
In 2025, the landscape for CFOs and finance leaders in Asia is increasingly complex, with growth remaining a top priority amidst evolving challenges. According to Alexander Bant, chief of research in the Gartner Finance Practice, “CFOs and CEOs are united in their focus on profitable growth, with nearly two-thirds identifying it as a key strategic priority.” Following this, technology and workforce management emerge as crucial areas of concern.
However, the role of modern CFOs extends beyond fostering organisational growth and optimising costs. They must adeptly navigate a landscape filled with uncertainties, balancing the pursuit of growth with effective risk management. As pivotal players in risk mitigation, CFOs are expected to formulate robust plans to tackle potential crises such as:
Also, a Gartner survey highlights that 62% of CFOs and 58% of CEOs believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) will significantly reshape their sectors in the coming years. As CFOs increasingly integrate AI into financial operations, they must also address the accompanying challenges and ethical implications of emerging technologies.
The 5th FutureCFO Philippines Conference 2025, themed “Pathways towards Differentiated Success,” will serve as a vital platform for finance leaders to explore strategies that ensure steady margins while effectively managing risks. Attendees can expect insights from seasoned industry experts on critical topics, including:
This conference will equip CFOs with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing environment, ensuring they can balance the dual imperatives of growth and risk management.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
CFOs, MDs, VPs, Directors, Heads, GMs, and Senior Managers, involved in:
The FutureCFO Conference aims to give CFOs, who also act as their company’s strategic business partner and catalyst, insights on ensuring corporate growth and successfully mitigating risks and challenges amidst the current economic and political uncertainties in their countries. The conference will also address strategies and best practices on how CFOs can reimagine finance functions and their organizations to survive and thrive in today’s fast-paced and digitally driven landscape.
This by-invitation only one-day event will gather over 120 senior finance leaders from multiple industries and offers the best opportunity to hear from the industry’s leading professionals, contribute questions from the floor, engage in incisive panel discussions that discuss real-life business cases, updates and strategies to meet the most pertinent challenges facing the finance function in 2020.
We gather 20+ industry speakers and experts from leading organizations for keynote presentations and incisive discussions so you can tap on their invaluable insights and best practices important to your finance function management and transformation.
Be part of our interactive panel discussions that address the current hot topics, share ideas and experiences and get the answers to your pressing questions from prominent finance leaders on stage.
Meet new business partners, engage and forge new connections with fellow finance and treasury leaders in the region, solution providers and many more at our event through luncheons, coffee breaks, one-to-one meetings and informal introductions.
8 hours of learning and networking opportunities packed into 10 in depth sessions. Listen to corporate-driven best practices and case studies sharing that are targeted to your profession through the personalized country-specific conferences we crafted for you - FutureCFO Conferences.
09:00
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
09:15
In 2025, CFOs face the challenge of balancing business growth and profitability with fostering innovation and ensuring compliance. As the finance function evolves, how can it add genuine value from the perspective of business stakeholders? This session emphasises the strategic focus and complexities that CFOs will face in 2025.
Moderator:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Panelists:
Natnicha Jitthavech, Director of Finance & IT, BEIERSDORF PHILIPPINES INC.
Elwil Millena, Finance Director, HALEON
Kathrine Rose Catindig, CFO/Head of Finance, HEINEKEN PHILIPPINES
Jef Lacson, CFO, UNIONDIGITAL BANK
09:50
As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, organisations have access to tools capable of achieving transformative results. Yet, the foundation of any progress lies in well-structured, accessible data. CFOs are at the forefront of this evolution, acting as key drivers of change. The finance function, as the data powerhouse of any organisation, is uniquely positioned to pioneer these advancements by collaborating closely with IT to design and implement innovative tools. This session will share how leveraging cutting-edge technologies can enhance financial operations, empower decision-making, and improve business outcomes.
Yan Uhl, Chief Controlling Officer, Customer Success, SAP
10:15
Moderator:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Panelists:
Rangnath Bhimrao Deshpande, CFO ASEAN, DXC TECHNOLOGY
Dean N. Fabella, VP & Head for Finance and Chief Strategy Officer, INTEGRA HEALTHCARE INC.
