CHRO Series PHILIPPINES

Navigating the Future of HR:

Shaping Innovation and Growth in Philippines

27 – 28 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.

27 JANUARY: CHRO WORKSHOP AGENDA

AI Leadership for CHROs: Strategic Framework for Human Capital Transformation – Philippines Edition

Date: 27th January 2026
Time: 8.30am to 5pm
Facilitator: Joanne Flinn, Chairwoman - ESG Institute

WORKSHOP DELIVERABLES


Join our one-day intensive workshop, designed exclusively for CHROs and senior HR leaders in the Philippines, to lead AI-driven human capital transformation. This interactive program combines dialogue, hands-on exercises, and strategic planning to equip you with practical frameworks for shaping the future of work in the Philippine context.

Key Deliverables of the Workshop:

  • Philippine AI Readiness Assessment with BPO sector considerations.
  • BYOAI Governance Toolkit for managing employee-introduced AI.
  • BPO Evolution Framework for maintaining competitive advantage.
  • Job Security Communication Playbook to strengthen employee trust.
  • 90-Day Transformation Roadmap tailored for the Philippine organizational context.

Why Attend?

  • Gain clarity on global AI trends and their Philippine workforce implications.
  • Understand how to balance rapid AI adoption with human augmentation while preserving the nation’s service excellence reputation.
  • Access exclusive tools and frameworks designed specifically for the Philippine context, including the BPO sector.
  • Learn strategies to address workforce anxiety (highest in the region at 43.8%) and build trust with employees.
  • Leave with a 90-Day AI Transformation Roadmap tailored to your organization’s priorities.


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 & Networking
09.00am
Session 1: The Strategic Imperative and the Philippine Opportunity
  • Global AI Realities for the Philippines
  • The Shift: From Individual Adoption to Organizational Strategy
  • The Philippine AI Landscape
  • The Paradox: 86% of workers use AI (global leader) while 55% of organizations lack vision
  • BYOAI Risk & Opportunity Assessment for your organization
10.30am
Morning Tea Break
10.45am
Session 2: Core Principles for Philippine AI Leadership
  • Human Augmentation: Protecting and Evolving the Philippine Advantage
  • Ethical Leadership in Addressing Job Security Anxiety
  • Kapwa and Continuous Learning: Leveraging Filipino Cultural Strengths
  • Critical Priority: Philippines shows highest regional job anxiety at 43.8%
  • NAISR 2.0 Workforce Development: Leveraging government support to reduce anxiety
12.30pm
Networking Lunch
13.30pm
Session 3: Strategic Objectives and Implementation
  • From BYOAI to Strategic AI: Governance & Value Creation
  • Change and Risk Management for AI Workforce Transformation
  • HR-AI Risk Management Frameworks across the Employee Lifecycle
  • Critical Module: Moving from unsanctioned tools to governed deployment
  • Strategic Planning Workshop: Your 90-Day Philippine AI Transformation Roadmap
15.15pm
Afternoon Break
15.30pm
Session 4: Outcomes, Resilience, and the Path Forward
  • Defining Measurable Outcomes & Success Indicators
  • Building Organizational Resilience in High-Anxiety Contexts
  • The Philippine Path Forward: Leading Global AI Adoption
  • Priority Focus: Addressing the 43.8% job security concern
  • Reflection Exercise: Your Three Strategic Priorities & First-Week Actions
16.45pm
Session 5: Peer Learning and Closing
  • Open dialogue on Philippine-specific challenges
  • Sharing strategies and insights
  • Clarifying questions
  • Next steps and continuing support
  • Course feedback
17.00pm
End of Workshop

28 JANUARY: CHRO CONFERENCE AGENDA

8.00am
Registration & Networking
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

Rosita Ceres Legaspi-Aguas, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head – People, Learning and Culture - Unilab Inc

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

Francoise Bejasa, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition APAC - TTEC

10.15am
Reserved for Coursera
10.45am
Morning Tea Break
11.15am
PANEL
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

Maria Theresa G. Sebastian, Assistant Vice President – Human Resources - SM Development Corporation

11.45am
Reserved for Industry Partner
12.15pm
PANEL
The Future of AI in HR: Balancing Technology and the Human Touch
  • Shaping a future-ready workforce that embraces AI-driven change
  • Using AI for performance reviews while maintaining fairness and transparency
  • Building cultures of trust and inclusion in an AI-driven workplace

Carla Lanza, Chief People Officer - Maya Bank

Michelle Cordero Garcia, Chief HR Officer - Sun Life Philippines

Kiel Abuzia, HR Director - Marikina Valley Medical Center (Metro Pacific Health)

Marco Angelo B. Padernal, Human Resources Director - Robinsons Supermarket Corporation

12.45pm
Lunch & Networking
02.00pm
INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION GROUPS [60 MINS]

Ask the experts and have your say! Structured to maximise interaction and in-depth focus on a topical subject matter, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable of their choice, which has close relevance to their area of expertise and/or scope of responsibility. We will conclude with a 15mins sharing session, where each Roundtable Leader will present key highlights and takeaways from the group discussion.


