SPEAKERS

Martin Wezowski

Former Chief Futurist & Head of the Future Hub, SAP

Martin Wezowski, former Chief Futurist at SAP, spent over a decade shaping the company’s innovation outlooks and foresight strategies. Today, he co-leads the Beyond Leadership Academy, empowering changemakers to “lead the future” with creativity, compassion, and vision. A member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Foresight Network and faculty at Futur/IO, he also runs The Wezowski, advising on transformative innovation and future-anchored leadership. Named one of Germany’s 100 most innovative minds by Handelsblatt in 2017, Martin has held leadership roles at Sony/Ericsson and Huawei, and speaks globally at premier platforms such as TEDx, SXSW, CES, and the Nobel Festival.

Eugene Acevedo

Former President and CEO, RCBC

Eugene Acevedo is the Vice Chairman of the Asian Institute of Management, where he helps shape the next generation of leaders in business and society. He is the former President and CEO of RCBC, serving from 2019 to June 2025, during which he steered the bank’s rapid growth and award-winning digital transformation. With nearly four decades of banking experience, most of it with Citibank in Manila, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Eugene is recognized as a visionary in financial leadership and innovation. He is also a published author of three books and has been honored as a LinkedIn Top Voice.

Jimit Arora

Chief Executive Officer, Everest Group

Jimit Arora is the Chief Executive Officer of Everest Group, where he leads the firm’s growth and client engagement initiatives. He has advised Fortune 500 companies on technology, sourcing, and business transformation, and has been instrumental in expanding Everest Group’s research and industry platforms, including the Engage and Elevate conferences. Jimit holds an engineering degree and an MBA from BITS Pilani.

Ayhee Campos

Country Head and Business Head, Infosys BPM for the Philippines and Malaysia

Rhodora “Ayhee” Campos is the Country Head and Business Head of Infosys BPM for the Philippines and Malaysia and the Chairperson of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP). She also serves as Chairperson of GoDigital Pilipinas and convenor of Women In Action at IT-BPM. With 26 years of leadership experience across telecommunications, customer service, and business process outsourcing, Ayhee is a member of the Infosys BPM Leadership Council, where she drives operations, transformation, and diversity and inclusion efforts across Asia Pacific. Globally recognized as an influential Filipina leader, she has received the UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Gold Award for Leadership and the Asia CEO Global Filipino Executive Leader of the Year.

Aris Dacanay

ASEAN Economist, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Aris Dacanay joined HSBC in April 2022 as an ASEAN economist. Prior to HSBC, he worked in the Philippines as an economist for the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority, focusing on the country’s fiscal and macroeconomic policies. Aris has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of the Philippines and a master’s degree in international and development economics from the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University.

Stanton Jones

Distinguished Analyst, ISG (Information Services Group)

Stanton Jones is a Distinguished Analyst at Information Services Group (ISG), where he leads ISG’s Index research, helping enterprise technology leaders, service providers, investors, and clients make sense of the global IT and business services sector. He is the author of the widely read weekly briefing, Index Insider, followed by thousands of industry stakeholders worldwide. An ISG Digital Fellow, Stanton has been quoted in outlets such as Fast Company, Forbes, and CIO.com, and has appeared on national cable news, making him a trusted voice in interpreting market trends and the future of enterprise technology.

Prashray Kala

Partner, Everest Group

Prashray Kala is a Partner at Everest Group, focusing on global sourcing and assisting clients on topics related to location optimization, enabling talent models for digital initiatives, increasing inclusivity and diversity in enterprises, quantification of business impact, and benchmarking of global delivery models. Prior to joining Everest Group, Prashray worked at i3 Consulting, where he was based out of multiple countries in the Middle East and North Africa and worked on strategy consulting, operations consulting, and risk policy and analytics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial and Investment Analysis from the College of Business Studies, Delhi University.

Jack Madrid

President and CEO, IBPAP

Jack is at the helm of ensuring that the Philippines is able to reinforce its position as a prime investment destination for IT-BPM services. He oversees all industry- led programs while reinforcing partnerships with the government and academe, as well as the company leadership of other stakeholders.

Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit

CEO and Founder, The Stratbase Group

Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit is the Founder and Managing Director of The Stratbase Group and President of the Stratbase ADR Institute. He is also the Philippine Country Head of BowerGroupAsia, providing strategic analysis on global issues and fostering government–private sector partnerships. He previously served as Undersecretary of the Department of Education, Deputy Secretary of the Senate, and Chair of the Political Science Department at De La Salle University. Prof. Manhit chairs the AFP Cybersecurity Committee, leads the PCCI Investment Policy Committee, and convenes Democracy Watch Philippines. He also advises Asia Society Philippines, serves in the US–Philippines Strategic Initiative, and is an ASEAN Regional Forum Eminent Person.

Archana Seshadrinathan

Partner, McKinsey Singapore

Archana Seshadrinathan is a Partner in McKinsey’s Singapore office with nearly 20 years of consulting experience. She has worked with incumbent banks, regulators, and investment firms across Asia Pacific, guiding financial institutions to capture value from transformation programs. Her expertise spans business and operating models that drive performance and growth. Archana has led productivity-focused operating model changes for regional banks, designed digitisation roadmaps, created strategies for digital asset platforms in Singapore, and advised on medium- to long-term disruptions. She has also supported global banks in front-to-back transformations of their corporate and investment banking businesses.

Ganesh Ayyar

Executive Vice President and President of Intuitive Operations, Automation and Industry Solutions, Cognizant

Ganesh Ayyar is the Executive Vice President and President of Intuitive Operations, Automation and Industry Solutions at Cognizant, where he leads strategy and growth in modern BPO and automation services while driving hyper-specialized industry solutions. Previously CEO of Mphasis from 2009 to 2017, he was named CEO of the Year in 2016 for his transformation initiatives and market value enhancements and earlier spent nearly two decades in leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard. A strong advocate of culture, innovation, and social responsibility, he champions causes such as disability employment and serves as Executive Committee sponsor of Cognizant’s Unite Affinity Group.

Rainerio “Bong” Borja

Chief Operating Officer, Alorica Inc.

Bong Borja is the Chief Operating Officer for Alorica. In this role, Mr. Borja is responsible for global operations in 19 countries across Asia, Latin America & The Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and North America regions. Previously, he was the President of Alorica’s Asia-Pacific Operations, leading China, Japan, India and the Philippines in providing high-quality, cost-effective solutions to clients across the globe.

Prior to these, Bong was President of the Philippines and Australia for Expert Global Solutions, Inc. (EGS) for four years before EGS’ acquisition by Alorica in June 2016. He also spent 12 years as President of Aegis People Support Philippines, a start-up company that he helped grow to more than 13,000 employees.

Hazel Zaide Delos Santos

Country Manager, ING Hubs Philippines

Hazel Zaide Delos Santos is a transformative leader with over 25 years of experience in banking, finance, and automotive manufacturing. Under her leadership, ING Hubs Philippines has grown into ING’s most capability-rich hub, delivering 24 out of 24 global services across operations, finance, risk, data, technology, people services, and transformation to 40 ING countries. This unmatched capability reflects her vision to bring expertise roles once based in headquarters to the Philippines. At the heart of this success is her commitment to accelerating talent development through tailored development plans and build programs while ensuring above-par employee benefits based on an inclusive lens, and building a powerhouse of expertise that cements ING Hubs Philippines as a global IT-BPM leader.

Grace David

Founder and General Manager, WayMaker

Grace David is the Founder and General Manager of WayMaker, a TechEd company that equips employees with ready-now, workplace skills in the age of AI. Previously the CEO of Edukasyon.ph, she has long worked at the intersection of education and employment, helping build pathways from learning to meaningful work. Beyond her professional role, Grace is passionate about running marathons and taking on long bike rides — pursuits that fuel her mission to prepare future-ready talent in the country.

