The Economic Times Future Forward Philippines 2025 will take place at Hilton Manila, Philippines, on 22nd May 2025, featuring a one-day immersive experience designed to empower HR changemakers.

Under the theme “Innovate, Adapt, Lead: HR at the Heart of Business Transformation,” this highly anticipated third edition will spotlight the most influential C-suite leaders, including HR leaders from Southeast Asia. With participation from leading organisations such as SB Finance, Globe Telecom, Kayana Solutions, Air Asia, DB Schenker, and more, the summit will uncover how HR can evolve as a strategic powerhouse in a world increasingly shaped by AI, hybrid models, and skills-first hiring.

What to expect: Actionable insights from visionary leaders

Throughout the event, these leaders will share proven strategies on how HR can drive business growth by embracing digital transformation, fostering agile talent ecosystems, and crafting purpose-driven employee experiences, all via exclusive keynote sessions and mega panel discussions. Here is an overview of a few sessions from the event:

CEO power panel: The HR Edge – How people strategy fuels business reinvention

Gain insights from top executives, including Carlo Malana, President & CEO, ST Telemedia Global Data Centre; Abigail Marie Casanova, President and CEO, SB Finance; and Sergio Salvador, Partner, People Consulting, EY, on aligning people strategy with evolving business goals in the digital age.

Mega panel: The rise of new collar jobs: Preparing for the next wave of employment 

This panel will bring together distinguished leaders, including Annie C. Caw, Chief Human Resources Officer at CIMB Bank Philippines; Michael Angelo Malicsi, CHRO at UnionDigital Bank; Vita Marie Guillen, Chief People & Culture Officer at FWD Life Insurance Philippines; and Eklavya Bhave, Head of Asia at Coursera, alongside Yasmin Taj, Editor – Features at ETHRWorld and ETEducation, The Economic Times. Together, they will discuss how businesses can effectively navigate this talent revolution by adopting skills-based hiring practices that meet the growing demand for flexible and capable workforces.

Mega Panel: From CHRO to Chief Business Transformation Officer – The evolving role of HR leaders

During this session, Maggie Tan, Group CHRO, Primeline Philippines Incorporated; Mark Lord Limson, SVP & Head, Human Capital, Maybank; and Gauri Sharma, Human Resource Director-Country HR head, CGI will share how to foster engagement and alignment with organisational purpose in a hybrid work environment.

Mega Panel: The employee experience blueprint – Creating purpose-driven workplaces

In this session, Maggie Tan, Group CHRO, Primeline Philippines Incorporated; Mark Lord Limson, SVP & Head, Human Capital, Maybank; DM Varun, Regional Head – ASEAN, Xoxoday; Gauri Sharma, Human Resource Director-Country HR Head, CGI; and Emman Salazar, Vice President – Human Resources, S&R Membership Shopping, will discuss how to design employee experience strategies that connect purpose, culture, leadership, and technology to drive engagement and retention.

Explore the agenda link to learn more about the event. 

Celebrating HR excellence: ETHRWorld Southeast Asia HR Icons awards

The summit will also feature the ETHRWorld Southeast Asia HR Icons Awards, honouring trailblazers in AI-driven HR innovation ; inclusive leadership and DEI impact ; strategic transformation of workforces; and experience-led talent management. 

The winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the ETHRWorld Southeast Asia editorial team. Key assessment criteria included:

• Social media influence: Active thought leadership and engagement on platforms like LinkedIn
• Industry recognition: Prestigious accolades such as Forbes Top 100 HR Leaders
• Thought leadership: Keynotes, panels, and published insights on emerging trends
• Organisational impact: HR-led initiatives that transformed operations and enhanced employee experience

This prestigious ceremony will spotlight the region’s leading HR professionals shaping the future of work.

Strong backing from leading industry sponsors

The summit is made possible by the support of pioneering sponsors and partners committed to driving HR innovation and transformation. Expect engaging showcases on HR technology, AI-powered solutions, and learning platforms designed for the future-ready enterprise. Our Gold Partners include Coursera for Business, Disprz, and Darwinbox, while Mercer joins as the Talent Assessment Partner. Tapplent participates as the Exhibitor. Associate Partners supporting the event are Workbean, ZMG Ward Howell Executive Search, Boldr, and SkillSync. 

Explore the full agenda for the event here.

This event is made possible by ET HR World Southeast Asia.