ROUNDTABLE A

How AI is Transforming the Modern Workplace?


p>Reserved for Industry Partner
ROUNDTABLE B

PSuccession Planning: Strategies for Knowledge Transfer and Mentorship


Roundtable Leader:
Avery Balboa-Banta
Vice President Human Resources
Globe Telecom
ROUNDTABLE C

Employer Branding in a Talent-Competitive Market


Reserved for Industry Partner
ROUNDTABLE D

Reimagining Total Rewards for a Multigenerational Workforce


Roundtable Leader:
Elisa Abalajon
CHRO and Agile Transformation Lead
Universal Robina Corporation

ROUNDTABLE E

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


Reserved for Industry Partner
ROUNDTABLE F

Retaining Trust and Talent in the Workforce


Roundtable Leaders:
Michelle Rubio
Chief Human Resource Officer
UnionBank of the Philippines
03.15pm
Afternoon Tea Break
03.45pm
Reserved for Industry Partner
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

Ellen Fulido, Vice President, Human Resources & Administrative Services — MBC Media Group
Ma Elizabeth D. Nasol, President & Owner — MEDN Management Consultancy Services
Angelo Salamat Macario, Chief Human Resource Officer — National Museum of the Philippines
Eric del Castillo, Senior General Manager / Vice President, Human Resources Philippines & ASEAN Special Projects — Nissan Motor Corporation

05.00pm
Closing Remarks & End of Conference

CHRO SPEAKERS

Ellen Fulido

Vice President, Human Resources & Administrative Services
MBC Media Group

Ma Elizabeth D. Nasol

President and Owner
MEDN Management Consultancy Services

Avery Balboa-Banta

VP HR
Globe Telecom

Eric del Castillo

Senior General Manager/Vice President, Human Resources Philippines and ASEAN special projects
Nissan Motor Corporation

Elisa Abalajon

CHRO and Agile Transformation Lead
Universal Robina Corporation

Michelle Cordero Garcia

Chief HR Officer
Sun Life Philippines

Marco Angelo B. Padernal

Human Resources Director
Robinsons Supermarket Corporation

Francoise Bejasa

Executive Director, Talent Acquisition APAC
TTEC

Joanne Flinn

Chairwoman
The ESG Institute

Carla G. Lanza

Chief People Officer
Maya

Angelo S. Macario

Chief Human Resource Officer
National Museum of the Philippines

Kiel S. Abuiza

Human Resources Director | Marikina Valley Medical Center
Metro Pacific Health

Maria Theresa G. Sebastian

Assistant Vice President – Human Resources
SM Development Corporation

Michelle Rubio

CHRO
UnionBank of Philippines

Rosita Ceres Legaspi-Aguas

Chief Human Resources Officer and Head – People, Learning and Culture
Unilab, Inc.

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)
27 January 2026: Pre-Conference Workshop S$499 per delegate
28 January 2026: Conference (Delegate) S$399 per delegate
28 January 2026: Conference (Vendor/Solution Provider) S$1000 per delegate
[Bundle 2-days] Conference & Pre-Conference Workshop S$798 per delegate

Take advantage of our Advance Saver pricing up to December 31, 2025
Note: Prices will increase after this period.

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.

Ellen Fulido

Vice President, Human Resources & Administrative Services – MBC Media Group
Bio

Ms. Ellen Fullido is the 2022 President of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP). Ellen is a member of the Philippine Society of Fellows and holds the distinction of Fellow in People Management. She is currently the Vice President for Human Resources & Administrative Services at FJ Elizalde Group of Companies, and Business Partner of MBC Resources, Inc. – the managing company of the Manila Broadcasting Company.

Before becoming the President of PMAP, she held other positions: Vice President and Annual Convention Chair (2021), Board Secretary (2020), Board of Trustee (2015, 2016, 2018), and Chair of the Media and Communications Committee. She is also a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers (COPA) of PMAP.

She is a recipient of the PMAP Makatao Awards for Media Excellence and was Philippine Representative and Panelist to the Global HR Forum held in Tokyo, Japan last November 2024.

Ms. Ellen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management & Industrial Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology and Post Graduate Studies in Human Resource Management at the University of Santo Tomas.

