“Building Global Growth Through Strategy, Innovation, and Human-Centered Leadership”
Wilson Nova Ruiz is an internationally recognized chemical engineer and business development leader with nearly three decades of experience transforming industrial markets across the Americas. With a career rooted in technical excellence and strategic vision, Wilson has been instrumental in expanding the market presence of global chemical giants, driving operational success, and enabling multinational partnerships that deliver both profitability and sustainable innovation.
A native Spanish speaker fluent in English, Wilson has successfully led cross-functional teams across Latin America, North America, and Europe. His multicultural fluency and deep understanding of the chemical and manufacturing sectors have positioned him as a trusted voice in the global industrial community. He currently serves as a business development lead for Intech Organics USA and is an active cohort member of Stanford University’s prestigious LEAD Program at the Graduate School of Business, which further strengthens his leadership, innovation, and strategic agility.
During his 17+ year tenure with LANXESS, Wilson held a series of pivotal roles, including Specialized Processing Manager for North America within the Liquid Purification Technologies business unit and Head of Sales for North America in the Biocides division. He was responsible for sales strategy and marketing execution across key sectors including ion exchange for chlor-alkali, lithium processing, PFAS removal, catalysis, metals and mining, and wastewater treatment. Under his leadership, the company achieved its highest sales record and expanded significantly across multiple industry verticals.
Wilson is particularly known for scaling businesses in complex, highly regulated environments. He successfully oversaw three M&A integrations during his time at LANXESS and was central to the execution of a self-disclosure agreement with the U.S. EPA that resulted in the fastest compliance plan within the company’s history. His proven ability to lead high-stakes negotiations and optimize operations for compliance, performance, and innovation makes him a strategic asset to any enterprise.
In addition to his leadership in North America, Wilson has spearheaded commercial and technical development efforts throughout Latin America. As Regional Head for LANXESS MPP in Mexico and surrounding countries, he doubled business output while building regional technical laboratories, local production hubs, and succession planning structures designed for long-term sustainability. His passion for mentorship and people development stands out in every role he’s taken on.
His earlier career at Bayer, Cerescos, and AkzoNobel provided a solid foundation in coatings, microbial control, and wastewater treatment—expertise he leveraged to build value for customers in paints, adhesives, personal care, industrial coatings, and cosmetics industries. Beyond the corporate sphere, Wilson has consulted for governmental agencies in Colombia and contributed to national water regulation and innovation initiatives. His research contributions and published case studies on industrial innovation in Colombia have informed public policy and private sector evolution alike.
Wilson’s academic pedigree is equally impressive. He holds a Master’s in Finance from Instituto Universitario de Posgrado in Spain, an MSc in Economic Sciences from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the same institution. He has also completed executive programs in international sales, negotiation, and leadership from institutions in Germany and the United States.
What distinguishes Wilson is not just his technical or business acumen, but his integrity and community orientation. He was president of Colombia en Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization supporting Colombians living abroad, and he remains deeply engaged in Latin communities across the U.S. A lifelong learner and athlete, Wilson runs half-marathons annually and enjoys tennis, soccer, gardening, and coaching emerging professionals.
As he continues his career journey, Wilson is seeking board and advisory roles where he can apply his decades of insight to help companies expand into new markets—particularly across Latin America—and shape resilient, customer-centric business strategies. He is especially passionate about helping companies avoid the common pitfalls of international expansion and implementing sustainable models of industrial growth.
Character:
Wilson’s career is marked by integrity, cultural empathy, and a genuine commitment to mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. His community involvement and leadership philosophy reflect a values-driven approach to business.
Knowledge:
With technical expertise in chemical engineering, finance, and economics, Wilson brings a rare blend of scientific insight and commercial acumen. His continued learning through Stanford’s GSB program demonstrates his passion for lifelong education.
Strategic:
Wilson has led multi-million-dollar expansion efforts, mergers and acquisitions, and global go-to-market strategies. His strategic foresight has helped organizations break into new markets and lead in innovation and compliance.
Communication:
A seasoned public speaker and multilingual professional, Wilson excels at communicating across teams, regions, and cultures. His ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights has made him a respected leader and partner.
