A distinguished Filipino HR professional based in Dubai has been honored as one of the Top Most HR Leaders in the Middle East Leadership Awards 2024 conferred by the World HRD Congress. Kieth Walter Ayuso, CHRP, CHRM, CHRC, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field, placing him among the region’s elite HR leaders. This prestigious accolade celebrates Ayuso’s commitment and innovative approach to human resources.
Ayuso, currently serving as the Directeur des Ressources Humaines – Middle East at Sabena technics, expressed his elation at receiving the award.
“This accolade solidifies my genuine intention to always be of service to people – which remains the pillar of success for any organization,” he stated in an exclusive interview with The Global Filipino Magazine.
“It’s high time we redefine the value of HR, especially in this ever-growing generation. This recognition has been extra remarkable especially since I share the distinguished list along with my previous HR leaders and mentors at Emaar where I served my seven fruitful years as the Corporate HR.”
As the only Filipino included in this distinguished list, Ayuso reflected on how his cultural background has influenced his approach to HR leadership.
“Our DNA as a Filipino plays a significant factor in how I define our HR strategies – we are generally hospitable, warm, and carry a winning smile day in and day out,” he said.
“These relatable traits have been my anchor in shaping how we do business and the business we do, which is to be an effective HR professional in the Middle East who caters to a diverse cultural background onboard.”
Ayuso’s career is marked by numerous achievements and projects, particularly in company culture management.
“To date, one of the highlights of my professional career will always be company culture management which is rooted in my pursuit of championing the welfare of the people without compromising the company’s best interest,” he explained.
“This may be years in the making, however, this endeavor has garnered my reputation in the different industries in the Middle East collectively.”
When asked about the leadership qualities that helped him stand out, Ayuso emphasized the importance of staying humane amidst challenging times.
“Being humane allows us to keep on being relatable, staying sensitive, and be open to feedback and improvement,” he said.
“At the end of the day, our good intentions do count and will always be the alpha and omega of our strategies.”
Looking ahead, Ayuso plans to leverage this recognition to further his impact in the HR industry.
“I am always inspired by Doug Conant, the CEO of Campbell’s Soup when he said, ‘To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace,’” he shared.
“This recognition allows me to broaden my advocacy on effective employee experience as I venture into my new endeavors with Aviation and Aeronautics. We will continue to win the people and keep the streak of the winning mindset for the business!”
The Middle East Leadership Awards 2024, organized by the Leadership Federation, is a prestigious event that recognizes outstanding achievements by leaders and companies across various industries. This year’s ceremony, held in Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, features numerous award categories and esteemed speakers, providing ample networking opportunities for participants.