Ma Elizabeth D. Nasol

President and Owner – MEDN Management Consultancy Services
Bio
  • Past President, People Management Association of the Philippines
  • Past President Organization Development Professional Network
  • Past President , Compensation Management Society of the Philippines
  • Diplomate in People Management
  • Fellow , Total Rewards Management
  • Strategic Human Resource practice in various industries and conglomerates –
  • Energy Development Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Globe Telecom Inc, and
  • Roxas Holdings Corporation
  • HR Consulting Experience with John Clements Consulting Inc .
  • HR Consulting , MEDN Management Services Company
  • BS Psychology , University of Santo Tomas
  • Executive Development Program , INSEAD
  • Strategic Human Resource Management , University of Michigan

Avery Balboa-Banta

VP HR – Globe Telecom
Bio

Avery Banta is a visionary HR leader and passionate architect of people, teams, and organizations. As VP and Head of HR Business Partners, Change Management, and Organization Development at Globe Telecom, she leads a high-impact HR team that empowers individuals and enables teams to deliver results that truly matter.

With a strong foundation in Communication and Business, Avery blends strategic foresight with empathy and executional excellence. She has led transformative enterprise shifts – from building new teams and driving culture change to spearheading large-scale reorganizations.

A PMP® and Agilist, with credentials from Project Management Institute, INSEAD, Kellogg, and Emeritus, Avery is recognized for turning bold ideas into tangible impact. She thrives at the intersection of strategy, people, and change, bringing energy, clarity, and collaboration to every endeavor, always driving progress with purpose.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Avery is a devoted mentor and leadership advocate. For over two decades, she has trained and coached aspiring project managers and emerging leaders, helping them gain expertise, confidence, and a deeper belief in their own potential.

Eric del Castillo

Senior General Manager/Vice President, Human Resources Philippines and ASEAN special projects – Nissan Motor Corporation
Bio

Eric, a transformative leader with over 30 years of expertise in human resources, has dedicated his career to shaping people-centric organizations that inspire excellence and growth. As Vice President of Human Resources for Nissan Philippines, he has been a catalyst for change, driving a culture of innovation, engagement, and performance within the company.

A distinguished graduate of the University of the Philippines with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations, Eric’s passion for people development has been widely recognized in the industry. His leadership has earned him two President’s Innovation Awards, presented by Nissan Philippines Presidents—first in 2017 from Mr. Ramesh Narasimhan, and again in 2023 from Mr. Juan Manuel Hoyos. These accolades are a testament to his commitment to building a high-performance organizational culture, fostering talent, and making Nissan a desirable place to work.

Eric is a Certified Executive Coach from the Center of Executive Coaching, USA. With specialized training in coaching both emerging and seasoned leaders, he equips them to excel in managing high-performance teams, serving as catalysts for organizational change, and leading transformative efforts even in the face of challenges. His ability to mentor leaders through complex organizational dynamics further highlights his dedication to developing leadership excellence and driving long-term success within the company.

Eric is also a certified facilitator of DDI, specializing in both Interaction Management (IM) and Targeted Selection (TS), with a particular focus on behavior-based interviewing. His expertise in these areas has taken him across the region, where he has both attended and led training programs in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Through these international engagements, Eric has demonstrated his ability to impart valuable management and talent selection skills, further enhancing his reputation as a key influence in the field of Human Resources.

Having been with Nissan for nine years, Eric has made significant contributions in talent management, employee engagement, total rewards, and overall employee experience. His leadership has been pivotal in enhancing these areas, driving a people-first culture that prioritizes employee well-being and performance. Notably, his work in key talent acceleration—identifying high-potential employees and developing them for leadership roles—has been recognized as a best practice by Nissan Asia & Oceania. This recognition highlights his ability to shape the future leadership pipeline, ensuring a steady supply of capable leaders for Nissan’s continued success.

Under Eric’s leadership, Nissan Philippines has flourished, achieving noteworthy milestones in employee satisfaction and employer branding. Nissan won back-to-back awards in 2023 and 2024, receiving the Best Employer Brand Award from the Employer Branding Institute of India (2023), and being named the 7th Best Employer in the country by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista (2024). These accolades speak volumes about the positive organizational culture that Eric has helped cultivate, further solidifying the company’s standing as a top employer in the region. These achievements demonstrate Eric’s ability to align human resources strategies with Nissan’s broader business goals, resulting in a workplace that not only attracts top talent but also retains them.

Beyond his professional achievements, Eric is a mentor, a coach, and an advocate for the next generation of HR leaders. As a fellow in People Management and a former Board of Trustees member of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), he continues to give back to the HR community that has shaped his career. His warmth, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives, making him not just a leader but an inspiration to many within the human resources profession.

