The National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) in the Philippines elected its new Chairperson, Ms. Maria Nelia Rafaela G. de Leon, in its General Assembly last month.  She brings a wealth of experience and commitment to her new role. With over 30 years in banking and finance, she has held key positions in renowned institutions, including Misys Philippines (now Finastra), Keppel Bank, and Banco de Oro (BDO), specializing in quality assurance, financial systems, and operations management.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Maria has been a dedicated cooperative leader for over four decades. At San Dionisio Credit Cooperative (SDCC), she has served in multiple leadership roles, from Board Director to Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Management Committees, demonstrating a deep commitment to cooperative governance and sustainable growth.

Her cooperative engagements extend to affiliated organizations such as Escuela de San Dionisio, SDCC Holdings, and SDCC Realty Corporation, where she has taken on financial and governance responsibilities.

Ms. Maria will also replace Mr. Romulo Caceres in the ICA-AP Board. We congratulate her on assuming her new role and look forward to working with her.