Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2023
Contributed by
Gina Romero
June 6, 2023
LinkedIn has carved out a unique niche as an online platform that caters specifically to professionals eager to connect with like-minded individuals.
And as the modern-day Filipina continues to showcase her talent and experience; she proves herself as an integral contributor on LinkedIn more than ever before.
“There is no force more than powerful than a woman who is never afraid to rise.”
— Mary Ann Gilyn Basa
Thanks to the support of Connected Women, VB Consulting, and Connected Filipinos, who harness the platform’s full potential in recognizing achievements, the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn project celebrates pioneering trailblazers and those who inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Since its inception in 2021, this unique project has been recognized for championing the visibility of successful Filipinas on LinkedIn.
Anchored by a stringent nomination process, this project evaluates nominees based on parameters such as follower count, engagement, and overall influence.
Curated with care and thoroughness, this year’s final list boasts of accomplished women who are exemplary contributors to their respective fields.
At the helm of this awe-inspiring project is Gina Romero, the founder of Connected Women, an organization dedicated to uplifting women through technology, entrepreneurship, and community, and Virginia Bautista, the brilliant mind behind VB Consulting. Armed with a wealth of knowledge in personal branding and LinkedIn expertise, Bautista empowers coaches and consultants to forge powerful personal brands on the platform.
This year’s call for nominations is aligned with the powerful theme of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” brought forth by International Women’s Day under UN Women and the United Nations. It serves as a catalyst for global change, raising awareness and promoting gender equality through innovation and technology.
Who made it to the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2023?
Join us as we recognize the exceptional Filipino women who are making a significant impact in their communities, niches, and industries through LinkedIn.
– Jen Cajucom
The 15 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn:
From the overall list of 100 women, we ranked the Top 15 most influential Filipino women on LinkedIn based on the number of followers.
#1: Maria Lourdes de Vera | Award winning Author and an Artist
Industry: Visual Arts
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Maria Lourdes is a prolific and brilliant award-winning author. She is a resolute artist, relentless, elusive in the pursuit of excellence. My volunteer work centers around children. My study and articles about children, childhood and learning.
I am currently an ambassador of hope for The Hope Giver Campaign and a member of Rotary International.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am an advocate of social consciousness and social service and have been a consistent awardee for social commitment since lower school. My cause is to raise awareness on the well-being of abandoned, neglected and abused children.
I want to make a difference in the lives of children healing through the arts. That is through Visual, Music and Performance. Finding freedom in the Arts and meaningful creative expression.
Writing numerous articles about children which can be read online through the different organizations that I am part of as a way to gently share what I value in life, that is empathy.
I am passionate about writing more books about them and for them to make a difference in their lives in best and simplest way that i can reach out to them.
I like to share the passion for creativity. I have given violin lessons and mentored these children for 5 years. I participate in painting public schools and teach art to public schools. I started an initiative that brings my artworks to government-owned hospitals for the appreciation and joy of the confined children.
Developing in children the sensitivity for healthy communication and meaningful human relations through the arts.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has opened more avenues to meet and connect with a wider audience. It has ushered me to reach out and inspire more people by sharing life lessons through posts and finding the time to engage and share my thoughts. Diversity is recognizing differences as an opportunity to find meaningful connections. Inclusion is about appreciation and affirmation of what is unique. Linkedin allowed me the venue to grow professionally in ways I may not imagine before being part of this platform.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I am a painter and through my art I see everything as part of a whole. Inclusion is best expressed in my inclination towards Abstract Expressionist. I am motivated by ways in which paintings can represent space and emotions captured in dynamic and vivid colors which are reminiscent of the real world. Life is dynamic and in a world that is challenged finding equanimity is an asset to develop. Elusiveness as one constant character reflected in my evolving art expression is to encourage change and flexibility as part and parcel of life. Strongly articulated by a profound sense of emotion as artist and author write what we hold is aligned with what I hold of value in life.
#2: Elizabeth Ocampo | Accounting Manager
Industry: Manufacturing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
We manufacture beauty products for distributors, OEM and ODM.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Enjoying change and striving for improvement. Be responsible and persevere. Showering people with kindness and love.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Motivating and inspiring other people by sharing my motivation post, it brings out the best in me. I give some practical strategies and ideas on inspiring and consistently motivating others.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
By being active here on LinkedIn I post some encouragement and insight that people need to achieve in their lives, and I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction knowing that I made a difference with other people’s lives. Inspiration gives your life and your existence meaning and happiness on this world.
#3: Sharon Manlangit | CPA / Accounting Manager
Industry: Real Estate Developer
Tell us about your organization, business or work
The organization is a real estate developer that constructs and owns many properties all throughout Metro Manila
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a very simple yet deep person who has a passion for Christ and in His Word. I love sharing GOD’s good news to any individual who has ears to hear. It is my goal to infuse fresh hope and faith to people from all walks of life, especially those who are at the end of their rope.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has helped me reach thousands and thousands of people all over the globe. Through this professional platform, I am able to reach, inform, educate and share with people from all over the globe the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I am geared toward using my influence to reach out more people and let them know that they are loved and accepted.Though the world may have discarded them, I use my influence to let them know that God does not exclude anyone. The mantra I work with is do not write-off anyone what God calls as special.
I let ordinary people know that God loves them as much as they love Mother Teresa, or the Pope, or the Priests, or the Pastors — that God does not show any favoritism and does not love a person more because of his/her background or social status or skin color. God loves the convicted murderer locked up in prison, or the drug addict in rehabilitation as much as He loves Billy Graham. The point is God does not love us depending on how good or bad we are, He just loves us equally — both the good and the bad alike.
#4: Anna Patricia Lopez | Senior Consultant (Sr. Manager)
Industry: HR – Headhunting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am currently working for a Singaporean based executive search firm. I am managing the whole PH operations (hiring) for both technology and commercial functions.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am an HR practitioner. I have a gap in my resume due to the pandemic. That is why as a recruiter I don’t turn away from a resume with gaps. I take time in providing context around their career history.
Sometimes taking a gap is a blessing in disguise, and I’m speaking from experience. Being let go from a job forced me to re-evaluate roles that align my skills and interest. And that’s exactly how you learn. Light begets light. The brighter you shine, the brighter the world around you is.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Far from what people know, headhunting is not a salesman job. It is far from wanting to just fill up a job. Headhunting is viewing candidates as partner in your mission of placing them in their dream role. And this is probably the rationale behind my LinkedIn success story – I like to connect with whomever and know who they are as a person. I like to give chance to everyone and know them beyond a piece of paper.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Currently, I am followed by at least 34K professionals on LinkedIn. I use this massive number not just to provide job opportunities to various people across different nationalities, but also to promote engaging posts related to recruitment.
On top of that, being a recruiter requires creativity to market a profile effectively no matter how difficult it is. To inform talents on the worth of their skills. And this is both the challenge and excitement of my job.
#5: Engr. Korina Mercado | Senior Continuous Improvement Lead
Industry: Technology
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Korina is highly experienced in Industrial Engineering Profession with 9 years of experience on implementing (1)Agile Sigma and Lean Six Sigma Projects and Programs; (2) Organization and Manpower Planning; (3) Supply Chain Management; (4) Continuous Improvement & Innovation; (5) Change & Risk Management & (5) Digital Transformation, Strategy, Analytics and Optimization. She is currently working with one of the tech giants in the US as a Senior Continuous Improvement Lead. She also started her consulting services via KonnectKonsult. She is experienced working with different industries like Aviation, E-Commerce, Hospitality, Pharmaceutical, Gaming, Human Resources, Consulting and Manufacturing. Her top clients are from the USA, Germany & UAE. Her extensive knowledge earned her invitations to give speeches at numerous institutions and organizations globally. She is awarded as one of The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in The World Award™ Emerging Leader category, Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn and 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
One of my passion projects talks about how we can use our life’s data to make more informed decisions in different aspects of our lives, hence Optimized Life. I called this passion project Optimize Life Series it started last March 2022. But recently I am having a big realization about life’s richness and intricacy. Comparing my life in the Philippines and in the US, it made me question my passion project. When will you stop optimizing your life? Will 100% Life Optimization bring human being the happiness in it wants or deserve? As I reflect on this question, I realized that this passion project helped me thrive but is not sustainable. Maybe it can be used in some areas of our lives but as I studied it further, there will always be trade-offs in whatever life decision a human being will take. This March 2023, I am iterating this belief, to something like if you know you are genuinely happy, then you are living an optimal life. I think that’s the truest form of life optimization that anyone would want to have. Aside from this passion project I also advocate for Industrial Engineers globally through Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers USA (IISE) and Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) by sharing my knowledge and journey. I also create #FilipinaInTech, #FilipinaInAviation contents to see more Filipinas in Tech and Aviation Industry globally. I also fundraise for WWF Philippines!
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
This is certainly one question that I wouldn’t skip on any of my speaking engagements. Do all of you have LinkedIn accounts already? Despite how absurd it seems, one of the venues that accelerated my 1) mentorship, 2) consulting, and 3) job opportunities were LinkedIn. Since I am certain that it will always be effective, I never pass up an opportunity to let everyone know about it. I use LinkedIn to mentor and encourage more Filipinos to pursue their dreams. I even wrote articles on how the world needs more dreamers. I noticed that in our time, it’s so simple to give up on our aspirations due to how difficult they are. I simply want to be that one person who can inspire them to keep going even when it’s extremely difficult. I frequently get inquiries regarding my career strategy, industrial engineering, methodology evolution, consulting, and other contents that I discuss on LinkedIn from a variety of students, professionals, businessmen, founders and CEO, etc. Most of the inquiries I get are regarding my career path and whether it’s possible for them to work in the big tech or aviation industries as well.
The fact that they doubt its feasibility motivates me to spread awareness of my journey and to encourage everyone to believe in themselves.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I mentor and support other women by sharing my knowledge and journey. I also speak-up and amplify voices of underrepresented groups like #FilipinaInTech in the USA.
#6: Camille Madriñal | Associate Director – Recruitment
Industry: HR Recruitment
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Camille earned a degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Psychology at Manila Central University in Caloocan City which paved the way to cross-functional roles. She had more than 12 years of exposure working in a BPO Industry, recruitment Firm and IT Solutions, giving her a solid background in HR Operations, Database Management and IT Recruitment.
Her competence in these fields particularly in IT Recruitment has led her to be highly proficient and successful in her current role.
She is currently employed as an Associate Director in Recruitment at Nezda Technologies Inc. – Philippines and Malaysia Branch. She is responsible for the end-to end process of technical recruitment including business development, account management, research, sourcing and recruitment of qualified candidates. She specializes in recruiting executive positions as well, in the areas of Quality Assurance, Project Management, Application, Systems, Infrastructure, IT Sales and Product Support and Development. She has broadened her horizon by doing cross functional recruitment of junior to senior level candidates for Recruitment, Sales and Marketing, and HR and Finance areas.She also added Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Services Provider (MSP) in her recruitment portfolio.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Aside from Recruitment, Camille is also leading Nezda SERVES outreach programs which involves helping less fortunate children and families in marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
Below are the projects:
Nezda VILLE – Village for Indigenous Learning and Livelihood Education
Nezda FEES – Free Education for Eligible Students
Nezda CARE – Calamity And Rescue for Evacuees
Nezda HOPE – Haven for Philippine Elders
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
In my 12+ years in the recruitment industry, LinkedIn has been my go to application for sourcing candidates, finding mentorship programs and learning communities, and also sharing inspirational stories.
This platform made me realize the power of building connections as a key to success. With more than 30,000 followers, I know that I also have responsibilities to ensure that whatever I post, it should also benefit at least one of the followers.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As part of Technical Recruitment, I will help in proving that #WomanCanDOIT. In a world that is dominated by men, we as women needs to help each other to show our worth in society. We are also tasks to balance the percentage of male and female applicants for our clients.
#7: Jilley Lapaan | HR Manager
Industry: Healthcare
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I work with heroes.
Not everyone gets to say that and I am very grateful that I get to.
In my current role as HR Manager in a healthcare holding company, I provide professional consultation and advisory to our network of hospitals to ensure we maintain our competitive, committed and well-motivated workforce.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Having graduated at 19 years old from the Philippines’ most premier University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, with a degree in Psychology allowed me to experience the real world with different perspectives and helped me developed the open mind I have now. While I got to live the dream of attending the university and getting my dream degree, it came with a lot of hardships and challenges which allowed me to know myself more and learn about real-world issues most especially on mental health, women and children’s rights and empowerment, guided by the world-class mentors. I took post-graduate studies and entered the workforce shortly after, which exposed me to deeper real-world experiences that greatly strengthened my belief systems, my advocacies and passion.
10 years ago, I tried doing pole and aerial fitness. The non-conformist in me wanted to try the non-conventional workout and it turned out to be very empowering. 4 years later, I got my certification as a pole and aerial fitness instructor. I aim to empower women and men and help remove the stereotype on this kind of workout and be part of the movement to recognize pole and aerial fitness as a sport. Last year, I got certified as a Pound® Pro in Los Angeles, California. It had been very rewarding and inspiring to be rocking out with everyone for mental health and overall wellness.
I am very active in movements and advocacies concerning women and children’s rights, mental health and wellness. I dream of a world where women are treated fairly, everyone’s treated equally and mental health is a priority.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
As an HR professional in the digital era, social media plays a huge role in delivering our objectives both professionally and personally. I am very fortunate to have this platform to be connecting with such inspiring individuals from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds and share different perspectives.
