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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider MBC names Abad executive director, first woman to lead group

MBC names Abad executive director, first woman to lead group

Published May 13, 2026 05:23 am
Julia Abad
Julia Abad
The Makati Business Club (MBC) appointed Julia Abad as its new executive director, the first woman to lead the influential business advocacy group in its four-decade history.
Abad will assume the role on July 1, 2026, succeeding Rafael “Apa” Ongpin, the organization announced in a statement on Wednesday, May 12.
Abad brings more than 20 years of experience across public policy, governance, and the non-profit sector.
She previously served as the president's chief of staff, a role that positioned her at the intersection of executive decision-making and legislative strategy.
Her background is expected to bolster the club’s ability to engage with the government on key issues such as infrastructure development, ease of doing business, and transparency.
The MBC, which serves as a primary voice for the country’s largest corporations and most influential executives, noted that Abad’s expertise in institution-building and stakeholder collaboration will be instrumental in advancing the organization’s core advocacies, specifically responsible business leadership and inclusive growth.
Abad is a Fulbright scholar with a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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