In today’s increasingly competitive food and agricultural landscape, resilience is crucial. As technology accelerates and global shifts create new layers of uncertainty, companies must find innovative ways to navigate and overcome emerging threats.
Guided by the value of “Step Up and Be Accountable,” Aboitiz Foods recently hosted its inaugural Risk Management Summit 2026. The event aimed to elevate the capabilities of over 70 team members from various departments and countries, reinforcing the principle that risk management is a shared responsibility.
The summit highlighted the importance of making informed decisions based on operational and market realities. This initiative strengthens Aboitiz Foods’ internal risk culture, further embedding the Aboitiz Value of Responsibility.
Tristan Aboitiz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz Foods, highlighted the importance of holding the Risk Management Summit amid today’s environment. “The horizon ahead represents what Aboitiz Foods can become: more resilient, more agile, and more future-ready. This day is to strengthen the mindset, capabilities, and discipline required to step up, be accountable, and execute with confidence,” he stated.
The summit offered team members an opportunity to share experiences and learn from global experts through plenary discussions and interactive sessions on strategic shifts and sustainable growth.
Matt Kerly, a risk consultant from AON, analyzed how global shifts affect regional strategic priorities. He emphasized that global trends—whether in trade, technology, or weather—are not merely external “noise.” Instead, they are strategic variables that must be deeply embedded into the company’s forecasting and decision-making processes.
Similarly, experts from SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV) urged the team to move beyond “What could go wrong?” to“What could go right?” This mindset shift identifies competitive advantages within potential risks to drive sustainable growth through innovation. As Joseph Ian Canlas, Partner and Risk Consulting Leader at SGV, noted, “Sustainable growth will be achieved not just through caution, but through innovation.”
Innovation and Readiness
The Risk Management Summit served as a reminder for team members that progress goes beyond adopting new technology. As with the Aboitiz Value of Innovation, it is about thinking outside the box, trusting data-driven insights, and continuously improving day-to-day functions while striving to do Always Better.
To test this readiness, participants took part in an immersive, high-stakes simulation, focusing on digital threats in an IT-OT (Information Technology-Operational Technology) environment. Mark Anthony Javiero, Senior Director – Technology Consulting, SGV, and John Patrick Pineda, Director – Technology Consulting, SGV, spearheaded the activity, sharpening the team’s governance and crisis coordination skills under pressure.
A DNA of Risk Ownership
The summit concluded with a powerful call to action: risk ownership must extend beyond leadership and become part of the company’s DNA. As Bertrand Lim, ERM Managing Consultant at Marsh, highlighted, true resilience requires accountability at every level of the organization.
As Aboitiz Foods looks towards the future, the lessons from this summit reinforce a commitment to building a resilient organization. By fostering a culture of true ownership and staying anchored in the Aboitiz Values, the company is ready to navigate the complexities of the industry, driven by accountability and the commitment to striving to do Always Better.
“By bringing together risk champions from across Asia—representing every critical function from finance and IT to HR and supply chain—we are proving that resilience is built through collaboration, not in silos,” said Annacel Natividad, Chief Risk Officer of Aboitiz Foods. “The summit reinforced a simple truth: risk management is more than just a department; it is a shared responsibility and a collective culture.”
FAQs:
1. What is the main goal of the Risk Management Summit 2026?
The summit aimed to strengthen the company’s resilience by teaching team members how to turn potential threats into strategic opportunities.
2. How is Aboitiz Foods preparing for digital and technological threats?
Team members participated in high-stakes simulations focused on digital security in “IT-OT” (Information and Operational Technology) environments. These exercises helped improve decision-making and crisis coordination, ensuring the company is ready for modern digital challenges.
3. How does the value of “Step Up and Be Accountable” apply to risk management?
This value encourages team members to take individual ownership of potential risks within their specific roles. By “stepping up,” employees move beyond being just observers and become active participants in identifying and managing challenges.
4. What were the core topics discussed at the Risk Management Summit 2026?
The summit focused on three main pillars: analyzing global shifts (trade, technology, and climate) as strategic business variables, shifting the organizational mindset from risk avoidance to identifying competitive advantages, and enhancing digital readiness through high-stakes IT-OT simulations.