I get to use LinkedIn in my talent acquisition needs, a tool to meet professionals and get the opportunity to work with them most especially the ones sharing the same advocacies and I get to share my ideas to the whole community.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Being exposed my entire life in different cultures, I’ve seen and experienced how women are treated very differently, most especially the ones that are of color, with different sexual orientations and differently abled.
Now that I have the power through different platforms and the opportunities to influence in my role in the corporate world and in the community, it is my responsibility to continue to create (and change) policies to promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals, to continue promoting and advocating for the equal access, opportunity, employment and sense of belonging of underrepresented people in the workplace and in the community and I’ll make sure these all start in me and my mindset.
#8: Erika So | AVP – Talent Acquisition
Industry: Banking
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Citi provides financial services that enable growth and economic progress. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the places where we operate and the clients we serve.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m currently connected with Citi as AVP – Talent Acquisition under its ROHQ legal vehicle. I’m part of the Agile Recruitment Hub that provides end to end recruitment services to internal TA teams across the ASEAN region. Our team specializes in handling niche/ hard to find and volume roles for different products such as Operations and Technology, IT/ Tech, Global Functions, Human Resources, Risk Management, etc.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I started being active on Linkedin back when I was still doing Executive recruitment. Hiring top Executives have made me realize how important it is to build your credibility as a recruiter and for you to be seen as an expert in your field so that you can gain the trust of your target Executives.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I help create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by avoiding unconscious bias when I recruit. I always try promote a fair hiring process by making sure that I give equal importance to all candidates
#9: Aileen Sinay | Managing Director/CEO
Industry: HR Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Margherita Lotti Inc. is a socially responsible search and recruitment firm. We treat career seekers as clients and partners by providing them with expert bespoke career advisory services underpinned by over thirty years of human resource management experience. Our services are free to our client career seekers, even to those passive candidates who are not actively looking for a new job, but who would wish to have a sense of the career market, an assessment of their career thus far, employability, and market value.
At the behest of our clients and our desire to share ideas that help people and organizations, we also provide consulting services on organization development, outplacement, strategy management, and operational excellence.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m also an active member of the Branding and Marketing Workstream which aims to come up with initiatives to promote Citi’s employer brand so that we may become an employer of choice for our target candidates.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I am managing my own business, taking care of my family, and continuing my advocacies. I worked full-time for more than 25 years as an HR and spent more time caring for employees, and helping the unemployed while ensuring the future of my children.
How can I influence a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive? My maternal instinct led me to always be fair with my children and nurtured them according to their potential. I encouraged them to speak up and not hesitate to tell their views no matter what the circumstances may be. As an HR, I believe that, in administering compensation, fairness is not just in the amount but in the consistency of the implementation. Now, as a Headhunter, it’s about providing a greater range of talents that promote diversity in the workplace regardless of gender, race and affiliations. We recently recruited people from India, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Influencing is about increasing the morale and instilling the desire to work more efficiently, starting from being warmth, maternal, friendly, nurturing and maximizing the potential of individuals…which I think, is in the DNA of being a woman… a mother…and an HR.
#10: Connie Barrientos-Carey | President, Aleph Talent Solutions
Industry: Human Resource Consulting & Executive Search
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Aleph is a business management, human resources, executive search, and recruitment consultant that really delivers. We are efficient and we target and refine our search consistently and constantly to close hiring ramps quickly.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m a big advocate of hiring for attitude and not just skills. As a career-shifter (from medical field to HR), I know that I wouldn’t have acquired the technical skills that I have now if it weren’t for my enthusiasm, passion and will to succeed.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I also often post about how I was able to successfully shift from doing something I wasn’t passionate about (being a nurse) to finding my purpose in HR. Fortunately, many people have found my journey relateable and inspiring.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I believe in opening the doors I’m already halfway through for others behind me and bringing additional chairs to the table or making a different table for others to be at. Championing other women (and men, non-binary individuals, LGBTQIA++) surely helps.
#11: Sheena Yap Chan | Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Podcaster and Author on Building Self-Confidence
Industry: Media/Personal Development
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I help Asian Women boost their confidence to live their authentic selves, help Asian Women create a voice in the world, and create a stronger representation for Asian women.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m also a big fan of promoting fun at work. To some, it can be a distraction but for me, if we incorporate a little bit of fun in what we do, we’d be more than eager to dig in and complete our tasks. A sense of fun allows us to have a more positive mindset and it improves our well-being and mental health.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I was able to land a book deal with a business publisher in the United States and have landed corporate speaking opportunities.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
By sharing my specific stories. When I share my specific stories, others will be inspired to share their specific stories. I believe our specific stories is what create new solutions to the problems we still face today.
#12: Maria Korina Bertulfo | CEO
Industry: Ed Tech
Tell us about your organization, business or work
FHMoms Inc. is a social enterprise that aims to provide support and equip Pinay Moms, (and moms-figure-alike) with the knowledge and skills they need to have online livelihood opportunities while staying at home.
FHMoms started as a Facebook community that aims to provide support to Pinay Moms who aspire to have a livelihood opportunity while staying at home. The community grew bigger and the learning and support needed have broadened which made us decide to hire Trainers who are experts or experienced in each freelancing niche, and for us to do that we need to make everything legal. That’s when I founded FHMoms, Inc. a social enterprise that aims to make our mission of helping moms to be sustainable and duly maintained. Now we have different services that help us support our community.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a kuracha mom that dedicatedly built everything from scratch. I am aggressive and straightforward; with that mindset, I was able to cope and adapt to the fast-paced development of technology and the freelancing world. A few years ago, my personal goal is to provide for my family and help my husband to secure our future. Now, my goal is to help other moms secure and provide for their families. FHMoms will help change lives, one mom at a time.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Building my personal brand on Linkedin have opened a lot of doors for me. More than the recognitions I’ve received because of this platform, it also paved the way for me to establish thought leadership and it led me to meeting people I always draw inspiration from.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Adapting to the changes happening to the world is a vital step to growth. With the impact I can create with FHMoms and as a mom, I value my followers’ differences and makes sure that our projects and programs do not outcast anybody. We continue developing services, programs, and projects that address the needs of the community and our followers. And in doing this, we frequently check on them through polls/surveys. This way, we are aware of their current thoughts and needs, then we can develop/revise our services, projects, and programs.
#13: Roselle Munsayac | Vice President
Industry: Banking
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am with one of the top banks of the country that offers deposit, loans, investment and bancassurance products. I have occupied various key leadership positions in all the vital areas of banking, from the branches or frontlines to the support or operations group. As such, I have learned almost all the facets of banking thus giving me the background to balance the knowledge and skills with providing excellent customer service to our clients.
I have worked with the top banks, started from the bottom reaching my current current position. My transfers from my first bank and now to the third one were due to my bosses’ confidence in how I carried out my duties. They would transfer to other banks and they would bring me along with them to their new assignments as part of their new teams.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a seeker who continuously strives to reach that oneness or unity with everyone and The Almighty. This led me to become the spiritual human being that I am now, shedding all the ego or the personal aspect of my existence to give way to alignment to my truest nature. I have learned that I co-create my own reality and I have the power within me to live the life of my dreams. It is a very profound subject and thus I spend my days giving time to learn more. And the result is tremendous and overwhelming, leading me to discover that part of me I have known before. This kind of understanding that was never taught in school, but has been part of our daily teachings all along.
I am now living before I die, knowing that every day may be my last, so I live my life fully every day. In total peace and bliss. This I want to teach to all around me, especially to women, through my actions and words. I hope to establish a foundation for women. And I know God will help me give the widest reach. The primary goal – for us to have passion and purpose which are higher than ourselves.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I have been writing and sharing inspirational posts and poems that I dedicate mostly to women. I believe in empowering them to be the best they can become; to be their happiest and rise above not to be limited by their circumstances and believe that they can have, be or do anything because they can if only they practice the faith.
I have penned a series regarding Perfect Vision for a Perfect You in 2020, Falling in Love in 2021 which is all about unconditional love and it became an e-book and Soul Searching in 2022.
In between, I continue to post poems and articles about love, enlightenment, women, beauty inside and out and current events and issues that may inspire women. I believe I have inspired my women connections around the world, also men, as they have been writing and commenting positive feedbacks. Despite my busy schedule at work, I hope to do this more consistently and frequently as this is where I find fulfillment from, to know that I touch hearts and encourage others to get that mindset that will empower them.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I have been an advocate for loving, peaceful and united world and this shows a lot in my posts and comments in LinkedIn. It should start from us, from how we think and feel, and whatever we have inside will reflect to the outside. People will notice the light we reflect, like a candle that cannot be hidden away even if we cover it, but it will illuminate even more to share light and love and warmth. I hope to be like that candle, in my own way, in the way I deal with my connections in and out of LinkedIn
#14: Jenalyn Galarce | Marketing & Recruitment Head
Industry: Recruitment & Mentorship
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Jenalyn is a marketing and recruitment specialist at Recruiter Empire. Recruiter Empire is a mentorship program where we help recruiters and entrepreneurs to start and scale up their recruitment agencies or businesses.
As a recruiter, I spend a lot of time sourcing & interviewing candidates.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Jenalyn is not an ordinary recruiter. A recruiter with the passion to help everyone find their niche or dream job. A recruiter who’s willing to help and extend a hand to those who are in need. I believe that giving hope to someone can help them to keep going. Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
As a Recruiter, I spend a lot of time sourcing & interviewing candidates. I make sure that I can help someone to have a job. Helping others and encouraging others through my posts and comments is my success story.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I will use my voice for kindness, my ears for compassion, my hands for charity, my mind for truth, and my heart for love. By posting different content, by reminding everyone that all of us are equal. Our lives matter, and we can create a better world by being empathetic, resilient, and courageous to do the right thing.
#15: Cybill Getgood | Chief Marketing Officer
Industry: Staffing and Recruiting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
TeamRecruit was born from the belief that if you take care of people, they will take care of business. We work not only to reach quotas, but to change lives. Our team celebrates every wins and shares frustrations, taking pride in building real relationships.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Team Recruit, Cybill’s leadership is a vital & guiding force for their corporate governance. Here are some concrete and reliable ways she practiced key leadership traits.
She is a firm believer in practicing what you preach. As the founding leader of their company, she has done almost every job within the organization. She leads with not just the knowledge but also the empathy of working from the ground up.
She practices servant leadership. Therefore, she works to serve their people. She is in the trenches with her people and humbly works alongside them as their leader. In their company, everyone calls each other by their first names: no Ma’am or Sir.
According to Cybill, they are a people-first organization. Because of this, all their values are hinged on what makes the lives of their employees better. Under her leadership, they surveyed all of the needs of their workforce.
She recently rolled out a mental health service for all our employees in the Philippines, India, Australia, and the U.S, where every team member has access to mental health counseling. She also initiated company-wide physical fitness challenges as well as financial literacy courses.
The business has grown tremendously over the last year. TeamRecruit now has over 200 employees starting with only a handful of people. They have done this while simultaneously continuing to invest in people regardless of the business’s financial challenges at specific times. They have increased benefits, salaries, and incentives for the people, ensuring they and their families are always well taken care of.
Cybill is an advocate and passionate about helping Filipinos change lives. She actively organized charity events such as medical missions, educational outreach and immersion with children who are mentally and physically challenged.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Cybill is disrupting the hiring biases among Filipinos. She turned underdogs to a superstar, hired a mother of four, and she used LinkedIn to showcase how leaders could handle and transform people’s lives. She was recognized as a LinkedIn Top 30 Leader and passionate about making an impact on every Filipino.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Over the years of her leadership, Cybill has experienced gender salary inequality where she always got paid less than any male executive. Male chauvinism where she was always seen as the weaker player among executives. Maternal bias because she’s a mother of 4 kids, it means she is less capable of running a company. She has witnessed executives discriminate against LGBTQ women. But her mother and sister always pushed her to fight to empower women.
In our company, women have an equal opportunity equally, if not more than men. LGBTQ women don’t feel any discrimination. There is absolutely zero gender salary inequality in our organization. Cybill develops female leaders to shine in all departments – Our operations is led by a woman, Human Resources is led by a woman, our Marketing is led by a woman, And most large-scale projects are led by a woman! Maternal bias is one that hits her to the core so she doesn’t discriminate against mothers during the hiring process.
Cybill encourages mothers to take time off and place boundaries at work so they can be more present at home. As a leader, Cybill looks at the role of women as core drivers of every business and she lifts up every single one to step up and claim their spotlight even when they are unsure of it!
Cybill also uses social media platforms to tell the world how impactful and powerful every woman is!
100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINO WOMEN ON LINKEDIN:
The Methodology
The nomination process for the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2023 followed specific criteria:
First, nominees had to be nominated by at least one person in the comments of the designated LinkedIn post. The nominees should be Filipinas residing either in the Philippines or outside the country. Additionally, they are required to have a minimum of 500 LinkedIn followers and show activity on the platform with at least one post within the last 30 days. Finally, nominees were required to complete and submit a questionnaire showcasing their accomplishments.
A total of 248 nominations were received, and 123 nominees accepted by completing the questionnaire. The final selection of the top 100 was based on follower count, with the top 15 ranked and the rest in alphabetical order. Additionally, 26 women made it to the Hall of Fame for being nominated consecutively from 2021 to 2023.
“I am quite bold about reaching out to others–especially if I feel like we share common interests and contacts, and could at least have a great exploratory conversation.”
— Niña Terol
Below is the complete list of the most influential Filipino women from various industries including: professional training and coaching; marketing and advertising; IT services; human resources; management consulting; travel, tourism and hospitality; outsourcing; banking and finance; writing, and more. Each of them shares with us what they think is the most significant contribution Filipino women make to the country and what their best piece of advice is to Filipino women in order to succeed. Follow them all on LinkedIn.
