and consultant located in the Ukraine, who delivers programs related to communications, management, organizational improvement and development in the Ukraine and Russia. Victoria is currently working as the Business Development Director for Kvadrat-D (crystal growing and processing). She is also a Consultant for IBR Institute of International Relations Global Executive MBA programs (Germany). Victoria is an international member of the global consultancy TMA World as a senior consultant to deliver training to major clients, such as Arcelor Mittal. Victoria has worked extensively in both the private and public sector, particularly in the areas of international trade, public education, international development, media, legal services, and chemical industries. Victoria has extensive experience in the management of people, business processes and business communications. Her clients include Internews Kazakhstan, the British government (cross-border cooperation for international development), New Channel (the third biggest TV channel in Ukraine), “Magister & Partners” law firm in Kyiv and Moscow, Technocristal, Ecormin Planeta, PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBR, StarTelecom, and First International Mortgage Bank. Victoria has a Global Executive MBA from IBR Institute of International Relations (Germany). Her Master’s Thesis was in Change Management. Victoria Spashchenko speaks English, Ukrainian and Russian.

DEMETRIOS ‘JIM’ VANDEKAS (Canada & Greece) is the Director of Business Development at International Financial Data Services in Canada. He previously held a Director role at Capta Management in Amsterdam. He is a new-market penetration specialist; adapt at discovering, planning and executing local, regional and international sales, business and channel development. His primary goals are to bring life to his client’s vision for their products, services, global presence and ultimately to increase revenues and profits. He has fifteen years of solution and technical sales/marketing, people, project & financial management experience and vast experience in strategic and executable business planning — from market and competitive discovery analysis to business and product launch and beyond. He attended York University, Schulich School of Business, concentrating in business development and Seneca College, concentrating in investigative and behavioral sciences. Demetrios Vandekas speaks English and Greek.

IFTIKHAR MD ZIA (India & Sri Lanka) is a dynamic professional with 20 years of experience in the garments manufacturing and exports field. As a garment exporter in Chennai, his dedication was well known and for 18 years he climbed the ranks from Export Assistant to General Manager of Operations. During his tenure in this company, he handled many major labels, and built an excellent network of suppliers, factories and service providers. He handled several departments, including the Sustainability Department and at the time of his resignation lead both the Merchandising and Logistics Departments. Iftikhar Md Zia started his own sourcing agency, Zed Concept, in February 2007 and has built a dependable network. He has successfully expanded product offerings from garments to fabrics, leather products, shoes, made-ups, and handbags, while expanding the market as well to Chennai, Tirupur, Salem, Erode, Karur, New Delhi, Agra, Aligarh, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mumbai and Bangalore. Zia’s linguistic skills include fluency in English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil – which makes it easy for him to travel throughout India where language plays an important role. He has an in-depth understanding of the varied cultures that prevail throughout India. He is extremely knowledgeable in the Import/Export field and well-versed in the customs and other regulations related to trade with India. An eager learner, he has a willingness to change and adapt to new techniques, which makes him an optimal candidate to advise on import/export issues regarding a myriad of products and services intended to be offered in India. Iftikhar Md Zia speaks English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil.

UNWHA CHOI (Korea) is the founder and CEO of MindsGroup, an international HRM solution provider offering consulting, coaching and training in global business development, and innovation. MindsGroup is headquartered in Seoul, Korea. She has more than twenty-two years of experience in training, marketing, new business development, supplier management, and general corporate and consultancy management in the manufacturing and service industry. She has a proven track record of effectively managing and organizing with expert skills and ability, focusing on strategic planning and business development in both Korean and international markets by exercising and engaging in hands-on experiences. Unwha Choi has strong managerial and communication skills and abilities in coordinating projects and achieving results efficiently and effectively. She is particularly strong in learning and adapting to the international atmosphere, both in language and culture. Unwha is highly confident and comfortable working with international people and developing business for immediate and long-term goals and objectives for her clients. She deployed the successful launch of AIG International Services in Korea by employing her personal strengths and bilingual and bicultural capabilities. She has also worked with CheongKang Associates, Inc., Seoul, Korea; McDonnell Douglas Corporation (Korean Air Aerospace Division) in Long Beach, California; the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea; and Zonta International, among others. Unwha has an MBA from Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in social science from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. She graduated from TASIS England, Thorpe, United Kingdom with honors. Unwha Choi speaks Korean and English.

