CHRO Series PHILIPPINES

Navigating the Future of HR:

Shaping Innovation and Growth in Philippines

27–29 January 2026

Ascott Bonifacio Global City, Manila

Brought to you by:

#CHROSeriesPhilippines

CHRO INSIGHTS: NAVIGATING THE FUTURE OF HR IN PHILIPPINES

CHRO Philippines 2026 is a groundbreaking conference that positions the future of work at the forefront. Our guiding theme is more than just a catchy slogan, it serves as a strategic roadmap for HR leaders navigating the ever-evolving business landscape.

At this annual gathering, subject matter experts from diverse industries will share practical strategies and solutions for cultivating purpose-driven workplace cultures and amplifying human potential. Our comprehensive program features dynamic discussions on the latest HR trends and insights, refining organisational culture and leadership, winning with a technological edge, and reimagining enterprises to thrive in the future.

Join us in this remarkable journey! Together, we are shaping a future where work is not merely a task but a profoundly meaningful experience. CHRO Philippines 2026 is more than just a forum, it is a movement that empowers HR professionals to actively influence and sculpt the future of work.

28 JANUARY: CHRO CONFERENCE AGENDA

8.00am
Registration & Coffee
9.00am
Organiser’s Welcome Address
9.05am
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
9.15am
KEYNOTE
New HR Paradigm: Repositioning HR from Operational Support to Strategic Transformation
  • HR leadership roles in driving business strategy, workforce resilience, and growth
  • Leveraging technology, data, and automation while sustaining employee engagement and trust
  • Addressing emerging workforce challenges
9.45am
Advancing People Analytics and Talent Marketplace Strategies
  • Accelerating HR analytics adoption for better decision-making
  • Creating internal talent marketplaces for contingent and gig workers
  • Enhancing workforce agility and retention through mobility
10.15am
Sponsor session
10.45am
Morning Tea Break
11.15am
Redefining Sustainable Workplaces: From Green Policies to People-Centric Culture
  • Integrating environmental goals with employee engagement
  • Aligning sustainability with workforce well-being
  • Measuring impact of people-centric sustainability initiatives
11.45am
Sponsor session
12.45pm
Lunch & Networking
02.00pm
INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION GROUPS [60 MINS]

ROUNDTABLE A

How AI is Transforming the Modern Workplace?

Reserved for Sponsor
ROUNDTABLE B

Succession Planning: Strategies for Knowledge Transfer and Mentorship
ROUNDTABLE C

Employer Branding in a Talent-Competitive Market

Reserved for Sponsor
ROUNDTABLE D

Reimagining Total Rewards for a Multigenerational Workforce
ROUNDTABLE E

Human-Centric Productivity: Designing Work Around People, Not Processes

Reserved for Sponsor
ROUNDTABLE F

Retaining Trust and Talent in the Workforce
03.15pm
Afternoon Tea Break
03.45pm
Sponsor session
04.15pm
PANEL
The Gig Economy Surge: Challenges and Opportunities
  • HR’s role in driving the transition to flexible and gig-based work models
  • Challenges in managing non-traditional workforce structures
  • Ensuring fairness and inclusivity in flexible work arrangements
05.00pm
Closing Remarks & End of Conference

DAY 2: CHRO WORKSHOP AGENDA

Human Centric Culture: Shaping the Future HR

Date: 13th February 2025
Time: 9am to 3pm
Facilitator: Fides Tanay, Chief Executive Officer & Strategic HR Coach - Faith & Possibilities Consultancy

To create real change, we need to cultivate a culture that brings more humanity to the way we lead and develop employees. In this workshop, participants will explore key actions that can help to build a human-centered culture within their unique organisational context, including how to measure productivity through relevant KPIs.

