Leading people in times of change is never easy. It is a digital age, but balancing digital transformation with human connection is still a challenge. HR departments are under pressure to become more strategic while still caring for employee needs. Questions about mindset, culture, and innovation often leave leaders searching for clarity about how to proceed.
In this episode of The Best Business Podcast, Daryl Urbanski sits with Ruby Jaucian. She is a multi-awarded HR leader and the first Vice President of Transformation at Aboitiz Group in the Philippines. Ruby knows these challenges firsthand. She has helped one of the countryās most competitive conglomerates reimagine leadership and people strategies. Her journey from statistics graduate to transformation officer is one to learn from. It demonstrates how continuous learning can shape organizations ready for the digital age.
Be prepared to learn insights every HR leader, entrepreneur, and business executive can apply. Listeners will learn how to navigate complex environments and build future-ready workforces. This conversation offers practical wisdom on shaping both people and business for long-term impact.
Here are the reasons why you should listen to the full interview
- Discover how to lead digital transformation while strengthening your companyās culture and employee engagement.
- Learn practical strategies for developing future-ready talent through continuous learning and innovation.
- Gain leadership insights on navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and shaping the future of work.
Resources:
Interview Highlights
Ruby Jaucian Sets the Stage for Transformational Work
- Ruby Jaucian is the First Vice President for Transformation at the Aboitiz Group, one of the Philippinesā most respected conglomerates.
- Her passion is exploring the human side of digital transformation, which covers a companyās culture, leadership, hybrid models, and employee engagement.
- She reflects on her career path, showing how early roles in market research shaped her people-centered leadership journey.
- Daryl and Ruby delved into modern organizational challenges such as talent retention, leadership development, and shaping the future of work.
A Non-Linear Path to People Leadership
- She began her career in statistics and market research before pivoting into IT and later human resource leadership.
- Her bold step of taking a strategic HR management course positioned her as one of Aboitizās first HR business partners.
- Mentorship and initiative allowed her to transition from technical roles into organization development and talent management.
- Her story highlights how passion, resilience, and continuous learning can shape careers and inspire change.
LinkedIn Learning and Other Digital Learning Paths
- Ruby champions democratized learning through LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, and online university programs.
- Her leadership expanded employee access to digital learning platforms from 100 to 2,000 employees during the pandemic.
- She frames learning and development as a strategic driver for a competitive workforce and future-ready organization.
- HR leaders must model curiosity, use intelligence networks, and tap into global communities for continuous growth.
Leading Transformation Beyond HR
- As Transformation Officer, Ruby goes beyond HR department functions to influence leadership mindsets and company-wide strategy.
- Aboitizās four transformation pillars: Culture, Technology, Operations, and Finance, set the foundation for innovation and growth.
- She stresses intrapreneurship, adaptability, and digital acumen as essential behaviors for senior leaders.
- Transformation requires inclusive and equitable environments where employees feel safe to experiment and contribute.
Creating Structure Around Learning & Growth
- Aboitiz combines formal education, exposure, and experience to ensure leadership development and talent readiness.
- Individual Development Plans (IDPs) align personal career goals with organizational needs.
- Employer branding, peer-to-peer learning, and internal micro-videos reinforce continuous development.
- Success is measured through productivity gains, leadership readiness, and workforce engagement.
Managing People with Heart and Discipline
- Ruby underscores that people strategies must balance empathy with strategic business needs.
- She highlights the importance of psychological safety, humility, and transparency in building trust.
- Modern leaders are expected to be data-savvy, values-driven, and capable of shaping inclusive work environments.
- Coaching, mentoring, and networks of senior leaders enable sustainable leadership growth.
The Human Side of Automation and Technological Change
- Ruby views digital transformation as augmentation, where automation enhances human creativity and decision-making.
- Initiatives like the cashless cafeteria show how small steps prepare employees for digital-first environments.
- Leaders must cultivate a digital mindset, using technology as a strategic tool rather than fearing disruption.
- Work environment and culture evolve when leaders model adaptability and curiosity.
The Pillars of Leadership That Matter Most Now in the Philippines
- Ruby frames leadership around self-awareness, cooperation, adaptability, and communication.
- Leadership development integrates strategy, culture shaping, organization development, and talent management.
- Resilient leaders maintain health, balance, and purpose while aligning teams to long-term goals.
- HR functions as a catalyst for shaping the workforce, inspiring change, and enabling human flourishing.
Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Others
- Ruby Jaucian encourages leaders to prioritize well-being with the same discipline as business innovation.
- Balancing family, rest, and personal hobbies is integral to sustainable leadership.
- Her message: the way you care for yourself directly shapes the way you lead others.
Ruby Jaucian ā Speaker, Entrepreneur, & First Vice President of Transformation at Aboitiz Group
Ruby Jaucian is a multi-awarded HR leader and Chief HR Officer / First Vice President for Transformation at Aboitiz Group. She leads organization development, talent management, and learning and development. She also creates employer branding for its renewable energy business in the Philippines. Ruby served previously as Chief People Officer at Personal Collection Direct Selling, Inc., as well.
A graduate in Statistics, she explored careers in market research and technology. Pivoting into human resource leadership, she eventually earned her role overseeing culture, strategy, and people. Throughout her career, Ruby has developed people strategies that balance heart and discipline. She strove to build an inclusive and equitable environment. Empowering companies where employees feel inspired, engaged, and future-ready.
She believes deeply in shaping the future of work by partnering with business leaders. Under her leadership, Aboitiz has pursued agile, adaptive HR innovation. Ruby headed Individual Development Plans and encouraged internal knowledge ecosystems. These are all designed to equip the workforce with digital acumen, resilience, and strategic intelligence.
Expertise: Business Transformation Ā· Leadership Development Ā· Talent Management Ā· Human Resource Strategy Ā· Employer Branding Ā· Innovation & Digital Transformation
Expertise: Business Growth, Sales, Marketing Automation, Leadership
Work With Us: 
Podcast: 
Social: 