Global Leadership Team
dss+ helps the world’s biggest organisations protect, transform and sustain what they care about. Based on our expertise, our commitment to purpose and values — and our diverse leadership. Read on to learn about the leaders who help us save lives and create a sustainable future.
Davide Vassallo
Chief Executive Officer, dss+
Davide leads a global operations management consulting business that transforms workplaces and work cultures to deliver sustained improvements in safety, productivity and capability. Since joining dss+ in 2010, Davide has focused on helping corporations manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and improve performance while reducing their environmental footprints. He brings experience across industries from oil and gas to transportation, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
Nicholas Bahr
Global Director, Operations Risk Management
Nicholas has almost 40 years of experience in developing and implementing safety management systems, process hazards analysis, large-scale safety and risk transformations, developing safety regulatory regimes, and operational risk management. He joined dss+ in 2017 as the Global Practice Leader for Operational Risk Management and Process Safety and brings his expertise in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Australia.
Melissa Barrett
Global Director, Sustainability Services and Corporate Impact
Dr Melissa Barrett has over 20 years' professional experience in Sustainability Strategy with a consulting background at Accenture and Arthur D. Little. Melissa has a focus on strategic sustainability — bridging growth, strategy, trust and implementation through partnerships, product innovation, value chains, and systems change projects. She has worked with agriculture and F&B clients across complex markets, and with food and consumer industry associations driving both value and sustainable impact.
Alyson Brandt
Global Director, Learning & Development
Alyson is an accomplished senior executive in the Performance Improvement / Management Consulting industry. She has advised senior leaders at numerous global 1000 companies on implementing enterprise-wide leadership interventions, shaping culture to execute their vision and values, driving change, and building leadership capabilities. She has helmed senior leadership roles at multiple organisational performance consulting firms where she led business transformations, mergers and start-ups.
Gauranga De
Global Director, Digital and Innovation
Gauranga has nearly 30 years of experience in management consulting covering digital, analytics and operations. He is the global lead of the Digital and Innovation practice at dss+. As a trusted counsel to CxOs, Gauranga helps clients globally with sustainable impact and capability development on their digital journey; focusing on cutting-edge digital solution development and embedment to enhance operation efficiency, margin transformation, and innovation backed by cultural shifts.
Davide leads a global operations management consulting business that transforms workplaces and work cultures to deliver sustained improvements in safety, productivity and capability. Since joining dss+ in 2010, Davide has focused on helping corporations manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and improve performance while reducing their environmental footprints. He brings experience across industries from oil and gas to transportation, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
Nicholas has almost 40 years of experience in developing and implementing safety management systems, process hazards analysis, large-scale safety and risk transformations, developing safety regulatory regimes, and operational risk management. He joined dss+ in 2017 as the Global Practice Leader for Operational Risk Management and Process Safety and brings his expertise in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Australia.
Dr Melissa Barrett has over 20 years' professional experience in Sustainability Strategy with a consulting background at Accenture and Arthur D. Little. Melissa has a focus on strategic sustainability — bridging growth, strategy, trust and implementation through partnerships, product innovation, value chains, and systems change projects. She has worked with agriculture and F&B clients across complex markets, and with food and consumer industry associations driving both value and sustainable impact.
Alyson is an accomplished senior executive in the Performance Improvement / Management Consulting industry. She has advised senior leaders at numerous global 1000 companies on implementing enterprise-wide leadership interventions, shaping culture to execute their vision and values, driving change, and building leadership capabilities. She has helmed senior leadership roles at multiple organisational performance consulting firms where she led business transformations, mergers and start-ups.
Gauranga has nearly 30 years of experience in management consulting covering digital, analytics and operations. He is the global lead of the Digital and Innovation practice at dss+. As a trusted counsel to CxOs, Gauranga helps clients globally with sustainable impact and capability development on their digital journey; focusing on cutting-edge digital solution development and embedment to enhance operation efficiency, margin transformation, and innovation backed by cultural shifts.
Robin Schleich
Global Director, Operations Excellence
Robin has over 14 years of experience in operational improvement and line management and has worked across many industries, including metals and mining, consulting and research and development. He has also led 24 large worldwide multi-disciplined consulting engagements. Robin is a recognised senior business leader, from both a consulting side and in the senior line management positions he has held, able to empower and coach people from Executive ranks and the frontline.