WORKSHOP DELIVERABLES

  • Engage participants through interactive modules, group discussions and individual activities.
  • Provide practical tools, frameworks and strategies.
  • Encourage active participation, sharing of experiences and peer learning.
  • Guide participants in setting specific, measurable goals and identifying concrete steps to achieve them.
  • Help participants to connect training to real workplace context.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Session One: Peak HR Roadmap
Shaping meaningful employee experience focused on Purpose, Passion & Performance

Session Two: Pathways to Success
Creating a fantastic onboarding experience to set the new hires for success

Session Three: Great Leaders, Great Cultures
Empowering Quality Mind Leaders & develop Succession Management toolkit
08.30am
Registration & Coffee
09.00am
Session One: Peak HR Roadmap
  • Shaping meaningful employee experience focused on purpose, passion and performance.
10.30am
Morning Tea Break
11.00am
Session Two: Pathways to Success
  • Creating a fantastic onboarding experience to set the new hires for success.
12.30pm
Networking Luncheon
13.30pm
Session Three: Great Leaders, Great Cultures
  • Empowering quality mind leaders and developing succession management toolkit.
15.00pm
Summary & Conclusion

CHRO SPEAKERS

Kirk Patrick Alimaza

Country Head of People
AirAsia Philippines

Andrey Shipitkov

Regional Director – Asia
Coursera

Patrick Patriwirawan Jr

Director, Bureau of Local Employment
Department of Labor & Employment

Fides Tanay

Chief Executive Officer & Strategic HR Coach
Faith & Possibilities Consultancy

Audrey Arayata

Consultant
Fearless Inc.

Sheriben (Bing) Paraguas

First Vice President, Head of HR Strategy & Centre of Excellence
Filinvest Development Corporation

Chris Matsumoto

Chief Executive Officer
HR Spectacles

Kurly De Guzman

Career & Leadership Coach
KDG Career, Leadership & Coaching

Joe Buot

Group CHRO
Maxicare Healthcare Corporation

Luz Mercurio

Chief People & Culture Officer
Monde Nissin Corporation

Eric del Castillo

Vice President, HR – Philippines & ASEAN
Nissan Motor Corporation

Gina Ordonez

Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer
PLDT Group

Marco Angelo Padernal

HR Director
Robinsons Retail Holdings

Nerissa Berba

Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer
Security Bank Corporation

Beng Orosa

Senior Assistant Vice President, HR
SM Mart Inc.

Anna Villamor

Head of HR – Philippines
Wells Fargo

Vladimir Bozovic

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
ZenHire

Danreb Oira

Head of HR
Zuellig Pharma Philippines

ESG MASTERCLASS SPEAKER

Joanne Flinn

CHRO PHILIPPINES PARTNERS

PREMIUM SPONSORS

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR

EXHIBITOR

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

ticket prices and information for CHRO Philippines

Day 1: CHRO Philippines1-4 ticket(s) (SGD)5 tickets and above (per ticket) (SGD)

Early Bird (1 Sep to 31 Oct 2024)

S$299S$279

Advanced Saver (1 Nov to 31 Dec 2024)

S$399S$379

Regular Price (1 Jan to 13 Feb 2025)

S$499S$439
 
1 to 4 delegates (SGD)
5 or more delegates (SGD)
Day 1: CHRO Conference S$499 per delegate S$439 per delegate
Day 2: CHRO Workshop S$499 per delegate S$439 per delegate
[Bundle] Day 1 & Day 2: CHRO Conference & Workshop S$899 per delegate

Take advantage of our pricing from January 1 to February 11, 2025.

CHRO Philippines 21 Feb 20241 ticket4-10 tickets (per ticket) (SGD)
Early Bird (1 Nov to 31 Dec 2023)S$299S$279
Advanced Saver (1 Jan to 31 Jan 2024)S$399S$379
Regular Price (1 Feb to 21 Feb 2024)S$499S$439

ticket prices and information for CHRO Workshop

Day 2: CHRO Workshop1 - 4 ticket(s) (SGD)5 tickets and above (per ticket) (SGD)

Early Bird (1 Sep to 31 Oct 2024)

S$895S$799

Advanced Saver (1 Nov to 31 Dec 2024)

S$945S$819

Regular Price (1 Jan to 13 Feb 2025)

S$995S$869

Register now

Reserve your
tickets now.

The CHRO series promises to be exciting this year.
But it'll be even better with you with us.