Ace Gapuz | Chief Executive Officer
Industry: Content Creation & Influencer Marketing (Marketing & Advertising)
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Blogapalooza Inc. is the Philippines’ premier influencer marketing company. Through the years, Blogapalooza has built a solid community of thousands of bloggers, social media influencers, and content creators all over the Philippine archipelago and nearby Southeast Asian countries. As the leading influencer marketing company in the country, Blogapalooza prides itself of having more than 50,000 social media influencers and content creators – the largest community of digital talents in the Philippines.
Being the trailblazer in the influencer marketing space, Blogapalooza remains to be a strong brand that people associate with expertise, credibility, professionalism, and excellence.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe my strongest leadership traits would be that I am able to strike the balance between planning and doing, influence and coach the people I work with, and build harmonious relationships within and among the teams I lead.
It is paramount that leaders know how to strike the balance between planning and doing, because one without the other would result to a total disaster. I’m a leader who knows how to strategically weigh alternative paths and decide upon the best course of action when I would need to make a quick decision. More than this, I am one to roll up my sleeves, do the leg work, and follow-through on the plan.
In leading by example, I am able to influence and coach the people I work with. I earn the respect of my colleagues by showing them that I am not a leader that commands, but a leader that collaborates, listens, and lends a hand when needed. I get to tailor-fit my leadership style as situations call for it and people would refer to me as a coaching or mentoring type of leader.
I have the natural gift of bridging and building relationships, which perhaps is the reason why in the past six years that I have been the CEO of my current company, we have grown our community of influencers from a few hundred to now more than 50,000 across the entire country. I believe leaders must also have a certain level of charm and charisma to be able to harmoniously lead a huge community like this, and I believe that I possess the qualities of a charismatic leader fit for the role.
In the past 8 years that I’ve been the CEO of the company, I’d like to believe that my biggest achievements would be growing our revenues to the 9-digit range, building a community of 50,000+ influencers and content creators from all over the Philippines, and helping thousands of creators get sustainable income from content partnerships with brands.
As a leader, I believe that more than growing the company’s revenues and shareholder value, it’s also important to provide opportunities for learning, growth, and sustainability to the individuals we support. I am very happy to have achieved all of these in the past 8 years as a leader. I’m still just in my early 30s, and I’m certain there’s a lot more that I can do and so much more that I can give.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been a great help for me to educate people in and out of my industry on how to do influencer marketing the right way. Being in this fast-growing industry for more than 20 years already, I have seen how the content creation and influencer marketing industry has evolved through the years. With a growing industry comes plenty of gray areas and never-been-done situations, which more often than not opens opportunities for people to chime in the conversations and enrich the learnings for the community.
The LinkedIn platform has opened opportunities for new clients who personally got in touch with me to explore opportunities of working together, coming from the insights they have gotten from the pieces I’ve written and posted in the platform. It has given me and my company a receptive and engaged audience for our company-initiated industry studies focusing on the influencer marketing industry in the Philippines, as well as the efforts that our company is doing to contribute to the improvement of the industry.
Apart from the clear business opportunities, LinkedIn has also been instrumental in improving our employer branding efforts, making it easier for our human resources team to find great talent, ultimately leading our company to be awarded as one of the Philippines’ Best Workplaces 2023 by the international organization, Great Place To Work.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As much as people would argue that age is just a number and being female is just a gender, the society that we live in will always have a partiality for what has been conventional: corporate leadership with very minimal female representation. My experience in the past decade has subverted traditional ways of thinking.
Leading an all-female team, a 50,000-and-growing community of creators and digital talents, and a company that’s at the forefront of the rapidly growing content creation and influencer marketing industry – this defines my every day as a young female CEO.
In the years that I’ve defied conventions — being young and female — I believe that the greatest advantage of young people is precisely our youth – our energy, optimism, and natural disposition to optimize.
My experience is a testament that young female leaders can indeed take up space and that putting females at the driver seat can impact the course of a business — and an industry — in a favorable way.
Aileen Zalameda-McAvoy | Head, Talent Management & Development
Industry: Food and Beverage
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Frankie’s New York Buffalo Wings, is now 10 years in the industry. Started in September 2012 and now have 18 branches in Metro Manila. The Frankie’s family is growing and will be opening more doors to serve our customers and more opportunities will be available.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
For the past 17 years in the HR profession, I believed that being in the HR field makes my passion become a vocation. HR is not really a career but it is a passion to serve, to inspire, to influence others to do the same.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn Success Story, aside from the previous recognitions I had the past years from LinkedIn Community. My success in LinkedIn is measured with the people I connected and helped find their career/job with the guidance of our Lord Jesus. Every time people approach me if there’s an opportunity for them God answers it because there are doors/windows being opened for them.
LinkedIn helped me a lot in my career and with my intentions to help people. Through LinkedIn I have been able to meet and connect with a lot of people in different industries, different organizations. I was given a chance and opportunity to explore more on how I can expand my network, share my ideas and experiences in the LinkedIn Community.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman and being in HR profession, I believed that I can create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by promoting a culture that will focus on those factors in our organization. We have to support and encourage inclusivity, create campaign, celebrate small and big wins, have a core value of accepting every one in the workplace. How to do it? Be connected, don’t hesitate to ask questions, consider your actions and reactions, be a buddy/ally to the new people in the organization, and create a culture of belongingness.
Aiza Coronado – Domingcil | Co Founder
Industry: SaaS
Tell us about your organization, business or work
At CaaSocio, we help connect Filipino marketers with global SaaS founders so they can scale their SaaS through copy and other marketing services.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m Aiza, a writer, ex-engineer, SaaS agency owner and boy mom. Together with my co-founder, Sarah, we built CaaSocio firstly to help global and now Filipino SaaS founders scale. We find serving soon-to-be unicorns fun! Secondly, we believe Filipinos are first class and can serve a sophisticated niche like SaaS. Every SaaS I serve has a Filipino in their team.
On the side, I help fellow freelancers on how to use writing as a freelancing and life skill inside my 5k strong FB group.
I advocate for a chill approach to building a sustainable biz—and presence—online because we’re a mom, wife, and a child of God first. In a way, I believe we can have it all. We are hardwired to thrive, doing stuff we’re destined to do, because God designed us so!
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Sharing my freelancing success stories on LinkedIn helps me empower ex-colleagues, childhood friends, and future freelancers that they too can be successful even if they work from home. Or even if we just stay here in the Philippines. Or even if we’re just ordinary moms who struggle with raising kids.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman in tech from a third-world country, it’s with pride and honor to show that global SaaS founders listen to me for business advice. To pay that forward, I continue to share stories and mentor others so they too can experience this. One fellow freelancer asked me why I continue to offer services that aren’t aligned with my strengths and our profitability na rin. I realized na I do business differently. I pick out who to hire because I want to work with them. I’ll find ways to make it work so I can keep them. Because working with them has given me purpose and drive to build more. One of them is an ex-colleague who has suffered brain injuries. When she told me thanks for giving her meaning and the power to earn after the years of being seen with her new disability. Another one is my cousin who told me that the money she earned from me can help her pursue her studies in Australia. And another one is a girl I grew up with. I make her help me and the money she gets hopefully will fund her dream of going to Poland.
Ana Maria Penny Bongato | Coach/Consultant
Industry: Training and Coaching
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I do executive, career and life coaching as well as facilitating Canfield programs on the Success Principles.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
My mission is to be able to help100,000 Filipinos transform their lives, set big, hairy, audacious goals and achieve these goals. Filipinos can dream bigger and aspire for more. I teach in college for the past 15 years at De La Salle College of St. Benilde and I teach my students the success principles and the Power of Visualization. I also teach in the Masters of Human Resources Program of the same school. At the moment, I am a consultant for a consortium of schools to help students develop needed skills even before the students go to internship, before graduation. At an early stage in their lives, have them be the best that they can be so that they can fulfill their dreams (and not someone else’s dreams for them). I love giving words of wisdom and maturity to the young ones because I believe the Filipinos can be better than we are now. We just have to aspire for more and take action.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has helped me spread my advocacy on gratitude, goal setting and taking responsibility. Through this, I have gained more friends and colleagues and it has helped me connect with so many people across the world. My third book, Forward Shift, Managing Your life at the Time of a Pandemic, had stories of people who have become my friends through LinkedIn.
Gratitude is one of my favorite topics and I know it inspires people to be more grateful in this world of ours which is full of negativism and chaos. It’s a good reminder for those who read my posts that there is always, always something to be grateful for everyday.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
At this time, when the world of economy, politics is dominated by men, being an influencer, and a woman at that, there are various ways that I can use my influence as a woman:
1) Speak up on issues related to women and underprivileged or underrepresented;
2) Coaching and mentoring women again to be the best that they can be because Women (WE-Men can!)
3) Continue building diverse network that is more inclusive and equitable.
Anda Goseco | Executive Coach
Industry: Coaching
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I help leaders who are going through transformation and want to accelerate their growth. I focus on their inner game- such as goals, beliefs, motivations which affect their identity as a leader. I help them face their internal barriers to navigate their complex environment. The edge of your comfort zone is where you learn and grow. Even if it is difficult and uneasy, I create a game plan which will be their anchor in the midst of a storm.
I help women leaders in the workplace find their voice by helping them know their true identity. When they are able to fully accept who they are, they can give so much more. I help them understand their environment so they can be successful in the workplace.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that everyone has the capacity to use their own unique strengths to create an impact to the world. Whatever roles we play in life, we have to be intentional with our decisions and actions. Every action causes a chain reaction. We always have to think about the impact of everything we do. In this world where it is all about doing, we need to pause and be more mindful of our actions.
I also believe that everything starts with love. When we learn to take care of others, there is more collaboration and alignment. We need to believe that people are innately good, we treat them with understanding, compassion and respect. We start to have less judgment and see the stories of others.
I co-founded top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn because we wanted to recognize the leaders who were able to exemplify leadership traits during this pandemic.
I was the head of International Coach Federation Philippines’ (ICFP) Community Relations 2022. We gave free coaching sessions to communities who needed our help such as public school teachers, medical frontliners and microentrepreneurs.
I have a Spotify podcast where I wanted leaders to learn strategies on how to create a workplace where leaders can thrive. I interviewed thought leaders and award-winning authors to share on how to engage leaders and teams.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I became active in LinkedIn with the help of Virginia Bautista back in 2021. She believed in me and had the right strategy to take me to the next level.
LinkedIn gave me a voice to talk about my beliefs on leaders and teams. I was able to connect and get the support with a lot of like-minded people . I am grateful for the connections and clients I gained from LinkedIn.
I was able to receive many awards because of LInkedIn’s Top 100 Filipino leaders, Top 100 Filipino Women and top LinkedIn Filipino content creator. These awards have helped me be recognized for the work that I do and it has helped me reach more leaders and teams.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
It starts with how I interact with people and how I help them as a coach. Each person has a unique story to tell and I want to help them bring it out. I want to help people break free by making them break their patterns. When they learn to see the best in themselves, they are able to bring out the best in others.
Arianne Mae Balmes | Sourcing Specialist
Industry: IT
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Appen
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I’ve been part of the IT Industry for the past 2 years and recruiting a lot of people with different cultures. Dealing with other people makes me aware of how many people desire part-time employment, and conversing with them makes me pleased to witness their success in life.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I’ve been part of IT Industry for the past 2 years and recruiting a lot of people with different culture. Dealing with other people makes me aware of how many people desire part-time employment, and conversing with them makes me pleased to witness their success in life.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Being a woman won’t stop me from assisting others in recruiting because I am aware that everyone is created equal, especially when it comes to the ability to work.
Aurora Denise Aquino Leynes | Operations Manager
Industry: IT
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’ve been part of Equus Software since 2015. The amazing team at Equus provides award-winning global mobility technology products that have been recognized globally. Equus is more than just a technology company. Collectively, we care about our people and we support different local communities through the Equus Gives initiative wherein the company matches all of our donations to charities. Since the initiative started in 2020, we have supported different charities both in the Philippines and abroad.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I consider myself a lifelong learner and in the past few years I attended several courses to ensure that I’m acquiring new skills and knowledge. I’m an advocate for women empowerment through education and I show my commitment to this cause by being a Wedu Global volunteer, supporting rising stars in Southeast Asia with their personal and educational goals by being a mentor. I am also part of the different initiatives of Women of the World.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I started using Linkedin actively in 2020 during the start of the pandemic. My intention was to learn different strategies from other leaders and I eventually started sharing about my own journey on Linkedin as well. I’ve met some amazing people through this platform including my first ever mentor, Isa Buencamino.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I strongly believe that it is important to use my voice and influence to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whenever I get the chance, I bring attention to issues and to amplify the voices of those who may not have a platform. It can also be done through simple things such as supporting someone in need or mentioning someone’s name when there’s an opportunity. For me, it’s all about providing access to opportunities.
Averil Frances Chapap | LinkedIn Content Strategist and Lead Generation Specialist/Founder/Owner
Industry: Marketing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’m a freelancer focusing on LinkedIn Content Strategy and Lead Generation, and I’ve been doing this for about three years now. Before diving into the freelance world, I spent 15 years as a university instructor, which helped me sharpen my communication and strategy skills.
These days, I specialize in helping coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs build their businesses using LinkedIn. It’s such a powerful platform. I love helping people make the most of it. And, because I know how tough it can be starting as a freelancer, I also lend a hand to those just getting started in the business. I’m all about using my experience and knowledge to help others succeed.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m a mother of four who loves arts and crafts, plants, and furry pets. As a freelancer, I’m always looking for ways to add to my income and currently selling stuff online. I’m also passionate about sustainable living and have been learning how to start my survival garden. I believe in taking care of our environment and supporting sustainable practices.
