PAUL ALBANO
General Manager
GCash International

The opportunity of taking a Filipino brand globally is what attracted Paul Albano to join GCash as General Manager for International in 2023. GCash's purpose of "Making Filipinos' Everyday Lives Better" resonated well with him, particularly in serving the estimated 13 million Filipinos living and working overseas. Having been an expatriate for 12 years, Paul saw first hand the need for overseas Filipinos to stay connected and be more in control of their finances while being away from home. Overseas Filipinos had to have access to the same GCash convenience and experience in the Philippines to wherever they are in the world. Since joining, GCash Overseas has launched in 16 countries, accounting for over 80% of the overseas Filipino diaspora, and Filipinos traveling overseas can now use their GCash app or card to pay for their transactions in 200+ countries and territories abroad.

Prior to GCash, Paul was Vice President and Head of Sales of Procter & Gamble Philippines. He was with P&G for 25 years, joining the company straight from college in 1998, with a BS Management Engineering degree from Ateneo de Manila University. He started as a sales management trainee, and progressed to roles across Distributor Management, Customer Marketing and Modern Trade. He was then expatriated to Singapore in 2005 to be part of the Paper and Health Care regional business unit that launched Pampers in India. He moved to Thailand in 2009 to work with global retailers and was appointed Sales Director in 2013. He moved back home in 2017 and under his leadership, P&G Philippines did not only accelerate growth and market share, but was recognized as a preferred supplier and thought leader by trade partners.

It was in P&G that Paul was first exposed to mentoring, having had the privilege to learn and get guidance from highly successful leaders in the company. He credits mentorship as a huge enabler to his personal growth and career progression, benefitting a lot from his mentors' experiences and perspectives to deliver business results and demonstrate next level potential. He has since been paying it forward, mentoring the next generation of leaders, who in turn will build on and develop better versions of themselves.

Truly, Paul Albano is a deserving recipient of the 6th Mansmith Market Mentors Awards, exemplifying leadership, strategic vision, and a dedication to making a meaningful impact. His unwavering commitment to serving the global Filipino community, coupled with his passion for mentorship and innovation, continues to drive success and shape the future of the industry.

GREGORY FRANCIS H. BANZON
EVP - COO
Century Pacific Group

Gregory Banzon has played an instrumental role in transforming Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI) into one of the largest and most influential food companies in the Philippines. As COO and Executive VP, Greg has led CPFI to dominate the dairy, tuna, sardines, and meat product markets, with its brands holding significant market share both locally and globally in 83 countries. Under his leadership, CPFI was successfully listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

One of Greg’s notable contributions was leading the expansion of CPFI into the plant-based food sector through the unMeat brand, addressing evolving consumer preferences and diversifying the company’s portfolio. He also played a key role in CPFI’s Food Service business and oversaw the company’s Corporate Communications and PR strategies.

Experiences That Shaped His Approach to Mentorship and Marketing Greg’s leadership style has been shaped by his experiences at top-tier global companies such as Johnson & Johnson, RFM, Bayer, and Citibank, where he honed his skills in strategic decision-making and operational excellence. These roles gave Greg a deep understanding of marketing management, driving business growth while upholding ethical leadership and governance principles.

A key part of Greg’s philosophy is mentorship, which he views as a powerful tool to develop talent and foster a collaborative work environment. His focus on continuous learning, sound marketing practices, and ethical leadership has shaped his approach to mentorship and remains at the core of his leadership style.

Truly, Gregory Banzon is a deserving recipient of the 6th Mansmith Market Mentors Awards, embodying exceptional leadership, strategic innovation, and a steadfast commitment to ethical business practices. His transformative impact at Century Pacific Food, Inc., alongside his dedication to mentoring future leaders, continues to inspire excellence and set new benchmarks for the industry.

KRISTINE A. GO
SVP - Wireless
Smart Communications

Kristine Go is a visionary leader who is deeply committed to driving business growth while making a positive impact on society. As the former General Manager for Unilever Nutrition Southeast Asia, Kristine led nine markets across the region. She successfully grew brands like Lifebuoy globally, Knorr and Lady's Choice in the Philippines, and turned around the Philippine Ice Cream business after two years of decline. Kristine believes that while innovation and acquisitions can drive growth, focusing on the core of a business is the key to long-term success and consistent results.

Beyond business achievements, Kristine has worked on important social initiatives, including efforts to reduce malnutrition in the Philippines and Indonesia in collaboration with both the public and private sectors. She is currently a Board Member for Kain Tayo Pilipinas and a Consultant for Khan Academy and the Department of Education, where she is dedicated to promoting quality education.

Kristine follows three key leadership principles that have shaped her career. First, she believes that a person’s career is a shared responsibility between the individual and their manager. She takes pride in mentoring and championing her team’s growth. Second, Kristine focuses on people’s strengths rather than weaknesses. She believes that building on strengths drives greater success. Finally, Kristine values humility and believes in learning from anyone, including her team. She maintains an open dialogue with her people, learning from their experiences while also sharing her own insights.

Kristine Go stands out as a remarkable awardee of the 6th Mansmith Market Mentors Awards, known for her strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to both business growth and societal impact. Her success in driving brand growth across Southeast Asia, revitalizing key businesses, and championing impactful social initiatives underscores her exceptional leadership. With a focus on building on strengths and empowering teams, Kristine's approach to leadership serves as an inspiration to the next generation of leaders, continuing to shape the future of business with a sense of purpose and responsibility.

FERNANDO V. VILLAR
Chief Marketing Officer
AXA Philippines

Nandy Villar is currently the Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Philippines and a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

Prior to joining AXA, he held various roles in equally prestigious companies such as ABS-CBN Corporation and McCann Worldgroup Philippines. At ABS-CBN, he served as the Head of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), COO for ABS-CBN Convergence, and Head of Integrated Marketing. At McCann, he was Chief Strategy Officer, Managing Director, and later President & COO. He also served as Chairman of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4A’s) and Vice Chairman of the Advertising Board of the Philippines.

Nandy graduated from the College of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines and was honored as Most Outstanding Alumnus.

Nandy Villar exemplifies leadership that not only drives business growth but also shapes the marketing industry with integrity and good governance. From his impactful roles at AXA Philippines, ABS-CBN, and McCann Worldgroup, Nandy has consistently demonstrated a strategic vision, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to fostering strong organizational culture. His leadership has raised the bar for marketing excellence, mentorship, and industry advocacy. Nandy's contributions have influenced both the companies he has led and the broader marketing community in the Philippines. His legacy continues to inspire future leaders to prioritize values-driven leadership and uphold the highest standards of governance in business.