Penny BONGATO
Executive Director for Talent Development, BPAP

As the executive director for talent development at the Business Processing Association of the Philippines, Penny Bongato manages all talent-related initiatives for the industry, strategic implementation of competency development for academe and industry, as well as partnering with government and industry stakeholders for the growth and development of talent pool.

In her more than 15 years of HR experience, Ms. Bongato played several executive HR roles in major outsourcing players in the country, served as vice president for HR of the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company, and regional HR director for Asia Pacific of Headstrong. She is a fellow in Personal Management, director-in-charge of the Academe Industry Collaboration Committee, and a board of director of the People Management Association of the Philippines.
Raymond LACDAO
Executive Director for Industry Affairs, BPAP

Mr. Lacdao handles all initiatives dealing with new investors, client development, quality assurance and membership affairs. He is deeply involved in the promotion of the IT-BPO industry. He is also in-charge of all BPA/P sanctioned events such as conferences, campaigns, fund raisers, and membership meetings organized by or in partnership with the BPAP to help promote the growth of the industry and its members.

Mr. Lacdao has been in the IT industry for twelve years now. He was heavily involved in business and account management in various IT companies both locally and internationally. His experience in IT outsourcing started in 2000 when he was part of a multinational company tasked to provide application management and IT infrastructure outsourcing for a number of customers with locations in the Philippines, Germany, Turkey, and China. From then on, he has been involved in several projects tasked to attract and grow the business in areas such as IT consulting, software development, application management and helpdesk operations. Part of the task, was to attract potential companies to make Manila their outsourcing destination.
Michael Alan HAMLIN
Managing Director, TeamAsia

Michael Alan Hamlin is an international authority on building strong place, corporate, and personal brands. He is managing director of TeamAsia, an award-winning strategic marketing communications firm that develops corporate brand strategies, creative concepts, and marketing and communications programs for its clients. He is the author of five books and a business columnist. His latest book is High Visibility: Transforming Your Personal and Professional Brand, co-authored with Philip Kotler, Irving Rein, and Martin Stoller. He is also co-author of Marketing Asian Places: Attracting Investment, Industry, and Tourism to Cities, States and Nations. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Asian Studies from Jochi Daigaku (Sophia University) in Tokyo, Japan, and a Master in Liberal Studies degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Gillian VIRATA
Senior Executive Director, Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP)

Gillian Virata is the Executive Director for Information and Research at BPAP, responsible for the organization’s research service line, which involves providing industry statistics and information to the public. She oversees the publication of annual industry statistics on talent pools, IT BPO revenues and employment, and the resulting benefits to the country. Ms. Virata’s research team also takes charge of compiling the Next Wave Cities™ scorecard and annual report and the latest industry trends. She has extensive professional experience in research with reputable institutions such as the World Bank, ADB, and Ayala Corporation. She has an MA in Education from Columbia University, and a Master’s degree in International Policy and Practice from George Washington University.