Smiti Deorah

Co-founder and COO, AdvantageClub.ai

Smiti Bhatt Deorah is the Co-founder and COO of AdvantageClub.ai, where she has been at the forefront of transforming workplace culture beyond traditional benefits. A UCLA alumna with a Master’s in Computer Science, she began her career at Microsoft in the U.S. before co-founding AdvantageClub.ai, now a leading global engagement platform. Recognized as a member of the Forbes HR Council and an influential voice in HR tech and startups, Smiti drives business growth, marketing, and customer success while keeping employee engagement at the heart of every organization.

Ethan Flowers

General Manager, Chevron Holdings Incorporated

Ethan Flowers joined Chevron in 2000 and held various roles of increasing responsibility including Finance Manager of Hawaii Refinery in 2009, Financial Accounting and Reporting and International Upstream Accounting Services Manager in Manila in 2013 and Global Lubricants Finance Manager in 2017. He assumed the position of General Manager of the Manila Shared Services Center in 2021, double hatting as Business Unit Head of Finance Shared Services Manila.

Raymond Garret Go

Philippines Consulting Leader, EY Global Delivery Services (GDS)

Raymond Garret Go is the EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) Philippines Consulting Leader. He leads a team of over 1,600 professionals delivering large-scale transformation initiatives for multinational organizations. With more than two decades of experience in client delivery, organizational leadership, pre-sales, and solutions development, he has established himself as a distinguished digital leader who enables businesses to navigate complex changes with confidence. Raymond champions tech-enabled talent upskilling and cross-skilling programs that equip professionals with future-ready capabilities to strengthen the Philippines’ position in the global digital services arena. Holding certifications in SAP, ITIL, IT4IT, and SAFe®, he continues to drive excellence, growth mindsets, and innovation in consulting.

Sanjiv Gupta

President and Country Head, IBM’s Global Delivery Center in the Philippines

Sanjiv is the President & Country Head of IBM’s Global Delivery Center in the Philippines, where he leads the applications and technology consulting business and provides oversight to the BPO and Shared Services units. As IBM’s senior representative in the country, he plays a key role in both internal and external engagements. He is also one of five industry board members at the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), serving as the Co-chair of the AI & Tech Committee. Having lived in the Philippines for over six years, Sanjiv brings a deep understanding of the local market and talent ecosystem.

With over 31 years at IBM, Sanjiv has held leadership roles across the U.S., India, and the Philippines, driving innovation, digital transformation, and cross-cultural collaboration. His people-centric leadership style and strong advocacy for Filipino talent has positioned him as a key industry thought leader.

Benedict C. Hernandez

Senior Managing Director, Accenture Operations

Benedict Hernandez is a Senior Managing Director at Accenture with over 25 years of experience in business process management. He joined Accenture in 2009 and has since led large-scale delivery teams across the Philippines, Asia Pacific, and globally, helping organizations harness talent, data, automation and AI to drive productivity, innovation, and growth.

A recognized industry leader, Benedict was one of the founding members of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines and a pioneering member of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines. He champions the global-caliber capabilities of Filipino talent and the sector’s role in creating inclusive growth and a new middle class.

Karthik Krishnamurthy

Chief Executive Officer, Ascendion

As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ascendion, KK is steering the company’s ascent as a breakout leader in AI-powered software engineering. He sets the strategic course to redefine value creation in the services industry. A recognized voice on the global technology stage, Karthik serves on the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, the Forbes Technology Council, and the Economic Club of New York. His leadership has accelerated Ascendion’s growth, strengthened its market position, and advanced its mission to lead the future of engineering in the AI economy.

Before founding Ascendion, Karthik built Cognizant’s global analytics and AI practice, helping to shape the enterprise adoption of data-driven transformation. He is a champion of ethical, inclusive innovation that delivers lasting impact for clients, industries, and communities worldwide.

