Dr. Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros is a distinguished leader in Philippine education, currently serving as Director IV of the Office of the Undersecretary for Human Resources and Organizational Development (OHROD) at the Department of Education (DepEd). With extensive experience in education management, policy implementation, and capacity-building, she has been instrumental in strengthening the nation’s teaching workforce and ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all.

A career educator and administrator, Dr. Ballesteros has played a key role in shaping human resource development policies, professional standards for teachers, and organizational efficiency initiatives within DepEd. As part of her leadership, she has overseen programs that enhance teacher training, supervision, and career progression, ensuring that educators are equipped with the necessary skills to meet 21st-century educational demands. Her work also focuses on strategic planning, employee welfare, and performance management, reinforcing the foundation of quality education in the Philippines.

Beyond administration, she champions gender-responsive policies, diversity in education, and inclusive leadership, advocating for educators' professional growth while fostering a culture of excellence in public service. A sought-after speaker and consultant on education reform, she has contributed to several initiatives to improve governance, human capital development, and international collaborations in education.

Dr. Ballesteros holds a Doctorate in Education and has received multiple recognitions for her outstanding public service and leadership in the education sector. A steadfast figure in nation-building, she remains committed to empowering educators and ensuring that every Filipino learner receives world-class education anchored in equity, innovation, and lifelong learning. 

EnP Lindsay A. Barrientos is the Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (PH NatCom or UNACOM*), an attached agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Her more than 25 years in Philippine Government service include ten years as Presidential Staff Officer at the Presidential Management Staff in Malacañang and six years as Division Chief for Policy Development, Legislation, and Special Projects in the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. In UNACOM, among other key responsibilities, EnP Barrientos served as a Member of UNESCO’s 2023 Evaluation Reference Group for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and a Member of the Philippine Delegation to the UNESCO General Conference and Executive Board. She leads the Technical Secretariat of the National Committee on Marine Sciences and the Philippine Biosphere Reserve Network and serves as Alternate Focal Person for Gender and Development (GAD); Resource Person for Lifelong Learning Advocacy; and among the Focal Persons for Partnerships and Publications relative to UNESCO Programmes and Projects. 

She is a PRC-licensed Environmental Planner  (EnP) who earned her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and has a Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a member of the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) and a part-time educator in St. Scholastica College of Manila for the following subjects: Tourism Planning and Development; Philippine Culture, Tourism and Geography; Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality Industry; and Macro Perspectives and Legal Aspects of Tourism and Hospitality. 

She is an advocate for lifelong learning, global citizenship education, and sustainable ocean management. 

Dr. Christine N. Ferrer is a distinguished educator and leader with a deep commitment to advancing the field of education through professional growth and impactful contributions. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Management, from Pangasinan State University. Her academic foundation is complemented by specialized programs at esteemed institutions, including the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business, Canadian Bureau for International Education and the Asian Institute of Management.

Dr. Ferrer is recognized as a member of the 2021 Southeast Asian Women in Education initiative, supported by the YSEALI Women's Leadership Academy Alumni Network, and as a 2022-2023 fellow of the US-ASEAN University Connections Initiative of the US Bureau of Education, underscoring her influence in the global education community. With over two decades of service at Tarlac Agricultural University, where she directed external linkages and international affairs, Dr. Ferrer's strategic leadership contributed significantly to enhancing the university's global rankings and student mobility.

Now serving as the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 1, Dr. Ferrer is spearheading a localized development agenda focused on the key pillars of the Commission, with emphasis on internationalization, global citizenship education and institutional sustainability. Her initiatives aim to create a thriving higher education ecosystem in the Ilocos Region, characterized by equitable access and globally competitive graduates.

Additionally, she previously served as the OIC President of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Chair of the Philippine Consortium for Science, Mathematics, and Technology, and Co-chair of the CHED-wide GAD Focal Point System. With her innovative approach and dedication, Dr. Ferrer is an inspiring force in shaping the future of higher education in the Ilocos Region.

Mr. Marion Joseph A. Villar is a development worker with a decade of experience in public policy, program management, and government & media relations. 

He is a Program Officer for Education Governance at an international development organization called, The Asia Foundation, and is working on Reform-Ed, a project supported by the Australian Government. It supports key government institutions, including DepEd and TESDA, in improving their structures and processes to enable an education and training system that is inclusive, coherent, and responsive, ensuring that young Filipinos are equipped with the skills to thrive in an increasingly dynamic economy.

In the same organization, he worked as the Civic Education Program Officer of YouthLed, a USAID-supported project. He led in institutionalizing civic education enhancements and implemented programs that provided platforms and resources for teachers, learners, and the youth to increase their civic and political participation.

Prior to this, he served as the Program Officer of CSR Philippines, an NGO that advocates for tax education and reform. He managed programs to empower Filipinos to pay the right taxes.

He is a graduate of UP Diliman in 2015 and a Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee and is currently taking up his Master of Public Administration in UP NCPAG.

