Executive Team

Julia has almost two decades of experience in the fields of government, non-profit, and the academe. Prior to her stint at the Policy Center, she served as Chief of Staff to President Benigno S. Aquino III and Head of the Presidential Management Staff from 2010 to 2016.

She has also served in other government positions — as a senior staffer at the Philippine Senate from 2007 to 2010 and Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development from 2001 to 2003.

Julia was a Program Officer at the Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium and a lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University from 2005 to 2007. She also served in different positions at the Ayala Foundation, Inc. in 2000 and 2005.

She holds a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, which she attended as a Fulbright Scholar; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the Ateneo de Manila University.

She is a member of the Expert Network and the Forum of Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum; a member of the Board of Advisers at the Philippine Business for Education; and a Senior Adviser at the Albright Stonebridge Group.

Arjay is an economist specializing in public finance, industrial policy, health, and fiscal policy.

He has previously worked with Action for Economic Reforms (AER) and The Asia Foundation’s Coalitions for Change (CfC) Program. Throughout his career, he has engaged in a diverse array of activities, including research initiatives, program management, coalition building, advocacy, and political organizing.

He is also a faculty member in the Department of Business Economics at the University of Sto. Tomas where he teaches public sector economics and political economics.

He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University, which he obtained in 2022, and earned his degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, graduating cum laude in 2013.

Kier is a data analyst and a statistician with a specific interest in social science research. He has published several research articles, such as on misinformation, electoral violence, and democratic attitudes in the Philippines, on peer-reviewed international journals.

He is well versed with data visualization, surveys – including survey instrument creation and complex sampling designs – and statistical modeling particularly for inference and clustering. He obtained his BS Business Economics and Master of Science (MS) in Statistics in the University of the Philippines – Diliman.

He was a Leslie Kish International Fellow in the 2024 Sampling Program for Survey Statisticians at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Isabella Angela B. Choa is a statistician with nearly eight years of experience in medical research and public health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños in 2017 and further enhanced her expertise with certifications in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington. She is also an active member of the International Society for Clinical Biostatistics.

Since her graduation, Bella has consistently demonstrated her expertise through her work with organizations such as the Department of Health, the Research Institute of Tuberculosis, and the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association.

Currently, as a Data Analyst at the FEU Public Policy Center, she has successfully introduced automation tools to streamline the survey process for the FPPC’s long-standing CES. Furthermore, her contributions to the PEJA project involved the creation of insightful maps of Higher Education Institutions, providing valuable spatial insights.

Bella holds a strong foundation in programming and data analytics, with proficiency in languages such as R and Python. She is also adept at utilizing data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI to effectively communicate complex data findings. While her foundation lies in healthcare and public health, Bella is passionate about applying her analytical expertise to address a wider range of societal challenges, including education policy, and evidence-based policymaking across various sectors.

Thea is an economic data analyst with extensive experience in data analysis and economics research from her previous work. She had worked as a research staff in a local think tank and a market research firm, and as a consultant in a multilateral development bank before becoming a data analyst in FEU Public Policy Center. Previously, she was able to execute tasks on survey design and management, data management and analysis (using statistical tools such as STATA and R), presentation of results via public consultations, and technical writing. She is interested in the study of research methods and economic analysis.

She graduated in Ateneo De Manila University with a bachelor’s degree in management economics. She is currently finishing her postgraduate studies in De La Salle University.

Eurielle Mevena “Vena” Rillera is the Program Officer of the FEU Public Policy Center (FPPC), where she oversees the management and execution of key initiatives that support the center’s research and advocacy objectives.

Vena has successfully led major projects, including the History Textbook Review Project, which assessed the accuracy and inclusivity of historical narratives in educational materials, and the PBed-Sibika Assessment Project, focused on evaluating the state of civic education in the Philippines. She also played a critical role in the Public Innovation Field Lab, a collaboration with the Galing Pook Foundation, aimed at fostering innovation and participatory governance in local government units.

In addition to her programmatic responsibilities, Vena provides operational and strategic support to the Executive Director, ensuring the seamless alignment of FPPC’s initiatives with its overarching goals. Her strong coordination and project management skills enable effective collaboration with partners, including academic institutions and civil society organizations.

Vena’s commitment to delivering impactful programs and her expertise in managing complex projects make her an essential member of the FPPC team, advancing the center’s mission to promote evidence-based policymaking and educational reform.

Jesm Bautista is the Admin and Finance Officer of the FEU Public Policy Center (FPPC), providing essential operational and financial support to ensure the effective implementation of the center’s programs and initiatives. She oversees key administrative functions, including budgeting, procurement, and compliance, maintaining the efficiency and accountability of FPPC’s operations.

Jesm plays a vital role in supporting research projects, policy forums, and partnerships by managing logistical requirements and coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders. Her expertise in streamlining processes and ensuring resource optimization enables FPPC to focus on its core mission of advancing evidence-based policymaking and public engagement.

With her organized and results-driven approach, Jesm has contributed significantly to the smooth execution of FPPC’s activities, helping the center maintain its reputation as a trusted institution in public policy and governance.

Neil has extensive experience working with various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social movements in the Visayas Region. His advocacy focuses on integrating Gender and Development into public policy, championing youth empowerment and development, and promoting inclusive higher education.

He served as a Student Regent on the Governing Board of Regents at Cebu Normal University for three consecutive terms, providing a strong voice for student concerns and policy development. In his professional capacity, Neil is currently the Executive Assistant to the President of Far Eastern University Public Policy Center. His current role focuses on providing technical and administrative assistance to all projects and programs of the institution. He formerly served as a speechwriter, social media manager, and administrative assistant at the Office of the Commissioners at the Commission on Higher Education. He also fulfills monitoring, evaluation, and documentation roles in various NGOs, showcasing his commitment to organizational growth and impact assessment.

With a robust skill set in project management, public office administration, political organizing, and grassroots public relations, Neil has proven his ability to navigate complex political landscapes and drive meaningful change.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Cebu Normal University and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Public Administration at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Justin is a public policy and higher education professional. Aside from his engagement with the FEU Public Policy Center, he consults for elected officials and non-government organizations while teaching part-time with the UP National College for Public Administration and Governance and the UST College of Commerce.

He obtained his master’s degree in public policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and his masters degree in public administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

After 12 years in the government, Jeff now works as a communications specialist in civil society in his continued pursuit of advocating and fighting for equality and human rights.

He previously served as the Partnerships and Linkages Manager of Angat Pinas, Inc. — also known as Angat Buhay, the developmental non-government organization founded by former Vice President Leni Robredo. Before this, he was the Provincial Information Officer of Dinagat Islands under former Governor Kaka Bag-ao. Jeff also served as Communications and Legislative Officer for almost a decade in the House of Representatives.