The country’s umbrella group of information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) firms has named industry stalwart Celeste Ilagan as its first female president and chief executive officer (CEO).

In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 26, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) announced that Ilagan is now the industry group’s president and CEO-designate and will formally assume her new leadership role on Oct. 11.

Ilagan, who most recently served as IBPAP’s chief operating officer (COO), is succeeding Jack Madrid, who has led the industry group since 2021.

Ilagan brings nearly three decades of experience in the local IT-BPM industry to her new role.

She started her career in government, playing a key role in investment promotion at the Board of Investments (BOI), where she helped attract many of the country’s pioneering investments in IT-BPM and shared services.

Ilagan later served two terms on IBPAP’s board of trustees from 2019 to 2022 before joining the group’s leadership team as chief policy and regulatory affairs officer and eventually COO.

At IBPAP, Ilagan has been an influential force in leading the group’s policy and legislative agenda, as well as its member and investor engagement.

She also led IBPAP’s talent and workforce development agenda while facilitating high-level engagements with government and international stakeholders.

“Celeste’s experience and deep understanding of our industry will provide both continuity and strong leadership as we navigate the opportunities and disruptions brought by AI [artificial intelligence] and the shift toward higher-value work,” said IBPAP board chairperson Ayhee Campos.

The leadership change comes as the IT-BPM sector faces growing competition from other outsourcing destinations and increased adoption of AI.

Last month, IBPAP revised downward its best-case scenario revenue target by 14 percent to $50.5 billion from an original target of $58.9 billion by 2028.

In terms of workforce, IBPAP expects the industry to employ 2.14 million digital workers by 2028, down 14 percent from its initial goal of having 2.5 million employees.

To ensure a smooth transition into Ilagan’s upcoming term, Madrid will remain engaged as IBPAP’s president and CEO through Oct. 10.

With his exit from IBPAP, Madrid will assume his new role as Philippine ambassador of United States (US)-based speech AI company Sanas on Oct. 11.