Maida Bruce, Chief Finance and Risk Officer, PHILTOWER MIDC
10:50
11:20
CS Lim, Vice President of Asia, JEDOX
11:45
As CFOs navigate an increasingly complex landscape, they face new mandates: innovating rapidly, accelerating automation, collaborating with governments and industries, establishing robust financial controls, ensuring regulatory compliance, and attracting top talent. To thrive in 2025, what essential skills, qualities, and insights must modern CFOs cultivate to effectively manage risks, respond swiftly to market demands, and seize emerging opportunities?
Moderator:
Jeremy Gray, Editorial Consultant, CXOCIETY
Panelists:
John Elson Baguipo, Financial Controller, LIGHT RAIL MANILA CORPORATION
Eric Lee, ASEAN Enterprise Manager, ONESTREAM SOFTWARE
Maryknoll B. Zamora, CFO, PNB HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Kunal Manchanda, CFO Central Cluster, ASEAN & South Pacific OU, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
12:20
Interviewer:
Rangnath Bhimrao Deshpande, CFO ASEAN, DXC TECHNOLOGY
Interviewee:
Enrico Manuel Penas, Head of Finance Shared Service, MONDE NISSIN CORPORATION
12:45
14:00
Interviewer:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Interviewee:
Maryknoll B. Zamora, CFO, PNB HOLDINGS CORPORATION
14:20
In 2025, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in finance is becoming a pivotal focus for CFOs across Asia. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 90% of finance functions will implement at least one AI-enabled technology solution. Notably, 44% of finance professionals are already leveraging AI for intelligent process automation, enhancing information processing and anomaly detection. With AI’s potential to transform decision-making and operational efficiency, how can finance leaders harness this technology effectively?
Moderator:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Panelists:
Fortune Ernest S. Jose, CPA, MBA, VP for Finance, ENDERUN COLLEGES
Hazel Nunez, CoE Accounting Lead / ICS Manager, FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE PHILIPPINES INC.
Shawn Shen, Head of Sales, SUMMIT
14:55
A McKinsey Global Survey of CFOs in March 2024 reveals that while 98% of CFOs have invested in digitisation and automation within their finance functions, only a quarter of their processes are fully digitised or automated. As we navigate the uncertainties of 2025, finance leaders need to understand the challenges and strategies essential for modernising the finance function in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. How should finance leaders drive their digital transformation efforts while balancing the inherent risks and opportunities of the evolving financial landscape in Asia?
Moderator:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Panelists:
Diane Choi, CFO, BOUNTY FRESH GROUP
Enrico Manuel Penas, Head of Finance Shared Service, MONDE NISSIN CORPORATION
Lorie Paz Chavez, CFO, SUMMIT MEDIA & GOKONGWEI BROTHERS FOUNDATION
15:30
16:00
Recent surveys indicate a significant shift in workplace dynamics across Asia-Pacific, with over 60% of companies reporting stable office attendance. This trend underscores the widespread acceptance of flexible and hybrid working models as the future of work. In the Philippines, the newly enacted CREATE MORE bill mandates that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies maintain at least 50% of their workforce on-site, while allowing for up to 50% remote work.
As CFOs and finance leaders navigate this talent trends, how can they effectively manage these transitions while attracting and retaining top finance talent?
Moderator:
Elmer Sarmiento, Lecturer, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY – JOHN GOKONGWEI SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Panelists:
Janel Bea, SVP Finance, ACEN
R.L. Fernando Garcia, DBA; Head of Talent Development, Organizational Development, & DEI Strategy; BRITTANY HOTELS AND LEISURE
Cheryl Mapua-Ruiz, VP for Finance, DISCOVERY HOSPITALITY CORPORATION
Frederick Pineda, SVP & CFO, MALAYAN INSURANCE COMPANY
16:35
Interviewer:
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Interviewee:
Joey Rufo, SVP, Chief Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer, UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES
17:00
As the Asia-Pacific region continues to evolve, the demand for agile and strategic financial leadership is on the rise. Businesses are seeking experienced finance professionals who can drive growth without the commitment of a full-time hire. According to Net Zero Executive & Fractional Leadership, fractional CFOs are uniquely positioned to meet these needs, offering expertise across diverse industries.
This session explores the shifting landscape of financial leadership in the Philippines, reflecting the broader trend of businesses turning to fractional CFOs. It will also reveal how finance leaders can unlock new growth opportunities through market expansion and navigate the changing demands of today’s business environment.
Allan Tan, Group Editor-in-Chief, CXOCIETY
Jeremy Gray, Editorial Consultant, CXOCIETY
17:15
17:30
We will help you GENERATE quality business leads.