On October 17, 2024, Eric was named People Manager of the Year (regional exemplar) by the prestigious People Management Association of the Philippines (preeminent society of people managers in the Philippines with over 2000 member companies) at its annual conference held in Iloilo Convention Center, IloIlo City.

In 2025, Eric was recognized by CHRO Asia with an Exemplary Leader Award for his notable contribution in promoting the HR practice in the Philippines. The ceremonies were held at the Dusit Thani Hotel on April 28, 2025.

He was also named as one of the top 25 HR leaders to watch for in 2025 by Traicon at the culmination of the World HR Summit Philippines on May 23, 2025 at the Heritage Hotels in Manila.

Elisa Abalajon

CHRO and Agile Transformation Lead – Universal Robina Corporation

Michelle Cordero Garcia

Chief HR Officer – Sun Life Philippines
Bio

With over 30 years of experience as an HR Leader and Influencer, Michelle continues to pursue her passion around Strategic Business Partnering, Culture Transformation, and Talent Revolution. She is a strong advocate of cultivating continuous learning, resiliency, and belongingness in the workplace. Today, she is the Chief HR Office of Sun Life Philippines.

Recognized as one of the 2024 Top 30 Filipino Leaders to follow on Linked-in, Michelle was the sole recipient of the 2023 Platinum HR Leader of the Year by the Philippine HR Awards.

Also last year, she was listed as Top 3 in the Bridge 100 Top Talent Leaders in the Philippines, recognized as one of the 22 Global Women Who Rule (GWWR), and recently accorded the Pillar of HR Award by the Philippines HR Group (PHRG)

She served as the 2018 National President of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and today, she sits part of PMAP’s Council of Presidential Advisers.

Outside of her corporate responsibility, Michelle actively pushes for various HR volunteer advocacies that advance the practice of Filipino HR. She maintains a well-balanced life as she keeps a home with her husband and three children.

Marco Angelo B. Padernal

Human Resources Director – Robinsons Supermarket Corporation
Bio

Marco is currently the HR Director at Robinsons Supermarket Corporation overseeing its entire Human Resources function. With his over 16 years of Human Resources experience, he is leading the HR strategy of Robinsons Retail’s largest group – Food Segment, which is comprised of Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace, Shopwise, Robinsons Easymart, No Brand, and Uncle John’s. He has a well-rounded exposure in various industries, namely retail, information technology, cable & 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 2022, 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 APAC region. Marco graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, minor in Strategic Human Resources Management at the Ateneo De Manila University. He also completed the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP®) Program.

Francoise Bejasa

Executive Director, Talent Acquisition APAC – TTEC

Joanne Flinn

Chairwoman – 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.

Carla G. Lanza

Chief People Officer – Maya
Bio

Carla “Charee” Lanza is the Chief People Officer of Maya Philippines, Inc. Her insights and perspective on Human Resources Management and Corporate Culture are as rich as the history of the company itself, and its role in the digital transformation of emerging markets.
Charee was, after all, part of the telco startup that was Smart Communications in 1996. In 2013, Voyager/PayMaya was established as a response to the challenge of digital transformation in the telco industry. To help drive the company to be as agile, nimble and relevant in this rapidly changing world, Charee has been uniquely applying her experience in organization transformation and change management, talent acquisition, management, and development, strategic rewards, and employee engagement.

Since rebranding in 2022, Maya has sustained its leadership as the Philippines’ #1 fintech ecosystem, with Maya Bank growing deposits to over ₱43 billion, disbursing nearly ₱120 billion in loans, and issuing 125,000+ credit cards while achieving group-wide profitability by 2024. Under Charee’s people leadership, Maya has also gained recognition for transforming its workplace through AI-powered efficiencies, driving innovation and scale across its rapidly expanding operations.

  

Angelo S. Macario

Chief Human Resource Officer – National Museum of the Philippines
Bio

Angelo S. Macario is presently the Chief Human Resource Officer of the National Museum of the Philippines. With 17 years of experience as an HR Practitioner in both the private and public sectors such as the Philippine Civil Service Commission, National Library Board of Singapore and Department of Social Welfare and Development, and a strong advocate for the Equal Employment Opportunity Principle. Angelo champions inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, promoting the onboarding of talent irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or other conditions.

Having risen through the ranks, Angelo possesses comprehensive experience across all facets of Human Resource and Organizational Development, including HR
administration, management, and development. He consistently instills the principles of integrity, compassion, and ethical conduct in his team, encouraging them to always take
the high road.

Angelo holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Bachelor of Advertising and Public Relations, both from the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, Manila.

