As the Chief of Staff of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and former Coordinating Officer of the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), Assistant Secretary Celynne Layug plays a crucial role in supporting the DTI Secretary in implementing the department’s strategic initiatives. In her capacity as a Foreign Trade Service Officer, Celynne was instrumental in advancing the Philippines’ trade and investment priorities on the global stage. With over 20 years of experience in international trade and investment promotion, she notably served as Trade Commissioner for PTIC-Silicon Valley from 2016 to 2024. Her extensive experience also includes spearheading major initiatives in ASEAN, such as the ASEAN MSME Development Summit, Slingshot@ASEAN, and the Creative Cities Forum, all during her tenure as Program Director for the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP) for the Philippines’ 2017 ASEAN hosting.