Meet the First Woman Country Lead of Mondelez International

Mondelez International, the snack company behind brands like Cadbury and Oreo, names Aleli Arcilla as its VP and Managing Director.

A household staple in its own right, Mondelez Philippines Inc. has been providing Filipino families with delicious snack products for the past 59 years. Since then, it has expanded its product portfolio with favorites like Tang powdered beverages; Eden cheese, mayonnaise, and sandwich spread; Cheez Whiz spread; Oreo cookies; Tiger energy biscuits, and Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates.

Setting its manufacturing facility in Parañaque City, Mondelez International’s team comprises about 450 employees in its Philippine base—with men predominantly taking charge of the multi-national company’s operations… until now.

Woman on Top: Aleli Arcilla

Just this August, Mondelez International debuted its first woman and Filipina company lead in almost 15 years: Aleli Arcilla. Taking the reins as the company’s Vice President and Managing Director in the Philippines, her appointment strengthens the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda of Mondelez International.

How? By supporting and developing local talent and women leaders.   

“Mondelez International brands are those that I personally love and because of that, I have always admired the company as a consumer,” explains Arcilla, who added that her personal favorite snacks are Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers. “My impression of Mondelez International as a snacks powerhouse, where people are proud of the brands and the work they do, has only been strengthened since I joined.”

“The love for our brands and our consumers is palpable within the whole organization, which makes me very excited to lead the team,” she adds.

Snacking in the New Normal

With over 26 years of experience, Arcilla comes equipped with a wealth of experience and insight. After all, she mas made a name for herself with her distinguished career in Sales and Marketing, along with senior commercial roles with successful and scale multi-national companies. These include climbing up the corporate ladder—starting with a decade at Mead Johnson, a long but successful stint at PepsiCo, and most recently, a 6-year journey at Reckitt.

As an experienced General Manager and commercial leader of the Philippines market, Arcilla has dabbled in different businesses (with much success), which goes to show that her strong portfolio, commercial, and execution experience will really help the Philippine division—one of Mondelēz International’s biggest markets in Southeast Asia.

“The Philippines has a young population and culturally, food is a big part of our lives. Snacking occasions are an opportunity to bond and establish connections with family and friends,” Arcilla explains. “New consumption occasions are also developed over time. This is truer now post-COVID, where we live in a new hybrid reality of connecting. The habits and behaviors have changed, but the need for connection remains.”

“With this, the continued growth in snacking is inevitable and will be further catapulted by emerging needs in the wellness space,” she adds. As a fitness enthusiast and avid runner, Arcilla knows this very well.

“I am looking forward to taking Mondelez International in the Philippines to further heights and to participate in adding to the 59-year history of the company, particularly for [the] growth of our global brands: Oreo, Cadbury, and Toblerone,” Arcilla ends, alluding to some of the household brands that have cemented their way into the Filipinos’ minds, hearts, and stomachs.

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