The president and CEO of Global Sapphire, Inc. (GSI) enters her golden decade this October as a compassionate leader who readily gives back and shares the limelight with her team — and rewards them handsomely for their loyalty.
By Francine Y. Medina
Photography by Dix Perez
There’s something sexy about turning 50! Just ask the charming and vibrant Mary Ann Magsino Palad, president and CEO of multi-million-dollar IT company Global Sapphire, Inc. (GSI).
How does she intend to celebrate the big “five-oh” on Oct. 28?
“Why, with a bang, of course,” she says, feigning an in-your-face look, followed by peals of laughter from her friends, this writer and Ann herself.
The rest of the details she reveals seem like exquisite pearls being unstringed one at a time. But surely, Ann, the serious straight-A student, scholar and topnotcher from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) has come a long way. And, yes baby, this birthday girl deserves it.
Before her trailblazing feats in the industry, Ann earned her degree in BS Mathematics, Major in Computer Science from UST. Coming from a middle-income family, Ann already showed she was a diligent student at a young age. “I earned my scholarships because of my grades from elementary up to high school. My parents had the privilege of not having to pay a single centavo back then,” she says.
Ann wanted to pursue Medicine in college but chose to accede to her parents’ wishes instead. Her father, in particular, suggested that she take up Computer Science because it would lead her to a booming industry. “I said to myself, why not? I was an obedient child. There wasn’t any Computer Science course in UST at the time, so I had to take it another route. I took up BS Math then majored in Computer Science eventually. But it did me good because it gave me the foundation that would help me do what I’m doing now,” she shares.
Hear her roar
She worked for Online Advanced Systems shortly after graduating. However, it was at her second job at Oracle, that Mary Ann experienced culture shock, as she was the only woman in sales.
Oracle, a multi-billion-dollar global company that specializes in systems integration, had just landed in the Philippines at the time. Ann was assigned to handle sales along with her male colleagues.
Back then, the norm was to “wine and dine” with clients. Having led a sheltered life during her campus days, Ann wasn’t too used to spending nights out with the guys to talk shop or seal deals. Ann is thankful that her male boss would always join her during those occasions.
But then, Ann says, she learned a lot during those days. The shy, studious girl also learned from the school of hard knocks, eventually coming out of her shell and developing grit. By then, she had mastered the art of staying the course and remaining on par with her colleagues, if not better, no matter what challenges went her way.
She also met her husband, Ricky del Rosario Palad, along the way — in a plot that could be straight out of any of the films starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.
“We met in the office. What’s funny is that I didn’t like him in the beginning. I found him too much of a party person. He was considered one of those last bachelors in our workplace. You know, the guys who would party till 5 a.m. in places like Euphoria and show up at the office promptly at 7:30 a.m.
“One fateful day, our beepers got mixed up. And he was scheduled to leave for South Korea. So it took a while for us to get our beepers back. We ended up being assigned by our boss to an event and that’s how I got to know him better.”
Sparks didn’t immediately fly, but love certainly blossomed over time. Ann saw Ricky’s good side. “I learned that he was supporting his sibling’s studies, he was close to his family, and he washed his own clothes. I realized he had a good side after all.”
Ricky patiently courted Ann for four months. After four years as a couple, they tied the knot and will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2024.
The secret to a lasting marriage, Ann reflects, is this: “I would think it’s always give and take. Do the things you want to do together. You have to accept your differences and respect one another.”
Ricky and Ann are blessed with three children: Bianca Monique, who’s graduating this year with a degree in Economics, major in Business Analytics at the University of New South Wales in Sydney; Vince Matthew, currently in pre-med as a BS Occupational Therapy student at the University of Sydney; and Miguel Luis, a Grade 11 student at De La Salle Zobel.
Tough times
Early in their marriage, Ann, at Ricky’s prodding, decided to quit her job so they could start their own family. Her doctor also asked her to slow down if she wanted to conceive a child. And that’s exactly what she did for two years. Ann rebooted her life as a full-time homemaker, learning how to cook better and discovering new hobbies to enjoy.
Once the motions were set in the Palads’ home though, the young mother and wife started to set her sights outside of home. Ann and a friend went into events organizing, before finally planting the seeds of what would soon be her crowning glory as a businesswoman — GSI. “We were fortunate because IT was still booming but there weren’t a lot of players doing systems integration. Doing the hardware, software and combining them as one package for the companies. I strongly felt we were going to do the right thing at the right time. And that’s how GSI came about,” shares Ann, who was pregnant with her second child back then.
When Ricky and Ann founded GSI in 2003, Ricky was the president and CEO and Ann was VP handling the operations.
Recently, Ricky relinquished the role to set up another business. Ann took full rein as president and CEO of the company, which is now among the most respected local IT Systems Integrators in the country. Among its clients are Globe, SM, Maya, UniLab, PGA, The Medical City and St Luke’s Medical Center, to name a few. GSI is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The $6.5-million company is also setting its sights on other frontiers by launching GSI offices in Canada and Australia in the next few months. “I feel like I’ve reached a certain peak locally already. It’s time to go global,” Ann declares.
How did they make it this far? “It’s the people. They are our number one asset. I don’t consider myself a boss but a mentor. We treat each other like family. The malasakit (care) is there. That makes a difference. That sets us apart as an organization and from the usual employee-and-employer connection.”
And it’s not just lip service either. “On my 50th birthday, I’m launching a spin-off company where I’ll be sharing the limelight by giving shares to my people who’ve been very loyal to us since we started GSI. Because I love them, I see the love back. They’ve stayed with me this far. I want to give back,” Ann reveals.
Hair and makeup by Floe Tapayan
