Priya came to Manila in 2017 to set up Villgro Philippines and has since powered on building the incubator from the ground up. Her role as CEO at Villgro PH keeps her engaged in formulating the organization’s strategy and long – term direction. This entails mentoring and inspiring her team, building partnerships, designing incubation programs and ultimately carving out Villgro’s path in helping create successful Impact Enterprises in the Philippines.

A strong-willed collaborator, Priya believes in the power of simple ideas that can solve big challenges. She made Villgro her life’s mission and hopes one day to be an investor for impact-driven startups all over Asia. Priya’s ability to spot talent, focus to build coalitions, her penchant to stay positive even in the worst times, and passion to improve people’s lives, make her good at what she does at Villgro Philippines.

A voracious reader and avid traveller with a passion for learning, Priya is an energetic, people’s person who is either exploring the pristine beaches of Philippines or having deep political discussions with friends and new acquaintances alike.

Prabh’s role is to challenge entrepreneurs to think through their business model and develop focused strategies for growth. This includes working with them on tactical customer acquisition, creating detailed and robust financial models and implementing scalable operational processes to support growth.

Prabh is inspired by the energy and resilience of impact entrepreneurs. He is passionate about helping businesses articulate and execute their growth strategy. Be it in the early stages of achieving product-market fit or in a turnaround where rapid, decisive action with limited information is called for. Prabh has led diverse teams in multiple locations and is a firm believer in leveraging technology solutions to support rapid organizational growth.

Exploring new places and learning about the culture and history of his destinations is what keeps Prabh dreaming of time off work. He is also a Technologist (early-adopter) and spends time scouring for the next big thing. Prabh brings to the table clarity of thought and precise direction, especially to strategy games.

Kath currently dons an advisory role with Villgro Philippines. She is deeply committed to growing and nurturing the Impact ecosystem in the Philippines and continues to Mentor and Support ventures to grow their business and scale their impact.

Kath’s strength lies in her ability to build lasting relationships with individuals and partners. She is passionate about innovation and its power to transform communities and impact the base of the pyramid. Kath’s can-do attitude and knack for connecting people is what makes her great at supporting impact entrepreneurs to deliver more value to their customers and amplify their impact.

If she’s not reading on her Kindle or watching a new indie film, Kath is probably whipping up delicious things in the kitchen. Kath loves learning about what makes people tick and is usually out chatting up friends, old and new alike, over a good cup of coffee and thinking of new ways to create change in whatever way she can.

AC is the brains and the brawn behind our climate action initiatives at Villgro Philippines. She manages end-to-end incubation and acceleration programs for SUP Challenge (Plastic-Free Philippines) and Ways4Waste (in partnership with The Incubation Network). AC also serves as a portfolio manager and supports the climate space and the cohorts in the programs through linkages, mentorship, and tailored assistance.

AC is the young blood that fires up her programs with passion and dedication. She brings a rare maturity to her duties and aspires to be on the frontier of making an impact in addressing climate change and gender inequality. She strongly believes that she has what it takes to make a change, one small ripple at a time.

AC is an animal person. Her love for animals has led her to keep and adopt several birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, geckos, and even ants! When she’s not at work, you can find her amongst her furry and not-so-furry friends. She claims to hate dolls and finds them creepy but…has a collection of around 50 Precious Moments figurines, go figure!

Denise is responsible for the end-to-end program management and delivery of Villgro’s gender programs such as the WE Rise Accelerator. She handles community management of women entrepreneurs, gender lens investing-focused investors and funders, technical and sector experts in the network. Denise also manages Villgro’s relationships with grantors, funders, and program partners.

With her penchant to learn and being open to new experiences, Denise enjoys tackling work in different industries. Her advocacies include gender equality, good governance, and community health and she volunteers for NGOs Make-A-Wish Philippines and Ladies Wine & Design Manila. A budding entrepreneur herself, she launched two small fashion businesses during the pandemic.

Carbs are Denise’s best friend! She claims that she ‘eats (not bakes) bread’. Also, she is a budding mixologist who tries (and often fails at, but refuses to stop) making cocktails. Denise enjoys reading about fashion history and is a big advocate of secondhand, vintage clothing.

Luan is responsible for the end-to-end daily finance operations, people operations, legal support, and office management and administration at Villgro Philippines. She runs this joint!

A finance professional all her life, Luan has a penchant for keeping things in order. We call it a lifesaving talent. A stickler for detail and a thorough person, Luan is the one who makes sure our accounts, operations, and general admin is smooth sailing.

Luan is a curious and adventurous lifelong learner who loves to explore new ideas and experiences. She is always seeking to challenge herself, whether it’s through studying languages, taking up random courses, or immersing herself in a good book. During her brain breaks, she is either gaming or spending quality time with her dog.

As Villgro Philippines’ Chief of Staff, Maroushka is responsible for strategic planning, operational leadership, project management, team development, stakeholder engagement, and financial management. Her leadership and strategic insights continue to drive Villgro Philippines’ mission forward, fostering innovation and sustainable solutions.

