Leadership Team

Fernando Ortiz-Barbachano is CEO of Barbachano International and Mexico CEO and Co-founder of Challenger Gray & Christmas S.C. Under his leadership, Barbachano International has earned consistent top ten rankings by Forbes as one of America’s Best Executive Search Firms. He partners with organizations across the Americas on executive hiring and leadership advisory during critical moments of change.

His background includes leadership roles at New York Life and Ernest & Julio Gallo Wine Company across the United States and Mexico, shaping a strategic, people-first approach grounded in business performance and long-term impact. Fernando holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance from San Diego State University and the Certified Personnel Consultant designation.

A bilingual, binational executive, Fernando is frequently consulted by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mexico Now, and Twin Plant News on leadership, cross-border talent, and workforce trends. He has served as Secretary and board member of the Economic Development Corporation in Mexico and is a member of SHRM and NPAworldwide. Outside of work, Fernando enjoys golf, travel, football, baseball, and collecting and tasting wine.

Octavio Lepe is Executive Vice President at Barbachano International, where he leads the firm’s Commercial and Executive Leadership search divisions across the Americas. He specializes in executive placements within the global food ecosystem, partnering with organizations across agriculture, food and beverage, agtech, foodtech, manufacturing, retail, and foodservice.

Prior to joining BIP, Octavio spent more than a decade advising C-level executives and entrepreneurs at Morgan Stanley, UBS, and MUFG. Octavio also serves on the board of Global Women Fresh. He brings a multicultural perspective shaped by living and working in Mexico, the United States, Italy, and China.

Octavio graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UC Riverside. In addition to his executive search work, Octavio is the founder of a wholesale artisan bakery and a boutique family vineyard in Mexico, giving him firsthand insight into the food and agriculture industries. He is fluent in English and Spanish and regularly writes and speaks on leadership and career development.

Gloria is an Executive Search Manager and Florida Branch Leader at Barbachano International, where she leads executive-level searches across North and South America. She is the search practice leader for Human Resources, EH&S and Legal and also specializes in Sales/Marketing and Executive Management roles. She is known for her strategic judgment, people-first approach, and consistent success building high-impact leadership teams.

With more than three decades of experience across HR management, sales, and marketing, Gloria brings a well-rounded perspective shaped by leadership roles in high-growth manufacturing, commercial and staffing environments. Since joining BIP in 2012, she has become a trusted recruitment partner across sectors including medical devices, biotech, automotive, electronics/technology, aerospace, consumer products, and industrial organizations.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Gloria brings a multicultural perspective that allows her to build strong relationships with clients and candidates across diverse markets.

Hector is Managing Director of Challenger Gray & Christmas in Mexico, where he leads executive outplacement and leadership advisory services. A Certified Executive Coach and Outplacement Career Coach, he supports senior leaders and organizations navigating complex transitions with a thoughtful, results-driven approach.

His background includes senior commercial leadership roles, most notably as National Sales Executive Director at AT&T (Alestra) in Mexico, where he led large-scale initiatives and strategic growth efforts. This experience supports his practical understanding of leadership, performance, and organizational change.

Hector holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is an active board member of the Human Resources Association of Tijuana, Mexico, a member of SHRM San Diego chapter and regularly speaks on leadership, career management, multi-cultural adaptation and organizational development. Hector is bicultural and fluent in English and Spanish.

Nelly is Outplacement Director for Northeastern Mexico at Challenger Gray & Christmas S.C., where she has supported the growth of the firm’s career transition services since 2007. She brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, training, outplacement career transition coaching and organizational consulting.

Her background includes numerous HR leadership roles at Delphi and Delco Electronics, as well as founding Scala Consultores, a training and organizational development firm based in Reynosa, Mexico. This experience supports her thoughtful, people-centered approach to supporting individuals and organizations through change. Nelly holds an MBA with an emphasis in Management and a Masters in Organizational Development from University of Monterrey. She is also Certified in Transformative Emotional Intelligence.

Nelly has worked extensively with multicultural teams across Mexico and the United States and is a longtime advocate for women in business. Her coaching approach is grounded in community, personal growth, and family values. She is fluent in English and Spanish.