What Is the Future of HR? Sprout Solutions Explores HR Leadership at Next Gen HR Summit 2025

Hosting the Next Gen HR Summit 2025, Sprout Solutions explores the future challenges and opportunities for the HR community.

With change happening in today’s business landscape at an accelerated pace, human resources solutions must keep pace with the latest innovations. Artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring, a renewed focus on workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), plus evolving HR trends in data-driven decision making and workplace flexibility are just a few of the issues facing the HR community. Rising to the challenge of these HR trends, Sprout Solutions, a leading provider of HR and business solutions, hosted the Next Gen HR Summit 2025 on February 27, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza, Manila Galleria. 

With the theme “Redefining HR Leadership, Strategy, and Skills for the Workforce of Tomorrow,” the HR Summit brought together business leaders to explore the future of HR leadership, strategy, and skills. The summit featured key speakers such as Patrick Gentry, CEO & Co-Founder of Sprout Solutions; Renzo Belardo, VP of Growth at Sprout Solutions; and Philip Amores, Vice President for People and Culture at KMC Solutions.

Speaking about the role of the HR Summit in the industry, Patrick Gentry, CEO & Co-Founder of Sprout Solutions, said, “The Next Gen HR Summit 2025 provided a valuable platform for HR and business leaders to connect, learn, and share insights on the evolving landscape of HR. We are proud to have facilitated this important discussion and look forward to continuing to support the HR community in the Philippines.”

Exploring the Future of HR

The Next Gen HR Summit 2025 provided a wealth of insight and knowledge to its attendees. Opening the HR Summit with his keynote speech, Philip Amores, Vice President for People and Culture at KMC Solutions discussed “The HR Leader’s Role in Shaping the Future Workforce,” which proved to be a masterclass in providing insights to prepare for a future shaped by innovation, adaptability, and people-first leadership. 

In the HR Summit’s first session, “Winning the Talent Race: Overcoming Top Hiring Challenges in 2025,” a panel of business leaders discussed strategies on how to attract top professionals to their organizations. Maria Lourdes Ann “L.A.” Cruz, Vice-President, Human Resources, of Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Inc. moderated a group of distinguished HR practitioners from a wide selection of industries, including Patrick Dimayuga of Cargill, Ken Bajar of SM Retail, and Gissell Katrina Valeza of Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.

Exploring how a digital-first approach is transforming HR, the next session discussed hot topics such as AI-driven recruitment and data-driven decision-making. Panelists included Atty. Jay- Ryan Trinidad, Director of Legal and Compliance at Sprout Solutions; Enrique Antonio Reyes, Vice President and People Growth and Productivity Champion of Converge ICT; Annie Caw, Chief Human Resources Officer of CIMB; and Nonong Noriega, former HR Head of PLDT Global and Head of PLDT Employee Development.

The final session, moderated by Darwin Rivers, CEO of Darwin Rivers + Associates Consultant to Management, discussed upskilling and its impact on the development of employees within the workplace. Panelists included Lance Christian Penaflor of Schneider Electric, Danica Paula Solis of GCash (Mynt-Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), and Charlene Rivera of Goway Travel.

Aside from the panel sessions, the HR Summit also featured more informal breakout sessions where  attendees gained practical insights from real-world success stories. These discussions placed the focus on strategies, challenges, and measurable outcomes in HR innovation.

Next Gen HR Summit 2025 was a unique opportunity for the HR community to come together and answer the changing needs of the industry. Each session gave attendees invaluable tools and knowledge to help their businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of work.

About Sprout Solutions

Sprout Solutions is the largest and most trusted B2B SaaS company in the Philippines. Founded in 2015, the company is committed to impacting lives and improving businesses by helping organizations and their employees succeed through AI-enhanced HR and business solutions.