Cesar Purisima

Cesar Purisima is a Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute and a founding partner of IKHLAS Capital, an ASEAN-focused private equity platform. He currently serves on the boards of leading institutions including AIA Group, Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Universal Robina Corporation, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BPI Capital Corporation, among others. He is also a member of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Global Advisory Council, ABS-CBN’s Board of Advisors, and Singapore Management University’s International Advisory Council. Purisima served as Secretary of Finance of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016, where he also chaired the Economic Development Cluster of the Cabinet. He previously held the roles of Finance Secretary in 2005 and Trade and Industry Secretary from 2004 to 2005. During his tenure, the Philippines achieved its first investment-grade credit ratings and sustained strong macroeconomic growth. He also represented the country as Governor at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and as Alternate Governor at the International Monetary Fund.

Before public service, Purisima was Chairman and Country Managing Partner of SGV & Co., the Philippines’ largest professional services firm, and held leadership roles at Ernst & Young globally. He holds degrees from De La Salle University and the Kellogg School of Management.

He has received numerous honors, including the Legion of Honour from France and the Order of Lakandula, one of the Philippines’ highest civilian awards.