Every great award needs an equally great panel of judges—and this year’s HR Stars Awards PH 2025 has gathered some of the most accomplished names in the industry. Each brings not just decades of experience, but also unique insights that reflect the depth and diversity of human resources leadership in the Philippines. Let’s get to know the inspiring individuals who will be shaping the results of this year’s awards.

Every great award needs an equally great panel of judges—and this year’s HR Stars Awards PH 2025 has gathered some of the most accomplished names in the industry. Each brings not just decades of experience, but also unique insights that reflect the depth and diversity of human resources leadership in the Philippines. Let’s get to know the inspiring individuals who will be shaping the results of this year’s awards.

Xandra Feliza Galang, Head of Talent Management at Ayala Corporation, has over 20 years of experience in leading people strategies across diverse industries. She’s no stranger to driving transformation. At Ayala Corporation, she leads enterprise-wide initiatives on talent management, leadership development, employee experience, and organisational culture. Known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for empowering teams, she continues to shape people strategies that create inclusive, purpose-driven, and high-performing workplaces.

Another highly experienced and well-rounded HR practitioner is Kirk Patrick Alimaza, the Country Head of People at AirAsia Philippines. He has mastered many aspects of HR, from recruitment to employee relations. His leadership at AirAsia extends beyond borders, with influence in Indonesia and Malaysia, where he co-manages the Group’s career site. Recognised as one of Asia’s Top HR Thought Leaders and among PH’s Top 100 Highly Distinguished Thought Leaders (2025), Kirk exemplifies transformative leadership in the ASEAN HR landscape.

Equally inspiring is Alyssa Alillana, Cluster Director of HR at SMX Convention Center. A Certified HR Professional, she oversees HR across multiple branches of the Philippines’ leading venue for conventions and exhibitions. Her leadership has not gone unnoticed—SMX Convention Center has been recognised as one of the Top 50 Employers in the Philippines 2025 by Kalibrr and as a Regional Winner in the 2023 Productivity Olympics by NWPC. Alyssa herself has been honoured with the Global Exceptional Women Awards 2024 and was a nominee for the Inspiring Women Travel Asia Awards. With her strong belief in continuous learning and people-first leadership, she continues to inspire her peers and teams alike.

Adding decades of wisdom to the panel is Coach Darwin Rivers, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Philippines HR Group. With over 20 years of experience in multinational corporations, Darwin has consistently delivered outcomes that enhance engagement, retention, and productivity. A sought-after speaker, mentor, and CSR champion, he brings a rare combination of heart and strategy—qualities that make him both an inspiring leader and a deeply insightful judge.

Another powerhouse on the panel is Jackelene Aquino, Country HRAD Head at GeBBS Healthcare Solutions. With over 28 years of transformative leadership, Jackelene has shaped HR across industries and geographies—from the Philippines to North America and Asia. Known for pioneering HR digital innovations such as chatbot-enabled recruitment and gamified engagement platforms, she has elevated employee experience and employer branding at scale. A Certified Change Management HR Professional and Certified Management Consultant, Jackelene brings sharp insight, fairness, and passion for elevating HR excellence to the awards stage.

Representing the new generation of HR thought leadership is Mikel Leroi Balansag, Executive Director of the International HR Institute and CEO of Circa Logica Group®. With credentials from prestigious institutions like the Asian Institute of Management, Stanford GSB, and the University of Pennsylvania, Mikel has become a recognised HR strategist, speaker, and mentor. His work in resilience, inclusive leadership, and future-ready workforce development makes him an invaluable voice on this year’s panel.

Diversity and inclusion also take centre stage with Rich Cruz, DEI Consultant and Country Talent Acquisition Lead at Conduent. With nearly two decades of experience, Rich has spent much of his career advancing culture transformation and leadership development across Asia Pacific. At IBM, he led DEI for ASEAN and Korea, pioneering initiatives that created measurable cultural change. Named one of the Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn (2024), Rich brings not just expertise but also a deep belief in HR’s ability to transform organisations for the better.

Completing the distinguished panel is Crissy Rollan, Managing Director and Founder of Qubel Group. A seasoned HR leader, executive coach, and talent consultant, Crissy is also the voice behind CrissyTalksHR, a platform that champions authentic conversations on work and leadership. Her career spans leading firms like Ernst & Young APAC and BCG Manila, where she cultivated expertise in talent strategy and organisational development. Known for her empathetic leadership and advocacy for inclusive hiring and purposeful career design, Crissy continues to help organisations and individuals thrive.

Together, these judges represent the very best of HR leadership—leaders who embody innovation, empathy, resilience, and transformation. As the HR Stars Awards Philippines 2025 unfolds, they will be at the helm, recognising the organisations and individuals who are truly shaping the future of work.