Careers are rarely straight lines, and for Joanna Marie Estrada, CHRP, the path into talent acquisition began with curiosity and a desire to help others. What started as headhunting soon turned into a passion for shaping lives and organizations. “I saw how one bold decision could transform lives and steer the course of an organization,” she recalls.
Her early years in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) built the foundation of her approach—people-first and insight-driven. She soon transitioned into technical recruiting for a petroleum company, a move that forced her to think strategically and adapt to specialized hiring needs. Seeking to grow further, she took a leap to Singapore, where regional and cross-border hiring honed her skills even more.
Eventually, Estrada returned to the Philippines, carrying the lessons she learned abroad. In banking, she steadily climbed the ladder—from recruiter to Talent Acquisition Partner Head and Project Manager, now serving at an AVP level. “Every step has shaped how I lead today with empathy, agility, and a deep commitment to building teams that move businesses forward,” she says.
Choosing Growth Over Comfort
For someone naturally introverted, building a career in people-focused work was an intentional challenge. “I’ve always believed that growth happens when we challenge ourselves,” she admits. Human resources became a way to connect meaningfully with others, listen to stories, and learn from experiences.
She credits one lesson with shaping her leadership style: “Listen more than you speak.” What began as a necessity for an introvert became her compass in guiding tough conversations and building trust. “Being present, observant, and genuinely listening helped me understand people better. That’s what allowed me to move from a quiet contributor to a strategic leader,” she reflects.
The Role Today
Her current work goes far beyond filling roles. Estrada oversees the strategic and operational management of talent acquisition partners, ensuring seamless recruitment from sourcing to onboarding. Beyond the day-to-day, she leads high-level projects, builds scalable processes, and partners with leaders to align talent practices with long-term organizational goals.
Her passion, however, remains rooted in recruitment. “Talent acquisition is where I feel I can create the most impact,” she explains. “It’s not just about hiring—it’s about connecting people with purpose and seeing them thrive.”
Leadership With Empathy
Estrada’s philosophy of leadership centers on empathy and empowerment. “I lead with empathy, empower growth, and foster a culture of trust and belonging,” she says. For her, it’s about aligning people practices with core values while adapting to the needs of both individuals and the business.
That mindset has made her work deeply fulfilling. “The most rewarding part of my career is making a positive impact on people’s lives,” she shares. Whether it’s guiding someone toward growth, shaping a healthy workplace, or quietly driving organizational success, she sees her role as creating space for others to flourish.
The Future of Talent
The field of recruitment faces constant challenges. Despite advanced technology, Estrada notes that finding qualified talent—especially for niche or emerging roles—remains difficult. “The rapid pace of change means many candidates lack the skills needed today,” she observes. “Upskilling and reskilling programs are essential, but they are also resource-intensive.”
Still, she views these challenges as opportunities to push the profession forward. For her, the answer lies in continuous learning, empathy-driven leadership, and building a workplace culture that values both performance and people.
Her story is proof that careers don’t just shape professionals—they shape lives. And for Estrada, the greatest reward isn’t just filling a role but building futures.
