Dimitris Kleftakis takes over from Bernardo Entschev, who served as president from June 2019.

30 June 2022

AIMS International gathered in Madrid for its annual general meeting in mid-June. Our first hybrid event on this scale, the hundred or so attendees at the Vincci Soho Hotel in downtown Madrid were joined virtually by 30 of their remote colleagues for four days of knowledge sharing, business development, and celebration. Participation was the highest it has ever been.

The event resembled a big family reunion – a long anticipated coming together in one place after Covid-19 restrictions had largely been lifted, and it was made all the more special by it including our 30th birthday party. Thanks to our hosts – the team at AIMS International Spain – we had a wonderful experience that I know will stay in our memories for a very long time.

We also elected a new executive board in Madrid. Taking up the responsibility and privilege of leading our organisation over the next three years are a diverse team of dedicated, highly dynamic partners from around the world. 

Dimitris Kleftakis (Greece) was elected AIMS International President, taking over from Bernardo Entschev (USA), and Juan Crespín (Argentina) replaces Peter Barkhurst (Germany) as Global Vice President.

Four new members joined the EMEA regional board: Titti Hammarling (Sweden) as EVP and Zeinab Noureldin (Egypt), Sarunas Dyburis (Lithuania) and Dan Badiu (Romania) as VPs. They replace Leonie Pentz (South Africa), Grégoire Depeursinge (Switzerland), and Karim Ahniche (Morocco). 

In the Americas, Cecilia Diaz (Mexico) and Juan Carlos Solano (Costa Rica) were re-elected as EVP and VP respectively and will continue their fantastic work in the region. And Sukwon Choi (South Korea) was elected EVP on the Asia-Pacific regional board, taking over from Jonathan Khoo (Singapore) as head of the region. 

View the whole board here.

“I would like to thank our partners for providing us with their trust and support to lead the organisation for the next three years,” said the incoming president, Dimitris. “The new board has the competencies and the complementarity necessary to build on our 30 years’ heritage and take us into the future. The meeting in Madrid was a great moment for us all and the beginning of a new era for AIMS International.”

 

We wish the new board the best of luck in their duties. At the same time, we extend a big thank you to the outgoing members, who contributed so much of their passion and energy for many years to accomplish the goals of our organisation. You will always be an inspiration to us.