Jollibee Group Executive Mary Ann Say Honored as CFO of the Year in Los Angeles

Mary Ann Say, former Chief Financial Officer of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® and now SVP for Corporate Development of the Jollibee Group, was named CFO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal for private company category.

Manila, Philippines. October 23, 2025– Jollibee Group executive Mary Ann Say has been named 2025 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Year for private company category by the Los Angeles Business Journal, one of the most prestigious and respected business publications in the United States. Say was cited for her role as former CFO for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® (CBTL), the flagship brand for coffee and tea of the Jollibee Group.

Say joined CBTL in 2020 following the brand’s acquisition by Jollibee Foods Corporation’s subsidiary, becoming employee #1 of the newly established global organization, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Say was tasked to lead the establishment of the global headquarters in Singapore and execute the company’s finance transformation, while ensuring stability in operations.

Prior to CBTL, Say has held positions at Hong Kong Disneyland, Philip Morris International, and Procter & Gamble. She has recently been appointed as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development under Jollibee Group’s Global Finance.

Building a Strong Finance Organization

During her tenure at CBTL, Say has been recognized for building a strong finance organization that not only attracts top talent but also develops leaders who contribute both within CBTL and across the wider industry. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening CBTL’s financial foundation and supporting its growth within the Jollibee Group’s portfolio. She managed a global organization of more than 30 finance professionals spread across the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ireland.

“This recognition is both personal and professional for me,” Say shared. “More than anything, it highlights that Filipino talent is portable—able to thrive and create an impact on the global stage—especially with the trust and encouragement of Jollibee Group’s leadership to step onto that stage.”

And the results spoke for themselves. Under Say’s financial leadership, the business achieved a year-over-year revenue improvement of 15%, drove working capital optimization across inventory and receivables, and consistently outperformed EBITDA targets even through macro disruptions.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Beyond her professional achievements, Say is committed to mentoring young finance professionals. Her advice: “Trust yourself with responsibility earlier than you think you’re ready. The fastest growth comes when you step into opportunities that feel slightly bigger than your comfort zone—that’s where you discover your real capacity.”

“This honor is a tribute to the passion and commitment of our leaders,” said Richard Shin, Chief Executive Officer for Jollibee Group International. “Their excellence continues to inspire teams across markets and drive meaningful impact in the communities we serve.