The Finance Head of Jollibee Group’s Philippine Region and Jollibee Philippines, Cynthia Castro, was the sole Filipina to reach the final round of the Asia Pacific-Finance Category of the 2022 WeQual Awards.

 
MANILA, Philippines. December 19, 2022 – The Finance Head of Jollibee Group’s Philippine Region and Jollibee Philippines, Cynthia Castro, was recognized by global network, WeQual, as among the finalists for the 2022 WeQual Awards. Castro was the sole Filipina to reach the final round of the award’s Asia Pacific-Finance Category.

The WeQual Awards were created to accelerate gender parity at the top of the largest companies in the world. All entries for the WeQual Awards are anonymously assessed, without their name nor the company they work revealed to evaluators. After assessment, the 24 finalists in each category per region are appraised by one of the awards’ executive interviewers before eight category winners are chosen.

“I am truly honored and humbled to become a finalist and the first Filipina in this WeQual Awards, Asia Pacific 2022. Choosing to work in Jollibee Group was one of the best decisions in my life. The company works hard in nurturing a culture of equality and inclusivity that allows individuals to thrive and succeed. Every aspect of it played a critical role in my career journey that made me what I am today,” Castro said.

As a WeQual finalist, Castro gains access to the WeQual network, which seeks to support and facilitate career progression among women through peer-to-peer coaching, regular events, and forums.

“It’s a privilege to join a global list of outstanding senior-level women and I am looking forward to learning and applying such insights to my role in Jollibee Group,” she added.

Joyful Journey

Fresh from college, Castro started working in Jollibee in 1987 as an accountant. Rising through the ranks, she was then given the opportunity to work in the brand’s commissary. Here, she served as an accounting supervisor where she headed the automation of the accounting system and the alignment of all financial and management reports.

After which, she was tasked to handle the company’s new businesses as finance and accounting manager. During this time, Jollibee was on expansion mode. Castro was tasked to handle Jollibee Philippines’ Northern Luzon Finance Unit, and later, Finance of the brand’s national business until she was promoted to assistant vice president. She then landed the role of vice president and head of Finance of Jollibee Philippines and the Jollibee Group Philippine Region.

“I am proud that I belong to one of the most admired companies in the world and one of the World’s Best employers, and that I get to work with the best leaders in the industry. All these things inspired me to do more, be more and become more,” said Castro.

Affirming its commitment to being a best-in-class workplace, Jollibee Group continues to celebrate women in the workplace as it fosters an encouraging environment that provides growth and holistic support to female employees around the world, consistent with its Forbes’ citation as a Top Female-Friendly Company in 2021.

The company was also named among the World’s Best Employers by Forbes this 2022, winning the title for three consecutive years. Jollibee Group is the highest-ranking restaurant company in the said global listing, as well as the highest-ranking Philippine-based company.