Eduardo Ramos - Human Capital Director, Peoplexceed, Costa Rica

Meeting highlights:

•  Built on global roots: Peoplexceed started with one clear idea, bring global corporate experience to Costa Rica and create something meaningful, local, and sustainable. 
• A trusted partner: Today, companies rely on Peoplexceed to help them enter and grow in Costa Rica, with the right talent and the know-how to make it work. 
• Talent that drives value: Behind every successful company is strong human capital. Peoplexceed helps build teams that move the needle, for businesses, industries, and even the country. 
• Spotting the difference-makers: It’s not just about filling roles; it’s about finding the people with the right mindset and potential to shape an entire ecosystem. 
• Everything starts with trust: Whether it’s clients or team members, long-term success has only been possible by building trust at every step. 
• Proud moments: Making a real impact, and helping companies grow while also seeing team members step into leadership, is what it’s all about. 

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EF: Could you provide a brief introduction on your professional journey across different countries and sectors?

ER: At the early stages of my career, I joined the pharmaceutical industry in Costa Rica, then expanded my role across Central America, the Caribbean, and the Andina region, overseeing operations in 16 countries from Costa Rica across Latin America. That journey led me to my first relocation to Mexico, where I was expatriated as an HR Director responsible for Rx, Cx, and Manufacturing operations.

Later, I relocated to Spain, where I spent several years as VP of HR supporting Pharma, R&D, Consumer, and Operations for the GSK IBERIA region. From there, I moved to Corporate GSK in the United Kingdom, where I was responsible for leading the global HR Transformation program across 60 countries. After a brief period in Italy, I transitioned into the medical device sector with S&N and was eventually invited to develop the S&N business in Latin America.

In many ways, life sciences have become a part of who I am. I am deeply passionate about this industry and especially proud of the progress that we have made in Costa Rica. That has been a meaningful part of my professional journey.

EF: Could you share how Peopleexceed got started and what market opportunity you initially identified?

ER: When I was in the UK, leading the HR Transformation Program for an organization with 125,000 employees across several countries in different locations, I had the opportunity to work closely with several innovative HR consulting firms in Europe. This experience highlighted the value of bringing that level of strategic HR support to companies in Latin America.

Upon returning to Latin America with a medical device company, I observed significant growth in both the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, as well as in shared services. Costa Rica, in particular, was evolving rapidly. The shared services landscape was shifting away from traditional call centers, with new centers of excellence emerging in finance, supply chain, operational excellence, and other critical business areas. These roles were becoming increasingly complex and strategic.

This presented a clear opportunity. There was a gap in the market for a different kind of partner—one that could provide real value through practical, hands-on experience. We wanted to build a service that brought in professionals who had worked within these types of companies and truly understood their needs.

Our vision was to support organizations through talent attraction, the development of managerial and leadership capabilities, and tailored HR support aligned with business growth. I shared this vision with top Talent Attraction Leader Zianne Rodriguez, who had extensive experience from various recruiting firms, and together we launched Peopleexceed, including strong team members in HR Organizational Design such as Lucia Quiros, with global experience in strategic HR, and other team members who had worked in Pharma, Medical Devices, Shared Services, Technology, and Operations.

Since then, we have positioned ourselves as trusted partners. Our approach has resonated, especially during periods of transformation, when companies need to adapt and grow. We strive to act as true partners, helping organizations address challenges from within and offering solutions that are relevant, practical, and effective.

Organizations recognize the specialized skills that people in Costa Rica possess, which allows them to leverage this expertise to develop different business units. There are numerous examples of this growth. The development in sectors like medical devices has been particularly massive, and it mirrors the overall expansion across specialized technical areas.

Costa Rica’s environment has been ideal for fostering these technical and specialized sectors, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to establish and expand their operations in these fields. The growth has been significant, and the talent base is a big part of that success.

EF: Could you elaborate on the core service areas of Peopleexceed?

ER: Peopleexceed focuses on four core service areas. The first is talent attraction, with a strong emphasis on senior-level roles such as managers, directors, and general managers. This has been a primary area of focus in our work.

We also offer HR professional services, particularly for companies that are either in the early stages of development or experiencing rapid growth. These organizations often require immediate HR support, so we train professionals who work closely with us and then embed them within client companies to support their HR needs from within.

In addition, we work on development initiatives. These include building leadership and managerial capabilities, helping companies new to the Costa Rican market establish their employer brand, and providing insights that are relevant at the local level. We tailor leadership development efforts to align with the specific growth strategies of each organization.

