**A New Era for Ayala: Mariana Beatrice Zobel de Ayala Leads the Charge**
In an exciting twist for the Philippines’ oldest conglomerate, Ayala Corp, a fresh wave of leadership is shaking things up. Mariana Beatrice Zobel de Ayala, the eighth-generation heir of the family business, has taken the helm as managing director at just 36 years old. After spending years honing her skills in various roles, including time as an equity analyst on Wall Street, Mariana made the bold decision to return home to the Philippines. When her father, Haime Agusto, invited her back, Mariana saw not just an opportunity, but a call to duty that she simply couldn’t ignore.
Mariana’s journey back to Ayala began over a decade ago, when she was a young professional navigating the fast-paced world of finance in New York. Despite the bright lights and bustling markets, something was pulling her back to the Philippines. Her father enlightened her about the myriad opportunities at home, and with a spirit of adventure and responsibility, she traded in her corporate badge for a role at Ayala Corp. Thankfully, there was no pressure—she could have easily stayed in the Big Apple. But as it turns out, it was “the right thing to do,” according to Mariana, and how right she was!
Now working from her high-rise office in Makati City, Mariana faces a significant challenge—revamping Ayala’s aging portfolio of malls, hotels, and office buildings. The expansive company, which spun off its real estate division in 1988, is embracing a new era with a plan to invest a staggering $2.5 billion in expanding and modernizing its offerings over the next five years. Among the initiatives is a major overhaul of eight of Ayala’s 34 malls and the ambitious goal of adding 700,000 square meters of gross leasable area. The goal is to keep the company ahead of its competitors and ensure that it remains a key player in the property market.
But Mariana isn’t doing this alone. She oversees a next-generation leadership group alongside her brother, Haime Alonso, and cousin, Haime Orio. While Haime focuses on electric vehicle infrastructure, Mariana is hard at work on a massive makeover for Ayala Land, the nation’s second-largest property developer by market cap. Together, the trio embodies the forward-thinking spirit of the company, ensuring that it remains relevant and responsive to modern-day needs. With technology and sustainability at the forefront of the company’s strategy, Mariana is determined to forge a new path forward, one that honors the rich legacy of the Ayala family while gearing up for an innovative future.
Having already seen success, including record revenues in 2024, Ayala’s vibrant leadership underscores a critical shift. They recognize that becoming future-proof is essential, especially with rising competition from well-financed rivals. They know they must diversify beyond cyclical residential sales, which have historically been their bread and butter. Mariana has her work cut out for her, but she is nothing if not prepared. She understands the weight of her family’s legacy and the responsibility she bears, not just to shareholders but to the wider community.
With Mariana leading the charge, Ayala Corp is set to embark on one of its most ambitious transformations yet. As the company gears up for a $1.5 billion revitalization of its retail properties and the introduction of technohubs for science and tech companies, the future looks bright. With passionate leaders like Mariana Zobel de Ayala steering the ship, there’s little doubt that Ayala is ready to fire on all cylinders in the coming years. The merging of tradition with modern innovation may just be the recipe for keeping this historic brand not just alive, but thriving, in a fast-paced world.
