Global Leadership Team: Meet Pontoon's Visionaries

Global Leadership Team: Meet Pontoon's Visionaries

Our team reflects our wider business. We are global, diverse and live our core values daily. We all share a mutual passion for experience, architecting the best solutions in the market and mostly, being customer-obsessed in our style and approach.
Valérie Beaulieu
President

French born, Valérie joined the Adecco Group as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and member of the Executive Committee in November 2020. Valerie comes with 30 years of experience in the Tech industry. Before joining the Adecco Group, Valerie served as Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft US, leading the marketing function across the region’s B2B portfolio. Her career at Microsoft spanned 23 years, during which time she held various senior leadership roles driving WW and regional businesses across North America, Asia and Europe. Since January 2015, Valerie has been Vice President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors, a voluntary position that uses her experience to promote France’s economic presence around the world. She has also been a director and board member at Orange – the leading European Telco – since May 2022. Valerie holds an English Masters’ Degree and an International Sales Degree.

Valérie is passionate about diversity and inclusion, and empowering women in leadership. She has also volunteered as a business mentor for NGOs focused on fighting poverty through education, such as Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines or Passerelles Numeriques in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Outside of work, she’s recharging her energy through regular Pilates practice, taking walks with her dog, Cherry Bomb, reading, and cooking for friends. She loves spending time with her family and reuniting with her daughter and son who live in the US. She loves the outdoors: hiking in the Swiss mountains or sailing in Brittany.

French born, Valérie joined the Adecco Group as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and member of the Executive Committee in November 2020. Valerie comes with 30 years of experience in the Tech industry. Before joining the Adecco Group, Valerie served as Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft US, leading the marketing function across the region’s B2B portfolio. Her career at Microsoft spanned 23 years, during which time she held various senior leadership roles driving WW and regional businesses across North America, Asia and Europe. Since January 2015, Valerie has been Vice President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors, a voluntary position that uses her experience to promote France’s economic presence around the world. She has also been a director and board member at Orange – the leading European Telco – since May 2022. Valerie holds an English Masters’ Degree and an International Sales Degree.

Valérie is passionate about diversity and inclusion, and empowering women in leadership. She has also volunteered as a business mentor for NGOs focused on fighting poverty through education, such as Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines or Passerelles Numeriques in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Outside of work, she’s recharging her energy through regular Pilates practice, taking walks with her dog, Cherry Bomb, reading, and cooking for friends. She loves spending time with her family and reuniting with her daughter and son who live in the US. She loves the outdoors: hiking in the Swiss mountains or sailing in Brittany.

Ben Diersing
Global CFO

Ben was promoted to Pontoon’s Senior Leadership Team in July 2022 to serve as Global Head of Finance for the organisation.

Ben’s remit includes financial planning and analysis, data governance, and financial partnership across the organisation’s business units.

Ben joined Pontoon in 2015 and has led the commercial finance team throughout his tenure, developing the go-to-market pricing and strategy for our products and services. This function is critical to the growth of our client base, and he partners closely across Pontoon to ensure we are delivering top service to our customers that will be competitive while enabling Pontoon to reach our financial goals.

Prior to joining the Adecco Group, Ben held roles in lending and commercial finance in the financial services and outsourcing industries. Ben lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife and two children.

Ben was promoted to Pontoon’s Senior Leadership Team in July 2022 to serve as Global Head of Finance for the organisation.

Ben’s remit includes financial planning and analysis, data governance, and financial partnership across the organisation’s business units.

Ben joined Pontoon in 2015 and has led the commercial finance team throughout his tenure, developing the go-to-market pricing and strategy for our products and services. This function is critical to the growth of our client base, and he partners closely across Pontoon to ensure we are delivering top service to our customers that will be competitive while enabling Pontoon to reach our financial goals.

Prior to joining the Adecco Group, Ben held roles in lending and commercial finance in the financial services and outsourcing industries. Ben lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife and two children.

Lee Baldwin
Global Head of Sales

Lee accelerates our customer-centric initiatives leading our innovative product, operational excellence and solution design capabilities. His team is instrumental in achieving outcomes for our customers and growing Pontoon’s reach through new customer acquisitions and improved experience. Lee also leads our global implementation and business analytics teams.   

Lee’s tenure with the Adecco Group spans 13 years since he joined Pontoon in 2009 to support customers in our financial services segment. Over the years, he has held multiple leadership roles and successfully driven innovative global workforce strategies for some of our most complex customers. He serves with a passion for developing teams and creating career development opportunities. Lee has also been recognised as a 2020 and 2021 Provider Superstar by HRO Today and appeared on SIA’s 40 under 40 list in 2020. 