Sunil Kumar

Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Genpact Philippines

Sunil is a highly accomplished C-suite executive with 25+ years of experience driving business growth and leading large global teams. His expertise spans multiple industries and geographies, including India, the Philippines, and Europe. He has a proven track record in profit center management, organizational leadership, and people management, having overseen teams of up to 10,000 employees. His skills encompass service delivery, business process transformation, client relationship management, and project management. A Six Sigma certified professional, Sunil is adept at leveraging technology, including AI and RPA, to optimize operations and deliver significant cost savings. He is currently serving as Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Genpact Philippines. His passion for compliance and integrity, combined with a disruptive mindset, makes him a highly sought-after leader in the global business landscape

Mark Lwin

Managing Director, RELX | Reed Elsevier Philippines

Mark is currently the Managing Director for RELX | Reed Elsevier Philippines, a 5,500-strong global operations company providing knowledge and professional services for RELX companies worldwide. He joined RELX in 2020 and has led the development of global operations strategy and expansion of high-value services. Previously, he spent 16 years as a senior executive for AIG in a variety of roles: general manager for AIG’s insurance arm in Philippines, Transformation Officer for Asia Pacific, and head of AIG Shared Services in Asia. In these and previous roles, Mark has spent two decades based in SouthEast Asia in a variety of general management, business, and operational leadership roles.

Mark is a Director on the boards of The American Chamber of Commerce (Philippines), Pacific Cross Insurance, The Judicial Reform Initiative, the Union Church of Manila, and Reed Elsevier Shared Services, Inc.

DDG Anidelle Joy Magtolis-Alguso

Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)

Anidelle Joy Magtolis-Alguso is the Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), where she guides strategic direction and policy formulation for the country’s economic zones. With 27 years of service at PEZA, she has held leadership roles including OIC Deputy Director General, Acting Group Manager of Promotions and Public Relations, and Department Manager of the Management Information Systems Department, where she also served as IT Head and Chief Information Officer. A career anchored in both technology and policy, she has been instrumental in advancing PEZA’s digital transformation and strengthening its global competitiveness.

Sean McCreery

CEO and Founder, XtendOps

Sean McCreery is a customer-centric executive with over a decade of experience in information services, software, and analytics. He has built a career leading the design, growth, and global scale of commercial operations across high-impact industries. Before acquiring Proof and co-founding XtendOps, Mr. McCreery served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer at Cohen Veterans Bioscience, a $75 million philanthropic initiative funded by hedge fund founder Steve Cohen. He holds a BA in Public Health and Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University.

Usec. Anton Mauricio

Co-Founder, Trustee, and Treasure, Global AI Council PH

Usec. Anton Mauricio is the Co-Founder, Trustee, and Treasurer of the Global AI Council Philippines, and Chairman of InnovationPH, a firm dedicated to advancing the country’s innovation and sustainability ecosystem. He previously served as Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry and General Manager of the National Development Company, where he founded the Philippine Innovation Hub, chaired industrial parks and subsidiaries such as the World Trade Center Metro Manila, and oversaw investments in pioneering, inclusive, and sustainable projects. With over 30 years of strategy and leadership experience across sectors including finance, technology, agriculture, ICT, and telecoms, he has also established international finance companies, advised multinationals in Asia, and lectured on business and strategy at leading Philippine universities. He continues to champion innovation, investment, and ethical technology adoption to drive national progress and global competitiveness.

Marcus Ng

APAC Principal & Head of Economics Strategy Singapore, Access Partnership

Marcus Ng is the APAC Principal at Access Partnership, where he leads the Asia-Pacific practice, and also serves as the firm’s Head of Economics Strategy globally. Before joining AP in 2022, he established and led Deloitte Southeast Asia’s Economics and Social Impact Advisory practice, building on 18 years of experience with Deloitte Access Economics, the Australian Treasury, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Marcus has advised governments and companies worldwide on technology, trade, workforce development, and financial regulation, and has conducted impact studies on AI, fintech, infrastructure, and sustainability. He previously served in the Australian Parliament and represented Treasury at the G20. Marcus is also a regular presenter on trade, industry development, and the regional economic outlook.

