The Rags2Riches Board of Directors and Founding Partners

 Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ (Chairman of the Board): Formerly Executive Director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, the socio-political and economic arm of the Philippine Jesuit order. Prior to becoming a Jesuit, Fr. Xavier worked for over a decade in the corporate planning divisions of one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. He has an undergraduate and master's degree in Economics. He is motivated by his desire to alleviate social problems and injustices through market-based, sustainable solutions. Currently, Fr. Xavier's is in Palawan, Philippines, to continue his mission of creating social change through social entrepreneurship. Fr. Xavier is also a TED Global Fellow for 2009.

Mark Ruiz (Vice Chairman of the Board, Mentor for Sales and Marketing): Co-founder and Managing Director of MicroVentures, Inc., the company that operates Hapinoy, a micro-business franchisor for rural communities. Mark was a senior executive for sales and marketing at a multinational company for 7 years, prior to becoming a social entrepreneur. He provides strategic guidance and access to his networks in the corporate and social enterprise spheres. He is motivated by creating high quality jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for Filipinos. Mark graduated BS Management Engineering 1999 from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Melizza May Mendoza (Board Member, Mentor for Sales and Marketing): Senior Manager for Community Relations in one of the country’s top telecommunications company; prior to that had 12 years' experience in trade marketing and sales. She was part of the core volunteer team for R2R, joining the cause in February 2007 as a means of giving back.

 Paolo Benigno Aquino (Board Member, Mentor for Community Relations) - President of MicroVentures, Inc., the company that operates Hapinoy, and formerly Commissioner and Chairman of the National Youth Commission. He hosts "Start-Up", a TV show featuring stories and content to help and inspire budding entrepreneurs. Paolo brings 5 years of work experience in the public policy and development sector. Paolo graduated BS Management Engineering, summa cum laude and Batch Valedictorian of the Ateneo de Manila University in 1999.

Timothy Agulto (Board Member, Mentor for Community Relations Officers): Head of Partnerships for Hapinoy, a prominent social enterprise in the Philippines. TJ graduated with a degree in Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2001, and was previously a Christian Living teacher and student council moderator at Xavier School, where he graduated high school valedictorian. His background is in personal formation and development; and he provides guidance to the management team about community relations, and developing the material for the Rags2Riches Enterprise Activation Program. He is motivated by empowering poor communities through holistic development - not just economic prosperity but also personal formation.

 Mary Fatima Gomez (Board Member, Mentor for Finance): Brand Manager for one of the country’s largest multinational corporations graduated BS Economics from the De La Salle University, Manila in 2005. Fatima has been part of R2R since November 2007, and was one of the people who invested to incorporate the business, which is the primary thing that motivates her as a board member - that R2R isn't about "just helping", but it's an actual investment that comes with real accountabilities.

Mary Ann Lim (Board Member): Currently based in Canada, and have nearly 20 years' experience management consulting, corporate planning, and entrepreneurship. She has worked for distinguished organizations as a management consultant. She graduated AB Management Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1989, and has an MBA in Finance from the Loyola University Chicago. She joined R2R as her way of making a difference using her skills in business and finance. Mary Anne was initially VP for Product Development, recommending that the mothers stick to making just woven rugs, and weaving them only in solid colors.

 Angeline Benavides-Bulan (Board Member): A former Relationship Manager in a multinational bank, Ange graduated with degrees in Liberal Arts and Commerce from the De La Salle University in 1991. She has 13 years' experience in the finance industry as a money broker and investment manager. She, along with Mark Ruiz and Mary Anne Lim, were the first three who visited Payatas with Fr. Xavier in February 2007. She saw in R2R a way to fulfill her life's purpose, which is to help the less fortunate.

Reese Fernandez (President): An honors graduate of BS Management 2007 from the Ateneo de Manila University, Reese was one of the ten founding partners of R2R, and is one most prominent advocate for social entrepreneurship in the Philippines today. She was also chosen as one of the 20 Global Young Social Entrepreneurs in 2008 by theInternational Youth Foundation. 

Cynthia Cabrera (Chairman of the Board of the Payatas women cooperative): Cynthia was one of the first women to join R2R when it began, and has been one of its most outspoken advocates - both to communities in Payatas, and more recently to communities that R2R is expanding to. She stays with R2R because she has experienced real economic benefits from it as a skilled and dedicated weaver; but beyond that, also values the sincerity of the R2R team in working with communities, to empower and not to take advantage of them. She is a credible advocate of R2R to community members, and provides the voice and perspective of the communities during the board meetings.