We will help you INCREASE your regional profile.
We will help you CREATE new business opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world’s largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com.
EPM Solutions is a leading Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) specialist and a Jedox Gold Partner, dedicated to transforming financial planning, budgeting, and analytics for organizations across the Philippines. We provide expert implementation, training, and support, enabling businesses to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and drive efficiency.
Our mission is to empower organizations to achieve more with less through cutting-edge EPM solutions, ensuring agility, accuracy, and strategic insights in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Jedox simplifies planning, analysis, and reporting with one unified and cloud-based software suite. Jedox empowers decision makers and business users across all departments, helping them work smarter, streamline business collaboration, and make insight-based decisions with confidence. Around 2,500 organizations in over 140 countries use Jedox for real-time planning in the cloud, on web, and on any device.
Start your free trial today: www.jedox.com
As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit www.sap.com
OneStream is how today’s Finance teams can go beyond just reporting on the past and Take Finance Further by steering the business to the future. It’s the leading enterprise finance platform that unifies financial and operational data, embeds AI for better decisions and productivity, and empowers the CFO to become a critical driver of business strategy and execution.
Our Digital Finance Cloud unifies core financial and broader operational data. It also processes and embeds AI for better planning and forecasting so customers can adopt and achieve greater value as their business needs evolve. https://www.onestream.com/
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources, helping customers adapt and thrive in a changing world. Workday applications for financial management, human resources, planning, spend management, and analytics have been adopted by thousands of organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com/en-sg.
Grab For Business brings the best of Grab’s services and technology to companies and businesses of all sizes across Southeast Asia. Thousands of companies across the region already easily customise, budget, manage and track spends across corporate rides, employee food programs and more using Grab’s platform. These solutions improve employee engagement and enable their workforce to save countless hours on tedious manual processes so that they can focus on what’s most important – driving businesses forward. Grab For Business also offers digital gifting solutions for loyalty and reward programmes.
Multibook is a leading provider of cloud-based ERP and accounting solutions, offering innovative SaaS and outsourced BPO services to streamline financial operations for businesses anywhere in the world.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan we specialize in helping companies manage their overseas subsidiaries, ensuring seamless financial integration across multiple locations. From accounting and tax compliance to CFO services, we deliver efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings while adapting to local regulatory requirements.
Whether you need smart accounting software or a dedicated back-office team, Multibook Philippines empowers your business with technology-driven financial expertise—globally and locally.
Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI) is a global provider of enterprise software products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products and a Salesforce partner. The Company offers premium, ultra-responsive and integrated application management and support services that enable enterprise software licensees to save significant costs, free up resources for innovation and achieve better business outcomes.
To date, nearly 4,700 Fortune 500, Fortune Global 100, midmarket, public sector and other organizations from a broad range of industries have relied on Rimini Street as their trusted application enterprise software products and services provider. To learn more, please visit http://www.riministreet.com, follow @riministreet on Twitter and find Rimini Street on Facebook and LinkedIn. (IR-RMNI)
Based in Singapore, Summit is a SaaS company revolutionising spend management for businesses through its AI-powered Smart Spend Management platform, helping businesses streamline their expense processes while maintaining tighter oversight and control over spend, governance, and compliance.
Summit provides businesses with enhanced visibility and proactive control, such as AI expense policy checker and advanced approval workflows. These features enable companies to adhere to higher spending compliance and governance, while also automating processes effectively.
Summit serves businesses in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with a team of approximately 80 staff members across these markets. The company is led by a seasoned executive team with over 20 years of experience, including CEO Jo-ann Chung, CTO Isaq Ahmed, and CFO Jim Goudie. Their backgrounds include leadership roles at companies such as Xendit, MYOB, and Westpac Bank, bringing a wealth of expertise in financial services and technology.
Summit is backed by renowned investors such as Insight Partners, Global Founders Capital, Tiger Global Management, Salesforce and Alpha JWC Ventures, further strengthening its ability to drive growth and innovation. Since launch, Summit has been well-received by the market, as it meets the growing need for smarter, more efficient expense management solutions for Southeast Asian businesses. The platform’s capabilities have been validated by notable article mentions by Finews Asia, Fintech Futures, and AsiaOne, showcasing Summit’s commitment to helping companies automate and enhance their spend management processes..