Meet Our HR Stars Awards Judges
We take the judging process of HR Stars Awards seriously, and that is why we have gathered a team of industry experts to evaluate the entries and select the winners. Our judges come from diverse backgrounds in human resources, with extensive experience and knowledge in various areas of the field. They bring a wealth of expertise to the table and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of fairness, impartiality, and transparency in the judging process. Get to know our esteemed panel of judges below.
For judging opportunities, please email
Ross P., Projects and Partnerships Director,
at hrstarsawards@chiefofstaff.asia
Crissy Rollan is a seasoned Global HR leader and Talent Consultant, Executive Coach, and the voice behind CrissyTalksHR—a growing platform that brings real, human-centered conversations on work, leadership, and life to Filipino professionals. With over a decade of experience in talent strategy, recruitment, and organizational development, Crissy has worked with leading firms including Ernst & Young APAC, BCG Manila, Tyme Group, and GrowSari.
Known for her balance of strategic thinking and empathetic leadership, Crissy advocates for inclusive hiring, purposeful career design, and empowered workplaces where people thrive—not just survive. She is also the founder of Qubel Recruitment, organizations dedicated to coaching-based hiring and next-gen leadership.
Crissy combines data-driven insights with a deep understanding of human behavior, helping organizations and individuals navigate complexity with clarity and heart. Her work is anchored in the belief that everyone deserves a chance—and she continues to amplify that message through coaching, content, and community.
Rich Cruz is a seasoned Human Resources leader with nearly two decades of experience spanning talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, culture transformation, and leadership development across Asia Pacific. Currently serving as Country Talent Acquisition Lead for Conduent in the Philippines and Malaysia, Rich also consults on business transformation, cultural diversity, and DEIB for organizations across the region.
He spent over 12 years at IBM, where he led Diversity & Inclusion for ASEAN and Korea, and Engagement & Culture for IBM Philippines—championing programs that created more inclusive workplaces and amplified underrepresented voices. His innovative approach has driven measurable cultural change, from launching cross-border engagement initiatives to advancing recruitment strategies for specialized talent.
Rich’s impact has earned him recognition as a Finalist for the Asia WITCA Awards (D&I Champion, 2023) and as one of the Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn (2024). His leadership blends strategic insight with a deep commitment to equity, making him an inspiring force in HR. As an HR Stars Awards judge, he brings both expertise and an unwavering belief in HR’s power to transform organizations for the better.
Mikel Leroi Balansag is a renowned Filipino HR strategist and ecosystem builder, currently serving as CEO & Managing Partner at Circa Logica Group®, a multi-awarded training, consulting, and HR advisory firm headquartered in Clark with offices across key cities in the Philippines. He is also Executive Director of the International HR Institute, where he advances knowledge-sharing and professional development initiatives at a global scale.
Mikel’s leadership spans HR operations, talent management, organizational development, and culture-building across industries including aviation, consulting, and shared services. He also holds the Vice President, Human Resources role at OutForce, further demonstrating his ability to translate strategic intent into scalable people solutions. His academic background is equally strong—holding credentials from the Asian Institute of Management, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford GSB, and Angeles University Foundation.
A dynamic speaker, mentor, and thought leader, Mikel is passionate about resilience, inclusive leadership, and future-ready workforce development. His blend of global insights, business acumen, and people-first philosophy makes him an exceptional and forward-thinking judge for the HR Stars Awards.
Jackelene P. Aquino is a trailblazing HR executive with over 28 years of transformative leadership across BPO, healthcare, fintech, education, and manufacturing. She has led HR operations for organizations ranging from 30 to 10,000 employees across the Philippines, U.S., Canada, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and India—bringing global perspective to every strategy she builds.
A Certified Change Management HR Professional (CMHR) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Jackelene is known for pioneering HR digital innovations, including chatbot-enabled recruitment, HRx dashboards, gamified engagement platforms, and centralized case management systems. Her leadership has driven significant improvements in employee experience, employer branding, and operational efficiency.
She previously served as the Engagement and Retention Tower Leader for the Call Center Association of the Philippines HR Council (2022–2024), and played a key role in securing IGT Solutions PH’s first Great Place to Work® certification. A multi-awarded leader recognized by the World HR Congress and Advantage Club AI, she also recently completed the CXO Leadership Program at Cornell University.
As a judge, Jackelene brings sharp insight, fairness, and an unwavering passion for elevating HR excellence across industries.
Coach Darwin Rivers is a multi-awarded global HR leader with over 20 years of progressive experience leading and managing all aspects of the Human Resource function in large multinational corporations (MNCs).
Throughout his distinguished career, Darwin has consistently delivered exceptional outcomes, developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that have demonstrably improved employee engagement, retention, productivity, and bottom-line profitability.
