Athena invests $2.5 million for Manila training hub

MANILA, Philippines — Global executive assistance provider Athena is investing $2.5 million for a training facility in Manila, aligned with its target of doubling its workforce of 6,000 employees worldwide by the end of the year.

In a statement, the company said the new facility serves as its primary training and collaboration hub in Asia, supporting its current Philippine workforce of 2,600 employees.

“The Philippines has consistently been our largest source of executive talent, which made Manila the clear choice for our newest hub,” Athena COO Kandy White said.

“With over 2,600 employees currently based here, establishing a facility where we can train, support, and enable them to collaborate in person was the strategic next step,” she said.

The company reported substantial growth in its global operations, with the employee count rising to 3,100 from 1,000 between November 2023 and December 2024.

“This expansion includes planned operations in Guatemala and Kenya, alongside a second Philippine facility set to open in Cebu by the second quarter of 2025,” the company said.

Supporting its growth initiatives, Athena also announced an upcoming partnership with Woolf University and a globally top-ranked university for its Metis College MBA Program, aimed at strengthening its workforce’s business capabilities.

“Our executive partners handle complex tasks such as investment research, government compliance, and lead generation for CEOs and founders worldwide – this level of business education is essential for that role,” Athena chief learning officer Eliot Gattegno said.

He added that the MBA program, valued at $50,000 per employee, gives our team access to certification and faculty-led courses to sharpen their business acumen.

Moreover, Athena emphasized that its Manila facility represents a strategic investment in the company’s global expansion plans, particularly in developing markets where it seeks to recruit and train executive talent.

“With its enhanced training infrastructure and educational partnerships, Athena aims to strengthen its position in providing high-level executive support services globally,” Athena said.

Athena’s operations focus on matching trained executive assistants with CEOs and founders worldwide, emphasizing its mission of enabling effective delegation and leadership development across industries.