Julio Albernaz
Managing Director, Latin America
Julio is the Regional Director for Latin America at dss+ with over 24 years of experience in consulting, management of key accounts and projects in Brazil and abroad. He has extensive experience in management of E&P multi-million capital projects, practice projects and groups, and business process excellence and standardisation, such as mergers and acquisitions. His expertise lies in digital transformation, CAPEX project management, and he is an industrial specialist in international projects.
William Hendrickson
Managing Director, North America
William leads the dss+ North America operations management consulting business. He works with executives at client organisations acting as a trusted advisor to manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and deliver improved sustainable business performance. William has a diversified executive leadership skill set that has enabled an exceptional track record as a builder of collaborative high-performance teams that have helped clients consistently deliver their business goals.
Joseph Oommen
Director, India
Joseph has 35 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain in diverse industries (steel, chemicals, engineering plastics). During his career, he has proven his leadership skills in building teams and leading organisations in a multicultural regional and global work environment. He has led multiple major capital projects on asset investments and relocation of assets, mentored high potential employees across functions in the AP region, and holds a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Cedric Parentelli
Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa
Over his 20+ years career, Cedric has focused on operational improvement to deliver measurable and sustainable operational and financial results. He has led multiple global business transformation programs across multiple industries focussing on identifying and delivering rapid and sustainable business results in term of cash, cost and service level. He has a Master’s degree in management and a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Robin has over 14 years of experience in operational improvement and line management and has worked across many industries, including metals and mining, consulting and research and development. He has also led 24 large worldwide multi-disciplined consulting engagements. Robin is a recognised senior business leader, from both a consulting side and in the senior line management positions he has held, able to empower and coach people from Executive ranks and the frontline.
Julio is the Regional Director for Latin America at dss+ with over 24 years of experience in consulting, management of key accounts and projects in Brazil and abroad. He has extensive experience in management of E&P multi-million capital projects, practice projects and groups, and business process excellence and standardisation, such as mergers and acquisitions. His expertise lies in digital transformation, CAPEX project management, and he is an industrial specialist in international projects.
William leads the dss+ North America operations management consulting business. He works with executives at client organisations acting as a trusted advisor to manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and deliver improved sustainable business performance. William has a diversified executive leadership skill set that has enabled an exceptional track record as a builder of collaborative high-performance teams that have helped clients consistently deliver their business goals.
Joseph has 35 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain in diverse industries (steel, chemicals, engineering plastics). During his career, he has proven his leadership skills in building teams and leading organisations in a multicultural regional and global work environment. He has led multiple major capital projects on asset investments and relocation of assets, mentored high potential employees across functions in the AP region, and holds a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Over his 20+ years career, Cedric has focused on operational improvement to deliver measurable and sustainable operational and financial results. He has led multiple global business transformation programs across multiple industries focussing on identifying and delivering rapid and sustainable business results in term of cash, cost and service level. He has a Master’s degree in management and a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Srinivasan Ramabhadran
Managing Director, Asia Pacific, dss+
Srini has over 35 years of experience that includes managing operations and management consulting. He now leads the Asia Pacific region of dss+. In previous roles, he was Business Director for India and ASEAN teams and Asia Pacific Fulfillment Director. Previously he worked as the Global Director for Operations Risk Management (ORM) and led a regional team of solution architects and consultants. He also led the development of a risk-based approach to safety globally.
Johan van der Westhuyzen
Growth Leader, EMEA
Johan is a Harvard Business School alumnus with over 24 years of consulting experience. Johan helps executives to protect their people, improve operations and deliver sustainable improvements.
Andrew Wilson
Director, Australia and New Zealand
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in process industries, and has worked with clients in Australia, Asia, Africa and the USA. He comes from a maintenance and engineering background, in both line management and consulting roles. As a line manager, Andrew has implemented significant change programs, taking an integrated cultural, technical and safety perspective. He has led significant change projects that delivered improved plant performance and high-performance cultures.
Ian Xie
Managing Director, China
Ian has been with dss+ for over a decade and has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the areas of managing operations and management consulting. He advises senior management on safety risk management, safety culture change, energy conservation, environment protection, capital effectiveness, operational excellence and enabled workforces and the establishment of best-in-class safety and sustainable operations.