A sought-after speaker, mentor, and CSR champion, Darwin brings a rare combination of heart and strategy to everything he does. His decades-long dedication to elevating the HR profession, combined with his operational expertise and community impact, make him an inspiring and deeply insightful judge for the HR Stars Awards.
Alyssa Alillana is a Certified Human Resources Professional with over 12 years of professional experience. She is currently appointed as Cluster Director of Human Resources at SMX Convention Center (owned and managed by SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.), the leading venue for conventions, exhibitions, and corporate events in the Philippines. She oversees the full HR function across multiple branches, championing strategies that enhance service culture, operational efficiency, and employee engagement..
Her career spans the retail and hospitality industry, where she has developed deep expertise in talent acquisition, organizational development, employee relations, and culture transformation. Alyssa is known for her empathetic leadership style and her ability to foster inclusive, high-performing workplace environments that adapt well to change. Alyssa is one of the proud recipients of the Global Exceptional Women Awards 2024 and a nominee in the Inspiring Women Travel Asia Awards 2024 under the Management Champion category. Under her leadership, SMX Convention Center has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Employers in the Philippines 2025 by Kalibrr and earned the distinction of Regional Winner in the 2023 Productivity Olympics by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), Philippines.
With a strong belief in the value of continuous learning and people-first leadership, Alyssa continues to inspire teams and HR peers alike. Her combination of operational insight, cultural awareness, and HR strategy makes her an outstanding addition to the panel of judges for the HR Stars Awards.
Xandra Galang is a seasoned human resources executive with over two decades of experience in leading people strategies across diverse industries. She currently serves as the Head of Talent Management at Ayala Corporation, one of the Philippines’ largest and most prestigious business groups. In this role, she leads enterprise-wide initiatives focused on talent management, leadership development, employee experience, and organizational culture.
Throughout her career, Xandra has held strategic HR leadership positions in telecommunications, energy, and financial services, consistently driving impactful programs that align people’s priorities with business goals. Her expertise lies in building future-ready organizations through agile HR practices, culture transformation, and a deep commitment to developing leaders at every level.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for empowering teams, Xandra continues to shape people strategies that create inclusive, purpose-driven, and high-performing workplaces. She is a strong advocate for continuous learning, innovation, and fostering a culture where people thrive and organizations grow.
With 20 years of HR experience, Kirk Patrick Alimaza has mastered recruitment, employee relations, compensation, and training across manufacturing, hospitality, and BPO sectors. He brings deep expertise in managing multicultural teams, vital in today’s globalized workforce.
As Country Head of People for AirAsia Philippines, he leads HR strategy with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and people-centric solutions. His regional influence includes overseeing HR in AirAsia Indonesia and co-managing AirAsia Group’s career site in Malaysia.
Kirk’s leadership has earned him prestigious recognitions: Asia’s Top HR Thought Leader at SpeakIn Asia Dialogues (2024), Top 100 Talent Leaders by The Bridge Club, and PH’s Top 100 Highly Distinguished Thought Leaders (2025).
These honors reflect his strategic acumen, thought leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing HR in ASEAN. Kirk remains a driving force in reshaping the future of work with transformative leadership and deep people insight.
Paul Howell is one of Asia’s most experienced business journalists covering workplaces and the HR profession in the region. With a media career spanning more than 20 years, and bases in Melbourne, Dhaka, Singapore, and Hong Kong, he is adept at building large-scale professional communities and empowering them with news, insights, and relevant analysis.
After leading the US-owned HRM Magazine in Singapore for more than 10 years, he launched Chief of Staff Asia in September 2021. This professional trade media brand for the digital age combines both online (website, socials, video) and offline (printed magazine, awards and live events) platforms to bring all of Southeast Asia’s HR professionals and best practice case studies together in one community.
Allison Moore is a highly accomplished professional currently serving as the Tech Editor at Chief of Staff Asia. With a genuine passion for human resources in Southeast Asia, Allison brings a unique perspective and extensive experience to her work.
A recent graduate with a double bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a diverse background in digital marketing, Allison possesses exceptional skills in copywriting, content creation, and search engine optimization. She is eager to explore the dynamic world of HR technology and use her expertise to create informative and engaging content.
As an accomplished author, Allison has published a travel guide showcasing her deep connection to her home, Bali. Her perceptiveness and strong research skills enable her to deliver insightful and thought-provoking content.
Allison’s creativity extends beyond her professional endeavours and into her free time where she pursues her artistic hobbies through painting, designing clothes, and immersing herself in captivating novels. Her well-rounded approach to life and work allows her to bring a fresh and innovative perspective to her role as a judge in the HR Stars Awards.
