Our strategic leaders are bold thinkers with impressive experiences and achievements in oil, gas, petrochemicals, and renewables. What makes them proud to be part of BIOVERDE is their commitment to one thing—A BETTER PLANET.
Founding Chairman & Managing Director
Dr. Santiago Gagaza is the visionary Founding Chairman and Managing Director of BIOVERDE Refinery, bringing over 25 years of international expertise in multi-sector industries, including infrastructure and project finance across the energy and clean technology sectors. With a career-spanning leadership role in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and beyond, Dr. Santiago has been a key architect in the development of transformative renewable energy initiatives, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green diesel projects.
Dr. Santiago’s career is distinguished by a proven track record in structuring and delivering large-scale capital projects. His expertise includes project finance models such as Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT), Design, Build, Finance, Operate (DBFO), and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), as well as conventional structures like Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC). His hands-on leadership spans the entire project lifecycle—from feasibility studies and bankability reviews to negotiations, due diligence, and financial closures—demonstrating his ability to meet recourse, pricing, and timing objectives with precision.
A trusted leader in the global energy industry since 2012, Dr. Santiago has collaborated with top oil majors, traders, and consultants, leveraging his deep understanding of financial landscapes to navigate complex markets and deliver innovative energy solutions. His strategic acumen is further underscored by his ability to cultivate trust-based relationships with stakeholders, including business partners, shareholders, and government authorities, ensuring the alignment of corporate vision with sustainable business objectives.
Qualifications and Expertise
Dr. Santiago holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in Business Management, both awarded with distinction from the Philippine Christian University. He has enhanced his expertise through elite programs like the Strategic Chief Financial Officers Program at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and is currently pursuing a second doctorate as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Strategic Management and Leadership.
Renowned for his ability to solve complex business challenges, Dr. Santiago excels in green and clean project development and financing, feasibility studies, and technology evaluations. His Ph.D. research focuses on strategic leadership platforms, business ecosystem innovation, sustainability, and regenerative transformation—aligning perfectly with BIOVERDE Refinery’s mission to drive the global transition to clean energy.
An articulate communicator and skilled technical writer, Dr. Santiago is adept at inspiring teams and aligning them with organizational goals. Under his leadership, BIOVERDE Refinery is poised to redefine the renewable energy landscape, delivering impactful and sustainable solutions for a greener future.
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