For the second year in a row, Arsenio “Archie” Sabado, Global Chief Human Resources Officer of the Jollibee Group, has once again been named among Southeast Asia’s 100 most influential HR leaders for 2026 by ETHRWorld Southeast Asia.
Back-To-Back Wins for Jollibee Group HR: Jollibee Group Global Chief Human Resources Officer Arsenio “Archie” Sabado (left) was once again named one of Southeast Asia’s 100 most influential HR leaders for 2026 by ETHRWorld Southeast Asia. Presenting the award to Sabado is Keshav Kumar, Director – Brand Solutions and Product Marketing Strategy, The Economic Times Business Verticals, Times Internet.
The recognition was announced as part of the fourth edition of the HR Icons Awards 2026, which recognized HR leaders across the region for their impact in advancing workforce strategy, strengthening organizational resilience, driving digital and cultural transformation, and positioning human resources as a core pillar of business growth and long-term sustainability.
For Sabado, the back-to-back recognitions affirm the Jollibee Group’s continued commitment to building a workplace where people can grow and thrive.
“These recognitions reinforce our belief that strong business performance starts with strong leaders and teams,” Sabado added. “As we continue to scale globally, we remain focused on equipping our people with the capabilities, mindset, and opportunities to lead the next phase of our growth.”
Under Sabado’s leadership, the Jollibee Group continues to champion Choose Joy!, its Employee Value Proposition, anchored in a people-centered strategy for its workforce spanning 33 countries and more than 10,400 stores.
“One thing we continue to learn is that people do their best work when they feel trusted, challenged, and connected to something bigger than themselves. Our responsibility is to create an environment where teams can keep growing, adapt with confidence, and find meaning in what they do every day.”
The Jollibee Group has also been recognized globally for its workplace practices, having been listed among TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies, Fortune Southeast Asia 500, and Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies.
Notably, the Jollibee Group has recently earned the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards (GEWA) with Distinction—the highest honor given by Gallup to organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to employee engagement and workplace culture.
In the same recognition cycle, the Jollibee Group also received the Gallup Engagement Award for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting the consistency of its people-first approach and reinforcing its standing among organizations that prioritize building highly engaged workplaces.
The Jollibee Group remains the only Philippine-based company to have received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, underscoring how a Filipino brand can stand shoulder to shoulder with global organizations in creating a high-engagement workplace culture.
