Team Villgro
We are a diverse and dynamic mix of mighty ants who work tirelessly to make the impossible, possible
Our Team Players
Just like every superhero needs a group of dedicated team members who believe in them and work in tandem to make the world a better place, Team Villgro is always at your side whenever you decide to scale the impossible mountain or take a leap of faith. To mentor, to advise, to counsel, and to pave the way, Team Villgro is here to help you grow and flourish every step of the way.
Nicco Sobremonte
Program Associate for Incubation
Jerilyn Shaine Camila
Finance & Operations Associate
Priya Thachadi
Co-founder and CEO
Education and Experience
Priya has spent the last 15 years in international development, working in Journalism, Human Rights and Public Policy, before moving to the impact investment and entrepreneurship sector. She served as the Head of Incubatee Support and Human Capital at Villgro India, one of the oldest and largest impact incubators in the world, where she led post-investment support for early-stage ventures and pioneered Villgro’s mentoring and technical assistance initiatives. In 2017, she also co-founded Unlock Impact, a social impact consulting firm that partners with people and organisations to scale inclusive solutions that tackle poverty across Asia.
She is the Co-Chair of the ANDE East and South East Asia Steering Committee.
Priya holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Advanced Financial Accounting and a master’s degree in Journalism and a post-graduate diploma in Human Rights Law from India, a Master’s degree in International Relations and Development from the University of Warwick in the UK.
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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 Singh
Investment & Growth Advisor
Education and Experience
Prabh has a decade of business development, commercial negotiation and strategic investment experience in the financial services, energy (LNG) and infrastructure industries. He has successfully built lasting partnerships with global investors and customers across Europe and Asia and raised significant new capital.
Prabh has a degree in Economics & Mathematics from Colby College and an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD, France. He is an alumnus of the United World Colleges movement committed to uniting people for peace and a sustainable future.
What he does at Villgro
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.
What makes him good at what he does
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.
When he’s not at work
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.
Katherine Khoo
Venture Advisor
Education and Experience
Kath has helped build and run social impact acceleration programs across Southeast Asia for the last 3 years. She was previously with PhilDev Foundation, part of the entrepreneurship team working on the Innovation for Social Impact Partnership’s (ISIP) Social Impact Accelerator. Prior to PhilDev, Kath was an impact fellow with Scope Group, where she led communications and partnerships for ASEAN Impact Challenge. Kath has a degree in Communications Technology Management from Ateneo de Manila University, and was an active leader of the Gawad Kalinga Student Volunteers and Ateneo Resident Students Association in her time at the university. She is an active community builder in the Philippine startup and innovation ecosystem and a frequent facilitator of Startup Weekend events across the country.
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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 Alyzsa Dy
Senior Program Associate – Incubation
Education and Experience
AC Graduated from DLSU-M in Applied Corporate Management, cum laude. Her many internships include Pilipinas Shell Corporation as a sales associate, Nestle Philippines as an operational excellence intern, Kimberly Clark Philippines as a marketing intern, L’Oreal Philippines as a brand marketing intern, and has worked at BeautyMnl as a Business Development Associate for makeup where she launched events and exclusive first-to-launch deals. AC has volunteered at several NGOs such as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Seashine Siargao, and the SEA Movement.
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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!
Amina Mahfooz Azad
Comms Manager
Education and Experience
A Communicative English graduate from the prestigious Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, Amina has been in the media and hospitality industry for a good 20 years now. Her last assignment was in Goa where she was the Content Head at Planet Goa magazine for more than 9 years.
What she does at Villgro
Amina is the Comms Manager at Villgro PH and basically the eyes, ears and mouthpiece of the organisation. With a penchant for crafting communications strategies, social media content creation, and a flair for words, Amina is our storyteller who pushes the boundaries of communications for Villgro Philippines. From spamming your inboxes with mailers and newsletters, to flooding timelines with stories and posts, if we have an opinion, an event, or a program, Amina makes sure everyone knows about it and is engaged with it.
What makes her good at what she does
A curious extrovert, Amina is an adventurer at heart who likes to explore and learn something new each time she takes up an assignment. A proud non-conformist, feminist, and humanist, she feels deeply about issues such as gender disparity and poverty. Words are her weapons of choice and stories are her forte. She loves a good edit challenge and hones her skills following and studying the latest trends on social media.
When she’s not at work
A professional binge-watcher of any new series on Netflix, Amina loves to meet people and go out with friends. If she’s not furiously typing out status updates and posting stories, then she is most likely catching up on world affairs on Twitter or exploring quaint bars and hole-in-the-wall eateries around the world.
