UnionDigital Bank, the digital bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, has elevated Michael Angelo Malicsi to the role of CHRO.

“Service to people, faith in people, gratitude for people,” Malicsi wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his new position.

Prior to the move, Malicsi served as head of talent and culture at UnionDigital, providing strategic leadership and oversight of all HR functions.

With a career spanning two decades, his expertise ranges from strategic HR management and organisational development, to business communication and resource mobilisation.

In the HR profession, Malicsi specialises in talent management; culture and engagement; performance management; learning; employee relations; and HR governance.

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A recognised culture builder

Malicsi is best known for conceptualising and implementing culture-building initiatives at UnionDigital. Among them are the promotions of ‘UD Life’ and ‘One UD’.

One UD is UnionDigital Bank’s flagship culture campaign.

“Every organisational culture will only be as rich and meaningful as the people who collectively drive and shape it,” Malicsi said of the campaign aimed at fostering unity as one of the bank’s corporate values.

“This landmark initiative was mounted by such brilliant and passionate individuals and I am proud to have journeyed alongside them to realise this vision.”

Malicsi has been instrumental in driving up employee engagement scores in the years he served as talent and culture head.

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Apart from viewing culture as the pulse of the organisation, Malicsi is also in charge of measuring organisational effectiveness and spearheading talent acquisition and optimisation programmes.

“I partner with senior leaders and serve as their consultant and adviser on these areas,” Malicsi said.

Serving in Philippine academia

Not only is he a fixture in the corporate sphere – he is also an active member of the academia, serving as a lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. He is also a licensed professional teacher.

A lifelong learner himself, Malicsi is a valued member of the People Matters community in the Asia Pacific region, having received the People Matters Employee Experience Certification in July 2020.

His insights into people leadership have been published widely in Philippine media and educational publications.