Originally from the UK, Lee moved to the US to play college soccer. He now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and three children. 

Lee accelerates our customer-centric initiatives leading our innovative product, operational excellence and solution design capabilities. His team is instrumental in achieving outcomes for our customers and growing Pontoon’s reach through new customer acquisitions and improved experience. Lee also leads our global implementation and business analytics teams.   

Lee’s tenure with the Adecco Group spans 13 years since he joined Pontoon in 2009 to support customers in our financial services segment. Over the years, he has held multiple leadership roles and successfully driven innovative global workforce strategies for some of our most complex customers. He serves with a passion for developing teams and creating career development opportunities. Lee has also been recognised as a 2020 and 2021 Provider Superstar by HRO Today and appeared on SIA’s 40 under 40 list in 2020. 

Originally from the UK, Lee moved to the US to play college soccer. He now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and three children. 

Karin Selfors
Global Segment Head of Consumer Products, Life Sciences & Industrials

Karin is recognised for her commitment to innovation and dedication to building strong and trusting relationships across the industry. 

She is an activist leader with a passion for driving diverse talent practices and architecting inclusive behaviours within Pontoon and across customer programmes. She also frequently participates in industry panels focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and other trends impacting the segments under her remit. 

A native Swiss and Canadian citizen, Karin started her career in Investment Banking before joining the Adecco Group to lead Global Investor Relations. She joined Pontoon in 2013 as Global Head of Business Development and has since transitioned into her current role. During her tenure, Karin has grown key customer accounts into premiere Total Talent programmes and launched the company’s first Recruiterless RXO and Pontoon’s Rapid Hire. She has also captured new wins and expansions to grow Pontoon’s reach and footprint in the market. 

With her husband and two children, Karin is based in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a passionate downhill skier and enjoys playing tennis, her new favourite sport. 

Karin is recognised for her commitment to innovation and dedication to building strong and trusting relationships across the industry. 

She is an activist leader with a passion for driving diverse talent practices and architecting inclusive behaviours within Pontoon and across customer programmes. She also frequently participates in industry panels focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and other trends impacting the segments under her remit. 

A native Swiss and Canadian citizen, Karin started her career in Investment Banking before joining the Adecco Group to lead Global Investor Relations. She joined Pontoon in 2013 as Global Head of Business Development and has since transitioned into her current role. During her tenure, Karin has grown key customer accounts into premiere Total Talent programmes and launched the company’s first Recruiterless RXO and Pontoon’s Rapid Hire. She has also captured new wins and expansions to grow Pontoon’s reach and footprint in the market. 

With her husband and two children, Karin is based in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a passionate downhill skier and enjoys playing tennis, her new favourite sport. 

Jay Eardly
Global Head of Service Design and Delivery

Jay leads as Global Head of Service Design and Delivery. Jay’s remit encompasses Solution Design, Product and Pontoon’s Global Delivery Network. The alignment of these functions keeps the candidate experience and our clients at the centre of this priority. He stops at nothing to find the right talent mix and solution for Pontoon’s customers. Jay is also committed to developing the potential of future leaders, hosting leadership summits and sharing his expertise on various industry panels.  

Joining Pontoon in 2017, Jay brings 15 years of workforce consultation experience serving customers in the Financial Services industry. In his five years at Pontoon, Jay has held multiple roles, including VP of Programme Management for one of our largest financial services customers. In 2021, he joined our Senior Leadership Team to head our Financial Services Segment. Jay lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and three children. A weekend warrior, Jay competes in marathons, ultra-relay races, and adventure races, all while coaching Little League Baseball.

Jay leads as Global Head of Service Design and Delivery. Jay’s remit encompasses Solution Design, Product and Pontoon’s Global Delivery Network. The alignment of these functions keeps the candidate experience and our clients at the centre of this priority. He stops at nothing to find the right talent mix and solution for Pontoon’s customers. Jay is also committed to developing the potential of future leaders, hosting leadership summits and sharing his expertise on various industry panels.  

Joining Pontoon in 2017, Jay brings 15 years of workforce consultation experience serving customers in the Financial Services industry. In his five years at Pontoon, Jay has held multiple roles, including VP of Programme Management for one of our largest financial services customers. In 2021, he joined our Senior Leadership Team to head our Financial Services Segment. Jay lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and three children. A weekend warrior, Jay competes in marathons, ultra-relay races, and adventure races, all while coaching Little League Baseball.