Kirk Patrick Alimaza

Country Head of People – AirAsia Philippines
Bio

With nearly twenty years in human resources, Kirk Patrick Alimaza has developed deep expertise in recruitment, employee relations, compensation, and training across a range of industries. His diverse experience in manufacturing, hospitality and BPO has given him a nuanced understanding of multi-cultural dynamics, which is increasingly valuable in today’s global workforce.

As the Country Head of People for AirAsia Philippines, Kirk plays a crucial role in steering HR strategy and operations. His leadership not only highlights his HR management skills but also his ability to adapt to and excel in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Kirk’s regional experience, including his leadership of the HR team in AirAsia Indonesia and his role in co-managing the career site for AirAsia Group in Malaysia, illustrates his proficiency in handling complex, multinational HR challenges within the ASEAN region.

Kirk’s recent accolades, being named one of Asia’s Top HR Thought Leaders by Speaking in 2024 and one of the Philippines’ Top 100 Talent Leaders by The Bridge, underscore his significant contributions and thought leadership in the HR field. His career is a testament to his dedication to excellence and his impactful role in driving positive organisational change.

Andrey Shipitkov

Regional Director – Asia – Coursera
Bio

Andrey is the Regional Director for Asia at Coursera, where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to transforming education through accessible, high quality learning solutions. With a fervent passion for education and innovation, Andrey aligns perfectly with Coursera’s mission to bring world-class learning to everyone, everywhere.

Andrey is recognised for his exceptional leadership in building and coaching high-performance teams in multicultural environments, fostering a customer-centric culture, and surpassing targets within Asia Pacific and globally. He is an influential leader with expertise in operations and technology, driving success across diverse industries and skilled in scaling businesses through OEM, ISV, technology alliances, and executing channel management strategies with top partners and distributors.

Patrick Patriwirawan Jr

Director, Bureau of Local Employment – Department of Labor & Employment
Bio

Patrick is an experienced and accomplished labour policy researcher and university lecturer. He has a demonstrated history of working in a national government agency, as well as with various international organisations, such as the International Labour Organisation, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the World Bank.

Patrick specialises in a range of fields, including human resource management, organisation development, industrial relations, labor policy analysis, and policy research. He holds a strong educational background, having earned a Master of Industrial Relations degree from the University of the Philippines – Diliman and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Philippines, Manila.

Fides Tanay

Chief Executive Officer & Strategic HR Coach – Faith & Possibilities Consultancy
Bio

Fides is an accomplished and globally oriented strategic HR leader with a proven track record in constructing, cultivating, transforming, and scaling high-performing and expanding organisations. Leveraging strategic collaborations with business owners and senior executives in intensely competitive, complex, and rapidly evolving environments, Fides has consistently achieved organisational success.

An innovative, strategic, transformative, tenacious, and performance-driven global HR leader, Fides possesses over 30 years of experience in guiding enterprises in the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, banking and property development sectors. Fides leads people strategy, talent development, leadership, and succession planning for future leaders, thereby enabling market leadership, growth, impact and sustainable business operations.

Audrey Arayata

Consultant – Fearless Inc.
Bio

Audrey currently serves as a consultant at Fearless Inc., a consulting firm that aims to infuse innovation and humanity into its work, with a particular focus on culture and strategy interventions. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Technology Management and a Master of Arts in Organisational Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University.

Additionally, Audrey is a Certified Action Learning Coach under the World Institute of Action Learning, and she utilises this approach to assist teams and organisations in solving pressing and complex problems. Her professional experience spans research, learning and development, and cultural transformation.

Audrey began her career as an Instructor at the John Gokongwei School of Management in Ateneo de Manila University. During her time as an instructor, she was also involved as a researcher in projects with CIA Bootleg Manila, a brand and innovation consultancy firm that has supported numerous brands in the Philippines in identifying opportunities and exploring future possibilities.

Furthermore, Audrey has expanded her expertise in learning and development and cultural transformation as a Consultant for Management Strategies, a global consulting firm based in Asia that specialises in culture branding and transformation through strategy formulation, leadership development, capability building and team engagement.

