Martin Dam, van

Chief Executive Officer | COO | Leadership | Strategy | Business Transformation & Turnaround

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Guatemala

About

As a CEO with more than 25 years of international leadership experience, I specialize in business transformation and performance turnarounds across retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, and distribution environments. I have led organizations of up to 3,000 employees across multiple countries, restoring profitability, doubling net margins, reducing structural costs, and building high-performing executive teams. As the first non-family CEO of a leading regional retailer, I helped reestablish financial discipline, strengthen governance, and reposition the company for sustainable growth. My approach combines strategic clarity with pragmatic execution — aligning commercial strategy, operational excellence, and organizational development to deliver both immediate results and long-term competitiveness. I am passionate about building resilient organizations that create value for all stakeholders and lead market change rather than react to it. I hold an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Management and Organization from the University of Groningen.

Experience

  • Chief Executive Officer at Tendencia SA / Impulso SA
    Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Gerente General / CEO at GRUPO COBAN
    Jul 2020 - Feb 2026 · 5 yrs 8 mos

  • CEO at Empresas Adoc
    Sep 2012 - Mar 2020 · 7 yrs 7 mos

  • Consultant & Interim Executive at Independent
    Mar 2012 - Jan 2013 · 11 mos

    Industry analysis & identification of acquisition targets Business startup support

  • CEO at Grupo Progreso Costa Rica
    Sep 2011 - Feb 2012 · 6 mos