#OwnYourFuture Like Mye Amahan
UnionBank’s Chief Audit Executive, Myrna “Mye” Amahan shares her story from being an idealistic government employee to a passionate and engaged UnionBanker. Serving the company for 18 years, she witnessed the bank’s digital transformation and its continuous effort to make a big difference in the industry, its stakeholders and most especially, its employees.
Get tips on how continuous learning, forward-thinking, and pioneering advancements for process improvement, can help you adapt in an agile working environment.
The UnionBank Challenge
Before becoming a UnionBanker, Mye was in the government service. Her stint in the government opened up opportunities to serve in the United Nations where she had overseas assignments – Africa, United States, and Switzerland. She became a UN scholar and became one of the pioneers of what was then called Computer Audit.
When her husband left the government service, she took the leap of faith and joined the banking industry. She took over the leadership role in UnionBank together with the challenge to become a Certified Internal Auditor – a challenge presented to her by no other than Chairman, Justo A. Ortiz.
Agile Internal Audit
Assigned to lead 50 internal auditors, she considers the Internal Audit team as a lean unit. The unit is sub-divided into various functions such as Branch Audit, Head Office Audit, Information Systems, Fraud, Data Analytics, and the recently created ANTI-Money Laundering unit.
Mye tries to be as flexible and empathetic as possible – qualities that are least expected of an internal auditor. She believes that they should give context so audit clients would see them as a partner and not a policeman.
She also highlighted how UnionBankers respond to Audit, “Always remember ‘magis’ – always doing better, doing greater. When a lot of units got excellent ratings, we put the bar higher and raised the standards. And our UnionBankers, always competitive as they are, delivered and stepped up.”
The UnionBank Employer Brand
Mye is very active in various internal audit and banking organizations and she shared UnionBank’s reputation in other companies as an employer. “When they know you’re a Unionbanker, mataas ang tingin nila sayo. And I’m proud. All out tayo sa training, that’s one thing I love about this bank. They support you, your growth. The bank is not selfish.”
One of her best lessons as a UnionBanker was whenever employees decide to leave the bank, despite being provided with training opportunities. Michelle Rubio, EVO & Chief HR Officer imparted to her, “You should engage them more. Para kahit mas maganda offer sa labas kasi gustung-gusto nila dito, hindi nila tatanggapin iyon kasi engaged sila.”
“Why you’re here is not because of the pay, but because of the people I work with and the people I work for and the organization I work for. I believe in it. I believe in ubuntu, magis, or elevating the lives of our customers.”, Mye added.
As a Mother — In and Out of the Office
Mye is a mother of four. Her husband has retired already, her three children are already working, and her youngest is still studying. She confessed to being a stage mom who supports her children’s passion for music and theater. She manages her time between home and work and still keeps track of her tasks by keeping a to-do list.
Likewise, she sees to it to catch up with her team during lunch. She loves to talk about insights about life and values. “Sometimes you have to remind them, that they have to know the right values – love for God, being pure”, she shares in a motherly manner.
Mye's Advice to UnionBankers in Owning Their Careers
1
Know what you want. Find out what your purpose is.
And I don’t think you can do that on your own. I have a daily routine, when I wake up, I pray. You always have to hear His voice, what His will is for me. ‘Yon lang ang lagi kong pinapaalala sa Auditors ko, sa mga anak ko din na nakakalimot.
2
Always know what the role of the unit is in achieving the strategic roles of the bank.
So long as you know what your purpose really is. And you work for the same org, what’s good for the bank is also good for everyone.
3
The Bank is your support system.
I have an Internal Auditor who became a part of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DSAI). The Bank supports us to study new areas and new systems like blockchain, robotics, and AI. That makes you so proud to be a Unionbanker.
4
Agile Internal Audit means more engaged audit clients.
With agile, we have sprints (specific turnaround time). At the end of the sprint, you get to discuss feedback. The earlier you provide feedback; the earlier clients can improve their processes.
5
For young auditors, see yourself as part of the solution.
When you see a problem, gather all of those who are involved, facilitate the discussion, and come up with a solution with them. Everybody should own it, coz when they do, they will implement your recommendations. Internal audit shouldn’t be a fault finder. We should always provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to learn every time you talk to them.
Mye Amahan's Legacy in UnionBank
Mye Amahan is retiring in a few years but her legacy will be her qualities that every UnionBanker should possess.
Hunger for Growth
Adaptability in an Agile Working Environment
Leadership with Empathy
