Johrycel Aisporna didn’t just grow up in Southville International School and Colleges—she grew into the leader she is today because of it. From Grade 2 through graduation, Southville’s values became her compass. The 5Cs (Character, Competence, Collaboration, Creativity, and Commitment to Achieve) and the 5S (Sort, Systematize, Sweep, Standardize, and Self-discipline) weren’t just classroom concepts. They became habits that shaped her leadership style, work ethic, and vision for building thriving teams.

But before Southville could shape her future, her parents made sacrifices to give her that opportunity. Their decision to invest in her education at Southville – through countless sacrifices known only to them – became the foundation upon which everything else was built. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” Johrycel reflects. “Every door that opened, every opportunity I seized, started with their belief that I deserved the best education they could provide.”

Today, Johrycel serves as Head of People and Culture at Adaca, one of Australia’s fastest-growing tech companies. She joined as employee number one in the Philippines, helping build the company from the ground up. Now, with over 150 employees and a target of 500 by next year, Johrycel is preparing to migrate and take on the role of Chief of Staff in Australia—a testament to her strategic brilliance and people-first leadership.

Built on Southville Values

“Discipline before scale. Empathy before policy. Excellence anchored in integrity.”

These aren’t just mantras for Johrycel – they’re operating principles forged during her formative years at Southville. Her approach to talent strategy, culture design, and organisational development reflects the same rigor and compassion that defined her education.

Her journey is also a tribute to the mentors who shaped her—Marie Vic Suarez, Ardee Donato, Phi-Anh Tatlong Hari, Gerlie Baluyot, Elyds Reyes, and many more. Their influence helped her become not just a professional but a purpose-driven leader.

A Career Fueled by Trust and Tenacity

In July 2020, amidst global uncertainty, Johrycel joined Adaca part-time to help recruit software developers. Her impact was immediate. As the company’s growth accelerated, so did her role. She transitioned to full-time, built a high-performing recruitment team from scratch, and scaled hiring operations to onboard over 100 employees. 

Under Johrycel’s leadership, Adaca’s teams have delivered transformative projects with global significance. Among them: a groundbreaking partnership with the World Food Programme, United Nations. Johrycel played a key role in assembling and supporting the team that developed a data analytics platform to measure conflict sensitivity in countries receiving humanitarian aid – helping WFP quantify their contribution to peace for the first time. The proof of concept’s success in the Philippines and Bangladesh secured global donor funding to expand the program across ten country offices worldwide.

It’s the kind of work that exemplifies Johrycel’s philosophy: recruit exceptional talent, create the conditions for them to thrive, and watch as they tackle challenges that matter.

Her leadership, as her CEO at that time notes, “kept pace with explosive growth while ensuring the team continued to flourish” 

Now serving as General Manager / Head of People and Culture at Adaca leading the company’s Philippine operations, Johrycel leads with a rare combination: strategic precision paired with genuine empathy. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance systems, and inclusive culture-building—all anchored in her Southville foundation.

Leading with Heart, Scaling with Purpose

Johrycel’s story transcends typical career success. It’s a masterclass in values-driven leadership – proof that the most enduring achievements aren’t measured solely in headcount or revenue, but in the teams you build, the culture you create, and the integrity you maintain when no one’s watching. 

For Southville students aspiring to make their mark on the world, Johrycel’s journey offers a powerful truth: your foundation matters profoundly. The discipline you cultivate today, the mentors who invest in you, and the values you choose to uphold will compound into every decision, every challenge, and every triumph ahead. 

As she prepares to step into her Chief of Staff role in Australia, Johrycel carries Southville with her – not as nostalgia, but as a north star. Her story is still being written, but its message is already clear: great leaders aren’t born from titles alone. They’re built on roots that run deep.