When Eros Jezreel Gacutan-Ng, Certified Human Resource Professional, boarded a plane to Singapore at age 20, she didn’t know anyone. She didn’t have a mapped-out career plan, a support system, or even full confidence in her language skills. What she did have was grit—and a vision that she would grow into the kind of leader she wished she had.
“I came to Singapore alone. No connections, no clear path—just a strong desire to learn, work hard, and make something of myself,” she shared with Financial Adviser PH.
Her first jobs were entry-level—administration and recruitment roles where she learned everything from the ground up. Far from being discouraged, Eros took those early experiences as building blocks.
“I didn’t start with a title—I started with resilience. I took on every task with the mindset that it was part of something bigger,” she said.
Over time, Eros didn’t just grow within organizations—she built them. She led recruitment initiatives across Southeast Asia, developed HR departments from scratch, and transitioned into strategic leadership roles. Today, she serves as Head of People & Talent Strategy at Annexion Partners, overseeing full-spectrum HR operations across the region.
Her role spans recruitment, onboarding, training, compensation and benefits, HR tech, compliance, and coaching. But what drives her most is designing systems that help people—and organizations—grow.
“Talent acquisition, learning and development, and organizational design are my passions. It’s not just about filling roles—it’s about building the right environment for people to succeed,” she said.
Though her journey into HR was unplanned—she studied accounting in college—Eros discovered her calling through experience.
“I realized I was most fulfilled when I was solving people problems, building systems, and making workplaces more human. HR became the perfect intersection of structure, empathy, and impact,” she said.
Along the way, she balanced full-time work while earning her MBA and professional certifications—including CHRP. Every step helped sharpen her leadership and deepen her strategic thinking.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned early is that you don’t have to be perfect—just willing to grow. That mindset has guided everything I do, especially how I lead teams,” she said.
Her approach to people management is rooted in empathy and transparency. She fosters open communication, designs wellness-first policies, and ensures every initiative is aligned with both people and business outcomes.
“Wellbeing and performance go hand in hand. A thriving workplace starts with trust, clarity, and care,” she added.
In a rapidly evolving HR landscape, Eros is especially excited by the shift toward AI-driven transformation, hybrid work models, and a renewed emphasis on mental health.
“Technology is reshaping how we do HR, but what matters most is how we use those tools to bring people closer—not just to their work, but to each other,” she said.
From a young woman navigating a foreign city alone to a strategic leader shaping HR across Southeast Asia, Eros’s journey is one of quiet strength and relentless growth.
“Everything I’ve achieved came from showing up consistently—even when it was uncomfortable. I hope my story shows others that you don’t need the perfect background to lead. You just need to start.”
