Next-generation Zobel named among WEF’s 2024 Young Global Leaders

Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala

MANILA, Philippines — Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, chair of AC Mobility and among conglomerate Ayala Corp.’s next-generation leaders, is included in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) most promising Young Global Leaders (YGL) this year for making significant strides in the industry despite his youth.

The only son of Ayala chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the 32-year-old Jaime Alfonso joins about 90 other “dynamic and diverse” young leaders across the globe who have made an impact on economic development and social welfare.

“This recognition celebrates Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala’s leadership in driving AC Mobility to lead the Philippines’ [electric vehicle] transition and become not only the country’s leading mobility ecosystem, but also one of the next growth engines for the Ayala group,” the company said in a statement on Thursday night.

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Jaime Alfonso has been at the helm of AC Mobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility arm, since September 2023.

Prior to that, he was co-head of the conglomerate’s strategy and development group and oversaw the capital deployment process for new ventures.

He graduated from Harvard University in 2013 with a concentration in government and a secondary concentration in visual and environmental studies.

He also obtained his master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Business School in 2019.

Genuine stakeholder impact

The young Zobel previously told the Inquirer that it was important for his generation of leaders to ensure that their initiatives were generating “genuine stakeholder impact.”

“It is an honor that our efforts are being acknowledged here and abroad—and we credit the many generations of Ayala executives and employees that made this happen,” he said.

“For the present generation of family members and employees, we hope to follow in our forebears’ footsteps. We hope to continue along this path of impact and shared value creation, while making sure that the projects and businesses we launch are relevant and meaningful to the many people that we touch,” Jaime Alfonso added.

READ: PDI reporter named Young Global Leader

WEF noted that the youth in this year’s YGL cohort were making significant social impact and are “united in their drive to leave a lasting impact on their communities, organizations and beyond.”

Jaime Alfonso joins Netflix executive producer Peace Hyde, former Vogue China editor in chief Margaret Zhang and Olympian Lewis Pugh , among others, in the YGL Class of 2024.

According to the WEF, the delegates will have access to executive education courses, learning journeys, and opportunities to collaborate with one another during the three-year leadership development program.