Marybelle Barras
Chief Risk and Legal Officer
Marybelle has served as Chief Risk and Legal Officer for dss+ since 2019. In her role, she leads the Emergency Operations Center for dss+ and provides strategic counsel in mergers and acquisitions, business strategy, contracts and risk mitigation. Marybelle brings more than 10 years of legal experience in the areas of security and risk.
Srini has over 35 years of experience that includes managing operations and management consulting. He now leads the Asia Pacific region of dss+. In previous roles, he was Business Director for India and ASEAN teams and Asia Pacific Fulfillment Director. Previously he worked as the Global Director for Operations Risk Management (ORM) and led a regional team of solution architects and consultants. He also led the development of a risk-based approach to safety globally.
Johan is a Harvard Business School alumnus with over 24 years of consulting experience. Johan helps executives to protect their people, improve operations and deliver sustainable improvements.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in process industries, and has worked with clients in Australia, Asia, Africa and the USA. He comes from a maintenance and engineering background, in both line management and consulting roles. As a line manager, Andrew has implemented significant change programs, taking an integrated cultural, technical and safety perspective. He has led significant change projects that delivered improved plant performance and high-performance cultures.
Ian has been with dss+ for over a decade and has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the areas of managing operations and management consulting. He advises senior management on safety risk management, safety culture change, energy conservation, environment protection, capital effectiveness, operational excellence and enabled workforces and the establishment of best-in-class safety and sustainable operations.
Marybelle has served as Chief Risk and Legal Officer for dss+ since 2019. In her role, she leads the Emergency Operations Center for dss+ and provides strategic counsel in mergers and acquisitions, business strategy, contracts and risk mitigation. Marybelle brings more than 10 years of legal experience in the areas of security and risk.
Kelly Carson
Global Director, Communications
Kelly develops and implements strategic communications programs designed to promote awareness of dss+ and create demand for the business and its holistic approach to creating safer, more sustainable workplaces and work cultures. Kelly is a member of the dss+ global leadership team. She has leveraged her experience gained during 30 years as a branding and communications professional to position dss+ as a global thought leader in safety and risk management, sustainability and operations.
Emma Cuttler
Chief Human Resources Officer
Emma has been with dss+ for more than nine years and brings over 20 years of international HR experience to the team. She is responsible for engaging global teams to execute business initiatives that enhance the company culture and add value for the business. Emma’s expertise includes strengthening employee engagement, talent acquisition, business acquisitions and integrations, performance management and initiating capability development programs.
Thorsten Querfurt
Chief Operations Officer
Thorsten has more than 20 years of experience as a management consultant, a partner in a global firm, and more recently as a leader of international professional services businesses. In his current role, with dss+, he will focus on ensuring that we deliver client solutions efficiently and effectively. He holds an MBA from London Business School and a Textile Science degree and is bilingual in English and German.
Sabyasachi Ghosh
Chief Technology Officer
Sabyasachi helps enable an agile technology environment aligned to our strategy and spearheads our internal IT processes, technology, and people. With over 30 years of experience supporting industries with their technology journey and as a self-proclaimed ‘technology evangelist’, Sabyasachi brings direct experience in systems integration and consulting as well as implementing large and complex IT solutions.
Vladimir Kral
Chief Financial Officer, dss+
Vladimir is a global leader with 25 years of diverse experience across geographies and industries, including 10 in management consulting. He offers comprehensive counsel and guidance on Finance, Tax, Accounting, Audit, Treasury, FP&A, Compliance, M&A, Private Equity and Leadership. He also has strategic insight with progressive international experience acquired through guidance and leadership in global complex and transformation projects.
Kelly develops and implements strategic communications programs designed to promote awareness of dss+ and create demand for the business and its holistic approach to creating safer, more sustainable workplaces and work cultures. Kelly is a member of the dss+ global leadership team. She has leveraged her experience gained during 30 years as a branding and communications professional to position dss+ as a global thought leader in safety and risk management, sustainability and operations.
Emma has been with dss+ for more than nine years and brings over 20 years of international HR experience to the team. She is responsible for engaging global teams to execute business initiatives that enhance the company culture and add value for the business. Emma’s expertise includes strengthening employee engagement, talent acquisition, business acquisitions and integrations, performance management and initiating capability development programs.