The final area is organizational design, which is especially relevant for companies in the medical device sector. When these companies enter Costa Rica, they often need a clear understanding of the local landscape, including organizational models, functional roles, policies, and HR systems. We help them build that structure so they can grow effectively.

Over the years, we have worked with more than 60 multinational companies, and around 30 of those are in healthcare, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.

EF: How do you stand out as a partner of choice when it comes to building companies?

ER: I believe there are three key areas that have established us as a preferred partner for companies. The first is our comprehensive approach, which starts with understanding the business, creating policies, and assessing capabilities within the organization.

The second key factor is our focus on leadership. When building a management team, companies typically start with senior leaders, followed by direct reports, and then work their way down. The challenge is that many of these leaders have already proven themselves in their roles, with 10 to 15 years of experience. The critical task is identifying the right cultural fit and leadership capabilities. While technical expertise is necessary, what truly makes a difference is finding leaders who align with the company’s values and culture. That is where we come in.

Another area that sets us apart is our ability to help integrate new teams. Companies often approach us to help onboard and integrate new leadership. Some have their own integration plans, but we provide additional value by building leadership programs that match their skill sets with the company’s growth drivers. This ensures that the leadership team is aligned with the overall business objectives from the outset.

Additionally, we assist in setting up HR expertise, especially in the early stages. For some companies, we even take on the responsibility of managing the HR department during their first couple of years of operation, allowing them to focus on business growth while we manage HR functions.

Our role is not just about providing talent but also offering a broader business perspective. We take a holistic and proactive approach, helping companies match their needs with the right service providers.

EF: From a human resources perspective, why do you believe that investing a dollar in Costa Rica yields better value than in any other location?

ER: There are several reasons why investing a dollar in Costa Rica yields greater value, even before considering the strengths of its human capital. First and foremost is Costa Rica’s economic and political stability. In today’s volatile global environment, the country’s predictability and steadiness have become increasingly valuable. While some companies may have previously prioritized other regions, recent developments have demonstrated how quickly conditions can change elsewhere.

Costa Rica offers not only stability but also a well-regulated framework that benefits investors. The country provides clear and consistent regulations around taxation, exports, and investment incentives. Unlike countries where policies may shift or lack transparency, Costa Rica ensures a reliable set of rules for investors, which is essential for long-term planning.

Additionally, Costa Rica has evolved into a highly attractive hub due to its strong professional and educational ecosystem. The country boasts a robust and growing talent pipeline, with universities and educational institutions showing great flexibility in adapting to market needs. In fields such as technology and cybersecurity, Costa Rica has taken proactive steps, including integrating these disciplines into education early on. This approach ensures a more robust and future-ready talent pool.

This global mindset, combined with the country's stability and clear regulatory framework, makes Costa Rica a highly compelling place for investment. That is why I believe a dollar invested in Costa Rica brings more value than in many other markets.

EF: In two and a half years, Peopleexceed will reach its 10-year milestone. What do you hope to be celebrating?

ER: When we reflect on our upcoming 10-year anniversary, we see it as much more than a simple milestone. This occasion represents an opportunity to honor the realization of Peopleexceed’s founding purpose. From the very beginning, our aim has been not only to deliver differentiated services, but also to introduce the most effective tools, systems, and methodologies to support organizations in truly meaningful ways.

The sense of pride I feel is similar to witnessing a child’s growth. We celebrate the progress of the organizations we have partnered with—some of which have grown from 100 to 1,500 employees—knowing that we have played a role in their development.

Operating in Costa Rica’s dynamic and highly competitive market, where rapid growth and new entrants are the norm, our ability to stay ahead and deliver this level of support is a genuine source of pride.

In our early days, client requests were highly specific, often seeking professionals with experience in the medical device sector, particularly in cardiology and R&D related to cardiology. Addressing these specialized and targeted needs has been a defining aspect of our journey.

What we are seeing now is a shift. As the ecosystem has grown—today, we have close to 100 companies in this sector in Costa Rica—there is much more local capability. The market has matured. The talent pool is broader and deeper, and companies are realizing they can be more strategic in how they build their teams as the experience and know-how now exist in Costa Rica. In fact, out of the global top 100 healthcare companies, about 35 have operations here. That scale has made a huge difference in how companies approach hiring and capability building in the country.