With a Statistics degree as her foundation, Kath Pedriña-Agarano, AEV’s People Analytics Officer, built a dynamic career that spanned market research, data quality, and fintech. Her unique perspective, shaped by both analytical expertise and a personal appreciation for the impact of employee benefits, became the driving force behind her work.

By turning data into meaningful insights, Kath reveals the human stories behind the numbers and creates solutions that truly connect with people. Her journey is a powerful reminder that true success lies not only in technical expertise but in understanding and addressing the needs that drive us all.

Let’s discover Kath's powerful GT story and learn how empathy and innovation can transform a career and create meaningful change.

Hello. I am Kath Pedriña-Agarano.

Before joining AEV, I was like most employees—I loved taking advantage of the amazing benefits offered, from the health perks to the professional development opportunities. But I only saw it from the perspective of an end user. At that time, I never thought  that I would be joining a Human Resource team. I do not have a background in Psychology or Human Resource Management that may land me in an HR Role.

As a Statistics graduate, I pursued job positions related to Market Research and Data Quality Control, even land in a Customer Experience and Operations Lead of a FinTech Company. I was nervous at first since I do not have formal training in finance or banking. But that leap taught me to go out of my comfort zone to explore and try new things.

From then on, I was always open to new challenges and opportunities as a career. In my mind, as long as there is data, I can work on it. Fortunately data is becoming a big thing and businesses are starting to evolve to digitalization so I am so positive that there is always a job for me.

But then 2020 happened. Pandemic happened.

Suddenly jobs are not as secured as before. There are lots of uncertainties because no one knows when it will end. Just before the pandemic, I resigned because I wanted to further my studies and earn a degree in Data Science. But it did not go as planned. So I found myself unemployed. For the first time in 7 years. And it was during the time of great uncertainty, I do not have corporate benefits that I may use in case of emergency. I do not have a company that will check on me and my family. I have never been more anxious. Thank God, no one in our family needed medical support that time.

After a few months, most companies have adapted to the new normal- they are hiring again.

UnionBank offered me a position of a Behavioral Scientist. I was excited with the opportunity to learn new things again and apply my data analytics skills. But more than anything, I was happy because I can have medical benefits again. Plus it was a full work from home set up that time! I enjoyed working side by side with Data Science teams and other teams from retail and commercial. Shout out to all colleagues from UB!

I also got the chance to work with Aboitiz SBUs. We’ve had projects with Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Power and also, with Group HR from AEV. This is when I first encountered the A+10 behaviors.

In July 2023, thanks to Fats’ referral, I was hired in AEV as a People Analytics Officer. I found another purpose. This time, I wanted to understand the process behind the HR strategies and operations, to contribute in a meaningful way– to use my data analytics skills to help in data driven decision making, especially in the benefits and initiatives that employees like me enjoy.

There are a lot of things I appreciate in AEV: the flexible work arrangements, the competitive medical benefits and the fact that you can convert them!  It was a game changer for me. But working on MyBen, I realized this is not an easy “administratively” thing to do. It takes the team a lot of time, careful considerations and data driven decisions to arrive at what conversions we can really enjoy.

So last January, it was my first time experiencing converting benefits! I converted my other benefits to a travel fund. I used this in my trip to Japan with my parents last March.

My parents were also happy to use medical cards for their free check ups. And before the year ends, I wanted to use my fitness benefit to keep myself healthy and ready for more adventures next year!

Health is wealth so I make sure to avail the medical benefits our company offers- optical allowance to buy my new glasses, dental, clinic visits, free medicines from Mercury. On the 28th, I am scheduled to have my executive check up.

Nurturing not just our physical body but also our minds, People team and other CSU also works hard to provide relevant trainings. In fact, I had the opportunity to assist in the Leadcon last May, and had the chance to hear and learn from our Leaders across all SBUs. We have Data Working Group sessions where we can appreciate how other CSUs and SBUs are also using data for their operations. Sustainability Trainings, Learning Lunes and Better Us sessions are also helpful.

Aside from these, what keeps me engaged are the events. In participating in events like our internal People Connect, Townhalls, SDCs, CSU Caravan, I get the chance to be informed of what is happening in the company. I also get to know my colleagues by their faces, their works and their stories through events like mother & fathers day, women's month and Every Step Counts! I really enjoyed the Halloween Trick or Treat last Oct 30! Creativity runs in the blood of A-Talents! AEV CSUs and SBUs decors are soooo nice.

I can say, I am still an end user of HR initiatives. But I feel like I have a bigger purpose now.

And together with the whole People team, we commit to continuously review and implement HR initiatives which are guided with data, to enhance A-People’s employee experience and support our organizational goals.

It’s been a rewarding transformation, and I’m excited to keep contributing to the success and holistic well-being of our A-People!

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