Behind many of the most influential corporate leaders in the Philippines—from multinationals like Coca-Cola and Mars to local giants like Manila Water and Maya—stands a trusted partner quietly shaping the nation’s leadership landscape.
As Global Executive Solutions Group (GESG) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with the theme “Two Decades of Leadership, Trust, and Executive Excellence,” the firm is pulling back the curtain on the method that has guided its success. According to president and chief executive Ray Canilao, it is a specific five-point framework that has allowed them to place visionary leaders in roles that transform industries.
The GESG Formula Refined through years of collaboration with leading conglomerates, GESG’s methodology goes beyond standard recruiting. Every search evaluates five key dimensions: culture fit, career path, leadership capability, financial stability, and work-life balance.
This holistic approach ensures that every placement balances the strategic needs of the business with the human needs of the leader.
“We don’t just look at qualifications. We look at what drives a person, how they lead, and how they will fit into the company’s culture,” Canilao explained. “That’s how we ensure that the impact of our work endures long after the hire is made.”
A Consultative Partnership: The HR Perspective For the companies entrusting their leadership search to GESG, the difference lies in the firm’s refusal to be transactional.
Carla “Charee” Lanza, chief people officer at Maya Philippines, Inc., has worked with the firm since the 1990s. “What set GESG apart was that they weren’t giving out sales pitches. They had a more consultative approach,” Lanza said. “They do not ask ‘what’, they ask ‘why.’ They dig deeper to understand the context… They were not really concerned with the business they can get out of our engagement, rather, they were more concerned with the relationship they could build with us.”
Ann Margaret Santiago, people vice president at Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines, Inc., echoed this sentiment, noting that GESG’s “people-first” approach is unique in the industry.
“The lens, the benchmark, and the business leadership put them at a better advantage. When you talk about a business leadership requirement, you need to talk to another business leader about it,” Santiago said. “With GESG, they’re more concerned about the partnership and the wellbeing of the candidate they pass on to us than simply closing the deal.”
Career-Defining Moves: The Candidate Perspective The firm’s methodology is equally valued by the executives they place.
Lawyer J.V. Emmanuel “Jocot” de Dios, president and CEO at Manila Water Company, Inc., credits GESG for facilitating his return to the Philippines after a stable career as an expat in Australia.
“GESG took the time to not simply pay attention, but be very collaborative, with a consistent focus on what I was looking for and where I wanted my career to go,” De Dios stated.
Similarly, Joy Pinaroc, regional chief financial officer of Asia Pacific at Mars Veterinary Health, shared that GESG guided her through an objective look at her own strengths during her recruitment process. “They helped me see not just what I could bring, but whether this was truly the right opportunity for me,” she said.
Looking Ahead As GESG prepares to celebrate its anniversary on November 18, 2025, the firm remains committed to the philosophy that leadership recruitment is about enabling progress.
“For us, success isn’t measured by how many placements we’ve made,” Canilao noted. “It’s about the leaders who stay, grow, and continue to make an impact. That’s what two decades of trust looks like, and what we intend to build on in the years to come.”