DG Ernesto Perez

Director General, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA)

Atty. Ernesto V. Perez, CPA, is the Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), an agency under the Office of the President mandated to champion government efficiency and ease of doing business. He first joined ARTA in 2018 as Deputy Director General, spearheading its operationalization and major reform initiatives before assuming leadership in 2022. A former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, he oversaw consumer protection, promulgated new Philippine standards aligned with international benchmarks, and chaired high-level investigations into critical trade issues. Prior to government service, he built a 30-year career as a litigation lawyer. Widely recognized for his transformational leadership, Director General Perez has received awards such as Globe’s Connectivity Champion, GCash’s Excellence Award for Digital Financial Empowerment, BizNews Asia’s Management Excellence Award, and the UP Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus for Good Governance.

Rajat Puri

President, Carelon Global Solutions

As the President of Carelon Global Solutions, Rajat is in charge of Elevance Health’s wholly – owned subsidiaries (i.e. Carelon Global Solutions) in India, Ireland, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and other potential offshore or nearshore locations.

Prior to joining Elevance Health, Rajat’s leadership role include sourcing and vendor management, and technology in companies such as McKesson, GE, Tata Infotech, etc. Rajat participates in boards of various diversity councils and currently serves as Executive Sponsor of Asian Associate Group at Elevance Health and was previously the National Chair of Pan Asian employees’ resource group at McKesson.

Vishnu Raj

Vice President, AI & Analytics, TP

With deep expertise at the intersection of business strategy, AI, and analytics, Vishnu has led AI & Analytics initiatives across industries, from consumer tech and retail to fintech and logistics. A graduate of the National University of Singapore, he now spearheads TP’s AI & Analytics Centre of Excellence, blending cutting-edge technologies like Agentic AI with the human touch that drives real business impact. Vishnu is a firm believer that true innovation happens when people, process, and technology evolve together.

Gina Romero

Founder and Head of Special Projects, Mettamatch

Gina Romero is the Founder and Head of Special Projects at Mettamatch, where she leads ethical data and AI services rooted in social responsibility. She previously co-founded Connected Women, an award-winning platform that empowered Filipino women freelancers to participate in the digital economy. An entrepreneur, community builder, and technology advocate, Gina has dedicated her career to creating inclusive opportunities for women in tech. Her advocacy has earned global recognition, including the TOWNS Award for women’s empowerment through ICT and being named a finalist in VentureBeat’s Women in AI Awards. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of De La Salle University and as a Global Awards Council member for SheShapesAI.

Cris Rosenthal

Strategic Advisory Lead – Human Capital Solutions, Aon Philippines

Cris is part of the Human Capital Solutions team at Aon Philippines and leads the strategic advisory & consulting group focused on Employee Benefits & People Solutions. She enables clients by understanding their evolving needs, driving innovation & transformation, and helping clients have a more holistic & strategic view of their people programs, particularly around talent sentiments, employee benefits & wellbeing. Recent examples of her work involve cost mitigation strategies in employee benefits optimization, redesigning Total Rewards programs, crafting wellbeing strategies and measurable outcomes, as well as other HR related change management initiatives. As a Human Capital Solutions growth leader, Cris leverages her past experience as an HR executive in an IT-BPM company as she works closely with Aon’s clients in need of people related transformation and innovation.

Marty Sarim

Co-Founder, Carya Venture Partners and Founding Member & CCO, Sanas.ai

Marty brings over 25 years of experience in call centers and enterprise communications and is widely recognized as an industry leader. Throughout his career, he has built multiple companies into competitive and profitable organizations, always staying at the forefront of exponential technologies. This passion for innovation inspired Marty to transition from being an operator in the call center industry to becoming an investor and technologist. His advisory work with several successful Bay Area startups led him to co-found Carya Venture Partners, become a founding member of Sanas, and launch an AI solutions company.

Today, Marty is an active investor, entrepreneur, board member, and advisor. He takes pride in his ability to design and reinvent processes while fearlessly blazing new trails and embracing the road less traveled.