While I wasn’t always fond of furry pets, I’ve recently adopted five dogs, a cat I adore, and my kids. As an animal welfare advocate, I believe in treating our pets with love and kindness, just as we should treat women and children with care and respect.
In my personal life, I believe in the importance of self-care, as it helps us give more to others. That’s why I prioritize taking care of myself to give more to my family, community, and work. After all, you cannot give from an empty cup!
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success story began when I used this platform for my freelance writing career. As an academic, I knew that LinkedIn was the go-to platform for professionals, but I was hesitant to engage with people from all over the world. Fortunately, with the guidance of my mentor, Virginia Bautista, and some experienced LinkedIn veterans, I gained the confidence to share my story and connect with others.
Since then, I’ve been able to use LinkedIn to advance my career and help others. I offer my assistance for free to fellow Filipinos struggling with the platform, and I always support others’ content by reposting it.
Through LinkedIn, I’ve realized there’s so much to learn and many opportunities to explore. As someone passionate about educating and inspiring others, I’m grateful for the chance to use this platform to connect with people from all walks of life and help them achieve their goals.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman with a diverse background in academia, freelance writing, and advocacy, I believe in using my platform to promote inclusivity and equity. Through my work, I strive to educate and inspire others about sustainable living, animal welfare, and women’s and children’s rights. By prioritizing diversity and inclusivity in my personal and professional life, I hope to contribute to a more equitable world.
In my personal and professional life, I surround myself with diverse voices and consciously try to listen to and learn from their experiences. As a mother, I strive to set an example of inclusivity and kindness for my children, and I use my platform to share information and resources about these crucial issues.
As a freelance content writer, I make a point to suggest inclusive language and diverse imagery in the content I create. I also seek out projects with clients who prioritize these values and actively work to represent underrepresented groups in their marketing efforts.
Additionally, I participate in online communities and forums where diverse voices are welcome and encouraged. By sharing my experiences and listening to others, I gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives and can use this knowledge to inform my work and advocacy efforts.
Overall, small actions can have a significant impact when it comes to creating a more equitable and inclusive world. We can make a positive difference in the world around us by taking steps in our personal and professional lives to promote diversity and inclusion.
Barbie de la Torre-Quizan | Barbie Quizan
Industry: BPO/IT-BPM
Tell us about your organization, business or work
TTEC Holdings, Inc is one of the largest, global CX (customer experience) technology and services innovators for end-to-end, digital CX solutions. The Company delivers leading CX technology and operational CX orchestration at scale through its proprietary cloud-based CXaaS (Customer Experience as a Service) platform. Serving iconic and disruptive brands, TTEC’s outcome-based solutions span the entire enterprise, touch every virtual interaction channel, and improve each step of the customer journey. Leveraging next gen digital and cognitive technology, the Company’s Digital business designs, builds, and operates omnichannel contact center technology, conversational messaging, CRM, automation (AI / ML and RPA), and analytics solutions. The Company’s Engage business delivers digital customer engagement, customer acquisition and growth, content moderation, fraud prevention, and data annotation solutions. Founded in 1982, the Company’s singular obsession with CX excellence has earned its leading client NPS scores across the globe. The Company’s 69,400 employees operate on six continents and bring technology and humanity together to deliver happy customers and differentiated business results.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As the working world forces employees to be far apart, I do recognize the power and potential of coming together – thus breaking barriers and bringing teams closer than they’ve ever been before. As Vice President for Delivery at TTEC, I am responsible for managing service delivery strategy for the some of the world’s largest Healthcare organizations and helping lead our 30,000-employee population in the Philippines.
With more than two decades of global outsourcing expertise, my time has been spent leading strategic transformations in support of TTEC Healthcare’s clients across the globe. In 2019, I have been blessed to have been selected as the first Filipino VP in TTEC’s 38-year history, giving me an empowering voice for innovation and leadership development and encouraging ways to do things differently, not just within our APAC region, but across our global community.
I strongly believe in servant leadership, and know that to achieve world class outcomes, a people-first culture is vital. Having been a working student struggling to make ends meet, my story of success started at the bottom of the proverbial ladder: taking my college classes during the day and taking phone calls for a US directory assistance company at night. I would take naps on the road with a half-eaten burger in my hand because that is all I could afford.
Those mini-naps and God’s grace paved the way to achieve more, and this has been my driving force in strengthening cross-functional relationships, creating meaningful employee experiences that in turn have driven memorable customer interactions.
This servant leadership approach, allowing teams to do their best work has resulted to palpable growth that impacts the lives of our members and our employees in a meaningful way:
• Best in class client NPS scores, with +100 overall and 64% of respondents scoring 10s in all questions
• 93% proactivity score for recommendations around automation, improving process workflows and increasing employee productivity
• Spearheaded several proactive solution initiatives, with the goal of improving the claims process for a large US Healthcare Payer and reducing the turnaround time by almost 100%
• Led the efforts around employee engagement, showing improvement year over year, with 2023 YTD at 82.5%
o Decreased attrition in half and achieving the highest retention numbers in the last 4 years
• Served as executive sponsor for Healthcare focused community programs to drive connected purpose with our clients and employees. raising $2,400 for the Alzheimer’s Association, $10,000 for the Children’s Foundation and several others.
• Opened avenues for other healthcare companies globally to rethink their business model, using our team’s culture and best practices as inspiration
When I’m not in the boardroom developing our leaders, I can be found in our playroom mentoring my three beautiful children. I strongly believe that being a working mother that’s present is a huge privilege in influencing the world changers and shapers of the next generation. This forward thinking also prompted us as a family to participate in initiatives to help preserve the environment, so you can also find us helping clean out the beaches near our home in Zambales or lending our time in getting our first indigenous dog breed, the Philippine Witch Dog, be recognized in an international scale.
The activities that I’ve invested time in and the amazing results that my teams have displayed over the years have allowed me to be able to tell my story to the world – that serving others can transform us in ways we never could have imagined. As a leader in Healthcare, I don’t have to be the doctor in the operating room holding the human heart – I can touch the hearts of the people I support so we can make a meaningful impact to the lives they lead.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Barbie is a motivator, a driver and a provider.
That was the first ever recommendation I received 12 years ago since joining LinkedIn in 2009. It was from Earl, one of the workforce managers that I worked closely with when I was Site Director. This recommendation means a lot to me not only because it was the first – it’s also because the colleague who wrote it – Earl, had unfortunately passed two years ago due to COVID.
This example, and many more, proves how LinkedIn has been a reliable source of career development ideas and advice. The ability to help us stay connected and have a huge impact to each other’s professional careers – and even personal lives – is transformational.
With the pandemic having a profound impact on the working world, and jobs mobilizing to accommodate the new reality, Linkedin has stayed consistent in responding to the needs of the global workforce. Having been on the other side of the career hunt many years ago, I was blessed to be able to be an instrument in referring former colleagues for new opportunities, writing recommendations and be a relevant channel for someone to land the job of their dreams.
Similar to what Earl has done for me 12 years ago – I was able to do the same for others through Linkedin.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
From a young age, I have always been passionate about serving others and making a difference. As a young girl, we didn’t have as many career opportunities as what we have today. I was deeply inspired by strong women leaders before me who had fought for change and paved the way for others to follow.
My role at TTEC allowed me to travel the world, explore diverse cultures and see the resilience and talent of people from all different backgrounds. I was also given the opportunity to be the first Filipina VP in a company that’s 60,000-employee strong globally. This has been deeply humbling and what I consider to be both a blessing and a responsibility, to ensure that I am able to use my own platform and help overcome the challenges around diversity that people face on a daily basis.
I work with other leaders in my industry today, not just in APAC but across our global footprint to ensure equal opportunities for people to succeed. I have been a member of the Women in Leadership council for TTEC for the last 8 years and have participated in many learning sessions to help inspire women in the workplace. One of my first projects was initiating a social media platform for women to share questions, ideas and advice on how to be more successful in the workplace. As a woman leader who rose up the ranks, my story can hopefully inspire and serve in building a pipeline of diverse and talented leaders.
Advocating for change in my work environment as well as in my community can also help make a difference. Being a working mother to 3 beautiful children, I’ve also seen how women like us can be measured under impossible standards and fall under the perception that mothers are less committed or less productive. Raising awareness and advocacy around these issues can help build momentum for change and promote greater equality and diversity.
Ultimately, I believe that change starts with each of us individually. As a woman leader, leading by example and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect, telling these stories and lobbying for change can transform our culture and our communities in ways we never thought possible.
Beatriz Lim | Managing Director
Industry: Marketing and Communications
Tell us about your organization, business or work
TeamAsia is an award-winning strategic marketing agency that’s been creating and sustaining visibility since 1992. We build brand, community, and industries for positive business impact; and develop integrated marketing strategies for visible growth, reach, and engagement. We do this by exploring innovation to its fullest potential through our core services: Creatives, Digital, Events, and Public Relations.
We are passionate and committed to helping communities, caring for the environment and promoting inclusivity, integrity and shared prosperity.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Hi! I’m Bea. I’m a storyteller in constant pursuit of stories that matter.
I lead the overall operations of TeamAsia as Managing Director, driving TeamAsia’s world-class Integrated Marketing Experience (IME) practice. I love idea generation, strategic planning and campaign execution, spearheading some of the agency’s biggest campaigns in tech, telecommunications, IT-BPM and development aid. I love managing teams and culture building, looking into meaningful ways to connect people, cultivate purpose and drive them towards a common goal.
I host and moderate various events online and on ground—bringing people together, sharing knowledge and talking about things and topics that matter. That’s why we launched TeamAsia’s B2B: Breakfast to Business podcast, which serves our listeners food for thought about life, work, advocacies and brands. We bring in thought leaders and thought seekers to talk shop and discuss matters that focus on brand, culture and business-building topics like marketing, crisis management, employee wellness, gender equality, women economic empowerment and diversity and inclusion.
I am also very committed to the communities we serve. One of the advocacies closest to my heart is education. Fourteen years ago, we started My Dream in a Shoebox, an initiative to provide shoeboxes filled with school supplies to less fortunate children all over the country. Together with partner brands and communities, we support hundreds of dream scholars with educational assistance, and thousands of kids with the supplies they need to continue their education, especially in the now normal.
Another advocacy that I am very passionate about is overall wellness. I am a certified provider for Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®), a body-based approach to help release deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma in the body. It’s a beautiful practice that allows your body to release tension, calm the nervous system and create more space and good energy to flow through your body.
I recently ended my term as a board of director for the Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) where I focused my energy on building our youth and education programs to upskill and uplift the future digital creatives of our country, as well as keep our membership engaged as head of the Engagement Subcommittee. I sat on the board of directors of the Philippine Marketing Association as director for PR and Communications and as a mentor to the Philippine Junior Marketing Association, empowering youth marketers across the Philippines.
In the moments that I am not focused on cultivating meaningful connections at work and at play, you can find me practicing yoga, experimenting on the ukulele or writing in my virtual space lensandletters.com – a compilation of travel Photo stories.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
The past two years, my LinkedIn page has been a safe and creative space to talk about the importance of gender equality.
I truly believe that we all deserve to live, love and learn in a world that is equal, where you can embrace your true and most beautiful self and people see and celebrate you for you and not your gender. LinkedIn has been a fantastic, empowering and enriching platform where this conversation is seen, heard, discussed and shared to take a solid stand on gender equality. I have seen folks react, share and respond to our posts, podcast episodes and articles on gender equality. I have been touched by responses of complete support, of longing for the same world, of others taking an equal stand on this important topic. That, for me, is success—where you create an avenue for people to connect on things that truly matter in this world, especially a world that we are building for future generations.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
To create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, I must first and foremost walk the most beautiful talk on gender equality. It’s not just about speaking up and taking a stand. It is about consistently driving that agenda forward through conversations (no matter how hard they are) and creating and supporting programs that will answer the challenge of shaping a more equal world. My mom, Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, and I had a recent podcast episode on being an inconvenient woman—the type that will continue speaking up, loud and proud, about the importance of diversity, inclusion, equality and equity until the very moment where we can say I can use my influence as a person (not my gender) for good.
Bonnie Factor | Venture Builder, Founder, Leading Group of Companies
Industry: Tech., Cybersecurity, Training
Tell us about your organization, business or work
The Leading Group of Companies were born through Leading With Success, our first venture, it now has different ventures into sales, tech. developments and our new baby, cybersecurity.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that women need to shine in the AI era.
The Philippines have long been an outsourcing country and ChatGPT has made it so much easier to learn anything any woman believes they can learn.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I have been using LinkedIn since 2009 as a recruiter, been using it to reach out to potential clients and most of all to share contents that can resonate for the causes that I have.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Cybersecurity is a field that is most needed in tech. and our new venture AiDefendBot will need to train women in this field to have more girls learn about how to position themselves in this career.
Carla Manas | Executive Coach, Executive Coach Master Trainer
Industry: Executive Coaching, Leadership Development
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Coaching for Exponential Leadership (COEXL) is an Executive Coach Training and Leadership Development company on a mission to create 10x impact and growth by empowering leaders who empower others.
The vision for COEXL is to deliver innovative solutions for executive leaders and coaches to achieve their mission, become trailblazers and make a lasting impact on the individuals they serve. We do this through our executive coaching programs, global coach training and training.