Chris Benson - Global Segment Head of Financial Services
Chris Benson
Global Segment Head of Financial Services, Technology & Consulting

Chris rejoined Pontoon in 2023 as the Global Segment Head of Financial Services, Technology & Consulting with nearly two decades of industry experience. Following leadership roles spanning a Silicon Valley startup and two top-tier Workforce Management firms, he has returned to Pontoon to lead one of our top-performing client portfolios.

Chris is passionate about thought leadership, elevating future leaders, and contributing to product innovation. Never content with the status quo, Chris continually strives to improve processes, take risks, and adapt his methodology for maximum client success. His creative approach has earned him numerous accolades as a leader among industry professionals.

Chris resides in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and children.

Chris rejoined Pontoon in 2023 as the Global Segment Head of Financial Services, Technology & Consulting with nearly two decades of industry experience. Following leadership roles spanning a Silicon Valley startup and two top-tier Workforce Management firms, he has returned to Pontoon to lead one of our top-performing client portfolios.

Chris is passionate about thought leadership, elevating future leaders, and contributing to product innovation. Never content with the status quo, Chris continually strives to improve processes, take risks, and adapt his methodology for maximum client success. His creative approach has earned him numerous accolades as a leader among industry professionals.

Chris resides in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and children.

Manlio Ciralli - Senior Vice President Global Marketing – The Adecco Group
Manlio Ciralli
Senior Vice President Global Marketing – The Adecco Group

With over 20 years of experience, Manlio brings extensive knowledge and expertise in marketing, licensing, and sales. He has held various international roles at industry-leading companies including Luxottica, Richemont, Marchon, and Kering, showcasing his executive MBA from the Polytechnic of Milan.

He joined the Adecco Group in 2017 and currently serves as the SVP of Marketing. Previously, he was the Chief Sales, Branding & Innovation Officer of the Adecco Group Italia, overseeing an impressive range of responsibilities such as Brand & Communication Management, People Development & Education, Sales, and Innovation.

Manlio is a father of twin boys, Luca and Andrea, who are 18 years old. Outside of work, he enjoys pursuits like running and sailing.

With over 20 years of experience, Manlio brings extensive knowledge and expertise in marketing, licensing, and sales. He has held various international roles at industry-leading companies including Luxottica, Richemont, Marchon, and Kering, showcasing his executive MBA from the Polytechnic of Milan.

He joined the Adecco Group in 2017 and currently serves as the SVP of Marketing. Previously, he was the Chief Sales, Branding & Innovation Officer of the Adecco Group Italia, overseeing an impressive range of responsibilities such as Brand & Communication Management, People Development & Education, Sales, and Innovation.

Manlio is a father of twin boys, Luca and Andrea, who are 18 years old. Outside of work, he enjoys pursuits like running and sailing.

Vijay Jonnalagadda - SVP Ecosystem Solutions and Alliances - The Adecco Group
Vijay Jonnalagadda
Senior Vice President Ecosystem Solutions and Alliances - The Adecco Group

Vijay is a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience across diverse software, ICT, and HR sectors. He brings a wealth of expertise and engineering background to his current role as SVP of Ecosystem Solutions and Alliances at the Adecco Group, overseeing Pontoon’s Customer Solutions & Advisory team. His tenure at international companies such as SAP, Deutsche Telekom, and Swatch Group has seen him lead large organisations, manage P&Ls, and drive business growth.

In his past roles, Vijay has spearheaded sales transformations at corporations, including SAP and Deutsche Telekom, resulting in significant revenue growth. Over the last five years, he has made his mark in the HR industry, excelling in roles including Global Operations Management and Staffing and Sales at Akkodis.

A dedicated advocate for human-centric design, Vijay ensures that all business solutions are efficient and aligned with human needs. He is now set to contribute his broad skill set and commitment to the success of Pontoon and its clients.

Vijay is a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience across diverse software, ICT, and HR sectors. He brings a wealth of expertise and engineering background to his current role as SVP of Ecosystem Solutions and Alliances at the Adecco Group, overseeing Pontoon’s Customer Solutions & Advisory team. His tenure at international companies such as SAP, Deutsche Telekom, and Swatch Group has seen him lead large organisations, manage P&Ls, and drive business growth.

In his past roles, Vijay has spearheaded sales transformations at corporations, including SAP and Deutsche Telekom, resulting in significant revenue growth. Over the last five years, he has made his mark in the HR industry, excelling in roles including Global Operations Management and Staffing and Sales at Akkodis.

A dedicated advocate for human-centric design, Vijay ensures that all business solutions are efficient and aligned with human needs. He is now set to contribute his broad skill set and commitment to the success of Pontoon and its clients.