Jef is currently the Group Deputy CFO / Regional Controller in the Philippines (PH) of Pacific Cross International, an insurance conglomerate with operations in PH, Thailand (TH), Vietnam (VN), Indonesia (IN), Hong Kong (HK), Samoa (SA) and British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Before this, he served as a board member and SVP/CFO of AIG entities in the PH, Guam & Micronesia, overseeing insurance operations & finance functions in-country and in India service centers while liaising with other governance functions in Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York. Before such, he had the same role in QBE Insurance, where he led various clean-ups, reorganization, and improvement initiatives in its PH operations.

He was also recognized during this time by Insurance Business Asia (2020) as one of the 12 up-and-comers, under 36 years old, representing the industry’s future across Asia; and by Professionals of the Future (2018), as one of the 25 most inspiring young professionals in the Philippines.

After passing opportunities to work abroad and starting my own family, he started his insurance career in 2010 with NatRe – a publicly listed life and general reinsurance firm, with a stake in Asian Reinsurance in Thailand and controlled by PH’s largest conglomerates – Yuchengco, BPI & GSIS. Hereafter, he held diverse leadership roles in Audit, Compliance, IT, Projects & Finance that allowed him to execute several transformation initiatives, culminating with his appointment as VP & Head of Finance in 2016.

Jef’s professional roots sprouted in KPMG’s Risk Advisory Services after earning an accounting degree, as a working student, from San Sebastian College and immediately passing the CPA board exam in 2006. Eventually, he was fast-tracked to the managerial level due to his exposure to various high-profile engagements and clients. The firm also allowed him to work in Malaysia, HK, and Singapore, collaborating with multiple clients of diverse nationalities and cultures.