Celeste B. Ilagan has been named President & CEO-Designate of IBPAP and will succeed Jack Madrid as President & CEO, effective October 11, 2026. Ilagan will be the first woman to lead the Philippines’ IT-business process management association in its history.
Ilagan brings nearly three decades of experience in the Philippine IT-BPM industry. She began her career in investment promotion at the Board of Investments (BOI), where she played a foundational role in attracting many of the country’s pioneering IT-BPM and shared services investments. She later served two terms on the IBPAP Board of Trustees from 2019 to 2022 before joining the Association’s leadership team in 2022, first as Chief Policy and Regulatory Affairs Officer and, most recently, as Chief Operating Officer.
At IBPAP, Ilagan has led the industry’s policy and legislative agenda, strengthened member and investor engagement, and represented the sector in high-level engagements with government and international stakeholders. She also oversees IBPAP’s talent and workforce development agenda, working with TESDA, CHED, and DepEd to advance the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework.
Under her leadership, IBPAP has driven landmark initiatives including advocacy for the CREATE MORE Act, resolution of tax issues under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 05-2024, improved ease-of-doing-business engagement with DILG and ARTA, cybersecurity partnerships with the PNP, NBI, and DOJ, and engagement with PhilHealth on rising healthcare costs affecting IT-BPM employees.
“Celeste’s experience and deep understanding of our industry will provide both continuity and strong leadership as we navigate the opportunities and disruptions brought by AI and the shift toward higher-value work,” said Ayhee Campos, IBPAP Board Chairperson.
The leadership transition also marks the conclusion of Jack Madrid’s tenure as President & CEO. Under his leadership, IBPAP strengthened its voice as the leading advocate for the Philippine IT-BPM industry and deepened engagement with government and international stakeholders.
“On behalf of the entire IBPAP community, I extend our deepest gratitude to Jack for his dedication and lasting contributions to our industry, and wish him continued success ahead,” Campos said.
