Jollibee Group Develops Women to Become Leaders in Their Field

Cynthia Castro (seated on chair, middle) rose being an entry-level accountant to now Vice President and Finance Head for Jollibee Group’s Philippine Business. With her in photo is the Jollibee Philippines Finance Team, which she concurrently heads.

The Jollibee Group continues to celebrate women by fostering an encouraging work environment that allows its female employees around the world to grow and develop.

The Jollibee Group was the only Philippine-based company to make Forbes' inaugural list of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies in 2021, demonstrating the company's dedication to supporting women and developing them to their full potential. In the Philippines, women make up the majority of Jollibee Group’s management positions.

As a testament to Jollibee Group’s unwavering support for women, several female employees have risen through the ranks and now leading their respective functions like Cynthia Castro.

Castro began working for Jollibee in 1987 as an accountant. She was promoted to accounting supervisor for the company's commissary and later to accounting manager for the company's new businesses. Castro was the finance head of Jollibee Philippines' Northern Luzon unit before being promoted to the position of Vice President and Finance Head.

"I can sum up my professional journey in two words: gratitude and pride," she said. "Gratitude because they hired me as a fresh graduate in 1987 and they saw my potential to grow in the company, and pride because I work for one of the World's Best Employers and get to work with the best leaders in the industry. All of this motivated me to do more, be more, and become more."

In 2022, Castro was among the finalists for the WeQual Awards, which recognizes female leaders in business. She was the sole Filipina cited in the Award’s Asia Pacific-Finance Category.

Thriving in a male-dominated profession

Yoly Chua thrives as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field: information technology. She is the Vice President and Head of Business Technology for the Jollibee Group’s business in the Philippines and Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEAA).

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Yoly Chua (seated in the middle) posted this photo on her LinkedIn account celebrating all the women who work with her in Jollibee Group’s Business Technology (BT) Division, where she is now Vice President and Head for Philippines and EMEAA Regions.

Chua was hired in 2016 to help stabilize SAP in the company and led the Information Management Enterprise Business Solutions team. After two years, she was promoted to Information Technology (IT) Head for the Philippine Region. In 2021, Chua was given the task of overseeing and governing EMEAA’s Business Technology function.

“I appreciate the growth opportunities I’ve had in my more than 6 years stay with the company. The values of the people I work with–their unwavering malasakitfor the company, the trust of the management and our teams, and the stewardship of doing what is best for the company inspire me to work harder and continue doing better,” she said.

Chua strongly believes women can shine in any industry or position given the right opportunity. “Women are empathetic and good listeners. Our instinct to protect, care and support our people makes it easier for us to lead effectively,” she said.

Driving culture and engagement

Ruth Angeles began her career with the Jollibee Group as a human resources manager for Jollibee Worldwide Services. She later became the HR head for the company’s Red Ribbon and Jollibee business units.

Already on her 17th year with the company, Angeles is now Vice President and leading the Regional HR Team in the Philippines. She is concurrently the head of the Global Organization, Leadership and Culture Team.

Ruth Angeles (seated, 3rd from left, front row) is shown with some members of the HR Team in one of their quarterly teaming activities. Ruth is now Vice President and leads the Regional HR Team in the Philippines.

Aside from driving culture and engagement in the company, Ruth has also been instrumental in enabling the successful pivot of the HR function and was key in the organization’s transformation, resulting in a much stronger and more resilient workforce post-pandemic. She has likewise been vital in developing and building leaders in boosting organizational capabilities.

“JFC has been helpful in my development as a people manager and HR leader. The company’s devotion to provide career advancement opportunities and inclusive leadership training allows women leaders and employees to excel in their development,” she said.

Castro, Chua, and Angeles are part of a thriving community of female leaders in the Jollibee Group who are helping drive the company’s mission and its journey towards its vision of becoming one of the top five restaurant companies in the world.