Denise Dalusong
Program Manager – Gender & Inclusion
Education and Experience
Denise holds a Master’s degree in Global Politics and an AB in Political Science, from the renowned Ateneo de Manila University. She has over 7 years in diverse work ranging from strategy and research to traditional marketing and eCommerce, experienced across multiple industries – including health tech, retail, and nonprofit work
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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 Arbilo
Head of Finance and Operations
Education and Experience
Luan is a graduate of the prestigious University of the Philippines Diliman and a finance professional with almost a decade of experience in both the corporate and startup world. Her interest in entrepreneurship led her to transition to the startup scene, where she had the pleasure of working with various startups across different industries. Her leadership skills and business acumen have earned her a place in the management team of some of the startups she has worked with. In addition to her professional experience, Luan has also volunteered her time and expertise as a startup mentor, helping aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.
What she does at Villgro
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!
What makes her good at what she does
A finance professional all her life, Luan has a penchant for keeping things in order. Some call it OCD, we call it 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.
When she’s not at work
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.
Charlene Rodenas
Gender and Inclusion Associate
Education and Experience
Charlene (Char) graduated in 2021 with a Development Studies degree as she was inspired by her high school field trip to a sustainable farm. After graduating, she has been exploring the many options of life through internships and her family’s businesses. She joined the Villgro team as a Fellow and moved into a full-time role soon after her graduation.
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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.
Maroushka Lu
Senior Program Associate – Incubation
Education and Experience
A graduate of DLSU-Manila from Applied Corporate Management, Maroushka was a Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Intern for Del Monte Philippines, assisting in onboarding top talent for the company and streamlining their training and hiring process. She has worked for L’Oreal Philippines as a Brand Marketing Intern under their Luxe Division for Kiehl’s, creating marketing packages, managing events, and coordinating with retail partners for the brand. Maroushka interned at 3M Philippines under their Construction and Home Improvements Department as a Trade Marketing Intern, where she handled visual merchandising, retail training, and sales excellence for their portfolio. She is also a member of the Museum Volunteers of the Philippines, a non-profit organization that aims to study the Philippines in its historical context, and does volunteer work in local museums and communities and a certified transformational coach from Innov8.org and currently does pro-bono coaching with high school students.
What she does at Villgro
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. Maroushka also leads our Fellows Program where she manages young guns and trains them to take on the challenges of working with an ever-evolving, dynamic organization such as Villgro Philippines.
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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.
Tracy Guinto
Finance & Operations Associate
Education and Experience
Tracy graduated as a valedictorian from Far Eastern University – Diliman with a degree in Business Administration majoring in Financial Management and Business Analytics (Summa Cum Laude). She interned at Specialized Industrial Casting Company located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was tasked to focus on drafting policies and procedures and automating certain financial processes. In her university years, she was an active student leader and is an advocate of the youth and access to education. Tracy has spearheaded campaigns and fundraising for the kids of ECPAT Philippines and the youth of Philippine Island Kids International Foundation Inc.
What she does at Villgro
As the Finance & Operations Associate Tracy is responsible for running the backend of programs and the organization smoothly. Our go-to person for dues and dont’s Tracy makes sure that we have an efficient and organized process.
What makes her good at what she does
As she takes charge of her life outside the academe, she aspires to leverage her skills, knowledge, and experiences in order to bridge the gap between enriching her career and living her life with a purpose.
When she’s not at work
Tracy is a scroller of Tik Tok and an extrovert who is a master organizer of meetups with friends involving multiple activities such as eating, coffee-ing, bowling, ice skating, or billiards. Racy claims that she has the energy to go out all day and socialize.
Sofia Gonzalez
Senior Program Associate
Education and Experience
Sofia graduated from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with a major in Political Science/International Relations and a minor in Southeast Asian Studies. She has worked at a US e-commerce start-up, GoBiz USA, as a Team Lead for Philippine-based Support Specialists and interned at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), helping Afghan, Iraqi, and Persian refugees resettle into a new life in the United States.
What she does at Villgro
Sofia is the Senior Program Associate for Health at Villgro Philippines’ health vertical. Her vast experience lends itself to handling specialized programs such as the AI4Health Asia accelerator, a regional program for AI-powered health startups in Southeast Asia.
What makes her good at what she does
She is a strong advocate for peacebuilding: refugee rights, free speech, healthcare access, and grassroots sports. Sofia, who was an elite gymnast for 15 years and was previously on the Philippine National Team representing the country at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and a Division 1 gymnast at UCLA, brings her sports discipline to her work and gets the job done with the grace and finesse of a superstar athlete.
When she’s not at work
She is an avid fan of slow-burn horror films, political books, solo travel, long hikes, worthwhile conversations, photography, and sports. Sofia used to be a photographer for a professional boxing gym during my time in Los Angeles and has photographed Olympic and professional boxers and covered amateur fights. When she’s not in office she is scouting locations for photography in the Philippines.
