DIGITAL payments platform operator Visa Inc. announced last Monday the appointment of Jeffrey D. Navarro as its new Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.
Navarro succeeds Dan Wolbert who has moved to a new role in Visa’s North American operations. He joins Visa from Western Union Co. where he was regional vice president for the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indochina.
Navarro was also president and chairman of the board of the Western Union Processing Services Inc. Visa said he also worked at Smart Communications Inc. and Shell Plc. across sales, brand and business development roles.
Navarro started his career as a consultant at Accenture Inc. after completing his bachelor’s degree in Management Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Tareq Muhmood, Visa’s Group Country Manager for Regional Southeast Asia, said Navarro’s regional experience and in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry will be an asset for Visa and will serve him well in leading our team.
Muhmood was quoted in a statement as saying he expects Navarro and his team “will drive our business agenda with clients, consumers and regulators in the Philippines and Guam.”
Navarro, meanwhile, said payments and money movement are areas which are “near and dear to his heart.”
He expressed he is “excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead a team of seasoned professionals, who share the drive and passion to further widen financial inclusion for all Filipinos.”
He added he looks forward “to working closely with our clients, fintechs, the regulator and all stakeholders to grow digital payments in the country and enable individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.”