Roda appointed as new Grab PH Country Head

MANILA: Grab Philippines is now under the leadership of Ronald Roda – replacing Grace Vera Cruz who, in turn, had also climbed up the firm’s corporate ladder.

In a statement, Grab said that the succession is part of the company's commitment to nurture talent and “demonstrates the depth of Filipino leadership in the organization.”

Roda’s credentials

Prior to his new role, Roda has already held a key role in the company as its chief operating officer and has led the GrabCar business for over six years. 

The company noted that it was under Roda’s tenure that Grab was able to expand its reach from eight to more than 200 cities in the Philippines.

During the pandemic, when the GrabCar business was temporarily halted, Ronald adapted swiftly to sustain business operations, Roda transformed the Grabcar into a more reliable and affordable service post-pandemic.

In line with the company’s commitment to the Philippine government of creating 500,000 livelihood opportunities over the next five years, he also played a crucial role in creating over 72,000 livelihood opportunities in the first half of 2024, bringing the total to over 270,000 since 2023.

“I am honored to take on the role of Country Head for Grab Philippines, and I am committed to continuing the great work and building on the strong relationships established under Grace’s leadership,” Roda said.

“My goal is to continue making Grab a true partner for growth, providing innovative solutions that benefit Filipinos across the nation. Together, we will further enhance the quality of life for our consumers and driver-partners, and strengthen the pathways for success for our MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) and corporate partners, ensuring that Grab remains a vital contributor to the Philippines’ socio-economic development,” Roda added.

Vera Cruz takes higher post

Meanwhile, Vera Cruz moved into a regional position as Head of Regional Corporate Strategy. She steered Grab Philippines for the past four years.

In her regional capacity, Vera Cruz will continue to be headquartered in the Philippines to ensure a smooth transition and operational continuity. 

Per Grab, her ongoing presence signifies her “continued commitment to supporting the Philippine market and strengthening Grab’s long-standing partnerships.”

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support, collaboration, trust, and openness from all our partners and stakeholders who have believed in Grab’s success during my tenure,” Vera Cru stated. 

“Reflecting on the commitment I made when I joined Grab, I am proud of the strides we have made together to drive innovation, enhance services, and uplift the lives of Filipinos. As I transition to my new regional role, I am filled with confidence, optimism, and excitement for Grab Philippines and our new Country Head. Ronald’s dedication and deep understanding of the industry make him the perfect leader for this next chapter. I encourage everyone to extend to him the same level of support and trust that you have generously given me as we continue our journey to drive growth and success for Grab and the Filipino community,” she ended.

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