HFA Strengthens Global Reach With Two Key Appointments

The HFA is reinforcing its commitment to global expansion with the appointment of Leila Timergaleeva and Hans Muench to serve as ambassadors for the association. Timergaleeva was named international ambassador for the Caucasus region, a role she served for the HFA from 2008-2020. Muench was appointed ambassador for the 2025 HFA European Congress. Both bring decades of international experience and extensive networks to the HFA’s growing portfolio of global connections.

The recruitment of the two industry veterans gave many the feeling that the HFA was getting the band back together. Muench has a long history of working with and for the HFA after joining as a member in 1982. The HFA subsequently co-sponsored Muench’s MBA internship, as he conducted an extensive eight-month study of the European market, visiting 270 clubs. This launched a career that included roles in the HFA as European liaison from 1985-1993 and as the first director of international development from 1994-1999.

Muench’s most recent tenure as HFA director of Europe from 2007-2016 puts him in an ideal position to leverage his connections across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg to secure sponsorships and drive attendance for the Congress, scheduled for October 2-4 in Amsterdam.

A regular presence at global industry events, Muench has spent his more than 40 years in the industry building bridges across cultures and countries—much of it with the HFA.

“I have always cherished my time with the HFA and take immense pride in not only attending 50 HFA events but also in helping bring thousands of Europeans to