Thorsten has more than 20 years of experience as a management consultant, a partner in a global firm, and more recently as a leader of international professional services businesses. In his current role, with dss+, he will focus on ensuring that we deliver client solutions efficiently and effectively. He holds an MBA from London Business School and a Textile Science degree and is bilingual in English and German.
Sabyasachi helps enable an agile technology environment aligned to our strategy and spearheads our internal IT processes, technology, and people. With over 30 years of experience supporting industries with their technology journey and as a self-proclaimed ‘technology evangelist’, Sabyasachi brings direct experience in systems integration and consulting as well as implementing large and complex IT solutions.
Vladimir is a global leader with 25 years of diverse experience across geographies and industries, including 10 in management consulting. He offers comprehensive counsel and guidance on Finance, Tax, Accounting, Audit, Treasury, FP&A, Compliance, M&A, Private Equity and Leadership. He also has strategic insight with progressive international experience acquired through guidance and leadership in global complex and transformation projects.
Alexey Lesin
Director, M&A and Strategic Partnerships
Alexey holds an INSEAD MBA and has been with dss+ for 15 years and consulting for 10. He is highly skilled in innovation management, digital solutions and emerging technologies, data analytics, and knowledge management. To meet the changing needs of clients, he helps organisations with strong ESG/ORM/OPEX expertise to accelerate their growth globally.
Marco Pagnini
Global Director, Industries
Alexey holds an INSEAD MBA and has been with dss+ for 15 years and consulting for 10. He is highly skilled in innovation management, digital solutions and emerging technologies, data analytics, and knowledge management. To meet the changing needs of clients, he helps organisations with strong ESG/ORM/OPEX expertise to accelerate their growth globally.
Davide Vassallo
Chief Executive Officer, dss+
Davide leads a global operations management consulting business that transforms workplaces and work cultures to deliver sustained improvements in safety, productivity and capability. Since joining dss+ in 2010, Davide has focused on helping corporations manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and improve performance while reducing their environmental footprints. He brings experience across industries from oil and gas to transportation, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
Srinivasan Ramabhadran
Managing Director, Asia Pacific, dss+
Srini has over 35 years of experience that includes managing operations and management consulting. He now leads the Asia Pacific region of dss+. In previous roles, he was Business Director for India and ASEAN teams and Asia Pacific Fulfillment Director. Previously he worked as the Global Director for Operations Risk Management (ORM) and led a regional team of solution architects and consultants. He also led the development of a risk-based approach to safety globally.
Vladimir Kral
Chief Financial Officer, dss+
Vladimir is a global leader with 25 years of diverse experience across geographies and industries, including 10 in management consulting. He offers comprehensive counsel and guidance on Finance, Tax, Accounting, Audit, Treasury, FP&A, Compliance, M&A, Private Equity and Leadership. He also has strategic insight with progressive international experience acquired through guidance and leadership in global complex and transformation projects.
Cedric Perlet
Partner, Gyrus Capital
Cédric joined Gyrus in May 2019. Previously, he was a senior investment executive with Argos Soditic from 2007 – 2019, working with the managing partners for more than 10 years. Earlier in his professional career, Cédric was Management Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory in Corporate Strategy, Restructuring and M&A projects. Cédric holds a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Zurich.
Guy Semmens
Founder, Gyrus Capital
Guy co-founded Gyrus Capital in October 2018 and has over 25 years of experience in private equity. Previously, Guy was managing partner of Argos Soditic, where he had overall responsibility for the management, fund raising, investor relations and back office of the firm as well as heading the Swiss operation. Before joining Argos Soditic, Guy was a solicitor with Clifford Chance, the international law firm, where he was part of the firm's management buy-out group.
Davide leads a global operations management consulting business that transforms workplaces and work cultures to deliver sustained improvements in safety, productivity and capability. Since joining dss+ in 2010, Davide has focused on helping corporations manage operational risk, achieve operational excellence and improve performance while reducing their environmental footprints. He brings experience across industries from oil and gas to transportation, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
Srini has over 35 years of experience that includes managing operations and management consulting. He now leads the Asia Pacific region of dss+. In previous roles, he was Business Director for India and ASEAN teams and Asia Pacific Fulfillment Director. Previously he worked as the Global Director for Operations Risk Management (ORM) and led a regional team of solution architects and consultants. He also led the development of a risk-based approach to safety globally.