At the heart of what we do is creating a community of leaders and coaches that co-uplift others and develop excellence. By working together, we can accelerate and amplify positive change.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Carla is a multi-awarded Executive Coach, Executive Coach Master Trainer and visionary guide, who is passionate about co-uplifting and co-creating. She is known for propelling visionary leaders and coaches to reach new levels of success and achieving remarkable breakthrough results.
Her mission is to make a profound difference in the lives of the people she works with and to spark exponential positive change by empowering leaders and coaches who empower others. Her clients attest to the exceptional results she provides, from finding solutions to pressing challenges; harnessing their potential to go beyond their limits, scaling their business and yielding a massive return of investment.
She does this through coaching executives, creating safe spaces for leaders and coaches to grow and co-uplift each other, and through certifying professionals to become executive coaches–so they too can become trailblazers in their field and create a ripple effect of meaningful impact.
Carla’s results oriented and transformative work is lauded through the awards and distinctions she has received: Best Executive Coach by the Global Coach Awards 2021, APAC Best Executive Coach, Silver 2022, 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn, 2022 and Top 30 Coaches to look out for by the NYC Journal, 2021.
As a champion of the human spirit, Carla lives each moment cognizant that every breath is a gift. After beating COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic, she founded Alay sa Pinoy Frontliners and Covid Warriors, non-profit groups to support survivors and healthcare workers on the frontlines. In 2021 She also created Coaches C.A.R.E. ( Coaches Advancing Resilience and Empathy), a community of certified coaches who provide pro-bono coaching to support the well-being of medical frontliners, healthcare workers, teachers and other sectors most in need.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success story is all about using the platform to co-uplift. As an executive coach and coach trainer, I’m passionate about helping leaders and coaches become trailblazers of positive change, and LinkedIn has been an invaluable tool in that mission.
I share content on LinkedIn to inspire leaders in their work, raise awareness about executive coaching, and celebrate both small wins and major milestones for the community I’ve created. By sharing my own experiences and insights, as well as amplifying the good in others, I hope that many more individuals will be inspired to take action, and then inspire many more. I like to think of it as a ripple effect where small actions lead to collective action, and all contribute to making a difference.
In addition to sharing content, LinkedIn has been instrumental in connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences who share the same vision of creating meaningful impact in the world. It’s a great way to keep learning, growing, and exploring.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I believe that a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive is a world that works- with no one left behind.
As a woman and Executive Coach, I make this happen through my passion to co-uplift and co-create. I do this by empowering leaders and coaches and encouraging them to uplift and support each other and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I support and mentor women to help them reach their full potential. I create opportunities for people to learn from each other’s experiences, fostering an environment of collaboration and actively seeking out and celebrating different perspectives.
Co-uplifting means lifting each other up through intentional acts of support and encouragement, regardless of their background or identity. I do this by celebrating the achievements of the people around me.
Amplifying voices. Advocating for rights. Encouraging people to embrace what is unique about them. Creating safe spaces. Harnessing potential and providing opportunities for growth and development.
Co-creating is encouraging people to work together to co-create solutions to challenges and problems. To create a culture that is inclusive and values everyone’s unique perspectives and experiences.
UPLIFT-C is an acronym that I made as a reminder on how we can make diversity, equality, and inclusion happen in small and big ways. Here is what each letter represents:
U – Understand and appreciate differences. Understand and appreciate the differences that make each person unique.
P – Provide equal opportunities. Promote inclusive practices, behaviors and attitudes regardless of culture, gender, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and orientation.
L –Lead by Example. Model the behavior you wish to see in others. Be inclusive, respectful and open-minded in interactions with others encouraging open communication and collaboration.
I – Inspire Inclusivity. Create inclusive and collaborative environments where people feel heard and valued and inspire others to do the same.
F- Foster change in mindset. Advocate for a change in mindset and perceptions that is more open and accepting. Be aware of unconscious biases.
T – Take action to address inequality. Speak up and use your voice to speak out against bias, discrimination and inequality.
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C -Celebrate Individuality.
Appreciate and value individual similarities and differences, embracing the gift that is uniquely you.
Creating a world that is diverse, inclusive and equitable starts with each of us. Individually it can be challenging, but if we work together, we can accomplish so much more. By living out my mission, I hope to contribute to a better more inclusive world for us and our children.
Carla Perlas | VP-Communications
Industry: Tech, media, commerce
Tell us about your organization, business or work
The Parentinc is tech company headquartered in Singapore focused on building content-community-commerce platforms for parents in Southeast Asia. Our flagship brand is theAsianparent, which is a content and community platform reaching over 30M users monthly via its website and app. We also manufacture safe, natural, and Halal pregnancy and baby products under our direct to consumer brand, Mama’s Choice
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’ve always been a big advocate for mom empowerment. Mothers are the biggest victims of invisible labor, and I’d like to make an impact by helping them be acknowledged rightfully for their contribution to the family and society as a whole. I am also very much entrenched in promoting our company’s CSR initiative called Project Sidekicks, which is an awareness campaign on stillbirth and what we can do to reduce the risks and the rate of stillbirths. The Philippines has the highest rate in SEA, and we don’t even have a proper legislative definition included in our Maternity Law. So parents of stillborn babies are not given the appropriate support they need. That needs to change.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
If it wasn’t for LinkedIn, I wouldn’t have been discovered and hired by our Group CEO and Founder, Roshni Mahtani Cheung, whom I have happily and proudly served under as both colleague and friend for eight years now. I have found the perfect match in The Parentinc as it supports both my needs to grow as a professional and as a parent.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Women need more women mentors. I am in a great position to be able to connect with millions of mothers through our company’s platform. So I will maintain my personal mission to be a strong role model for mothers, keep my communication lines open for them should they need advice or help, and to speak up for them and put a spotlight on the issues that plague them whenever I’m given the chance to address a wider audience.
Carmela Migriño | Chairman and President/Excom ACIOA
Industry: Non Profit/Non Stock
Tell us about your organization, business or work
We are a non-stock non-profit corporation with the primary goal of empowering women to lead and be effective in their respective roles in Cyber Security and Digital Risks.It aims to create a community where men and women coexist while promoting awareness and leading practices in governance and technology in the different security and risk disciplines. Thus, WiSAP promotes gender equity as enabler of equality. WiSAP works with government agencies, national defense and private sector to implement initiatives to educating Filipinos on digital risks – its implication and measures to better manage the impact.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Mel is the Chairman and President of the Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP) and Executive Committee Member of the ASEAN CIO Association. She has been cited as 2022 Influencer by the International Security Journal, UK and has been recently cited by Technology Magazine, Energy Digital and Cyber Magazine as a leading CISO among global cybersecurity leaders and a regular contributor in Women in Security Magazine in Australia by Source2Create. She is the former Cyber Security Leader of a Big 4 Auditing Firm, and the largest Power Distribution Conglomerate and fintech operator in the Philippines. She led various cyber teams from other industries like Telecommunications, Retail Energy and Power Generation, Shared Services, Engineering, O&M and Construction companies.
She has more than 15 years of combined experience in Cyber and IT Governance, Application and Infrastructure Security, Infrastructure Operations and Management, Operational Technology (OT) Security, Business Continuity, Privacy, IT Audit, Project Management across multiple industries. She led the PCIDSS Certification for the largest payments network in the Philippines. Further, she led the initiatives to strengthen the layered defenses within the OT and evolving IoT infrastructure. Further, its the Fintech Subsidiary won the W Media Awards for Southeast Asia under Cybersecurity Implementation on 2021 and AIBP Award on Cybersecurity for Fintech 2022.
Mel earned several recognitions in 2022 and in 2021 among those are:
2023 Woman in Cybersecurity of the Year by The Cyber Express
Security Leader of the Year 2022 by Women in IT Awards
CISO of the Year 2021
Top 2 CSO20 ASEAN and HK 2021 by IDG
Top 1 CSO 30 ASEAN and HK 2022 by Foundry (formerly IDG)
Top Woman ASEAN Award 2022 by MySecurityPlace and WISECRA
Top Woman in Security, Country Awards 2022 by MySecurityPlace and WISECRA
2022 Global Top 100 Leaders in Infosec by Business of Infosec
Cyber Woman of the Year 2022, PhilSec Awards
Top 100 Global Leaders for Infosec 2022
Cited as one of the 2022 CIO 100 by Foundry (formerly International Data Group)
Top 30 Transformative CIO 2022 by ETCIO Southeast Asia
Mel is a contributing writer in FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE Proactive Cybersecurity Strategies for Today’s Leaders published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in the year 2022.
Mel has graced many regional speaking engagements and a well known thought leader in IT and OT. She was invited a speaker in the 14th SCADA World Summit in Singapore and has graced more than 40 speaking engagements on Technology, Cybersecurity and Women in Tech for the past 2 years. She was invited as part of the judging panel for Women in GRC 2022 and Women in Cybersecurity Middle East.
She graced events on Women in Technology by Palo Alto and Cloud Security Alliance and CIO News. She was featured by Enlit Asia under In Power Women segment. Further she was part of the Global Mentoring for Cybersecurity 2022 where she mentored beginners for cybersecurity based in Kazakhstan and has mentored IT Team Leaders based in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Philippines.
She believes that gender equity addresses inequalities issues that limit a person’s ability to opportunities to achieve better health conditions, education and business opportunities based on their gender — basically better life. Hence, equity is an enabler of gender equality and this all starts at home wherein the practices and values are established and become solid and these are cascaded to the different groups and organization outside our homes. This is a ripple effect that one must do regardless of their origin and beliefs.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Mel as an active user of LinkedIn has helped her promote her advocacies and support various professionals and teams in the technology industry.
Among the positive outcomes of Linkedin are as follows:
1. Effective platform to promote women empowerment and gender equality to various professional networks
2. Share digital risks materials that various individuals and company can use with various topics on cybersecurity and technology
3. Promote the advocacies of Women in Security Alliance Philippines and increase its social media followers. Two years ago WiSAP had almost 1,000 followers only but now it is approaching over 1,800 followers. Two years ago my followers on LinkedIn were only 1,200 but now it is approaching 3,000 followers.
4. Thru the increased connections, potential candidates were interviewed and hired enabling to help fill in the resources gap in the team.
5. Share milestones of the organization and the team. Platform to recognize team’s and individual’s efforts that will inspire others.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman leading in technology, it has been my passion to help grow the industry thru promoting awareness and education on digital risks and ways to address threats and the negative impact of risks. Mel in her own ways wanted to help the society and help build a secure ecosystem. She has been known as a highly influential female in technology both in the local industry and in Asia Pacific.
Among her key initiatives in WiSAP are the Women of Influence that was aired last March 2023, collaboration with the Philippine Army Cyber Battalion, awarding of the Top Women in Security Philippines 2020, Cyber Education Program, Digital Citizenship Conference which talks about various cybersecurity topics from beginners to intermediate. Mel also promoted diversity and inclusion thru onboarding male executives and leaders in WiSAP and involving them in various initiatives of the organization.
Mel is currently working with global partnerships focusing on Anti Scam and Fraud to help protect the digital lives of the Filipinos. Through her passion for women empowerment and gender equality, her organization, WiSAP was chosen by DICT Cybersecurity Bureau to be the country representative in the Southeast Asia Cyber Security Consortium where regional initiatives are developed to help bridge the resources gap in cybersecurity.
Carmela Sais | Vice-President/ Head of Recruitment at Athena
Industry: Consultancy/ Outsourcing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Athena empowers the fiercely ambitious to reach their full potential, their 10x. We hire and train exceptional Philippines-based Executive Assistants.
Athena Executive Assistants are matched 1:1 with industry, leaders, startup founders, and driven up-and-comers. These partnerships are powered by the most innovative delegation training. The result is 10x more leverage, more time, more impact on the world from our most talented PH Talent, recruited from all over the PH.
I lead the Recruitment strategies and operations at Athena to find the best support teams who power the most exciting global business leaders. Our growth has been phenomenal in the past 2 years alone! Last year we received over 190,000 applications for about 800 jobs, having grown from a team of about 200+ to over 1,500+ employees. Our purpose is to find the most talented and brightest Filipinos to power the world’s dynamic global business leaders and executives.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a proud probinsyana, from Iloilo and graduated from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in the early 80’s. I had the opportunity to work in the US for about 28 years, 24 of which as an HR Professional. I am very proud to have mentored diverse teams here in the Philippines and the US. Thank you for letting me share my journey with you!
I was part of the leadership team who helped grow the US-based Nordstrom Inc., helping hire pioneer teams to open up stores all over the Southern and Midwest states as the Regional Recruiter for the South and Midwest regions. I supported over 78 Nordstrom stores in North America, helping recruit for leadership, sales, and internship openings. I made significant contributions to the rapid store expansion and I was awarded the prestigious Nordstrom HR Corporate Cup – Leader of the Year, and was the only Filipino awarded with the prestigious company wide award at that time.
In 2011, I was recruited by Teletech to launch Bank of America in the PH, helping create over 2,000 jobs here in the PH. I moved my family back to Manila and in the past 12 years, I have led outsourcing operations here in the Philippines and in North America. I have been responsible for career hubs, multiple sites, volume, and executive hiring for Alorica, JP Morgan Chase, and C3 (now Everise) as Head of Recruitment. My purpose has always been to help create global jobs for Filipinos, wherever they may be in the Philippines .
As Head of Recruitment for Taskus SEA for 5 years (2016-2021), I led the growth from 4,000+ to over 23,000+ hiring PH-based employees, leading over 158 recruiters, and supporting multiple regions from 2016 until 2021, bringing the startup to a successful IPO in 2021, worth over $2.0B. I am also proud to say that I helped build TaskUs to be a leading best place to work, and was part of the innovative leadership team who helped build strategies in disrupting the outsourcing industry and laying the foundation for a people-centric culture that is both award winning and one of the best in the outsourcing industry.
