How Charmaine Valmonte is steering a century-old firm ’ s evolution from traditional infrastructure to AI-powered tech enterprise while maintaining security
CHARMAINE VALMONTE
ABOITIZ GROUP
How Charmaine Valmonte is steering a century-old firm ’ s evolution from traditional infrastructure to AI-powered tech enterprise while maintaining security
The transformation of century-old enterprises into digital businesses has become a defining challenge of corporate strategy . In Southeast Asia , where traditional conglomerates maintain significant economic influence , this evolution carries implications for national infrastructure and development . The Aboitiz Group , with 44 business units spanning power generation , banking , food , land , and infrastructure , highlights this shift .
From its beginnings in Philippine agriculture , through shipping and maritime operations , to its current position managing critical infrastructure , Aboitiz has adapted to technological change . Today , the company positions itself as the Philippines ’ first “ techglomerate ” – integrating AI and data science across sectors that range from renewable energy to digital banking .
Securing this transformation falls to Charmaine Valmonte , Chief Information Security Officer at Aboitiz Equity Ventures . “ We ’ re using technology to accelerate and enhance innovation through our people ,” she explains , describing the company ’ s shift from traditional operations to technologyenabled growth .
Operating at the scale of protecting systems that touch millions of lives across Southeast Asia , Charmaine brings military precision to this corporate mission . “ I spent 21 years in the US Army as a signal officer , providing telecommunications , data and voice to our troops wherever we deployed , whether in the middle of the desert , Europe or Asia ,” she says . This background in military communications evolved into cybersecurity leadership as technology shifted . “ We started in information security around 2001-2004 . Back then it wasn ’ t known as cybersecurity .”
The stakes extend beyond corporate strategy . With interests from renewable energy to digital banking , the security of Aboitiz ’ s systems impacts national infrastructure . The company aims for
CHARMAINE VALMONTE
TITLE : CISO , ABOITIZ GROUP
Valmonte is the chief information security officer at Aboitiz Group . Her specialties include information security , government liaison , IT program management , disaster recovery , IT security , risk and compliance , IT governance , security operations , and threat intelligence .
4 aboitiz . com