DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — At 37, Kieth Walter Ayuso looks every bit the accomplished HR leader he is today. But long before the awards and corporate titles, he dreamed of something completely different — to become a priest.
He spent 11 years in the seminary, holding on to that calling. But one day, he had to face a difficult truth.
“Dati po gusto ko mag-pari,” Ayuso shared.
Back then, I wanted to be a priest.
“But I needed to be honest with myself. Sabi nga nila, ‘Many are called, few are chosen.’ I realized I could still serve the Lord even outside the seminary.”
Leaving wasn’t easy. The seminary had been his home, his joy, his world.
But he knew he had to ask himself one final question:
Is this truly the life I want?
And when the answer turned into no, another door opened — a door that would lead him to a completely new calling.
A Career Born From a Leap of Faith
When Ayuso stepped out of the seminary, he stepped into the world of Human Resources — and it instantly felt right.
“After leaving, HR immediately became my life,” he said.
His journey began in Makati as part of the HR team in a medical BPO company. For the next 15 years, he never left the HR field — whether in the Philippines or in the UAE.
In 2013, he moved to Dubai and started humbly as an HR coordinator for a pre-opening hotel. Slowly, he climbed the ladder, staying grounded yet determined.
Since then, he has held key roles across hospitality, defense, government, and aviation.
Today, Ayuso serves as Head of HR – Middle East for an aviation firm, guiding HR strategy and talent development across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
A Trail of Achievements
Ayuso’s dedication has earned him several prestigious recognitions:
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Top 100 HR Leaders in MENA 2025
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Top HR Leaders in the Middle East 2024
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Commended HR Leader of the Year 2022
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300 Most Influential Persons in the Gulf 2020
His corporate journey includes leadership roles at Emaar Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Jannah Hotels & Resorts, among others.
Faith That Never Left
Even while navigating a demanding corporate life, Ayuso never let go of the one thing that shaped him most — his faith.
He continues to serve in church ministries in Dubai and remains active in The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community, supporting chapters in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Because while he may not have become a priest, he continues to serve in his own way — faithfully, wholeheartedly, and with purpose.