I am currently the Vice President for Recruitment at Athena, a start up with the goal of creating 10,000 jobs in the PH by the year 2030. I am very passionate about building strong teams and creating exceptional people centric cultures, connecting top talent with innovative global careers, and mentoring recruiters to master our craft in Talent Acquisition and Development.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I started with Linkedin in 2008 when I was helping open stores for Nordstrom in the US. At that time, we were all self-taught on how to recruit via Linkedin. The first challenge was to connect with enough people to get it over 500+ connections! Linkedin has always been my no. 1 tool to create my network, tap talent from anywhere in the world, and even connecting with past hires. I have used Linkedin as a HR Professional and a Recruiter, and now have over 13,000+ connections.
As long as I can remember, I have always been an advocate for Linkedin because it’s the only platform for professionals that allow us to connect on opportunities and grow as business leaders. From the post and stories, I have learned valuable lessons, connected with people around the world, and have met most of my previous employers. This is the place where I can find the best talent and where headhunters have also found me. In the past 10 years, I have mentored my own recruiters and company leaders on the value of staying connected. I remember a conversation with an executive many years ago asking me why I promoted Linkedin visibility a lot— am I not afraid that our own employees might be poached or hired by other companies? The answer is simple really, when we build strong teams and are confident about the culture in our organization, we shouldn’t worry about losing people to the competition.
In Athena, I do mentoring sessions with every recruiter on the team on how they should brand themselves in Linkedin, how to build a strong profile, how to anchor their profile to the company brand, and how to connect with Talent in Linkedin. We have several initiatives and targets in sourcing and recruitment, all include Linkedin as the major platform to find leadership and support roles in Athena. In the past year, our recruitment team of over 30 recruiters have grown their connections to more than 100,000 connections to build their network.
In the past year, I also led discussions on how we can tell our employee stories on Linkedin where we can shine a light on our amazing employees, the unique company culture, and exciting opportunities. I trust Linkedin to be the number 1 source of the best talent we can find to fuel our company’s growth!
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman and a Filipino woman at that, I always lead by example. I am confident that we can hold our own in any global discussions. We are smart, wise, empathetic, and articulate!
I have been part of teams where my Filipino team members were the quietest and most agreeable people in the meetings. However, it’s important for junior and global team members to see that I am capable of leading successfully, be innovative, and providing critical solutions to the organization’s problems and challenges. I also advocate for team members to speak up, show their talent, take risks and not be afraid to fail. By being confidently visible, I can show that true talent is diverse and can look like me, Filipino, and a woman! Inclusivity also means fighting ageism by showing that older women executives like me don’t need to retire when they reach their 60’s. I am 61 this year and I am excited everyday by the many things I continue to learn and share with anyone on my team! This week I am learning and leading my team on the use of ChatGPT and different AI tools in transforming the recruitment processes and ways of working. How cool is that?!
What opportunities and blessings I have received, I endeavor each day to pass along in my mentorship of young leaders. I am truly humbled by this privilege and opportunity!
Casey Ordoña | Managing Director
Industry: Tech, Marketing, & Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
2 decades of experience in agencies that enables Digital Transformations via government grants for MNC and M/SMEs in Southeast Asia, North America, and APAC. 8 yrs in leadership position, management consulting and strategy. Specialises in Data Analytics, Hyper-local marketing, Conversion Rate Optimisation, IT Project – Systems Development, Integration, and Automation.
Speaking and lecture at universities/ workshops for companies about Digital Transformation and Digital Marketing with the new normal.
Interest: Psychology of Consumer & Digital Behaviour.
These days I split my time between running my marketing & tech agency, EVOLVE Digital Group with offices in Manila and Singapore.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Whenever possible, I share my knowledge through content creation: writing articles, sharing tips on Youtube, attending speaking events, conducting training and seminars. What you can measure, you can manage, and what you can manage – you can improve.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been a great platform that allowed me to connect to amazing individuals that are in or close to the industry that I am. I’m lucky to have found amazing talents I have worked with and most are still working with to this very day. LinkedIn is a great source of information and gauge sentiments and opinions on the latest topic in the business world. I’m delighted that I am able to share my thoughts and provide insights on this platform which allows me to pass it across to those who are in need or might be interested.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
My mantra is to lead by action. I have worked with agencies with team and clients that are often comprises of different nationalities, different beliefs. Always seek genuine connection beyond confounding factors like gender, skin color, religion, socio-economic class, and so on. They key is to be genuine in knowing about their background. Pro tip: Listen more than you speak; start with food!
Cenry Molinos | Co-Founder of Konverge Digital / The Freelance Movement Tribe Coach
Industry: Professional Coaching & Consulting / Digital Outsourcing Agency
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’m currently own a digital outsourcing agency wherein we provide a range of digital marketing services to help businesses improve their online presence and increase their visibility, engagement, and conversions.
Our services include search engine optimization (SEO), LinkedIn marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, web design and development, project management and email marketing. We also offer consulting and strategy development services to help businesses create effective digital marketing plans.
We have worked with a variety of clients in different industries, including healthcare, coaching, consulting, technology, finance, and retail.
I also serve as a Tribe Coach under The Freelance Movement Tribe, wherein we help a community or network of freelancers for networking, skill-building, and collaboration, as well as emotional support and advice.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m a straight shooter–I dish it out like it is with grace and push forward with clear-cut momentum. I don’t believe in balance.
You can’t have it all, all the time, and that’s okay. I believe in harmony.
I’m a long-game gal who prioritizes vision over half-baked ideas.
While I may be known for teaching income-boosting methodologies, I don’t concern myself with entrepreneurs who just want to operate on an unsustainable get-rich-quick business model.
My #1 goal is to help you create a legacy that stands the test of time.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helps me to start with my freelancing & coaching career. I was able to build my own connections & get to work with some of big brands in the US, Australia, Europe & Asia. I was able to help some of my coaching clients to scale their business from 5 figure to 6 figure or in 6 figures to 7 figures. I was able to help some individuals to start working on LinkedIn & not to play small when it comes to achieving their dreams.
Charlene Lucas | Founder/ Psychologist/ Clinical Traumatologist
Industry: Mental Health Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’m a Registered Psychologist and a Certified Clinical Traumatologist focused on workplace mental health, organizational behavior, trauma, abuse, burnout, stabilization of emotions, loss or grief, and women empowerment.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacy you support, etc.)
I’m helping survivors of sexual abuse, childhood abuse, and violence heal.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn had helped me reach more people who needed mental help. This platform had helped me as well to express my thoughts and opinions of what’s going on with regards to trauma and mental health.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
By being the voice for those who are afraid to speak and be a light to those seeking for clarity and peace of mind.
Christine Fajardo | Communications & Engagement Head, Philippines and Asia Aspiring, Novartis
Industry: Pharmaceutical/Healthcare
Tell us about your organization, business or work
As Communications & Engagement Head for Philippines and Asia Aspiring Innovative Medicines of Novartis, I help reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives.
As Chair of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, I work with our Board in connecting our members to our mission of strengthening Philippine-Swiss relations and economies.
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development.
The Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines is a non-stock and non-profit organization that serves as a channel for initiating and facilitating business-related and networking activities to grow trade and investments between the Philippines and Switzerland.
Novartis in the Philippines is one of the leading research-based pharmaceutical companies in the country, providing innovative, life-saving medicines to patients. Novartis Healthcare Philippines has been officially recognized by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer in the Philippines for three consecutive years (2021, 2022 & 2023).
Novartis made substantial contributions to support the rebuilding of the Philippine post-pandemic economy and strengthening of the country’s health care system. In 2022, Novartis contributed PHP 7.5 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nineteen percent (19%) of our total GDP contribution in the Philippines stems from innovation (R&D). Our company generated an indirect GDP contribution of PHP 1.8 billion through goods and services bought from vendors in the Philippines by Novartis entities outside of the country. Our business operations created a total of 6,951 local jobs, including the employment of 203 Filipino associates.
In 2022, the full Novartis portfolio of medicines reached 800,000 Filipino patients across 50 Novartis innovative medicine brands. The total impact of Novartis medicines on Filipino patients amounted to nearly PHP 1.1 billion. This is broken down to PHP 912.9 million in paid work and PHP 180 million in unpaid work.
Filipino patients who took Novartis medicines gained a total of 5,361 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). QALY is a generic measure of disease burden, including both the quality and the quantity of life lived. It is used in economic evaluation to assess the value of medical interventions. One QALY equates to one year in perfect health.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that an important part of freedom is to be honest in declaring our dreams, take action to reduce poverty, champion health and wellness, and share stories on coping with illness and adversity.
My purpose and passion are to bring together interdisciplinary thought leaders and industry movers and shakers in framing emerging problems and establishing the link between lives and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable and people living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
The concurrent positions I hold enable me to contribute in both spheres. As communications & engagement head for Novartis Philippines & Asia Aspiring Innovative Medicines, I reimagine medicine with the healthcare community and co-create empathic solutions to transform health outcomes. In the process, we jointly shape both strategy and structure to champion patient care. As chairperson of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, I help ignite synergy for social and economic impact.
I measure success in my role in communications and engagement through the number of patients whose lives we help improve and extend, and people and communities we supported in building capabilities and driving change for improved patient care. I find fulfillment in helping shorten the patient’s journey to treatment and wellbeing.
I highlighted these initiatives to enhance the patient journey in an interview with Josiah Go.
I am committed to learning and innovation in transforming access to healthcare services.
Education is a great equalizer in helping reduce poverty. To this end, I appreciate the work of Connected Women to offer online skills development and remote work opportunities for women. On a personal level, I formed the Carlos Movement for Music, that provided music education for orphans and now offers college education in the low-income sector.
I champion good health and wellness, and in the process, produce naturally grown and organic vegetables for good nutrition.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn Success Story is encapsulated in my post celebrating my 15th work anniversary at Novartis and summarizing the highlights of our company’s healthcare access advocacy initiatives over the years.
I use LinkedIn to help educate, improve knowledge, skills and confidence in managing health conditions. I work with others who share my passion to connect stakeholders and the patient community in enhancing their health and wellness journey. I love sharing stories of people working together to overcome adversity and unblock barriers.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I help promote health equity, and share stories and case studies on achieving SDGs; for example, the Impact Stories that I helped mobilize with the support of the Global Reporting Initiative:
I help mobilize conversation series on health, economy, digitalization, innovation, and sustainability. In doing so, we help ensure speakers and audiences represent diverse sectors.
Daisy Lacuanan-Callanta | President and CEO
Industry: NGO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Jesus HUGS Ministries Inc. is a duly registered non-profit Christian organization established to provide free community programs that help spread awareness and proper care for children with special needs. We also provide extended assistance and extensive counseling to families with special needs. Additionally, we serve people through prayer, counseling, humanitarian aid and cross-cultural missions.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a firm believer of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian, my faith and my goal to glorify God and serve others.
As a parent who used to have an autistic child, I saw how my son’s miraculous healing has touched and changed so many lives. Because of advocacy, we have helped families locally and internationally through free community, training and online programs that educate people to accommodate and navigate individual differences, disabilities and disorders.
Our ministry has expanded to other countries like Canada, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, India, United Kingdom, and South Africa.
In 2023, we have begun the construction of the new hub that will serve as training center to provide more free trainings and programs.
We have even launched a livelihood program for parents with special needs who wants to earn income at home, while looking after their children. The first two benefactors of this program are now earning through a small business at home, which helps augment their expenses for therapies needed.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has played an integral role in my transition from employment to advocate and entrepreneur back in 2018.
The very thought of starting from zero knowledge, network and community was daunting. But because of LinkedIn, slowly I have been able to meet awesome people with shared values and advocacies. I was able to find various communities of people united by common goals.
Through LinkedIn, I found that my voice and that of millions of like minded women matter. I saw how this platform can radically be used as a means to be the change you want to be. I realized that without the usual constraints of employment, possibilities were limitless.
LinkedIn has opened doors of opportunities to be recognized for what we do. We have garnered various awards both local and international because of outreach and humanitarian programs during pandemic that helped thousands of lives.
Finally, because of LinkedIn, over the years, I was linked with wonderful newfound friends, mentors, partners and fellow leaders who share the same advocacy to help families with children with special needs to find hope.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, regardless of culture and country, have gotten tons of oppositions and resistance, on the basis of gender alone.
But just like the other courageous women before us, we can either choose to look at our gender as a burden or a blessing.
Personally, I choose to embrace womanhood as a blessing. Jesus created me as a woman because He does not see my limitations, but my strengths. My gender is not a disability but an ability to provide opportunities to connect people and inspire others to purse a better world for the next generation.
As a parent who used to have an autistic child, I saw and experienced first-hand how cruel discrimination against children with special needs can be. My previous experience, even my pains, are what I share to spread awareness to help others to see past disabilities. To counter fear due to ignorance with knowledge and spread awareness on the need to become inclusive. To work with like-minded people with common advocacies to provide a safer place for our children and our children’s children.
Last March 2023, I have been recognized and featured as Women To Look Up To, a global recognition, which have further exponentially expanded my reach. I want to leverage and use my voice, my influence and my network to raise awareness that although we are individually different, we are also individually made wonderful by God. It is our diverse uniqueness that provide the pieces to a masterpiece.