Audrey is a certified Gallup Strengths Coach, and her top five talents are Individualisation, Learner, Achiever, Significance, and Activator. She is passionate about education and health, and she is consistently seeking ways to enhance the learning and well-being of others.

Sheriben (Bing) Paraguas

First Vice President, Head of HR Strategy & Centre of Excellence – Filinvest Development Corporation
Bio

Sheriben Paraguas is a seasoned HR professional, with more than 25 years of experience in HR, particularly in the areas of Strategic HR Business Partnership, Organisation Development, Leadership Development, Talent Management and Learning. She is currently the Group HR Strategy and Centre of Excellence Head of Filinvest, a diversified conglomerate with businesses in real estate, banking, infrastructure, hospitality, energy, and utilities. She leads the team that is responsible for talent acquisition, organisation development, talent analytics, learning and development, total rewards, HR systems, and HR operations across the conglomerate.

Prior to her current role, Sheriben held key HR leadership roles in multinational and local companies in the financial services, technology, business process outsourcing, and telco industries. She was previously Head of HR of IBM, Head of HR of Accenture Technology, and Director for Country Talent Strategy of Accenture in the Philippines.

Chris Matsumoto

Chief Executive Officer – HR Spectacles
Bio

Chris Matsumoto stands at the intersection of HR excellence and technological innovation as the visionary Founder & Chief Executive Officer of HR Spectacles, the Philippines’ premier full-service HR consultancy firm. Through a groundbreaking partnership with Smartsheet, Chris has revolutionised traditional HR practices, transforming complex workflows into streamlined, automated processes that drive unprecedented organisational efficiency.

As a distinguished Smartsheet aligned partner, Chris has orchestrated HR Spectacles’ remarkable evolution into a powerhouse of HR automation. His strategic implementation of Smartsheet’s capabilities has yielded extraordinary results: Supporting over 1,000 employees across industries, achieving a record-breaking seven-day transition to fully remote operations, and garnering multiple industry awards for operational excellence.

Chris’s expertise in leveraging Smartsheet’s solutions has redefined HR management – From intelligent payroll systems to advanced recruitment automation, and dynamic employee engagement platforms. His innovative approach has established new industry benchmarks, demonstrating how the synergy between HR Spectacles and Smartsheet creates transformative business outcomes.

Kurly De Guzman

Career & Leadership Coach – KDG Career, Leadership & Coaching
Bio

Kurly de Guzman is a seasoned Career & Leadership Coach with over 19 years of experience. Her expertise spans leadership development, coaching and human capital consulting. Having transitioned from a corporate leader to an independent coach, facilitator and consultant, she excels in guiding professionals towards skill-building and meaningful goals pursuit.

Kurly’s impact extends through diverse roles, including career transition coaching, facilitating workshops on career development and coaching, and supporting new coaches in growing their coaching practice. She is active as a Faculty Member and PCC Assessor in Coaching Skills programs. She was formerly a member of the International Coaching Federation Philippines Chapter – Board of Directors. Kurly’s workshops have benefitted hundreds of professionals, earning her consistent praise from individuals she has coached and mentored.

In Kurly’s role as a Human Capital Consultant, she has played a pivotal role in projects spanning organisational design, leadership development, and HR practices across various industries. Kurly’s practice is distinguished by her multidisciplinary background, combining project management, people development, and strategic expertise with a strong emphasis on empathy.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Kurly is an accomplished author, publishing “Thirty-Something and retired: How to Get Out of the Life that Drains You”, and is recognised as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices globally.

Joe Buot

Group CHRO – Maxicare Healthcare Corporation
Bio

Joe Buot is a seasoned HR practitioner and people manager. His expertise has been in leading HR teams in the Philippines and other regions, such as Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the US where he performed a variety of roles in a career with a diverse leadership background.

Joe is currently the Group CHRO for Maxicare Healthcare Corporation (Maxicare), Maxicare Health Services Inc. (MaxiHealth) and Maxicare Life Insurance Inc. (MaxiLife). He has more than 25 years of HR leadership experience gained from industry leaders in business process outsourcing (BPO) for both voice and non-voice operations, pharmaceutical and healthcare services, software development, construction, manufacturing, and sales and distribution.

