Josephine "Josie" Guico Villanueva, MBA, CPA, CGMA, CGFM, CSAF, CDFM, SHRM-CP, PMP

Josie’s professional journey spans over 20 years, beginning during her college days as a working student, balancing her roles as a secretary and bookkeeper for a small construction company. From these humble beginnings, she carved out a thriving career, fueled by mentorship from her supervisors, managers, family, and friends who challenged her to excel. A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Josie thrives on acquiring new skills, exercising adaptability and is committed to knowledge-sharing, emphasizing the importance of succession planning and transferable expertise. She is dedicated to paying it forward in credits to those who have helped her in her lifetime.

Born in the Philippines, Josie faced the typical challenges of a household where her parents struggled to make ends meet. As the eldest of five siblings, she took on the dual responsibility of balancing work and studies while contributing to the family’s finances and helping to support her siblings’ education. Often arriving late to school due to work and juggling multiple responsibilities, she experienced setbacks such as being passed over for pay increases and promotions, despite her considerable work experience. These challenges fueled her determination to earn credentials and pursue higher education, ultimately shaping her into the resilient and accomplished professional she is today.

Described by former supervisors as a "fixer-upper" and problem-solver, Josie has held numerous key roles, including Comptroller, Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Operations Manager, Adjunct Faculty in Tax, Accounting, and Finance, Finance and Administration Manager, General Accountant, and Secretary/Bookkeeper. Currently, she serves as a Contracts and Procurement Manager for a prestigious consulting firm specializing in technology-focused defense, intelligence, security, infrastructure engineering firm, and cybersecurity.

Throughout her career, Josie has consistently aimed to leave every organization better than she found it. She excels in streamlining operations, driving growth, increasing efficiency, and fostering synergy among stakeholders. Her expertise includes developing financial policies, procedures, controls, and good governance practices. She is never scared of joining an organization whose challenges are beyond the norms, stepping in to help stabilize their operations, add value and drive positive change. A results-oriented leader, Josie is known for her "get it done" mentality and her ability to coach teams to reach their full potential.

Beyond her professional life, Josie is deeply committed to community service. She has volunteered for and served on the boards of various non-profit organizations. Notably, she served as President of the AGA Guam Chapter (2022-2023) and held roles as Treasurer and Community Service Co-Chair. She is the current Board Treasurer for the FBI Guam Citizens Academy Alumni Association and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Josie has received multiple awards recognizing her volunteer efforts at both local and national levels.

A lifelong dreamer, Josie once aspired to become a CPA-lawyer and honed her craft as a college newspaper journalist. Today, she is channeling her wealth of experiences into writing a book, with the goal of becoming a best-selling author. Her upcoming work will offer heartfelt insights on life, love, and career, serving as a practical survival guide for those facing life’s challenges. Through her writing, she aims to inspire and empower readers by sharing the valuable lessons she has learned along her journey.

Josie fully embraces the modern concept of work-life integration. An avid traveller, she balances her adventurous spirit with her passion for personal growth. She is a fitness enthusiast, an aspiring golfer perfecting her swing, and a dedicated student of mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. Josie enjoys collecting and reading leadership and management books, often combining her love for travel with retreats focused on emotional and mental well-being. On weekends, she finds joy in gardening, nurturing her greens and blooms alongside her husband.

Josie is not only a skilled professional but a compassionate mentor and community leader, dedicated to making a lasting impact in both her career and the lives of those around her.