Larah Sta. Maria

Vice President for PH Delivery Shared Services & Innovation, Concentrix Philippines

Larah Sta. Maria is the Vice President for PH Delivery Shared Services & Innovation at Concentrix Philippines. With over two decades of leadership experience in the BPO industry, she has led enabling functions spanning Training, Quality, Talent Development, Client Management, and Transformation. Today, she heads Concentrix’s largest enabling function covering Training & Quality, Risk & Compliance, and the Philippines Innovation Team, which drives the incubation and implementation of creative solutions. A recipient of the Winnie Sun Leadership Award, the company’s highest leadership honor, Larah is recognized for her expertise in instructional design, leadership development, and operations excellence across multiple geographies and verticals.

Adel Tamano

Chief Commercial Officer, DITO Telecommunity Corporation

Atty. Adel Tamano is the Chief Commercial Officer of DITO Telecommunity Corporation, a role he has held since 2023. He previously served as DITO’s Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary (2019–2023), Vice President for Corporate Affairs at UDENNA Corporation (2017–2019), and Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications at Coca-Cola Philippines (2012–2017). Beyond corporate leadership, Atty. Tamano built a respected media career as a columnist, legal analyst, and TV host, and was Party Spokesman for the United Opposition during the 2007 Elections. He also served as Dean of the College of Law at Liceo de Cagayan University and as President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. A Harvard-trained lawyer, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of the Philippines.

Ambe Tierro

Country Managing Director, Accenture in the Philippines

Ambe Tierro is the Country Managing Director of Accenture in the Philippines, responsible for the growth and sustainability of Accenture’s business in the country, delivering Technology, Operations, and Strategy & Consulting services to global and local clients. She also leads the Accenture Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines, overseeing operations, strategy, delivery, and capability development for the technology delivery center. Outside of Accenture, Ambe serves on the boards of the Filipina CEO Circle, For the Women Foundation, Philippine Business for Social Progress, and IBPAP. She also chairs the Global Ideas Committee of the Makati Business Club.

Jimbo Borja

President, S&P Global Philippines

Jimbo Borja is the President of S&P Global Philippines. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the company’s Manila centers with a strong focus on operational excellence, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Since joining S&P Global in 2014, he has strengthened operational frameworks and implemented strategic initiatives that drive seamless delivery and align with the company’s global goals. With leadership experience spanning sales, marketing, and operations at SPI Global and Citibank, Jimbo brings a deep understanding of the financial services and business process outsourcing sectors. Beyond his corporate role, he serves as Executive Sponsor of PRIDE and actively supports the CORE and Green Team initiatives, championing inclusivity, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.

Celeste Ilagan

Chief Operating Officer, IBPAP

Celeste has oversight of all government-related initiatives and is responsible for championing the Philippine IT-BPM sector during key discussions with policy makers and regulatory officers. She ensures that IBPAP consistently leads and stays ahead of legislative and regulatory changes that impact the industry, and proposes enabling policies that strengthen the country’s competitiveness.

Dominic “Doc” Ligot

Consultant for AI and Tech, IBPAP

Dominic “Doc” Ligot, IBPAP’s consultant for AI and Technology, is one of the Philippines’ leading voices in artificial intelligence, advising the industry on strategies that balance innovation with responsibility. He is the founder of CirroLytix, an award-winning social impact AI firm, and Data Ethics PH, a community advocating for responsible AI, as well as co-founder of the Philippine AI Business Association where he serves as Director for AI Ethics and Data Governance. With nearly 30 years of experience across finance, public health, human rights, and disinformation, Doc has earned recognition from NASA, the UN, and WHO for advancing ethical, data-driven innovation for the public good.

Carlo Mata

Head of Operations Center in Manila, White & Case Global Operations

Carlo Mata is the Vice Chairman of the Global Capability Center Council of the Philippines and Head of the White & Case Global Operations Center in Manila, where he oversees strategic direction and alignment of global business services across Administration, Compliance and New Business, Finance, HR, Technology, Marketing & Business Development, Practice Solutions, and Global Operations Support. He has led award-winning initiatives that elevated the office’s role, influence, and impact. With over two decades of leadership experience in BPO and shared services, he is known for driving transformation that positions Manila as a next-generation global capability center.

