The GESG formula: Two decades of building leaders and earning trust

Behind many of the Philippines’ most influential corporate leaders—including Ann Margaret Santiago of Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines Inc., Carla “Charee” Lanza of Maya Philippines Inc., Joy Pinaroc of Mars Veterinary Health, and Atty. J.V. Emmanuel “Jocot” de Dios of Manila Water Company Inc.—stands a trusted partner quietly shaping the country’s leadership landscape.

Global Executive Solutions Group (GESG), now marking its 20th year under the theme “Two Decades of Leadership, Trust, and Executive Excellence,” credits its longevity to a unique five-point framework that guides its executive search strategy.

Ray Canilao, president and CEO of GESG, said the framework evaluates culture fit, career path, leadership capability, financial stability, and work-life balance—factors that go beyond credentials to ensure long-term leadership success.

This approach, refined through years of collaboration with leading Philippine conglomerates, balances strategic objectives with human insight to match organizations with leaders who are both technically qualified and culturally aligned.

“We don’t just look at qualifications,” Canilao said.

“We look at what drives a person, how they lead, and how they will fit into the company’s culture. That’s how we ensure that the impact of our work endures long after the hire is made.”

GESG’s method has been tested in diverse contexts—from professionalizing startup leadership teams to bringing home overseas Filipino executives for transformative roles in Philippine industries.

“What set GESG apart was that they weren’t giving out sales pitches. They had a more consultative approach,” said Lanza, who worked with GESG in the 1990s as a new hiring manager.

“They do not ask ‘what,’ they ask ‘why.’ They dig deeper, they want to know and understand the context behind the search, so they can really provide the right candidate for the role we’re looking at.”

“They were not really concerned with the business they can get out of our engagement; rather, they were more concerned with the relationship they could build with us.”

Santiago, a longtime HR partner of GESG, echoed this view.

“The lens, the benchmark, and the business leadership put them at a better advantage,” she said.

“When you talk about a business leadership requirement [in executive search], you need to talk to another business leader about it.”

“One of the things we like about GESG is how they handle candidates. They’re always transparent, consultative, and values-driven.”

“With GESG, they’re more concerned about the partnership and the well-being of the candidate they pass on to us than simply closing the deal.”

Candidates placed in key leadership roles also spoke of GESG’s personalized process.

De Dios, who left a stable expat career in Australia to return to the Philippines, credited GESG with aligning his career goals with the right leadership opportunity.

“GESG took the time to not simply pay attention, but be very collaborative, with a consistent focus on what I was looking for and where I wanted my career to go,” he said.

“They wanted to make sure that there was a fit [between what I was looking for and what the organization needed].”

Pinaroc, who was abroad when approached by GESG for a regional leadership role, described the experience as both professional and deeply personal.

“They helped me objectively look at the opportunity itself, my strengths, and what I bring as an individual, including the kind of development I would have if I continued to explore the role,” she said.

“They were with me throughout, guiding me through the process. They helped me see not just what I could bring, but whether this was truly the right opportunity for me.”

GESG believes leadership recruitment is not just about filling roles—it is about enabling long-term progress and understanding both people and business.

For two decades, the firm has worked as a strategic partner to CEOs and HR leaders across sectors, identifying leaders who not only excel on paper but also embody the values and vision of their organizations.

“For us, success isn’t measured by how many placements we’ve made,” Canilao said. “It’s about the leaders who stay, grow, and continue to make an impact. That’s what two decades of trust looks like, and what we intend to build on in the years to come.”

GESG will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, bringing together clients, partners, and placed executives to honor its legacy and reaffirm its mission to place leaders who build enduring organizations.