Maria Alonso Mendez

María Alonso is a Senior Search Consultant with over a decade of experience in executive search and international recruitment, building on nine years of prior practice as a psychologist. She specialises in senior-level appointments across complex, multi-country environments, bringing a strong international perspective and expertise in talent mapping, candidate assessment, and stakeholder engagement.

She spent five years at SRI Executive as an Executive Research Consultant, supporting global mandates for multilateral organisations, development finance institutions, foundations, NGOs, and international non-profits. She conducted market research, engaged senior candidates, and collaborated closely with clients and international stakeholders in complex, fast-evolving environments.

María also contributed to recruitment and admissions at Esden Business School, strengthening institutional relations and processes. Earlier, she worked at AECOM Idev (now DT Global), sourcing technical experts for EU-funded development projects across English and French speaking countries, managing direct search, interviews, negotiations, and high-volume international recruitment in multicultural teams.

She began her international career in humanitarian HR at Action Against Hunger, recruiting multidisciplinary profiles across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, while supporting expatriate HR processes in the Sahel region.

Her background in neuropsychology and coaching strengthens her analytical and behavioural assessment skills, adding depth to her evaluation of senior talent.

She holds a Degree in Psychology (Universidad San Pablo-CEU), a Master’s in HR Management (CESMA Business School), and a Coaching Accreditation (EEC Madrid).