Hans Montenegro

Chief Human Resources Officer, Kayana Solutions

Hans Montenegro is the Chief Human Resources Officer of Kayana Solutions, the new digital entity of the MVP Group of Companies. With over a decade of leadership experience in global delivery, operations, and HR across firms like Accenture, Manulife, Convergys, and NorthgateArinso, he brings deep expertise in building high-performing teams and scaling shared services across Asia. At Kayana, Hans leads people strategy and culture, driving the organization’s mission to transform Filipino lives through data-driven digital experiences and a connected ecosystem that empowers both businesses and communities.

Arnab Ray

Senior Vice President, TTEC Customer Care Management for Asia Pacific, Inc.

Arnab Ray is the Senior Vice President for APAC of TTEC. With over 25 years of global leadership experience in the ITeS and BPO industry, he has successfully scaled operations across APAC, ASEAN, and LATAM, driving profitability, operational excellence, and digital transformation. Known for integrating AI, machine learning, and RPA into complex operations, Arnab has led hundreds of process digitization initiatives that strengthened KPIs, improved client satisfaction, and delivered sustainable growth. A people-first leader, he has mentored and reskilled over 1,500 senior leaders, fostering high-performance cultures and future-ready teams.

Rain Tan

VP for People, Optum Philippines

Rain Tan leads the People Team at Optum Philippines, a member of the UnitedHealth Group. A strategic and high-impact leader, Rain brings a rare blend of cross-functional expertise with a career that spans operations, business development, and human resources in Southeast Asia, China, and Latin America. Rain is known for steering complex transformations and global initiatives through purpose-driven leadership, operational rigor, and deep partnership with senior stakeholders. He brings a sharp focus on aligning employee strategies with enterprise objectives—balancing business acumen with cultural insight, transparency, and a meaningful connection with people.

Renne Barcelona

Associate Director – Cybersecurity, EY GDS Philippines

Dr. Renne Barcelona is an Associate Director for Cybersecurity at EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) Philippines. He manages Cyber Operations – providing leadership and project management strategies, development and implementation of strategic initiatives, driving innovation, delivery excellence and business growth for EY GDS Philippines.
He is a results-driven cybersecurity leader with over 21 years of extensive IT management experience, focusing on IT business development, enterprise architecture, technology and security consulting, infrastructure solutions, infosec risk and compliance, cybersecurity, service management and research and development in the financial, technology, education and managed services industries. He has a proven track record of successful IT startup, buildout and transformation, IT integration, IT separation, GRC implementation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with multinational and global corporations.

Nikita Bhutani

Director, Prohance

Nikita has worn many hats at Prohance, building a diverse career across Learning & Development, Content, Account Management, and Enterprise Sales. This cross-functional journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of both people and business needs—bridging strategy with execution. Known for adaptability and impact, Nikita brings a unique ability to connect learning, communication, client relationships, and business growth into a unified approach that drives results.

Gretchen Buenavista

Senior Manager, Enablement, The Back Room Outsourced Professionals

Operations and BPO leader with over 15 years of experience delivering business growth, digital transformation, and operational excellence across diverse industries and global regions—including the US, NZ, AU, UK, and APAC. Proven success in leading multi-functional teams across various lines of business (LOBs), including FinTech, where responsibilities have included managing support teams, sales operations, and client onboarding functions involving AML (Anti-Money Laundering) verification and business application review. Currently serving as Head of Systems & Process Automation, with a strong track record of implementing integrated tech stacks, optimizing cross-departmental workflows, and scaling automation across finance, HR, admin, and recruitment operations.

Danny Condecido

CEO-Co-Founder, SusTek.ai

Danny is a sustainability and digital transformation leader with over 20 years of global experience. As Co-Founder and CEO of SusTek, he drives one of Asia’s first AI-powered ESG reporting platforms, helping businesses through transparency, trust, and measurable sustainability impact. A former Microsoft sustainability lead, Danny advised global enterprises on digital strategy, co-developed ESG and supply chain solutions. A published author and certified practitioner in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), carbon accounting, ESG disclosure, and circular economy practices, he champions the Business Value of Sustainability—showing how ESG unlocks growth, resilience, and trust. He is a sought-after adviser and trainer on AI for Sustainability, CRM, and the future of work.