Joe took charge of various functions in leading and implementing programs and interventions in strategic HR, organisational development, leadership development, talent and succession management, learning and development, employee relations, labour and industrial relations, benefits and compensation management, HR information systems, recruiting and workforce planning, legal HR and compliance, and policy formulation and implementation.

Luz Mercurio

Chief People & Culture Officer – Monde Nissin Corporation
Bio

Luz Mercurio is the Chief People & Culture Officer at Monde Nissin Corporation, a global food company known for brands like Lucky Me Instant Noodles, Skyflakes, and QUORN meat alternatives. With over two decades of HR leadership experience, she has driven people and culture transformations at various organisations across Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining Monde Nissin in 2021, Luz held HR leadership roles at global companies like General Electric (GE), Philips Electronics and Kraft Foods. At GE, she served as Vice President for Learning & Talent Acquisition and as Regional Leader for ASEAN – GE Global Learning, and was a Master Trainer of Crotonville Leadership courses. Luz also founded and led StratLearn Consulting.

Luz is a prominent thought leader and speaker on succession planning, talent development and cultural transformation. In 2024, she was recognised as one of the HR Icons in Southeast Asia, and one of the most influential HR leaders from the Philippines. She was also named one of the top 100 Talent Leaders and Change Makers shaping the work culture in the Philippines.

Eric del Castillo

Vice President, HR – Philippines & ASEAN – Nissan Motor Corporation
Bio

Eric is a seasoned HR generalist with a wealth of experience across talent acquisition and management, employee development, total rewards, employee relations, organisational development, and health and safety. As a certified facilitator for DDI’s Interaction Management program, Eric has conducted training sessions on coaching, building commitment, performance management and conflict resolution.

Furthermore, Eric is a Targeted Selection Administrator, having trained and certified interviewers in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. His areas of expertise includes high potential identification and selection, succession planning, talent management, employee relations and strategic human resources.

Gina Ordonez

Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer – PLDT Group
Bio

Gina Ordoñez is the Chief People Officer for PLDT and Smart Communications, bringing over 24 years of experience in process, quality, people management and business transformation. She joined the PLDT Group in 2016 to lead the Business Transformation Office before taking on the role of Smart People Group (HR) Head.

Gina’s leadership journey spans multiple industries, including roles as Vice President for Service Operations and Quality Management at Makati Medical Center, and Vice President for Customer Experience & Quality, and eBusiness Director for Citi’s Consumer Banking division. A certified Corporate Coach and Six Sigma Black Belt, she is dedicated to driving growth, empowering people, and delivering operational excellence.

Marco Angelo Padernal

HR Director – Robinsons Retail Holdings
Bio

Marco is currently the HR Director at Robinsons Supermarket Corporation, overseeing its entire HR function. With over 16 years of HR experience, he has a well-rounded exposure in various industries, namely retail, food service, information technology, cable and telecommunications, and investment management.

Marco was recognised in 2024 as one of the Top 100 Talent Leaders in the Philippines by the Bridge Group. In 2023, he was also one of only six Filipinos recognised in the “40 under 40 Asia HR Leaders” awards that celebrated 40 exemplary HR leaders who have been at the forefront of the transformations in the Asia Pacific region.

Marco graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and minor in Strategic Human Resources Management at the Ateneo De Manila University. He also completed the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP®) program.

Nerissa Berba

Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer – Security Bank Corporation
Bio

Nerissa has over 15 years of diverse HR experience. She joined Security Bank in mid-April 2020 as Head of Human Capital Management. Prior to this, she held senior HR roles at various organisations, including Senior Vice President & Head of HR at HSBC Bank in the Philippines, HR Director at Deutsche Bank, and HR Leader at GE Money Bank in the Philippines.

Nerissa has also worked in talent acquisition, career management, and HR leadership for global operations at companies like Bank of the Philippine Islands, GE and Standard Chartered Bank. She holds a BS in Psychology from Assumption College and has completed leadership programs at Harvard, GE Crotonville and the National University of Singapore.