JOSEPH M. BORREMANS (Netherlands) is Universal Consensus Expert for Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Joseph is currently a senior consultant for national infrastructure projects. Enthusiastically embracing robust challenges that improve quality of life is undoubtedly the recurring theme of his remarkable professional and personal endeavors. Currently located in the Netherlands, Joseph is, of course, ideally situated to consult on business and cultural issues related to that part of the world, but he is also deeply connected to the Congo. Joseph M. Borremans began his international career as a technology attaché in the DR Congo. He went on to work for Motorola as their Latin America Sales & Marketing Manager after completing his business administration and economics studies while concurrently working as a medical cardiology research engineer. In 2001, he became the director of international business for the American Heart Association, where he promoted educational programs in 30 languages and launched their first international department, building it into a major division in less than two years. In 2004, he returned to the DR Congo to spearhead United Nations ground operations as the project manager for a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, where he turned around the contract on the verge of cancellation, oversaw five airports and started a project management office (PMO). In 2006, he was retained for a two-year assignment by the Dutch Railroad to secure international projects and position them for global expansion. Joseph’s entrepreneurial experience building mobile telecommunications businesses and managing their acquisition by Nextel (now Sprint) has helped him to know when to take calculated risks in pursuit of objectives. Although Joe specializes in the Benelux and DR Congo, he has extensive experience in France, Switzerland and Francophone Africa. He also has extensive experience with the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development in financing projects and contract management. Joseph M. Borremans speaks Dutch, French and English

SIMONE T. COSTA ERIKSSON (Brazil) is an intercultural coach & trainer and a psychologist (member of the British Psychological Society) based in Brazil. Eriksson holds seminars and workshops for HR professionals and for international schools. She has worked on projects for international Brazilian companies in the area of international HR development. Simone’s interest in the long-term impact of expatriation on the executive performance and on family relations started with her own experience of living 13 years abroad (USA, Sweden, Poland, and Italy). Simone T. Costa Eriksson is the co-author of an acclaimed children’s book, in which she explores the difference between adults’ & children’s perception of ‘moving abroad.’ Eriksson’s international education includes an MBA from Lund University, Sweden, a psychology degree from The Open University in Milan, Italy and an international certification in coaching from Integrated Coaching Institute (ICI), Brazil. Her previous professional business experience in international recruitment, headhunting, and customer service was later combined with her passion for human international development. Simone T. Costa Eriksson speaks Portuguese, English and Italian.

KATRINA BURRUS, Ph.D, MCC (Switzerland) coaches international executives in all areas of business, including telecom, banking, food, perfumes, non-profits and the pharmaceutical industry. Her coaching career has taken her to Europe, Asia and the United States. Dr. Burrus is recognized for her distinctive capabilities with executives and teams from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, drawing from business experience in over 30 countries. She founded MKB Conseil & Coaching in 1994 and is affiliated with a network of international experts and academic practitioners. Dr. Katrina Burrus specializes in coaching global nomadic leaders, high potential, and abrasive senior managers. She was the first Master Certified Coach in Switzerland from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is the founder, and former President, of ICF Switzerland. She is also a former board member of ICF Switzerland and was part of the ICF credentialing team. Dr. BURRUS holds a Master degree in International Management and in Human Development and in Coaching, as well as a Ph.D. in Organizational Development. Victoria has co-authored several books, had numerous articles published and is a speaker at various international forums and conferences. Katrina Burrus speaks English, French and Spanish.

FAUSTO PIERANTONI (Italy) lives in Bologna and is Universal Consensus expert in Italy. Fausto Pierantoni began his career at OptoElectronic as an Electrical Engineer. His fondness for challenge led to 18 years in Technical/Marketing roles in the world of Automatic Identification in the USA, Germany and Italy. In 1999 Fausto directed the opening of the Italian subsidiary of Metrologic Instruments, an American Electronic manufacturer. A superb problem-solver, Fausto helped Metrologic Italy to develop a VARs, resellers and inside sales network. In his present position as division manager at Leuze Electronic Italy (Milan), Fausto is responsible for all Technical-Marketing activities that fall under the LOGISTIC Business Unit. He manages a wide numbers of sales projects from a tech/marketing point of view as well as his team and all internal communications between Italy and HQ in Germany. He also consults globally on marketing and technological issues in Italy and abroad. Fausto Pierantoni speaks Italian and English and is conversational in French and German.

ADITYA REDDY CHINNAREDDY is a Universal Consensus Business and Product Development Associates. Aditya is a native of Hyderabad, India, and has a background as Marketing Executive, Operations Manager, and Business Analyst in India. Aditya has a B.Sc. in Engineering and Computer Science from CMR Institute of Technology and is fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu.

YU-FANG CHANG is a Universal Consensus Business and Product Development Associates. Yu-Fang is from Taiwan and has a B.B.A. in International Business from Soochow University in Taipei. Yu-Fang has worked as sales and marketing specialist in Taiwan as well as news and research associate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China. Yu-Fang speaks English and Mandarin.

JESSICA CHANG is a Universal Consensus Business and Product Development Associates. Jessica has a B.Sc. in Management Science from University of California, San Diego. Jessica has worked with global non-profits; she was VP of Finance for a non-profit health organization. Jessica is an American but also fluent in Mandarin, conversational in Korean, and learning Japanese.