Darwin Mariano

Vice President for External Affairs, East Asia and Pacific for Optum and the UnitedHealth Group

Darwin is an experienced business leader who combines twenty years of progressive experience in technology and entrepreneurship, public policy, government affairs, and corporate communications in the Asia-Pacific region with an in-depth understanding of law and diplomacy. He specializes in public affairs, market access, policy advocacy and analysis, crisis management and communications, as well as strategic stakeholder relations.

He is a Commissioner of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines representing the private sector and is the Corporate Secretary and Trustee of the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines. He serves as the Vice President for External Affairs, East Asia and Pacific for Optum and the UnitedHealth Group, one of the world’s most admired companies and is currently ranked 3rd on the 2025 Fortune Global 500.

Tim Nelson

Director, Business Development – APAC, Telus Health

Tim has worked extensively in the Sale of Workplace Wellness and Health Management for over two decades and has designed and sold some of the largest privately contracted workplace health promotion programs in Australia. In addition to his post graduate qualifications in Health Promotion, he was previously an accredited Exercise Physiologist and worked with State, National and International athletes.

An experienced Sales Leader with over 20 years of expertise in managing teams to successful outcomes, Tim has a track record in aligning health initiatives with business needs and best practice sales methodologies. For more than 15 years he has consistently led teams to meet and exceed targets while maintaining staff engagement. Tim is also an accomplished presenter and public speaker at industry conferences and client events.

Antonio Felix “Alexis” Ortiga

Business Unit Head, Commercial Properties Group, SM Prime

Alexis’ career with SM Prime began in 2014, with the Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. (CDHI) team, where he was appointed to oversee numerous functions, including Head of Projects, Head of Sales, and Head of Property Operations. Before joining the SM Group, he had local and international experience with well-established and recognized companies.

He graduated from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Washington DC, USA, with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Double Major in Finance and Marketing, Magna Cum Laude, and he also completed his Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance in 2007, from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Pearlynne Patacsil

CIO-Application Management Services Lead for the Philippines, Accenture Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines

Pearlynne is the CIO Application Management Services Lead for Accenture in the Philippines, responsible for strategy, architecture, delivery, and operations support for internal applications. With over 25 years in the IT industry, she is recognized for driving digital transformation and fostering innovation. Pearlynne champions a culture of creativity through design thinking, collaboration, and gamified learning, actively promoting hackathons to inspire new ideas. Her team has been a two-time finalist in Accenture’s Global Technology Innovation Contest. Deeply committed to mentoring, she continues to guide tech professionals while advancing initiatives that strengthen inclusion, diversity, and continuous learning across the organization.

Karen Jane Vergara-Manese

Partner, Tax & GMS Country Leader and Immigration Practice Head, R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG in the Philippines)

Karen holds the position of Country Service Line Leader for Global Mobility Services (GMS) and Immigration Practice at KPMG in the Philippines. With two decades of professional experience, she specializes in advising multinational corporations on various aspects of global mobility, including international secondment management, tax and immigration planning, and compensation and rewards programs.

Additionally, she spearheads employment tax and immigration compliance engagements of varying complexities, catering to clients across diverse industries such as Financial Services, Oil & Gas, Retail, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and BPOs, among others.

Stephanie Ye

Global CEO, Comrise

Stephanie is our Comrise Global CEO, responsible for overall strategy and business operations. She is working closely with our global clients sharing best practices on how to effectively hire and attract the best talent in their targeted markets. Whether you are a US company expanding in China or evaluating a new venture here in the U.S., she can bridge the gap regarding national policies, industry research, labor laws, and cultural considerations that are essential for success.

Stephanie has more than 20 years of experience in HCM strategy, planning and advisory. Prior to her executive management assignments, she served in BearingPoint Management Consulting for over six years, she was the HRD then became a Management Consultant and Project Director. From 2008 to 2016, She worked with Huawei Technologies USA, responsible for legal entities establishment and overall office operation in North America.