Julia Abad

Executive Director, Philippines Women Business Coalition for Women’s Empowerment

Ms. Abad has about 20 years of experience working in the fields of politics, public policy, and social development. At present, she is the Executive Director of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE), which advocates for the increased participation and advancement of women in the workplace. She also sits at the Board of Advisors of the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and at the Board of Trustees of PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College (COC) and Araullo University.

She was the former Head of the Presidential Management Staff from 2010-2016, and Chief of Staff of then Senator Benigno S. Aquino III. Prior to her stint in government. She worked as an educator, lecturing in political science and helping to develop a citizenship curriculum for young children. She has also worked in the non-profit sector as a research and communications specialist. She was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014 and recognized as one of Manila’s 40 under 40 Leaders in International Development by devex.com in 2013.