Dr. Renz Christian Argao is the Coordinator of the International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, where he also serves as a Member of the World Council and of the International Executive Committee.

Renz is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Argao Health Inc. He is a Registered Psychologist and Psychometrician. An internationally certified expert in psychotrauma, he is one of the handful of Filipinos who hold the status of Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. His work as clinical psychologist includes over a decade of experience in clinic administration, case management, psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and mental health and psychosocial support services. He has also led and managed a portfolio of projects and programs on psychosocial rehabilitation of communities affected by the armed conflicts in the Central Mindanao region and the communities affected by typhoons and natural disasters. His project portfolio also includes capacity-building programs and psychosocial support services for community volunteers, youth, military, local government units, civil society, and religious leaders. He has worked with various companies, schools, and institutions in the delivery of psychological services to employees and students, development of mental health policies in the workplace, and conduct of mental health programmes for various organisations.

In addition to his clinical practice, Renz is a peace activist and is engaged in faith-based diplomacy and development work through Religions for Peace. He has organised multi-faith actions on youth empowerment, environmental protection, humanitarian response, and diversity and inclusivity. Renz served as speaker and panelist in high level meetings and international conferences in various parts of the World such as Osaka, Tokyo, New York, Krakow, Lindau, Brussels, Yangon, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh. He has also convened interfaith youth peace conferences in the national and international level. During the 10^th World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Lindau, Germany in 2019, he was elected to lead the International Youth Committee and the Global Interfaith Youth Network. Renz is instrumental in strengthening the interfaith youth networks in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific Region through his capacities as Youth Coordinator of Religions for Peace Philippines and Co-Moderator of the Asia-Pacific Interfaith Youth Network. He also serves in the Executive Committee of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace.

Renz also worked in the academe, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology for almost a decade. He was a former Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Santo Tomas, where he served as Community Development Coordinator of the UST Graduate School, Supervising Psychologist of the UST Psychotrauma Clinic, and Consultant for Gender and Development Inclusivity Matters in Higher Education of the Office for Student Affairs. Renz also taught at Far Eastern University, San Beda University, Angeles University Foundation, and has served as Psychology Department Chair of the College of the Holy Spirit Manila. He has conducted over 100 seminars, workshops, and training on mental health, psychosocial support, traumatic stress, and clinical psychology.

Renz is the Co-founder and Partner for Learning and Development of SmarterOne Philippines, an on-line continuing professional development start-up. He is a National Adviser of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition and is one of the hosts of WalwalSesh: The Podcast.

He earned his Doctor of Philosophy major in Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Santo Tomas, where he also finished his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree, magna cum laude.