All five Filipino CEOs vying for the Smart Enterprise Global Filipino Executive of the Year category of the annual ‘Asia CEO Awards’ have been announced winners for their unparalleled leadership and vision that led to the success of their company as well as contribute to nation-building.
During the awarding ceremonies held online on October 13, the award-giving body said it was difficult to choose only one winner in the said category.
“The board of judges were unable to arrive at a majority decision as to who stands out among our great Circle of Excellence. As such, they decided not to name one grand winner for Smart Enterprise Global Filipino Executive of the Year,” the ASIA CEO Awards said.
Included this year’s roster of winners in the said category are chief executives from various global Filipino companies ranging from business consulting, marketing communications, and medical technology.
One of them is a Dubai-based Filipina CEO whose firm deals with quality and compliance solutions for companies across different parts of the world.
With this year’s theme “United Towards First World”, the prestigious award in the Asia Pacific Region honored them for making a positive impact on their communities in one way or another.
The judging process was conducted online after receiving 350 nominations in different categories.
Below is the list of winners under the Smart Enterprise Global Filipino Executive of the Year category:
Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, Group CEO, Prime Group of Companies (Dubai, UAE)
Al Mahdi’s story of success is a testament of how Filipinos can rise and excel in whatever field they belong to. Started out as a chemist, she now leads a UAE-based company as a CEO, and managing its expansion towards global success. Dubai-based PRIME GROUP, deals with quality and compliance solutions for companies across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, with partners in Europe, India, China and in the Philippines.
Her company works towards facilitating and promoting halal certification, food safety and hygiene to manufacturers and suppliers. She leads a 400-strong team of highly qualified professionals in the field of testing, inspection, certification and training.
Dr. Patrick Alain Azanza, President, Eclaro (New York City)
A multi-awarded Human Resources and Development professional, Azanza has more than 25 years of experience in managing HR departments including companies with off-shore operations in the USA, Middle East, and Asia. His company is a business and technology consulting firm that delivers top talent to clients globally across diverse industries. Founded in 1999, Eclaro is headquartered in New York City and operates in the United States, Philippines, and Canada. Eclaro recruits and manages a staff of highly skilled individuals in an array of specialized disciplines.
Gil Chua, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DDB Group Phils (Taguig, PH)
The Filipino CEO manages the country’s first integrated marketing communications and services network, DDB Group Philippines. His company is part of one of the world’s influential advertising and marketing networks, DDB Worldwide, which has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. For 12 years, the Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks.
DDB Philippines logged in the much-coveted Department of Tourism (DOT) sustainable tourism campaign as well as rail service company Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC)’s ikotMNL local tourism project. It also spearheads several product relaunch projects of international companies including Philip Morris and Johnson’s Baby.
J. De Ruyter C. Oroceo, CEO and Chairman, Delex Pharma International (Quezon City, PH)
The 52-year-old Chairman and CEO developed his craft since 1989 as a Hospital Sales Representative in Abbott Laboratories. He was promoted as Product Manager from 2004 to 2008. He further went on to being the Marketing Manager of Hospira Philippines and then became the General Manager of Globo Asiatico Enterprises, Inc. from 2009 to 2010. Delex Pharma has partnerships with United Biotech (India), ICU Medical Inc. (USA) & Innogene Kalbiotech, now Kalbe (Indonesia).
Rex Tiri, Founder and CEO Lifeline Diagnostics Supplies, Inc. (Quezon City, PH)
Tiri graduated with a degree in medical technology at the Manila Central University and a registered medical technologist. At first, she was poised to pursue a medical career, but chose the business field instead. His company Lifeline Diagnostics was launched in June 2000 with a mere five employees working in a 20-square-meter office space and handling only a few Metro Manila accounts. “Our first big break was when we were offered exclusive distributorship of Bio-Rad Laboratories nationwide,” he told in a media interview. Now his company is at par with other multinational corporations serving major research institution, blood banks, and clinical laboratories, including hospital-based laboratories, free standing laboratories, and overseas workers clinic.
