“The name Sterling evokes the notion of purity, solidity and brilliance of a metal both fine and timeless: silver. It is therefore in direct association with the sectors we focus on, but also and perhaps most importantly, these “Sterling qualities” describe the values and the culture of our company.”

Michael Boroian is recognized as one of the leading executive search consultants in the sector of Fashion, Retail and Luxury Goods. He has completed key recruitments for the fashion and luxury sectors’ leading brands and has substantially placed top executive talents globally. These talents have demonstrated staying power and have delivered exceptional achievement and results.
Prior to founding Sterling International in 2001, Michael Boroian was with TMP Worldwide Executive Search in Paris where he was Partner & European Practice Leader of the sector Fashion, Retail & Luxury Goods. He started his career in Chicago with Francorp, a U.S. based management consulting firm where for eleven years he held positions initially as Financial Controller, then General Manager/Senior Consultant, and formerly EVP/COO. He then managed Hermès U.S. as EVP/COO in New York, prior to moving to Paris where he later joined Sonia Rykiel as Director of Marketing & Development. Prior to joining TMP he was Managing Partner with Axionis/YDS, an affiliate of Deloitte Touche, where he conducted strategic HR interventions in Fashion & Luxury companies.
Michael holds a Degree in Management/ Finance and an MBA in International Business, both from De Paul University. A former Board Member of Baccarat (2006 to 2012) and of the French American Foundation (2012 to 2015), Michael Boroian is also co-Author of “India by Design: The Pursuit of Fashion & Luxury”, published by John Wiley & Sons in October 2009. He speaks English, French, German, Italian and Armenian.

Cristina Baruzzi heads our Milan office and our Creative Pole. She is an International Human Resources Executive with 25 years’ experience gained in the luxury fashion industry. Strategic with broad experience at a global level, Cristina brings strong entrepreneurial and managerial skills, her Law degree and Law faculty Research credentials allowing for an innovative approach to business, honed during the first part of her career as General Counsel, first at Prada, then at Valentino. 

She has proven her ability to drive HR development and deployment in multicultural environments in Advisor and Business Partner roles to CEO and Leadership Teams. Prior to joining Sterling International, she was the Global Retail Human Resources Director at Prada Group after which she re-joined Valentino Group as Chief People Officer, where she founded the Valentino Accademia. Throughout her career in the Fashion industry, she has partnered with some of the most influential Creative Directors and has thus always been an active and enthusiastic member of the international creative community.​

Cristina holds a Masters in Law from the University of Pavia and she speaks fluent Italian, English and French.

She is also Jury Member and Mentor of Camera della Moda Italiana, Mentor at the Hyeres Festival of Fashion, Photography & Accessories, and Jury Member at the Delfin International Fashion Award.

Wei Chen joined Sterling International in February 2021 as Principal, bringing along her extensive management and consulting experiences in the luxury, fashion and lifestyle product industry both in Asia and in France. Wei Chen began her career in 2001 working for LVMH as Regional Marketing Manager of Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific for 4.5 years, followed by a 4.5-year tenure within the Hermès Group as International Business Development Manager of Hermès International and then as Chief Operating Officer of Shang Xia (joint venture with Hermès International). Since April 2011, Wei Chen has been working as an Independent Consultant providing strategic advisory and operational management services to luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands.

Wei holds a Degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the China Foreign Affairs University, a Degree in Economics and Finance from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and received her MBA from INSEAD. She speaks Mandarin, English and French.

Christine Ulbertini joined Sterling International in Paris in 2010 as Researcher, was promoted to Senior Researcher in 2013, to Consultant in April 2016, and then to Principal in December 2018, focusing primarily on CEO / Managing Director / General Manager, Digital, eCommerce, Marketing, Sales, HR and Finance positions, in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Prior to joining Sterling International, she was Managing Director for Angels Costumes France, and Development Director for Efferis in the entertainment business.

Christine holds a Master’s in Modern Literature from the University of Paris-Sorbonne. She speaks French, English, Spanish and Armenian.

Elizaveta Buynova took on her Consultant role in September 2025,  having joined Sterling International in 2019 as Assistant Researcher for the Creative Pole before being promoted to Researcher and then Senior Researcher role in March 2023. Prior to joining Sterling in 2019, Elizaveta was an Accessories Designer at Ann Demeulemesteer in Belgium, and prior at A.F.Vandervorst and Proenza Schouler as a Design Assistant.

A true citizen of the world with a sharp eye for design, she is a key asset for identifying creative talents on a global scale. Since her debut with Sterling International, Elizaveta has worked on recruitments across functions and markets including Designers, Creative Directors, Store Directors, Commercial Directors, VIC Experts, Marketing Managers, Digital Directors and General Managers.

Elizaveta holds a Degree in Footwear and Accessories Design from Polimoda, Master’s degree in International Business Management from EDHEC as well as a Degree in Law. She speaks Russian, English, French, and German.

Charlotte Cookson joined Sterling International in Paris in December 2012 as Operations & HR Manager to assist the Consulting team on business development, best practices and to manage internal HR issues. She began her career as a Regional Manager in 1998 for Concordia, a French national charity organizing international volunteer camps.
In 2004, she moved to Paris to pursue her studies in Educational Research during which time she also worked as a Translator and Proofreader for Sterling International. She was then promoted to PA to the Founder, Michael Boroian in 2006, where she remained until July 2009. In April 2010, she joined Degrémont, part of Suez Group, PA to the Group HR Director prior to returning to Sterling.
Charlotte holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources & Corporate Social Responsibility from the IAE Business School of the University of Paris Sorbonne. She speaks English, French and Italian.

Pierre Collinet joined Sterling in Brussels in 2001 as Director of Research and Studies. He started his career as a Corporate Documentalist at the global headquarters of UmiCore (fka Union Minière) before moving into executive search at Spencer Stuart as Research Assistant, and then at Russell Reynolds as Research Associate within the Industrial & Natural Resources practices.
Pierre holds a Degree in Information Sciences at Haute École Bruxelles-Brabant and speaks French, English, Dutch, Spanish and Italian.