Lito Villanueva, EVP & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, RCBC (IOC Philippines Ambassador)

We are honored to share this special video message from Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), and Ambassador of the Icons of Change Philippines.
As we prepare for the Icons of Change International Awards 2026, held in observance of the United Nations International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, Mr. Villanueva offers a timely and compelling message to this year’s global awardees—leaders whose work proves that impact is no longer defined by position alone, but by purpose, scale, and service.
With over two decades of leadership across banking, fintech, telecommunications, and development finance, Lito Villanueva stands at the intersection of innovation and inclusion. Under his leadership, RCBC was recognized as the Philippines’ Best Digital Bank, earning multiple global digital awards during the pandemic—proof that transformation is most powerful when it serves people first. His creation of DiskarTech, the country’s first Taglish financial inclusion super app, reached over three million downloads within months, redefining access for everyday Filipinos.
In this video, he speaks directly to the Icons of Change community—offering encouragement to the 2026 awardees and reflecting on how volunteerism has evolved beyond traditional definitions. Today, service-driven leadership takes many forms: sharing expertise, building inclusive systems, influencing policy, mentoring communities, and designing solutions that leave no one behind.
Mr. Villanueva reminds us that volunteerism is no longer confined to spare time—it is embedded in how we lead, how we innovate, and how we make decisions that affect millions. Whether in finance, technology, education, governance, or social enterprise, the call is the same: use what you know, where you are, for the greater good.
As we enter the final stretch toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, his message is both practical and forward-looking. Progress will not be delivered by institutions alone. It will be driven by collective action—by individuals and organizations willing to collaborate across sectors, borders, and disciplines. The future belongs to those who understand that impact scales faster when leadership is inclusive, partnerships are intentional, and service is built into strategy.