Leading Transformation Through Innovation

For Celeste ‘Arla’ Abanilla, career growth starts with finding a company whose values align with your own. 

When she joined Ingram Micro in 2015, she was drawn not only by the organization's reputation as a global technology leader, but also by the opportunities it offered to learn, grow, and make an impact. More importantly, she saw a culture that reflected the values she believes in. 

"Being part of an organization, whose values resonate with mine is important because it gives me a stronger sense of purpose and confidence in the work I do every day." 

More than a decade later, that sense of purpose continues to drive her. 

Driving Transformation Across Global Markets 

Based in Manila, Philippines, Arla serves as Director, Go-To-Market Vendor Journey Platform Services & Support, leading a global team focused on both operational excellence and business transformation. 

Her teams provide day-to-day support for vendor related processes while continuously improving the xperience across the countries and markets they serve. 

"We focus on improving the vendor journey by identifying opportunities to simplify complex processes and transforming them into scalable, practical solutions." 

It's a role that combines strategy, innovation, and execution, helping Ingram Micro deliver better experiences for both internal stakeholders and vendor partners worldwide. 

Creating Lasting Business Impact 

Throughout her career at Ingram Micro, Arla has led initiatives that have transformed the way teams work and deliver value. 

One recent accomplishment she is particularly proud of is leading the modernization of the company's Global Returns and Claims workflow. 

Working closely with cross-functional teams, she helped secure approval for a standardized global process that replaced a highly manual approach with a streamlined platform-based solution. 

The solution has already been successfully deployed across multiple countries and continues to expand into additional markets, creating a more consistent experience for both employees and customers.  

At the same time, Arla is helping shape the future of operations through Agentic AI. 

Her team has successfully launched AI-powered solutions in pilot countries, where they are already improving operational efficiency and supporting business teams in new ways. What excites her most is seeing innovation move from concept to reality and then scale across the organization. 

"What makes these experiences especially meaningful is that they demonstrate how innovation and collaboration can come together to solve real business challenges." 

Growing Through Challenge and Opportunity 

Looking back on her journey, Arla credits much of her growth to the trust she has been given throughout her career. 

She has had opportunities to lead cross-functional initiatives, collaborate with global teams, and drive transformation programs that require both strategic thinking and execution. 

"The culture has encouraged continuous learning and innovation." 

Whether modernizing business processes or exploring emerging technologies, she has consistently been empowered to test ideas, learn from experience, and turn innovative concepts into practical solutions that create measurable value. 

A Culture Built on Collaboration 

For Arla, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at Ingram Micro is the people. 

Over the years, she has collaborated with colleagues from different countries, functions, and backgrounds who share a common commitment to learning, innovation, and teamwork. 

"What stands out is everyone's willingness to share knowledge, support one another, and work toward a common goal." 

She also values the trust, and ownership employees are encouraged to take. 

There is room to think differently, challenge existing processes, and contribute ideas that can help improve business. 

That combination of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose creates an environment where employees are empowered to perform at their best while continuing to grow. 

Finding Meaning in Innovation 

What motivates Arla every day is the opportunity to create meaningful change. 

Whether she is improving business experiences, leading transformation initiatives, or exploring new technologies, she enjoys seeing ideas evolve into solutions that make a real difference. 

"Knowing that I'm contributing to meaningful change while working with great people is what makes my experience at Ingram Micro so fulfilling." 

The ability to learn continuously, collaborate globally, and drive innovation keeps her energized and excited about what's ahead. 

Advice for Future Candidates 

For anyone considering a career at Ingram Micro, Arla encourages them to embrace curiosity and growth. 

"Come in with a growth mindset and be open to learning." 

She believes Ingram Micro provides countless opportunities for people who are willing to challenge themselves, share ideas, and step outside their comfort zones. 

"If you're proactive, curious, and willing to embrace change, you'll find plenty of opportunities to make an impact." 

Her advice is simple: stay true to your values, keep learning, and take advantage of every opportunity to grow.