Beng Orosa

Senior Assistant Vice President, HR – SM Mart Inc.
Bio

With over 30 years of senior leadership experience in human resources and organisation development, Beng has made significant contributions to the design and implementation of people and organisational strategies. Her expertise spans strategic direction and leadership, HR policy formulation, and management of change to support business goals. Beng is highly skilled in key HR functions, including workforce management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, talent management, training and development, and HR systems. She is a strong advocate for aligning HR strategies with business objectives, fostering both team and self-development.

Beng holds a Master of Science in Human Capital & Organisation Development from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA & P), where she earned a remarkable GWA of 1.20. She also completed a variety of certifications, including Leading the Change at Tennessee Associates International (TAI), Executive Business Finance from Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Total Rewards.

Beng’s professional journey has seen her serve as HR and Organisation Development Head across various industries, such as manufacturing, fashion retailing, and training consulting. She is actively involved in the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP). She is an Associate Fellow in people management of PMAP-AIHRM, a learning facilitator of its certificate courses in partnership with the universities.

Currently, Beng is the Senior Assistant Vice President, Human Resources of SM Store. She advocates that by embedding recognition into the daily fabric of the organisation, it becomes part of the culture, encouraging employees to stay engaged, motivated, and aligned with company goals.

Anna Villamor

Head of HR – Philippines – Wells Fargo
Bio

Anna Villamor is a seasoned leader in human resources who has served as Head of HR in several leading global organisations across diverse industries. She currently holds this role at Wells Fargo in the Philippines. Over the past 20 years, she has been the CHRO at Manulife and at AIA Philippines, Head of Human Capital at UnitedHealth Group (now called Optum), Country Head of HR at Deutsche Bank and at JPMorgan Chase, and Senior Director Head of HR at then Convergys.

Anna has extensive experience in driving organisational growth, developing strategic HR initiatives, and fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures. By aligning human capital with business objectives, her leadership has consistently delivered transformative results in areas such as talent management, organisational development, and employee engagement.

An avid learner and believer of fostering a growth mindset, Anna has completed the “Wharton Executive Education CHRO Program” at the Wharton School in 2021 – 2022. Last year, she has completed “CTA’s Senior Certified Professional Coach Training Program” at the Coach Transformation Academy, and the course on “Professional Directors Program” at the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).

Vladimir Bozovic

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer – ZenHire
Bio

Vladimir Božović is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ZenHire, a deep tech recruitment platform leveraging AI to transform hiring processes. With extensive consulting experience at NTT Data, he led digital transformation projects for Fortune 500 companies like Unilever and Boston Scientific.

Božović has founded multiple startups, including ZENCV, and successfully steered ZenHire to victory at the Katapult competition, HR Week and AIM Abu Dhabi, surpassing over 1,000 other startups. With a blend of technical expertise, business acumen and leadership skills, Božović focuses on developing ethical AI solutions to enhance talent acquisition and keep businesses ahead in the evolving HR landscape.

Danreb Oira

Head of HR – Zuellig Pharma Philippines
Bio

Danreb Oira is an experienced HR professional with 24 years in leading local and multinational companies. His expertise covers strategic HR, transformation, change management, organisational development, performance and rewards, talent management, executive coaching, employee engagement, and labour relations.

Danreb is proficient in HR operations, including employee services, shared services, payroll, benefits, onboarding, and talent acquisition. He has led strategic initiatives, such as scale down, scale up, transformation, and business recovery. He is a certified HR practitioner by HRCI and SHRM, and holds Master’s degrees in Industrial Relations and Management.

Joanne Flinn

Chairwoman of the ESG Institute
Bio

Thought leader, award-winning author and respected international keynote speaker, Joanne Flinn has brought inspiration, insight, and action to audiences across countries and industries. Her deep experience enables her to share true insights about digital disruption, change and leadership. Her empathy and realism help people succeed in business and life. As the Chair of the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Institute, Joanne works with Chairman and CEOs of global entities to develop, scale and deploy sustainability strategies.