Appointment of Dr Estelle Marie M Ladrido as Executive Director of Areté (Memo U2021-045)

I am pleased to inform the community that I am appointing Dr Estelle Marie “Maitel” M Ladrido as Executive Director of Areté for a 3-year term effective 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2024.

Dr Ladrido is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Communication which she chairs since 2017. She was Director of the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) from April 2014 - August 2015. Apart from delivering lectures on creativity and innovation, Maitel brings to Areté her rich background in independent television production with networks and companies such as Jesuit Communications, Probe Media Productions, Lakbay TV, Walt Disney Television, Lifestyle Network among others. She holds a PhD in Media & Cinema Studies from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (2015) and an MA (2007) and AB (1993) in Communication from Ateneo de Manila University.

On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I would like to thank Maitel for her magnanimity in accepting this new mission to lead Areté, the creative hub of the Ateneo de Manila.

The Areté Executive Director reports directly to the President.

As we welcome Maitel, we take this occasion to express our gratitude to Dr Ma Mercedes “Didith” T Rodrigo for her generosity and dedication in serving as steward of Areté since June 2019.

Let us support the new Executive Director of Areté with our cooperation and prayers.