Vladimir is a global leader with 25 years of diverse experience across geographies and industries, including 10 in management consulting. He offers comprehensive counsel and guidance on Finance, Tax, Accounting, Audit, Treasury, FP&A, Compliance, M&A, Private Equity and Leadership. He also has strategic insight with progressive international experience acquired through guidance and leadership in global complex and transformation projects.
Cédric joined Gyrus in May 2019. Previously, he was a senior investment executive with Argos Soditic from 2007 – 2019, working with the managing partners for more than 10 years. Earlier in his professional career, Cédric was Management Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory in Corporate Strategy, Restructuring and M&A projects. Cédric holds a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Zurich.
Guy co-founded Gyrus Capital in October 2018 and has over 25 years of experience in private equity. Previously, Guy was managing partner of Argos Soditic, where he had overall responsibility for the management, fund raising, investor relations and back office of the firm as well as heading the Swiss operation. Before joining Argos Soditic, Guy was a solicitor with Clifford Chance, the international law firm, where he was part of the firm's management buy-out group.
Robert Watson
Founder, Gyrus Capital
Rob co-founded Gyrus in October 2018 and has over 17 years of experience in private equity, specialising in healthcare investments. Previously, Rob was a Managing Director at Altaris Capital Partners, a leading healthcare-focused private equity firm based in New York, where he led the firm's investments in the pharma and life sciences sectors. He has broad experience investing across the healthcare and technology industries, in companies based in Europe, the US and in Asia.
George Serafeim
Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School
George is the Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He co-founded KKS Advisors in 2013 to apply innovative academic research to help organisations develop effective sustainability strategies. George has presented his research to leaders in over 60 countries including talks at the World Economic Forum at Davos and the Aspen Ideas Festival, and is ranked top 10 among over 12,000 business authors by the Social Science Research Network. KKS Advisors is part of dss+.
Betül Susamis Unaran
Chief Strategy and Digital Officer, Executive Board Member at Zur Rose Group
A digital transformationalist, Ms. Unaran brings decades of experience improving business performance and leading digital strategy and implementation. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy and Digital Officer and an Executive Board Member of Zur Rose Group, the largest eCommerce Healthcare player in Europe. She serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of Ypsomed in Switzerland and Brain+ in Denmark, as well as Advisory Board Member of Lumanity/Arsenal Capital in the US.
John Richard
CEO, Americhem
John joined Americhem as the Chief Executive Officer in April 2022. He works with an incredibly accomplished team that designs, develops, and produces innovative customised colour master batches, functional additives, engineered compounds, and performance technologies across a wide range of demanding end-use industrial markets. John applies his expertise, energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to lead his team to their future successes.
Rob co-founded Gyrus in October 2018 and has over 17 years of experience in private equity, specialising in healthcare investments. Previously, Rob was a Managing Director at Altaris Capital Partners, a leading healthcare-focused private equity firm based in New York, where he led the firm's investments in the pharma and life sciences sectors. He has broad experience investing across the healthcare and technology industries, in companies based in Europe, the US and in Asia.
George is the Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He co-founded KKS Advisors in 2013 to apply innovative academic research to help organisations develop effective sustainability strategies. George has presented his research to leaders in over 60 countries including talks at the World Economic Forum at Davos and the Aspen Ideas Festival, and is ranked top 10 among over 12,000 business authors by the Social Science Research Network. KKS Advisors is part of dss+.
A digital transformationalist, Ms. Unaran brings decades of experience improving business performance and leading digital strategy and implementation. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy and Digital Officer and an Executive Board Member of Zur Rose Group, the largest eCommerce Healthcare player in Europe. She serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of Ypsomed in Switzerland and Brain+ in Denmark, as well as Advisory Board Member of Lumanity/Arsenal Capital in the US.
John joined Americhem as the Chief Executive Officer in April 2022. He works with an incredibly accomplished team that designs, develops, and produces innovative customised colour master batches, functional additives, engineered compounds, and performance technologies across a wide range of demanding end-use industrial markets. John applies his expertise, energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to lead his team to their future successes.