Maroushka assists in end-to-end management and leading virtual events under several innovation acceleration programs. She is the force behind the incubation support to teams from the ReachHealth Innovation Accelerator. She also supports climate projects such as the Ways4Waste Post-Program Support and the SUP Challenge in partnership with The Incubation Network.

Her diligence is legendary and so is her commitment to diving into the deep end of the ocean. In short, Maroushka enjoys a good challenge thrown at her and her easy breezy style of making things happen is an inspiration to us all. She is deeply passionate about her advocacies – Climate action, Education, and Healthcare and aspires to be a teacher and become a beacon of viral impact in more ways than one. She hopes to one day create a learning hub to share her passions and learn from a community of like-minded individuals.

She plays 8 instruments! But her favorites are the piano, violin, and most especially her bass guitar. Maroushka is a self-taught artist that dabbles in traditional and digital mediums but uses acrylic on canvas or occasional murals. She believes that ‘Learning is a gift and curiosity fuels the soul’ – so she is always up to learn about and from anything she encounters, be it from a book, a movie, random genres of music, or having the most amazing conversations with people.

As a Community Programs Manager, Loiz is proactively engaged in implementing Villgro Philippines’ programs under the climate vertical. She is fully equipped with all the fundamental tools and expertise in delivering incubation support to exceptional entrepreneurs that help scale their impact and lead them to success.

Loiz is a rockstar at end-to-end project management and delivery of assigned programs but more importantly her vibrant personality shines the most when cultivating upbeat and advantageous connections with entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners.

Outside of work, Loiz maintains her passion for teaching, channeling her inner educator every weekend. She adeptly balances her professional and personal life, upholding her roles as a devoted daughter, caring sister, and steadfast friend to her loved ones.

As a Gender and Inclusion Associate at Villgro Philippines Char works extensively with programs, events, and initiatives of the Gender team. Her drive and passion to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs and create a safe and inclusive space for all genders are reflected in her commitment to her role as an enabler for good.

Char always feels inspired to be involved in any way toward social impact but her number one advocacy is education. She believes that education is the pathway towards better decision-making as individuals and the community as a whole.

Char believes in balancing work and life by staying true to her passion which is food. A foodie at heart she often documents her outings on Instagram. She is also a singer part of the Philippine Vocal Ensemble and has participated in both local and international competitions.

As a Senior Program Associate, Malen handles program delivery and portfolio management for the Circular ClimAccelerator Philippines, in collaboration with Climate KIC. She also assists in the implementation of other incubation and acceleration initiatives under the climate vertical.

Malen combines a sharp eye for detail with an understanding of the bigger picture, approaching her work with deep intention. Her strong project management skills and resourcefulness allow her to take initiative and move projects forward. Driven by a passion to create meaningful change, Malen is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed and make a lasting impact.

Malen enjoys the excitement of watching sports, especially basketball. She loves unwinding with a good book on her Kindle, rewatching her favorite series for the Nth time, or satisfying her craving for spicy food.

As the Comms Associate at Villgro Philippines Martha is the creative force that adds fuel to all of Villgro’s communications efforts. From social media to developing content that conveys our impact, Martha is fiercely adept at making us look as good as we are.

Whether it’s developing visually impactful content, designing strategic campaigns, or drawing out compelling stories, Martha’s exceptional skill in creative communications adds a dynamic touch that resonates with audiences and elevates the impact of her projects.

When she’s taking a break, Martha can be found scrolling through amusing TikTok videos, delving into intricate movie analyses and critiques on YouTube, or engrossed in a captivating crime podcast for hours on end – a real digital native if you will.

Kyle supports the incubation and growth of social impact startups. His responsibilities include scouting and selecting ventures for Villgro Philippines’ programs, conducting due diligence, and recruiting investors, mentors, and partners. He also help manage incubation support, assist in reviewing financial data and company pitches, and build strong relationships with angel networks and venture capital partners. Additionally, Kyle contribute to strategic initiatives, manage program outcomes, and track relationships. Additionally, his tasks involves market research, reporting to partners, and actively supporting the growth and impact of Villgro Philippines’ portfolio companies.

After graduating, Kyle was introduced to the dynamic world of startups and investments through his work. As he became more immersed in the ecosystem, he encountered social impact initiatives that deeply resonated with him and shifted his career perspective. Now, Kyle is driven by a desire to contribute to projects that create meaningful, positive change. His curiosity and strong sense of justice have fostered a passion for social impact work, which continues to fuel his motivation and guide his professional path.

Kyle is a dedicated gamer with a keen interest in diverse genres, including MOBAs, FPS, and MMORPGs. He is particularly fascinated by gamification and its ability to enhance engagement in both digital and real-world settings.
In addition to gaming, Kyle actively participates in conventions, where he enjoys immersing himself in pop culture and expanding his sticker collection. He is also passionate about travel, particularly exploring amusement and theme parks, valuing the unique experiences and cultural insights they offer. Through his interests in gaming, collecting, and travel, Kyle seeks to enrich his understanding of the world and human dynamics.

