Originally published in Aboitiz Eyes
By Jan Dolalas
Everyone seems to know Ann Gatdula—or “Ms. Ann,” as she’s affectionately called. You’ll often find her in her corner of the office, focused on her work, or in the pantry, sharing a laugh with colleagues she’s known for years. Ann lives by the “Bugsay Philosophy,” the Cebuano word for “paddle”—a principle well-known within the Aboitiz Group as a reminder that each person holds the oar to steer their own journey.
As the AVP for Transformative Technology, Ann exemplifies Techglomerate Capabilities—empathetic communication, adaptive learning, agility, an entrepreneurial mindset, and innovation. With 24 years at Aboitiz, she has grown alongside the company, helping shape its journey as much as her own.
A Humble Beginning
Ann’s journey with Aboitiz began in Cebu, where she first encountered the company as a student. Financial challenges made her college education uncertain, but her determination never wavered. As her high school’s valedictorian, she secured an initial scholarship to the University of San Carlos. However, when that funding ran out, she sought other opportunities, eventually earning an Aboitiz & Co., Inc. scholarship that opened the door to her future.
This early experience taught Ann to be proactive, “I don’t wait for people to tell me where to go. When I realize [I want or need] something, I talk to people. I make it happen,” she says.
Building a Career Through Curiosity and Courage
Ann began her professional career as an Accounting Assistant at Aboitiz Power Corporation. After passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board exam, she joined Abomar Corporation as a Regional Accountant. It didn’t take long for her to realize that her ambitions extended beyond traditional accounting. “Three years into the job, I realized I didn’t want to be an Accountant [for the rest of my career],” she shares.
This realization propelled her into roles in marketing and internal auditing, where she broke barriers as one of the first women in a male-dominated field. Her work as an auditor coincided with Aboitiz Equity Ventures becoming a publicly listed company, a moment she recalls with pride: “I remember seeing the photos when they rang the bell on the floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange. I’m proud to be part of that organization.”
“As an auditor, we were always reminded about the importance of reputation. We had to protect the organization’s reputation to the extent that any tax issue, regardless of the amount, was considered a major issue,” she explains.
In the words of Don Ramon Aboitiz, “A person’s word is their bond, and a broken bond can never be fully repaired.”
Her next challenge came at SN Aboitiz Power, where she began her journey in managing system implementation projects. Later, Ann returned to AboitizPower as an Enterprise Systems Manager for the Generation Group (APGen), where she led Project Maximo. This ambitious project introduced IBM Maximo, an Enterprise Asset Management System. “It was out of my comfort zone,” she recalls, “but I consider it my legacy in APGen—it’s still standing.” The system went live in January 2016 and has remained a critical tool for the company’s Asset Management strategy.
Ann took a 3-month personal leave to focus on her family. Upon returning, she was temporarily reassigned to a different project. Despite these challenges, she persevered and successfully completed both projects, emphasizing the importance of team morale.
“It’s important to deliver goals, but equally important to protect the morale of the team,” she shares, recalling how she ensured they took a well-deserved holiday break to recharge and spend time with their families during Christmas.
Shaping Her Path
Ann’s openness to new roles has allowed her to thrive across various functions within Aboitiz. Whether as a marketing supervisor, an internal auditor, or an Enterprise Systems Manager, she’s pioneered roles that laid the foundation for others. “In my last five roles, I was the first holder… My experience helped me shape the role and the team,” she explains.
For Ann, who considers herself as a project professional, it is about creating something meaningful, then passing it on. She adds, “I find joy in designing and establishing something, and once it’s established, I pass it on to the next person to continue the journey and start again.”
In 2017, Ann undertook a year-long leadership development program, the Aboitiz General Management Level 1, a commitment she believes was essential in her growth.
“If I hadn’t opened myself to that experience, I wouldn’t have learned how to be an effective leader,” she reflects. “Aboitiz always prepares their team in leadership roles.”
Her commitment to continuous learning is reflected in her recent accomplishments, including completing Generative AI courses offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2024. These courses complement her certifications in Agile Ways of Working, such as the Professional Scrum Master certification in 2022 and the Professional Scrum Product Owner certification in 2023.
Embracing Uncertainty with Transformation
Ann’s move to the AEV Transformation Team marked a significant career shift.
“After four years of shaping a role and the team, I had to find another opportunity again. I had a conversation with my former team leader at AboitizPower about what can be next for me. We explored together until one day, we talked about my potential movement to the AEV Transformation Team. I said yes right away believing that it was the right move for me,” she recalls.
Through the Future Co-creation Voyage program, she worked on Foresight, a transformative project that challenged her to think bigger and innovate boldly. “I learned that you need to fall in love with the problem first before you can solve it,” she shares.
The Voyage program is an intensive innovation program designed to empower teams within the Aboitiz Group to conceptualize, develop, and execute breakthrough business solutions.
Ann’s courage to embrace change is part of what has allowed her to excel, even in the face of uncertainty. As she says, “Unknown scares me, but at the same time it excites me and challenges me.”
Her journey within the Voyage program left a lasting impression not only on her peers but also on her leaders. Wolfgang Merkt, Ann’s Team Coach during the Voyage program and now AEV’s FVP – IT and Transformative Technology, reflects on her contributions during the program:
“Ann brought an infectious energy and passion to the team, instilling a sense of enthusiasm for embracing and driving change. Her inquisitive nature and relentless drive to learn stood out, as did her ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships with empathetic leadership. She’s not just a leader who gets results but one who genuinely connects with and inspires the people around her,” he shares.
Wisdom for Future Leaders
Reflecting on her journey, Ann emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships. “Just like no man is an island, no SBU is an island. We need to work together to achieve our goals. Together, we can achieve greater things,” she says.
To A-people, her advice is clear: “There are so many open opportunities within Aboitiz. Don’t limit yourself. Talk to people; connect with those who can help you grow,” she shares. Developing your network and nurturing relationships, she believes, is key to both individual and collective success.
Ann’s story—from tenacious scholar to respected Team Leader—exemplifies the potential unlocked by fostering collaboration and staying open to possibilities. As Aboitiz moves toward Great Transformation 2025, next year will also mark a special milestone for Ann as she celebrates 25 years with the organization. She continues to inspire others on their own journeys, reminding us that we hold the paddle to steer our course toward growth and transformation.
