For Mike San Diego, Certified Financial Consultant and CFO of EON Group, standing on a stage used to be his greatest fear. As an introverted student growing up in a large family, public speaking was never part of his comfort zone.
“I was an introverted student who hesitated to participate in class,” San Diego told Financial Adviser PH. “But I was motivated to excel in college to maintain my academic scholarship and prove myself worthy of World Vision PH’s support.”
That motivation led him to graduate cum laude from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in 1987—a proud moment he shared with his late father, who walked with him onstage to receive his medal.
While his early career revolved around finance roles—starting as a general accountant and progressing to internal audit manager, advisory manager, and eventually CFO—his path took an unexpected turn: he began teaching.
It started in the mid-90s, when he began giving training sessions to regional bookkeepers and later to distributors on business management. Despite his nerves, the sessions opened a new door. “My first public appearance actually led to a feature in a Hong Kong publication,” he shared. “That encouraged me to keep going.”
From there, San Diego’s reputation as a lecturer grew. He began receiving invitations to finance conferences, panel discussions, and keynote speaking engagements. He chaired the CFO Innovation Conference in 2023, delivered a keynote at the Global CFO and Digital Transformation Summit in Kuala Lumpur, and was recently featured as the Opening Keynote Speaker and panelist at the ASEAN Finance Innovation Summit.
Today, he trains and coaches CFOs and finance professionals across Asia, regularly leading certification programs and workshops with organizations like Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
“I feel transformed when I’m lecturing,” San Diego said. “I may be naturally introverted, but teaching brings out a different version of me—someone confident, passionate, and purpose-driven.”
Beyond the spotlight, he still prioritizes balance. He finds joy in weekend family time, gardening, caring for his 15 dogs, and simply enjoying a good meal. His mantra? “PRAY, EAT, LOVE. FORGIVE AND FORGET. LEARN AND RELEARN. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK GOD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS.”
Reflecting on his journey, San Diego is certain of one thing: the path he’s on—blending finance, leadership, and teaching—is exactly where he wants to be. “Learning is what keeps me alive and happy,” he says. “And now, I’ve found my passion in sharing those learnings with others.”