Recently, Angelo was honored with the National Museum of the Philippines – Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (NMP PRAISE) Award for Best Division
Chief for the Administrative Cluster and was an Achievement Awardee for the NMP PAMANA Human Resource Management Information System along with the Office of the Director for Information Communications Technology section. These awards were presented on August
11, 2025.

  

Kiel S. Abuiza

Human Resources Director | Marikina Valley Medical Center – Metro Pacific Health
Bio

Mr. Kiel S. Abuiza is currently the Human Resources Director of Marikina Valley Medical Center (MVMC), a tertiary hospital located in Sumulong Highway, Marikina City. MVMC is a proud member of Metro Pacific Health, the largest hospital group in the country to date.

Mr. Abuiza obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Our Lady of Fatima University QC, and his Master’s in Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business – a dual certificate program recognized by the Regis University of Denver, Colorado, USA. He earned his Certificate in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR). Currently, he is taking up Ph.D. in Business Management Major in Human Capital and Labor Relations at the Philippine Christian University – Manila Campus.

Before joining MVMC Mr. Abuiza has extensive exposure in various industries such as Quick Service Restaurant, Retail, Hospitality, and Healthcare both locally and overseas. His last overseas post was in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Head of Operations of 45 restaurant outlets, and manages sub-franchisees in Oman, Dubai UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Maria Theresa G. Sebastian

Assistant Vice President – Human Resources –  SM Development Corporation
Bio

Terry is a seasoned Human Resources leader with over a decade of proven expertise in talent acquisition, people development, and HR strategy across diverse industries including real estate, financial services, and insurance.

For the past 10 years, Terry has served as Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SM Development Corporation (SMDC), where she has been instrumental in driving HR business strategies, enhancing organizational effectiveness, and building a culture of excellence within one of the country’s leading property developers. Her leadership has significantly contributed to strengthening the company’s talent pipeline and employee engagement programs.

Prior to joining SMDC, she held key HR leadership roles in the financial services sector. As Assistant Manager for Recruitment and Development at Sun Life Grepa Financial, she spearheaded recruitment initiatives and employee development programs designed to attract, retain, and grow high-performing talent. She also served as Assistant Manager for Recruitment at Philippine National Bank, where she managed end-to-end recruitment processes for one of the largest banking institutions in the Philippines.

With a strong background in recruitment and human capital development, Terry is recognized for her ability to align people strategies with business objectives, driving both organizational growth and employee success. Her career reflects a commitment to building future-ready workforces and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Michelle Rubio

CHRO – UnionBank of Philippines
Bio

Michelle Rubio, EVP – Chief HR Officer at UnionBank and Corporate Social Responsibility Head, champions PeopleTech—a fusion of technology and human-centric HR—to build high-tech, high-touch talent. She leads culture and people transformation programs through UnionBank’s corporate University and UBPXcellerator to enable individuals and groups upskill, develop and adapt to a dynamic and evolving workplace. Her work drives workforce innovation and has earned global recognition.

  

Rosita Ceres Legaspi-Aguas (“Nanette”)

Chief Human Resources Officer and Head – People, Learning and Culture – Unilab, Inc.
Bio

Currently the Chief Human Resources Officer and Head for People, Learning, and Culture of Unilab Inc. She leads the human capital strategy and sets strategic leadership in the execution of business strategy, culture and organization transformation. Nanette concurrently holds the position of Head of Human Resources , with strategic oversight for Unilab International and UL Skin Sciences, Inc.

Most recently as the Unilab’s HR Head, Nanette is recognized among ‘PH Top Talent Leaders’ by Bridge Group, 50 Most Influential Women in HR and HR Icon ‘Most influential HR Leader’ SEA by ETHRWorld , ‘Culture Leader of the Year’ by TalentView ”

Previously, she was the Regional Human Resources Director for Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore), where she was also a member of the Global Finance HR Leadership Team and the Global Executive Coaching Council. She held various positions with increasing responsibilities in the Consumer, Pharma and Medical Devices business sectors in Asia Pacific. She likewise led the organizational set up for the Global Finance Shared Services Centers in Manila Center (Global Hub) and Suzhou China .

Earlier, she was Human Resources Director at Johnson & Johnson Medical Philippines., where she was awarded Outstanding ASEAN HR Business Partner for Human Resources.

Nanette also served as President of an Executive Search and HR Consulting firm and as Managing Director for Asia Pacific of the leading executive search firm. With her leadership, she took to helm the Manila Office and consumer /pharma ndustry practice.

Nanette has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Management from Saint Louis University. She completed her Senior Management Program at the Asian Institute of 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.