Ernesto is a Canada Certified Career Development Professional.  While based in Vancouver, British Columbia, he worked as a Manager, Career and Financial Advisor of the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, which was designed to address barriers to employment faced by internationally trained immigrants.  The program was funded by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) He was a former Settlement Manager of a program designed to facilitate newly arrived immigrants’ settlement in Canada. The program was funded by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  He also led in federal/ provincial grant writing and submitted an approved proposal of more than C$ 1.0 million.  He collaborated with community professional organizations, academics, and city/ provincial/ federal government agencies for successful job placements through referral and linkages.

While in the Philippines, Ernesto worked in the Consular section of the US Embassy in Manila.  Prior to immigrating to Canada in 2002, he was the Acting Head of Operations of the US Embassy and received the Highest Meritorious Honor Award given by the US State Department.  He became a Canadian citizen in 2006.