Gaby is deeply involved in Villgro’s incubation programs and is an integral part of the team responsible for implementing the regional AI4Health Asia Accelerator program. Her ability to work across verticals and collaborative mindset make her a valued asset to the team.

Gaby’s keen interest in development studies, coupled with her hands-on experience managing projects single-handedly, uniquely equips her for the role of Program Associate, often demonstrating her ability to navigate complexities with insight and precision.

Gaby enjoys typical routines like eating, sleeping, and watching TV—preferring sitcoms and crime dramas. She loves creating and editing videos on her burner account and reviews Korean dramas in her journal. She’s an avid reader and cherishes Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”.

As the Admin and Finance Associate at Villgro Philippines, Aurea is at the epicenter of managing administrative tasks and supporting financial operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of the organization.

Aurea’s insatiable appetite for learning positions her as a valuable asset to the our ever-busy Admin team. Her exceptional organizational skills and unwavering commitment to overseeing operations ensure efficiency and precision in all tasks she undertakes.

When she has time, Aurea finds joy in the vibrant world of K-pop, eagerly staying updated on her favorite groups and immersing herself in related content. Apart from that, she enjoys reading romance or fiction novels, savoring baking ASMR videos, watching house tours, and diving into anime, K-dramas, and movies. 

As Villgro’s Gender and Inclusion Associate, Sonya helps bring Villgro’s gender programs to life by assisting in organizing and delivering events and activities that foster inclusivity. She connects with diverse groups, making sure the conversations around gender equality continue to grow and evolve.

Sonya’s strength lies in her ability to balance the big picture with attention to detail, ensuring that every project is executed smoothly from start to finish. With experience in business development, stakeholder engagement, project management, and marketing, she’s well-prepared to drive initiatives that not only succeed but also align with her core values. More than just her professional skills, Sonya is deeply motivated by a desire to empower women and foster well-being. Focused on how her work can create a positive impact in society, she brings a thoughtful, purpose-driven approach to all her projects, helping to shape meaningful change for communities and businesses alike.

Outside of work, Sonya stays active with running, yoga, and pilates, while also enjoying Grey’s Anatomy, a good book, or cheering on UAAP basketball games. She loves exploring new restaurants and museums with her loved ones, always finding time to balance her busy life with fun and relaxation.

Sofia is a Program Associate for the Gender and Inclusion vertical. She assists with the end-to-end management of Villgro’s incubation and acceleration programs. She helps ensure they remain gender smart. She helps facilitate the mentorship of enterprises, mostly women-led, to ensure maximum impact, sound operations, and investment readiness. She helps increase the investments going into women-led enterprises as this contributes to their growth, bridges the gender financing gap, creates a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, and contributes to the overall development of the economy.

Equipped with development theories, Sofia is ready to apply concepts into the practice of incubation in the form of actionable tools. She also understands that achieving development is a long game, hence, is patient enough to sit with the complexity of the problem until the clarity of answers emerge. She possesses stamina for problems that allows her to tolerate the grueling process of sorting messes into order.

Sofia is a health-minded home cook who makes pescatarian dishes loaded with nutrition. She shares these dishes on her social media pages to increase the public’s conception of vegetarian food. She also sustains the daily practices of meditation and yoga. As a reserved social butterfly, she will say yes to any opportunity to spend time with people regardless of the occasion— whether big life events, random get togethers, or small daily errands.

As a Finance and Admin Associate, Lliel plays a key role in supporting end-to-end daily finance operations, administration, and the back-end of programs, ensuring the smooth functioning of the organization.

Lliel’s background in administration and operations has equipped her with the adaptability to thrive in the dynamic startup world. She maintains a “get-it-done” mindset and loves staying organized. Challenges often motivate her, ensuring continuous growth in her role.

Lliel embraces both the quiet comfort of home and the thrill of adventure, finding joy in both worlds. At home, she easily gets hooked on suspense thriller movies, edits photos and videos, does spontaneous cleaning, or plays on her Sudoku puzzle book to rest from screen time. But there’s another side to her—one that longs for adventure. Whether it’s the tranquil beauty of beaches or the peaceful solitude of forests and mountains, she truly finds her inner peace in nature.

Shayna works under the Co-Founder’s Office, collaborating closely with the CEO and Chief of Staff. She spearheads the Impact Happy Hours initiative, is actively involved in fundraising and strategy matters, and maintains the organization’s internal systems and databases. Additionally, Shayna supports the recruitment process by conducting interviews for Impact Fellowship applicants.

Shayna is organized and experienced in managing diverse projects and working with cross-functional teams. Her experience in managing diverse projects, from fundraising initiatives to operational tasks, allows her to handle multiple responsibilities.

Shayna is a homebody who enjoys watching true crime documentaries. She also loves traveling to visit friends abroad, trying new food, and discovering dessert spots with them.