Aaron “A” Palileo is the co-founder of CIA Bootleg Manila, a brand and innovation consulting firm with headquarters in Manila and Tokyo. He is also the ASEAN Director of Creative Intelligence Associates / The Brand Architect Group, one of Tokyo’s most respected brand strategy firms.

He is the author of “The Creative Handbook: A Guide for Future Creatives” and “Connect / Disconnect: How to be a Creative and Innovative Opportunity Seeker.”

A is an Associate Guru at the Master in Entrepreneurship program at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and is a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Studies Department of Ateneo De Manila University. Aaron is also a member of Creative Education Foundation, the world’s oldest foundation dedicated to creativity and innovation. He is also a Board of Trustee at The Bayan Family of Foundations.

As a brand and innovation consultant, he has worked with the likes of Beach Hut, Mega Sardines, Rebisco, Serenitea and Unilab. He has taught and facilitated creativity and innovation workshops for Accenture, Ayala Malls, Del Monte, FWD Insurance, Globe, URC, Pepsi, and Wyeth Milk, among others.

He earned his MBA from the Asian Institute of Management, with a double major in Marketing & Entrepreneurship and took AB Interdisciplinary Studies (Minor in Business & Communications) at Ateneo De Manila University.

Paolo Abella is a filmmaker who has directed TV shows, music videos, corporate AVPs and documentaries. He produced and directed a documentary on Jose Rizal, which is regularly shown on The History Channel. He directed TV programs for Star World Asia and Channel V. Paolo also worked for both GMA 7 and ABS-CBN 2.

To date, he directs videos for major corporations and popular brands such as Ayala, Samsung, Head and Shoulders and Bench, as well as non-profit organizations like Teach For The Philippines and Ramon Magsaysay Foundation. He’s also a partner in 20/20 bar and XX:XX club in Makati. Paolo studied at UP Fine Arts and graduated from New York Film Academy.

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Creative Intelligence Associates (CIA) is Japan’s oldest and most successful brand consulting company. He is known for successful projects for Uniqlo, Aoyama Flower Market, Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank, Idemitsu, Osaki, Thinkpark, Peach, Southwood, and SAKURA craft_lab Projects.

Chen’s Innovation Prototyping framework, a process of realizing realistic project flow with careful verification, has brought success to his clients. His unique approach enabled NIKE and GAP to successfully launch their first concept stores in Japan. He helps companies understand their desirable future and envision strategic paths to get there.

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Jo has extensive backgrounds in psychology and advertising. She worked for UGAT Foundation, a Jesuit apostolate whose main thrust is to assist in strengthening the individual, family and groups. Working with UGAT’s director, Jo counselled various people and helped launch a dedicated hotline for OFWs.

She also worked in SLG Advertising, handling clients such as Rustans, SSI, WG&A (currently 2GO Travel) and Thunderbird (Unilab). As an entrepreneur, she launched Cienta Shoes from Spain in the Philippines.

Jo is a graduated of AB Psychology from the University of the Philippines, and pursued her M.A. in Psychology from Ateneo De Manila University.

Leslie has a 14-year experience in the fragrances and cosmetics industry, having held various positions in the multinational firm, Luxasia Philippines, Inc.

As the Luxasia’s Head of Customer Development, a position she held from 2012 until she retired in 2017, Leslie was responsible for the overall productivity and effectiveness of the sales organization, covering all of the company’s brands (e.g., Shiseido, Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Issey Miyaki, Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden, Davidoff, among others). She managed the various support functions essential to sales force productivity through planning, reporting, quota setting and sales process optimization. She regularly developed and implemented strategies, tactics, sales plans and sales targets in conjunction with the Country Manager and General Managers.

From 2008 to 2012, she was Luxasia’s National Sales Manager, handling a team of sales supervisors who oversaw counter management, manpower, stockholding and sales performance of 27 counters and over 100 sales associates. She spearheaded negotiations on trading term agreements, counter space allocations, brand entry and sales generating activities with all trade partners (e.g., SM Watsons, Robinsons, Rustan's and Landmark). From 2004 to 2007, Leslie was the Sales Manager of Shiseido, Decleor and Pythomer.

Before joining Luxasia, Leslie worked for Kimberly-Clark Philippines as a Key Accounts Specialist and Mega Magazines Publications as a Brand Officer. Leslie graduated from Ateneo De Manila University, AB Interdisciplinary Studies, Double Minor in Business & Communications.

Shogo, the Senior Managing Partner at CIA Inc (Tokyo), is a highly qualified architect who graduated from Toukai University and studied architecture and art in New York. Shogo has experience in the world of fine art dealing and also successfully established a retail branding system for ITOCHU Corporation.

As Senior Managing Partner at CIA Inc., he is a driving force in areas of marketing, branding, new business and strategic models for architectural developments, retail, restaurant businesses, and other service industries.

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Jay is the owner of blanc, one of the Philippines' most respected and influential art galleries. He has worked with international art galleries and has collaborated with visual artists to produce exhibitions globally.

Jay also owns The Grey Market, a chain of vinyl record stores, 78-53-86 and 78-45-33, two listening bars in White Plains and Salcedo Village. Jay regularly produces records for local musicians. He also worked as a writer for ABS-CBN. He graduated from the Asian Institute of Management's Managing the Arts Program and holds a degree in Social Science from Ateneo De Manila University.

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