Dr. Felicia I. Yeban is a distinguished academic and practitioner with over 25 years of experience in education, human rights, and social development. Her extensive career is marked by significant contributions to teacher education, human rights advocacy, and strategic change management, both nationally and internationally.

As a dedicated Teacher Educator, Dr. Yeban has spent over two decades nurturing innovative and development-oriented teachers, education managers, and researchers in social science education. She holds the position of Full Professor at the Philippine Normal University, where she has been instrumental in developing social studies teachers at both graduate and undergraduate levels since 1989. Beyond her role as an educator, she is a leading Human Rights Educator and Advocate, having devoted over 25 years to fostering a culture of human rights within governmental and civil society sectors, encompassing education, security, business, and local governance. Her expertise has been sought by various organizations, including the Department of Education and the Commission on Human Rights, to provide crucial technical support. Her advocacy extends to promoting gender programs, safeguarding women and girls, and advancing human rights through educational initiatives for police, military personnel, teachers, and students. Dr. Yeban also functions as a Development Practitioner and Social Science Prac-academic, seamlessly integrating academic rigor with practical application in social sciences to drive rights-based development across diverse domains such as basic and higher education, indigenous communities, local governance, and public safety. Furthermore, as a Strategic Change Management Practitioner, she possesses extensive experience in performance excellence and quality assurance, evidenced by her roles as an AACCUP accreditor, PQA preparer, and ISO 9001:2015 internal auditor. Her contributions also include shaping quality assurance standards for teacher education programs within the ASEAN region. Her influence extends globally as a Technical Adviser and Consultant to numerous international and national organizations, including the UN, UNICEF, Asia Foundation, Council of Europe, Amnesty International, and various Philippine government agencies and private sector entities.

Dr. Yeban's career is punctuated by notable achievements and contributions. In 2024, she was honored with the Human Rights Catalyst Award by the Commission on Human Rights, a testament to her impactful work. Her expertise in Business and Human Rights led her to draft the code of standards for the Chamber of Mines, which was subsequently adopted by mining companies. She also held significant roles as Vice President for Corporate Social Commitments at TVI Resource Development and as a Managing Consultant for Community Development at GoldFields, where she focused on ethical business practices and social risk assessment. Her influence on Policy and Curriculum Development is evident in her role as Main Convenor for drafting the Philippine Decade for Human Rights Education Plan, and her instrumental involvement in reviewing and revising the curriculum of the Philippine Public Safety College and Philippine Army. A significant contribution to Peacebuilding includes successfully forging a peace agreement between the Subanen tribe and TVIRD, which has since become a model for rights-based mineral development in the Philippines. She is recognized for Pioneering Human Rights Education both nationally and internationally, having developed lesson exemplars that integrate peace and human rights into the basic education curriculum. Additionally, she is a Founding Member of URDUJA, the first women's group at PNU, which served as a precursor to the University Center for Gender and Development.

Dr. Yeban's academic foundation includes a PhD in Development Studies from De La Salle University Manila, an MA in Education with Specialization in Social Science Teaching from Philippine Normal University, and an AB in Political Science from Philippine Christian University. She also participated in a special program on Law and Literature at Yale University, USA. Her professional development is further enhanced by specialized training in Data Analytics (ESKWELABS) and Geographic Information System (PNU in partnership with Gannon University). Her extensive Research and Scholarly Work is reflected in a prolific publication record encompassing human rights education, teacher training, remote learning, and social studies. Her research interests are diverse, including decolonial education, indigenous education, brain-based education, and education sector transformation. Beyond her academic and professional roles, Dr. Yeban possesses strong Skills and Advocacies, demonstrating proficiency in using technology for instruction and curriculum management, developing EDUCATION 4.0-appropriate methodologies, and facilitating. She is a tech-savvy qualitative researcher and a passionate advocate for liberating education, feminism, peace, and human rights. 

Dr. Rowena R. Hibanada is an Associate Professor V and currently the Director of Global Citizenship Education Cooperation Centre-Philippines at the Philippine Normal University. She graduated cum laude in Secondary Education major in Social Science from PNU; finished MA in Values Education at University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), and PhD in Education major in Educational Leadership and Management from De La Salle University. She obtained a Certificate in Values Education and Civic Education from UA&P. 

She was Muntinlupa Outstanding Teacher (2004), Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines (2008), Dangal ng Barangay sa Larangan ng Edukasyon Awardee (2009), Outstanding Citizen of Muntinlupa - Education Sector (2014), PNU Gawad Sulo Awardee for Eminent Alumni (2017), PNU Alumni Association Chapter Outstanding Alumni Awardee (2018) and Outstanding UNESCO Educator of the Philippines (2019). 

She is a Fellow of UNESCO APCEIU Capacity building for Global Citizenship Education in 2019, and ILEP-Fulbright Distinguished Award for International Teachers/ International Leaders in Education Program of the U.S> Department of State in 2010.