Who we are.

Jean-Michel Fürst the seasoned executive search expert specializing in luxury goods and fast-moving consumer goods, possesses an unparalleled passion for aesthetics, shapes, and materials. Fluent in German, English, and French, he established DE BORD INTERNATIONAL over two decades ago, with a focus on giving his expertise to the brands he's working for and meticulously crafting teams that harmonize like yin and yang.

His career journey from a basic technical education through a postgraduate diploma in business administration along with his experience in international roles in marketing, sales, and management, gave him the ability to comprehend market dynamics and meet the unique needs of every client.

Competitive sports and a deep-rooted affinity for Asia martial arts from a young age, formed and defined his professionalism and fighting spirit, when it comes to delivering his expertise with an unwavering commitment to success and excellence.

Dr. Andrea Nienaber, a vital member of the DE BORD INTERNATIONAL team since 2018, is our dedicated executive search expert specializing in the life sciences sector.

With a Ph.D. in biology and a wealth of consulting experience, Andrea combines her deep industry knowledge with a keen eye for detail. She doesn't just view your company through a macroscopic lens; she examines the microscopic intricacies of your products. Andrea excels in finding the perfect team members and addressing critical medical and technical needs. Fluent in German, English, and Dutch, she brings a global perspective to her work.

At home, Andrea Nienaber’s two daughters keep her on the go, but she always manages to infuse her natural calm with moments of delightful irony within our team.

Sandra Vontobel, our accomplished Managing Partner at DE BORD INTERNATIONAL since July 2023, brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

With a background as a trained lawyer and certified auditor, she boasts a proven track record in financial reporting, international team leadership, structural and process enhancement, and compliance. Her role as an independent board member has honed her strategic, organizational, and management acumen. Sandra's extensive background and multifaceted perspective inform her holistic approach to executive search, drawing from her rich experience in diverse sectors. Passionate about discovering top talent, she excels in sourcing candidates for consulting, sports, public administration, foundations, and associations.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Sandra finds joy in sports and music. From leisurely walks with her Labrador Nala to attending concerts, her favorite pastimes reflect her appreciation for life's simple pleasures, often shared over a good glass of wine and a delightful meal.

Axel Riester is an Executive Search Expert for Industrial and Construction Industry and its Digitalization. With a background in mechanical engineering and a postgraduate degree in business administration from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Axel brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to your recruitment needs.

With a passion for modern tools and processes, Axel is committed to filling your vacancies and driving innovation. His extensive management experience across various industries has always centered on customer-centric performance and innovation.

Beyond his professional life, Axel finds joy in the simple things, whether it's working in the woods or fine-tuning bicycles for thrilling races.

René Bossert is Managing Partner at DE BORD INTERNATIONAL. His focus is on the recruitment, selection, and support of executives and specialists in all sectors of the economy in the field of interim management and in executive search he is an expert in the industrial industry. In this role, he's responsible for the further successful expansion of DE BORD INTERNATIONAL.

René is a proven executive in corporate and divisional management. He can look back on many years of international experience as a board member and CEO in the industrial, retail, and service sectors and as a senior and executive advisor in management consulting. He also has a convincing track record in the development and expansion of new and existing business areas. Thanks to his many years of international professional experience, he has in-depth market knowledge in various sectors and a very broad network.

In his free time, he enjoys sports, especially hiking and jogging, and long walks in the countryside with his dog, especially in the Engadin.

Biljana Nikic is the Office Manager at DE BORD INTERNATIONAL since July 2024. In this role, she and her team ensure that everything runs smoothly and are the indispensable right hand of the managing partners.
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With her extensive experience and expertise in management and higher education, Biljana brings outstanding professional knowledge and social skills. She impresses with her organisational talent, herpositive and appreciative attitude to life, her empathy and her reliability. Biljana is a real team player who is happy to take on responsibility.

Biljana studied Intercultural Communication and Political, Economic & Legal Philosophy and is fluent in German, Croatian and English. 

In her free time, Biljana enjoys spending time with her family and finds balance and inspiration in various sports in nature.

Maja Markovic joined our team in July 2023. With a proven track record cultivated through several years of experience in London's premier executive search firms, Maja has honed her skills, specializing in high-profile C-suite assignments spanning diverse sectors and global markets.
Her expertise covers the entire research process, from identifying the most suitable candidates to precisely defining what excellence entails, ensuring exceptional outcomes for both candidates and clients and in addition she's fluent in Slovenian, English, Italian and Croatian.
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Beyond her professional life, Maja is an avid long-distance runner and an adventurous explorer of new destinations, finding peace and motivation in these pursuits. Furthermore, she generously dedicates her free time to help her family nurture their vineyards and olive groves in her picturesque hometown of Slovenia.