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

Marking its 20th year, GESG highlights the framework and philosophy that have guided its impact on industries and leaders alike

Behind many of the most influential corporate leaders in the Philippines and even beyond, such as Ann Margaret Santiago, People Vice President at Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines, Inc.; Carla “Charee” Lanza, Chief People Officer at Maya Philippines, Inc.; Joy Pinaroc, Regional Chief Financial Officer of Asia Pacific at Mars Veterinary Health, Rapid Growth Markets; and Atty. J.V. Emmanuel “Jocot” de Dios, President and CEO at Manila Water Company, Inc., stands a trusted partner quietly shaping the nation’s leadership landscape. As Global Executive Solutions Group (GESG) marks its 20th anniversary this year under the theme “Two Decades of Leadership, Trust, and Executive Excellence”, the firm’s President and CEO, Ray Canilao, reflects on the method that has guided its success: a five-point framework that has helped place visionary leaders in roles that have transformed organizations, industries, and communities.

This methodology has been refined through years of collaboration with leading Philippine conglomerates. Each executive search begins by evaluating five key dimensions: culture fit, career path, leadership capability, financial stability, and work-life balance. The framework allows the team to balance both the strategic and human sides of leadership recruitment, ensuring that every placement is not only technically sound but personally and culturally sustainable.

According to Canilao, this focus on alignment has been central to the firm’s longevity. “We don’t just look at qualifications. 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,” he said.

Beyond the process itself, GESG’s strength lies in how it applies these principles in real-world contexts. From helping startups professionalize their management teams to placing returning overseas Filipino executives in leadership positions that drive industry transformation, the firm has demonstrated how its methodology translates into tangible, long-term results.

“What set GESG apart was that they weren’t giving out sales pitches. They had a more consultative approach,” said Lanza. Having first worked with GESG in the 90s when she was still a new hiring manager, she found that GESG stood out the most despite being inundated by many recruitment agencies making similar promises. “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.”

“The lens, the benchmark, and the business leadership put them at a better advantage. When you talk about a business leadership requirement [in executive search], you need to talk to another business leader about it,” Santiago shared. Like Lanza, she has also been GESG’s HR partner for almost 20 years, highlighting that the firm’s strength in leadership search lies in both its expertise and people-first approach. “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 wellbeing of the candidate they pass on to us than simply closing the deal.”

The same can be said for candidates who were placed by GESG in key roles and leadership positions. Atty. De Dios had a stable career as an expat in Australia, but through GESG, he came back home to the Philippines to take on a meaningful leadership opportunity as part of a multinational company. “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 stated. “They wanted to make sure that there was a fit [between what I was looking for and what the organization needed].”

Meanwhile, Pinaroc, who was already working outside the country when GESG approached her with the opportunity for an Asia-Pacific regional leadership role, shared that the process was 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’s philosophy is simple but powerful: leadership recruitment is not just about filling roles but about enabling progress and having a deep understanding of both people and business. For two decades, the firm has operated as a strategic ally to CEOs and HR leaders across industries, working with conglomerates, multinationals, and emerging enterprises to identify leaders who not only excel on paper but fit seamlessly into the culture and long-term vision of their organizations.

“For us, success isn’t measured by how many placements we’ve made,” Canilao noted. “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 is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 18, 2025, Tuesday, bringing together long-time clients, partners, and placed executives to honor two decades of shared success and reaffirm its mission: to continue placing leaders who build enduring organizations.