Gokongwei's Universal Robina reshuffles leadership

David J. Lim Jr.

URC chief technology officer

The Gokongwei family-led food and beverage giant Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is making key leadership changes, with David J. Lim Jr., Jesselyn “Jess” P. Panis, and Krishna Mohan Suri at the center of the transition.

The moves come as Suri, the company’s chief research and development officer, will leave the company on March 31 this year. 

Lim, currently chief supply chain and sustainability officer, will take on the role of chief technology officer, where he will lead research and development, global procurement, and corporate engineering. 

 Jesselyn “Jess” P. Panis

URC chief supply chain and sustainability officer

Panis will step into Lim's current position as chief supply chain and sustainability officer, overseeing global manufacturing, planning, logistics, sustainability, environment, health and safety, and quality assurance. 

She has been with URC for eight years, rising through the ranks from quality director and bringing experience from Wrigley Philippines and Roxol Bioenergy Corp. Her appointment takes effect on April 1, 2025.