Melvin John Mota
Executive Assistant
Education and Experience
Melvin is a Magna Cum Laude – Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman (2022). He has served as the Administrative Assistant V (COSW) (Learning and Development Section – facilitating training sessions and administrative tasks, 2022-23) at the Human Resources Division – Philippine Statistics Authority. Melvin was also ANNIV 69 Overall Director in 2022 handling team management, events organizing, and Vice President for Membership that included the recruitment process, member welfare, evaluations, and alumni relations from 2020-21 at UP Psychology Society.
What he does at Villgro
As the Executive Assistant to the Co-founder of Villgro Philippines, Melvin is essentially the go-to person for all things related to high-level management. His expert handling of complex timelines, expert skills at multitasking, and uncanny ability to adapt to an insanely fast-paced growth environment make him a valuable asset to all of us.
What makes him good at what he does
Melvin is an advocate for community mental health, bridging individual well-being and the social aspects that affect it such as economic security, social justice, accessibility of resources, and human rights. He brings to the table a deep understanding and great empathy for the marginalized and contributes to our efforts to build an equitable society for all.
When he’s not at work
Melvin is a spicy food enthusiast who braves buffalo wings and loves exploring movies and music. He used to write film reviews and post them on Twitter and some of them made it to his college publication SINAG where he served as a features writer, dissecting movies and their themes or featuring a piece of media that provides insight to a timely sociopolitical issue.
Nicco Sobremonte
Program Associate for Incubation
Education and Experience
Christian Dominic Angelo Sobremonte, known as Nicco by everyone graduated Cum Laude, a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Humanities, University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in 2022. He has had a stint with research and survey work when he worked as an intern at the National Book Development Board – Philippines.
What he does at Villgro
Nicco is deeply involved in Villgro’s incubation programs and is an integral part of the team that launched the regional AI4Health Asia accelerator in 2023. His ability to work across verticals and collaborative mindset makes him a valued asset to the team.
What makes him good at what he does
Nicco has participated in various student conferences, contests, symposia, and student organizations that allowed him to hone his personal and professional skills, particularly in project and organizational management. His educational background in the Humanities has allowed him to understand and appreciate the socio-historical and cultural implications of various international and local institutions in different countries.
When he’s not at work
Nicco is an alumni singer at the UA&P Chorale, the premier choral ensemble of the University of Asia and the Pacific established in 1995. Apart from singing in the Chorale he also assists in the creation of sound files needed to learn new pieces and hone the group’s singing skills.
Martha Gonzales
Comms Associate
Education and Experience
Martha graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Asian Studies from the University of Santo Tomas. She devoted her time in college to steering the communication efforts of the UST Model United Nations and Model ASEAN Meeting as Creative Committee Head, leveraging her taste for design and storytelling to drive collective action for regional and global development. Martha was also an active member of her university’s UNESCO and UNICEF clubs, pushing for initiatives that foster international cooperation towards social transformation.
What she does at Villgro
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.
What makes her good at what she does
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 not at work
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.
Loiz Estudillo
Senior Program Associate
Education and Experience
Loiz is a graduate of Far Eastern University (FEU) – Manila with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She acquired her professional license as a Psychometrician in 2019 from the Professional Regulation Commission Philippines. As an advocate of education, she served in the education field for more than six years as an educator and officer that enabled her to gain a wide set of skills and various experiences.
What she does at Villgro
As a Senior Program Associate, 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
What makes her good at what she does
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.
When she’s not at work
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.
Jerilyn Shaine Camila
Finance & Operations Associate
Education and Experience
Jelai is an alumna of University of the Philippines Diliman, wherein she graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, cum laude. During her university years, she was an active member and held different management positions in UP Volunteers for Children, UP Investment Club and UP Circle of Entrepreneurs. She has also previously worked at a fintech startup, management consulting and market research.
What she does at Villgro
As the Admin and Finance Associate at Villgro Philippines, finance-related paperwork will be Jelai’s domain. Jelai ensures that transactions are efficiently recorded and company files are mostly complete and in order.
What makes her good at what she does
Jelai strongly advocates for accessible quality education, minimizing plastic pollution and social entrepreneurship. Her passion enables her to thrive in her current role, expose herself to opportunities that will make her gain more experience, and hopefully develop her skill set in the process.
When she’s not at work
Jelai has always been a passionate learner. Her ideal rest day includes being able to read her favorite books, watch Netflix, play Mobile Legends, and read through self-improvement articles. She also runs several blogs wherein she talks about her realizations about life. She hopes to have more time to write about her thoughts and perspectives in the future.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Say hello, stay in touch
Once you’re part of the Villgro Philippines network, you are in a powerhouse of a groundbreaking, myth shattering, norm busting ecosystem of peers whose sole purpose is to move heaven and earth to create sustainable social impact.
Villgro Philippines needs your email information to share the latest updates on our products, services and events with you. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
Get Involved
Connect with us here
Follow Us
Address
#30 WeWork, Yuchengco Tower 1
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines