In the sprawling heartland of Tuguegarao, where the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao nurtured the minds and dreams of its students, an exceptional alumnus, Ray Berja, stands as a testament to the power of humble leadership and the strength of community support. His remarkable journey, marked by accomplishments and accolades, is a true inspiration to those who believe in the magic of people-first leadership.
Ray Berja is an outstanding leader with a humble heart who credits his success to the many individuals who have empowered and inspired him throughout his life. With an innate ability to motivate and encourage his teams, he has consistently driven positive change and championed digital transformation and innovation through stewardship, consensus-building, strategic collaboration, and open communication with stakeholders.
Recently, Ray received the Circle of Excellence Award for the Global Filipino Executive of the Year at the prestigious Asia CEO Awards in 2023. This recognition places him among the Philippines’ top leaders, further solidified by his inclusion in the inaugural list of the Philippines’ Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn for 2022 and Aspire Asia’s Top 50 Finance Leaders in Southeast Asia.
Ray’s journey within the AirAsia Group over the past four years has been nothing short of remarkable. He began as the pioneering Country Head Managing Director of AirAsia Superapp Philippines, now known as AirAsia Move. His exceptional leadership continued to shine as he took on the role of Regional CFO and Group Head for Tax, Procurement, and Compliance of Airasia Superapp in the Asia Pacific in 2022. Prior to that, he served as the CFO of Philippines AirAsia, guiding the airline through challenging times and ensuring its survival in the face of a global pandemic.
Ray’s tenure as AirAsia Philippines’ Chief Financial Officer has been marked by resilience and growth. Under his stewardship, the company not only weathered the impacts of the pandemic but also strengthened its financial health and supported its ambitious growth plans. Before joining AirAsia, Ray was recognized as the Best Fintech CFO of the Year at the Global Excellence Awards in 2019 for his stellar performance as the CFO of Mynt, the company behind GCash. In 2020, he received the South East Asia Aviation CFO of the Year award, further cementing his position as a finance leader of extraordinary caliber. His diverse professional journey includes stints at external audit firms, multinational companies, media giant ABS-CBN, fast-food titan Jollibee, and telecommunications pioneer PLDT Global.
Ray’s impressive educational background includes a master’s degree from the Ateneo De Manila University Graduate School and Regis University in the USA, as well as a diploma in Financial Technology from the said Business School at the University of Oxford. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the Philippine School of Business Administration and underwent Military Science Reserve Officer Training at the Philippine Military Academy. Ray holds esteemed certifications as a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Management Accountant from Australia, and a Certified Financial Consultant from Canada. Through all his journeys and feats, Ray remains grounded and steadfast in his faith, acknowledging the power of God in Christ Jesus that has been at work within him and provided favor in all his pursuits. He remains deeply grateful to the many people who have encouraged and supported him throughout his remarkable career.
Ray Berja’s story is not just a reflection of his personal achievements; it’s a tribute to the potential that can be unlocked when leaders prioritize people and community. His journey serves as a shining example for all aspiring leaders, showcasing the power of humble beginnings, a strong support network, and unwavering determination to achieve excellence.