Delby Bragais | Founder
Industry: Training, Consulting & Coaching
Tell us about your organization, business or work
ReinventU provides training, consulting and coaching in the areas of personal branding, image strategy and executive presence. We help career professionals, executives and entrepreneurs level up and be the best versions of themselves to attract business opportunity and lead with authenticity.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I BELIEVE IN BUILDING BUSINESSES AROUND OUR PASSIONS AND PURPOSE.
I believe in building businesses around our passions and purpose.
I have a passion for Fashion and created a Fashion based business. (North Road fashion) I have developed a passion for transformation and created an Education & Coaching based business.(ReinventU). From a business solely devoted to changing looks we have evolved into changing lives.
From my Advocacy supporting Women Led weaving communities in Abra, I have designed and launched a Fashion line using our very own indigenous Inabel fabrics with an East meets West modern aesthetic. I have also participated in Fashion Shows that hope to inspire others to wear more of their heritage as Filipinos and thus, support traditional handwoven Filipino fabrics.
My Advocacy for Entrepreneurship has inspired me to provide Free Mentoring for starting Entrepreneurs and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) by partnering with The Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship / Go Negosyo.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I remember a time i was scheduled to speak at an international conference in Chicago (pre pandemic) and was very nervous. I was experiencing pangs of self doubt and insecurity. I arrived at the conference hotel 2 days early and after checking in quickly headed to the ballroom to do an ocular. My heartbeat started to race wildly … Impostor syndrome was hitting me hard!
As I turned to go, I saw a lovely lady walk into the empty ballroom. I extended my hand and said “Hello! I’m Delby! Are you here for the AICI conference also?” “She said I know who you are! I follow you on LinkedIn!” It turns out that she was from the United States and she has been reading my content! It was like a light was switched on and I got all my confidence back. I went on to give a successful speaking session and was rewarded with a heartwarming standing ovation!
Thanks to LinkedIn for connecting people from around the globe!
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a Woman and an Entrepreneur, with passions that traverse the world of Fashion, Education & Coaching . I will continue to provide free mentoring to women in the field of entrepreneurship and support women-led weaving communities in the Northern provinces, by promoting Filipino indigenous Inabel fabrics locally and internationally.
Dolly de los Reyes | Communications Consultant
Industry: Architecture and Planning
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I work as a Communications Consultant at Palafox Associates – a multi-disciplinary and multi-awarded firm founded by the world-renowned Ar. Felino A. Palafox, Jr. The company’s fields of expertise include Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Site Planning, Master Planning, Urban Design, Interior Design, and Engineering.
As part of the Communications Team, my current role entails the following: research on the latest trends in Architecture, Design, and Urban Planning, among others; conceptualization of the company’s upcoming coffee table books; development of publication materials, which include newsletter articles; and assistance provision for the company’s correspondence with clients and stakeholders.
This role has given me valuable opportunities to learn from notable government and private officials whose advocacy is centered toward the redevelopment of the country as a whole. Nowadays, being self-centered is no longer a matter of serious concern as much as it did in the past. However, being a part of a company like Palafox Associates is synonymous to being launched forward to a service-oriented platform, with focus on the environment, technology, and sustainability to help improve human lives and restore human dignity.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a woman whose primary goal is to live a mission-based life. This is what fuels me. The pandemic may have forced me to stay hidden inside my nest, but it failed to quench the thirst for service that has been deeply rooted within my soul.
As a professional teacher, I have met thousands of souls whose lives I may have touched through the lessons freely shared and through the values lovingly imparted. As a writing consultant, I have helped polish my students’ written drafts, helping them see the difference between good enough and exemplary. From the leadership opportunities afforded me by Toastmasters International down to the spirit-filled and soul-nourishing servanthood for the community and the Church, I have always said yes with all gusto, knowing fully well that I am serving the Lord Most High through my little, humble ways.
With all smiles and gratefulness, I thank God for His benevolence. My life’s trajectory I absolutely do not question, for I know Who is guiding my steps. Oh, what joy it is to look ahead with excitement, with that patient understanding and inner peace that would enable me to surpass all odds, all in the name of service and of fulfilling my mission on earth.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I had this stated in my LinkedIn profile that my account exists for a good number of reasons, one of which is the community serving as a platform to meet and correspond with genuine people across industries, across borders.
The LinkedIn community has evolved through the years. Its original designs may be for a global network of professionals, but it has grown into something more profound. Today we often see updates about someone’s personal life, not so much to boast or to seek empathy but to encourage, inspire, and nurture the readers. I may just be one of the hundreds of millions of professionals on this platform, yet I am one of those who appreciate genuine content from kind-hearted souls.
Therefore, I would like to pay it forward through simple means, starting off with my newsletter The Professional Development Junkie. It is my desire to inspire my readers, wherever in the world they may be, to become better and do better in their professional and personal life,if they aren’t doing it already.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
It isn’t so much about using my influence; rather, it all boils down to my inner motives. Why do I do what I do? Do I post for validation and applause, or do I use my keyboard to help spread inspiration and positivity? One doesn’t need a title to make a difference in a world that suffers from a lack of love, inclusiveness, empathy, and respect.
Thus, it pays to be intentional in my activities on LinkedIn. Preparing professional development articles for my newsletter subscribers is one thing while curating posts that inspire and nurture is another thing. In addition, I strongly believe that this has nothing to do with gender. No matter the preference, a genuine heart can propel an individual to reach out and do his/her part in making the world a little more inclusive, a little more accepting one interaction at a time.
Donnabelle Michelle Reyes | HR Director
Industry: Retail
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Niv Della Beauty Innovations Inc. distributes the Brands Colourette and Fresh Formula. A makeup and skin care line, respectively. We are available in multiple channels both in E-commerce and brick and mortar stores (consignment and outright).
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a firm advocate of health and safety in the workplace including mental health, work life balance, diversity and inclusion and learning and development. In my free time, I like reading, going out and traveling.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I use LinkedIn to share my passion and my HR success stories. I also share majority of the programs that we implement in the workplace through my LinkedIn Page as well as critical behaviors for HR which can be a source of learning to other users.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
One of my priorities as an HR leader is always to build a work culture that is free from bias whether it be because of belief, gender, size, color and race. I am very lucky to have worked with several companies that share the same passion. I always try to make sure to educate my colleagues especially leaders on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and I always champion woman empowerment by supporting my fellow women which is also the main thrust of Niv Della and our brands Colourette and Fresh Formula.
Doreen Cooper | International Learning Facilitator, Author & Content Creator, Professional Speaker
Industry: Corporate Education
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Doreen Cooper is an International Learning and Development Professional for Communication and Essential Professional Skills. After earning her degree in Organizational Communication from De La Salle University, Doreen worked full-time for McKinsey, the world’s top management consulting firm. Her packed CV reflects experience in the fields of marketing, sales, recruitment, events management, training and development, business strategy, and regional communications and coordination. She became a training consultant in 2014, while taking her Masters Degree in Communication at the Ateneo de Manila University. She was recognized by one of her training partner organizations, Salt & Light Ventures, as their highest-rated speaker for in-house speaking engagements in 2018.
Doreen is an active member of Toastmasters International, a public speaking and leadership skills organization. She has achieved the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) norm, the highest level achieved after completing the educational program. As a public speaking practitioner for more than 20 years, Doreen serves as a coach and mentor for members in the organization and recently completed her term as the Division Director for Makati – a role which oversaw the performance of over 20 clubs in the Central Business District.She is an award-winning speaker, having won in different speech competitions, including first-runner up in the 2020 Evaluation Speech Championships of Philippine Toastmasters. She is an award-winning leader, and was recognized as the 2019 Area Director of the Year, a leadership recognition given to only one individual in every country.
Some of Doreen’s trademarks as a speaker and trainer are polished style, captivating fluidity, and a strong structure. She continues to actively hone her knowledge and skills through theory and practice – not just from the experience she gets at work, but also by learning from the best possible institutions, such as the University of Oxford where she attended a Marketing & Branding course in 2020. She is also a UK-certified Human Resource Practitioner, and a US-certified Learning and Development Practitioner.
As an author, Doreen self-published her first book “#Adulting: 5 Secrets to Embracing Change in Life & Career”. She produces blog articles and video blogs (vlogs) for her website, and actively creates content on various social media platforms, which has led to her being recognized as:
– One of Lepaya’s 30 Visionary Leaders in 2023;
– HR (Human Resource) Influencer of the Year 2022 as recognized during the Philippine HR Awards;
– #1 Most Influential Filipina on LinkedIn for 2022 as recognized by VB Consulting in partnership with Connected Women;
– and one of the Top 100 Filipinos to Follow on LinkedIn for three consecutive years.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
In addition to professional projects, she accommodates speaking engagements for civil-society and socio-civic organizations as well as private and public universities, as part of her social responsibility.
She is also a supporter of animal rescue groups.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Last year, I had the privilege of being recognized as the #1 Most Influential Filipino Woman on LinkedIn.
From someone who just started being active on the platform in 2019, to this amazing recognition in 2022, I really saw the difference it makes when you take being active on the platform seriously.
It has provided me with a platform which I can use to positively impact the lives of others.
Both clients and people whom I only met through the platform reach out and give me feedback on how I am able to help them through the content I create.
This enables me to create the best possible comment to positively impact others based on the feedback that I receive and the experience I am able to share about personal life and career.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
We have so much influence as women.
We are mothers, colleagues, leaders, role models – among others.
As women – or as someone who holds such power and opportunity, we can create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world by showing kindness and respect to everyone regardless of gender, background, races and skills.
We can also take every possible opportunity to teach children in our lives the values of living in a way which shows high-caliberness when it comes to diversity, equitability, and influence.
Dr. Constance Leyland | CEO/Founder
Industry: Education
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Level Up Academy by Docleyland, LLC is all about providing transferable skills using soft skills to students, recent graduates, and anyone who needs to level up. We provide free monthly workshops, and free mp3 podcasts with advice weekly, and create courses/programs specific to our student’s needs. We aim to inspire the world through our Live LinkedIn as well by highlighting individuals who need to get their messages out. We are in 16 distribution channels, 57 nations and countries, 6 continents. We are featured in LA Weekly as top 10 podcasts to listen to in 2023. We are featured in Mentors collective, Feedspot, Shoutout magazines.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I have a Doctorate in International Business, MBA in organizational leadership, MIS in Cybersecurity/counterterrorism, BA in Communications. I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was a teenager. I aim to inspire the world by educating my community and the world to level up themselves so they too can be the best they are meant to be. I use my voice to highlight other people on their adversities and create a community so help others.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success stories are plenty. It is about the people I meet every week and highlights weekly on my Live LinkedIn where we create a community full of hope, and adversities, and aim to level up everyone we know. We educate them on various topics like mental well-being, wellness, soft skills, leadership, sustainability, instructional designs, and many more.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I already do that every day through connecting with others, providing jobs, and giving my community a chance to level up themselves even without a degree but purely skills, helping them boost their confidence, etc.
Fabi Cariño | Country HR Leader and Global Speaker
Industry: Human Resources in the Healthcare Industry
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Healthcare Industry
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a Human Resources leader, speaker, and training professional, I believe in empowering individuals and organizations to unleash their potential and achieve their goals.
At the core of my beliefs is the conviction that everyone has something unique to contribute, and my passion is to help them discover and develop that potential. I am a firm advocate of lifelong learning and continuous improvement, and I strive to be a catalyst for growth and positive change in the workplace and beyond.
One of my core advocacies is mental health, which I see as critical aspect for overall well-being. The past years, I have devoted my time in educating people about this area through writing and speaking.
As a renowned speaker and training professional, I have had the privilege of working with diverse audiences and helping them overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Whether it is through inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, or personalized coaching, I aim to provide practical and actionable insights that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
My approach is rooted in a deep understanding of human behavior and psychology, as well as the latest trends and best practices in my field. I am constantly learning and adapting to the changing needs of my clients and the world around me, and I am always seeking new ways to innovate and deliver value.
In summary, I am a Human Resources leader, speaker, and training professional who is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to unleash their potential and achieve their goals. I believe in lifelong learning, diversity and inclusion, and continuous improvement, and I am committed to making a positive impact in the world.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I’m excited to share my experience of how LinkedIn helped me shape my career over the last decades. It’s astonishing to see how this platform has evolved over the years and has become an essential part of the professional world.
LinkedIn is more than just a job search tool. It’s a powerful networking platform that has opened up opportunities for me and has connected me with people from around the world in my industry.
One of the biggest advantages of LinkedIn is that it helps in building a personal brand. Having a LinkedIn profile with a complete and updated profile, sharing thought leadership articles or posts, and engaging with other professionals, helped me establish a strong personal brand in the industry.
LinkedIn has also played an important role in expanding my knowledge and learning opportunities. It helped me join various professional groups, attend webinars and industry, events, and learn from industry experts and leaders.
Additionally, LinkedIn’s job opportunities and recruitment features have also helped me find new job opportunities throughout my career span.
In short, LinkedIn was an integral part of my professional journey, and I can’t emphasize enough how it helped me grow and expand my network.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As an HR influencer, leader and training professional, there is a great responsibility to create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. It is not just a moral duty, but it also helps us to create a healthier work environment that promotes productivity and employee engagement. Being a mental health advocate, I understand the importance of promoting inclusiveness and acceptance.
One of the most important ways to promote diversity and inclusion is by providing diversity and inclusion training to employees. I inspire and educate our employees about the importance of inclusiveness and equity and deconstruct any biases or stereotypes they may hold.
Second, we must embrace each other’s differences and appreciate them. Embracing differences does not mean that we tolerate discrimination or bias, but instead, we celebrate people’s differences, including race, gender, and cultural differences. Embracing diversity can help employees feel valued and can increase communication and cooperation among team members.
Thirdly, one of the most significant ways to encourage an inclusive environment is to promote open communication. Creating a safe space for where employees can share their thoughts and feelings can promote trust, compassion, and break down barriers that can limit diversity and inclusivity.
Furthermore, as a mental health advocate, I understand the importance of promoting mental health and well-being. I support our colleagues and employees by providing them with necessary resources for mental health, such as counseling, mental health days, and creating a stigma-free environment.
Finally, as an HR influencer and leader training professional, I play a vital role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity through leading by example by actively promoting an inclusive and equitable environment at the workplace.
In conclusion, through collective efforts with fellow women, we can create a better world for everyone.
Faye Sta. Ana-Corpuz | Philippines Country Launcher
Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech)
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Taptap Send is an international peer-to-peer remittance company with a mission to equalize access to capital globally by ensuring everyone has access to fast and convenient remittances at the lowest rates possible.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’ve been working for the past 6 years in Dubai as a Marketing & Growth professional in tech startups, so I became well versed in the many challenges of working abroad. It pushed me to make it my personal mission to ensure fellow Pinoy expats are getting the most convenient and economical remittance service that they rightly deserve. My mother is a single mom and an OFW for 20+ years and this motivated me to take on the challenge of launching Taptap Send to the Philippine diaspora. Before this, I was a Senior Marketing Executive in Careem and an Analyst in Deutsche Bank.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I was made redundant in 2020 from my Finance role in Careem (an Uber company in the greater Middle East), and LinkedIn paved the way for me to regain my confidence by connecting with industry leaders, my fellow laid off peers & institutions that strive to uplift morale during the pandemic’s mass layoffs. I started offering pro-bono help to people who needed assistance in revamping their CVs, and linked other laid off professionals with their now-employers. The more I talked about the experience, the more I attract opportunities and that inspired my connections to follow my lead.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a young woman in a fintech start-up company, I am empowered to build my own team. Diversity and inclusion has been an ongoing issue in the tech sector in particular, which continues to lag behind the rest of the job market when it comes to hiring women and people of color (Thinkherrmann.com, 2022), hence I’ve onboarded an all-women Filipino team to help me launch Taptap Send in the Philippine diaspora a few months ago. True enough, we hit a milestone in the company by being the fastest corridor to hit the million dollar volume transactions in less than a month. Even though I haven’t met my team in person, I ensure that they feel valued, given voice and rewarded financially. I ensure that I highlight women and their accomplishments everywhere I go, hire potential and not just experience. I am on a mission to provide learning, coaching and other opportunities to enable women in my team become inclusive, collaborative and responsible leaders themselves.
Francia Sales | Head of Contact Center
Industry: Banking & Finance/Insurance
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Manulife Business Processing Services (MBPS) is a Global Shared Service Center that supports a range of financial management and consultation services for Manulife/John Hancock and our millions of customers around the world.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
When I was just starting out, women were starting to fill the workforce—but only as members, not as leaders. My early days in the IT industry was a struggle against the odds of a male-dominated world. Growth was limited and there were few opportunities for women.
Along my journey, I met other women leaders. I saw firsthand the essence of collective women empowerment. Up to this day, I still hire women into my team and give them a safe space to reach their maximum potential.
As an active advocate of women empowerment, I believe our stories of failure and success should be told. The purpose of all these is to one day, share them with the world, especially with those crossing the same path.
As women, we should also uplift other women, and succeed together with our counterparts—whenever and wherever possible.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Through LinkedIn, I was able to connect with various leaders in the industry all over the world.
As an active advocate of women empowerment, I share my stories in LinkedIn. I believe that our stories of failure and success should be told. Along the way, we meet people who get inspired by our stories, who learn from it, and who experience their own successes because of it. This helped me through LinkedIn to share my advocacy and I have been invited to speaking engagements regarding women empowerment.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I am the Executive Chair/Sponsor for Global Women’s Alliance (GWA) in Manulife Business Processing Services. We aim cultivate an inclusive environment that supports and encourages women to advance by fostering personal and professional development.
Through GWA, I act as spokesperson promoting women empowerment. I believe our voices make a difference, being heard makes a difference and if it inspires one it inspires enough.
Gail Concepcion Cruz-Macapagal | Country Director, DynaQuest Technology Services Inc and Founder, Women in Blockchain Philippines
Industry: Information Technology – Blockchain
Tell us about your organization, business or work
The organization I founded is called Women In Blockchain Philippines, I started it in 2018 when there was only a handful of women who are involved in Blockchain in our Country. WIBP is an organization that promotes, uplift, encourage and motivate women in the space. When I founded WIBP, I wanted to target 2 main things; Women Empowerment and Women in Tech, as we all know there is not much women in Technology and so I wanted to have a safe space for all women in Tech as well as promote women in Blockchain. At WIBP we have both and we are in the forefront and movers and shakers in our industry.
Just recently, I was recognized by Innovate Finance, a Company Based in UK, London as part of the Women in Fintech Power list- Standout 45. The list has 200 women in different aspects such as senior leadership, rising stars, technology professionals among others. The Standout 45 list is a selection of those who are making a real and lasting impact in FinTech, over and above their day-to-day role. It is also important to note that I am the only Filipino Woman on the list.
I was also recognized by another UK Company called Wirex and Cryptonimist’s Rising Women in Cryto Powerlist 2022. Out of 400 plus nominations around the world, only 13 women made it to the Powerlist, and again I am the only Filipino Woman to be part of this list, based on unprecedented levels of achievement, potential and influence in the Crytpo industry today.
I was also awarded as Philippine Blockchain Champion during the Philippine Blockchain Week held last December 2022.
I was also recognized by DICT during their ALAB Awards for my work and contribution as Founder of Women in Blockchain Philippines.
DynaQuest on the other hand, is an award winning Blockchain Solutions Provider with recognition from Asia CEO and Asia Leaders Awards as well as other award giving bodies outside of the Philippines. As Country Director, I am in charge of all operations, client relations, HR, Accounting, Finance, Procurement and Business Dev and Marketing. In 2022, we organized a Foam Party for a Cause to raise funds for the educational needs of Humanility where I also serve as Board Member and Country Representative. Our goal was to raise funds for the educational needs of over 40 rescued street children at our shelter in Bogo City, Cebu. We raised Php 620,000 and was able to build a Computer Learning Center with 15 fully equipped laptops. I was also able to mint the artworks of our shelter children into NFTs or Non-Fungible tokens wherein all proceeds of the sale will go directly to their educational program. The NFTs can be found thru Likha.Ph a Digital marketplace where NFTs can be bought, auctioned and traded.
DynaQuest is also currently involved in the Caraga Convergence Initiative, our aim is to provide Digital Identities to the over 500,000 indigenous people in the region who do not have access to birth certificates. Having no birth certificate would mean no access to education, healthcare, no access to vote and most of all no access to have bank accounts. Part of this project is to provide Digital Economy to them through Blockchain Technology so that they can transact, sell, buy and do business as they should. The Digital Identity and Digital Economy aspects will all be in Blockchain Technology. Caraga Region is the pilot stage, which we aim to replicate all over the Philippines. We are also currently in the process of including other regions and provinces in the initiative like Bataan. Once this proves to be successful in the Philippines, we plan to offer this service to countries who also have indigenous people, like Vietnam, Cambodia etc.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a mother of 3, and I am a staunch advocate of women empowerment and women in tech. This Month, I was featured by DIWA (Digital Innovation for Women Advancement) headed by Usec. Jocelle Batapa Sigue of DICT for Women’s Month. I was also featured by the Philippine Commission on Women for their Women’s Month campaign called Juana Says.
My passion and dedication thru my advocacies have brought me all over the Philippines ( Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao ) thru DICT – IIDB ( ICT industry Development Bureau as well as invitations from USEC Batapa Sigue and Asec Tess Camba ) to speak about women in Blockchain and Women in Tech. It has also brought me to Singapore, Vietnam, USA, UK as a sought-after speaker for the same advocacies.
Being born into a poor family, I strongly advocate for street children, because like me when I was their age, all I wanted was to finish my studies and be able to have a decent job to put food on the table. I started volunteering for Humanility in 2013 and now I am part of the board and a country representative.
For me, learning should never stop, I became a Certified Blockchain Expert, finished a course on Designing Financial Services on Web 3.0 given by the National University of Singapore and Asian Institute of Digital Finance. I am also currently finishing a Harvard Course for Project Management fundamentals.
I am a Board of Trustee of HIMAP, ( Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines, and is currently serving as Treasurer for the organization.
I am also a Founding Member and Board of Director of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines.
I was a Great Image Photography and Sprout Solutions Brand Ambassador, a contributor/writer of a book called Pinay Lady Boss: A conversation with women who rule the money world. I am also a member of Global Women Who Rule ( GWWR ) an organization that aims to reach out, unite, and empower other women.
I am industry Ambassador for DICT-IBPAP who does speaking engagements and webinars to encourage more jobs and increase workforce especially in the Countryside.
As Founder of Women in Blockchai Philippines,I am also a member of Women in Blockchain Asia.
I was also featured in Rising Tigers Magazine and Marketing in Asia: Gail Cruz Macapagal: Empowering Women in Blockchain and the Modern Meta Woman.
Aside from being a full-time wife and mom , I am also a full time foodie.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has helped me in a lot of ways, I often post inspirational quotes and thoughts to be able to motivate and empower women.
In every speaking engagement I always mention to the audience to connect with me on LinkedIn, and most of them do and they send me personal messages on how I have taught them a lot and inspired them with my story. I also offer mentoring to all those that want to be mentored, and they use LinkedIn to connect and seek mentorship.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I use LinkedIn to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
It has also always been my goal to use my speaking engagements to be an instrument in empowering women and the youth.
I am fortunate to have very good connections in the government thru DICT and Philippine Commision on Women, and they often tap me to speak about Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Technology.
My organizations, Women in Blockchain Philippines, DIWA (DICT) and Global Women Who Rule are also avenues for me to be able to lift up encourage, unite women to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
I have an 11yo daughter who has witnessed what I do day in and day out, and she is already showing signs of maturity, deep understanding and appreciation to what I do. Her goal is to become a Human Rights Lawyer and she said that she wants to focus on Women and Children, that alone is a testament on how I live my life everyday lifting women up and I hope that I became a good example for her to be that Lawyer who will focus on Women and Children.
I also am often invited to speak at schools and universities and I never leave the room without a challenge and an inspiring talk on how we as women, can break the glass ceiling if we work hand in hand to do so.
Gerlynnia Galgo | Founder and Creative Director
Industry: Digital Marketing Services for Female-led Health and Wellness Businesses
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Go! Creatives is an independent branding and design studio that was established January of 2022. (Years before that, I started doing freelancing on my own.)
We specialize in assisting women-led health and wellness personal and medium-sized businesses in standing out the competition in YouTube through Personal Branding.
Our focus is on creating value-aligned branding and creating evergreen video content marketing to help our clients capture their audience and eventually get more conversions.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am the eldest among three siblings. My passion for design draws back in my younger years, I was influenced by my father who was an engineer and my grandfather who was a creative as well.
It is one of my dreams to maximize and utlize my skills to make a positive impact and increase representation in the design industry. That’s why I am really putting out myself out there, for volunteer speaking engagements and workshops locally in Cebu to teach and share my learnings about building my agency out from my passion.
I was also a paramedic at one point in my life, and now I am still continuing in serving my community through lectures about pre-hospital care to trainees of local disaster units in Cebu.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been an invaluable resource for me as a creator and entrepreneur. Through the platform, I have been able to learn valuable tips and insights on managing my own agency, as well as staying up-to-date on the evolution of AI in the industry. This has helped me improve my skills and knowledge as a professional.
It also enabled me to connect with fellow entrepreneurs locally and internationally, expanding my network and allowing me to learn from others in my field. I have even received inquiries for my services through LinkedIn, which has helped me grow my business and reach new clients.
Lastly, it has provided me with a platform to develop my communication skills through posting and engagements. By sharing my thoughts and insights on industry topics, I have been able to contribute to the conversation and connect with other professionals.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I believe that I can use my influence to help create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. One way I can do this is by being a role model for other women. By sharing my knowledge and learnings, I can help inspire and empower other women to pursue their goals and dreams.
I also believe that it’s important to involve myself as much as possible in networking events, creative workshops, and other opportunities to carve out my name in the industry. By doing so, I can help influence other women to recognize their own potential and show them that more women are CEOs than they may have imagined.
Grace Kagahastian | Organizational Effectiveness Coach
Industry: Coaching and Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I assist organizations in leveraging the leadership abilities of their team members to create an inspiring and transformative ripple effect that drives positive behaviors and change.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Our ability to positively impact others is directly tied to our own level of personal development and wellness. With the ever-increasing pace of change in our AI-driven world, it’s essential to find ways to manage stress and maintain balance. One effective way to do this is by continuously learning new skills, both within and outside of our professional lives, to promote mental resilience and well-being.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Throughout my professional journey, I have experienced unexpected transformations that surpassed even my wildest expectations. LinkedIn has been an integral component of this journey, serving as a platform for both success and learning from failure. The app has become an indispensable aspect of my daily routine, providing me with a means to foster a sense of global connectedness and remain current with the latest trends and developments. Indeed, LinkedIn has proven to be a crucial catalyst for my continued success.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Even as we emerge from the pandemic, we must continue to navigate constant change, and women play a vital role in achieving the balance we seek. As Maya Angelou famously said, If you’re a woman, you’re phenomenal, and I am committed to embodying that mindset. I will strive to be my truest, most extraordinary self on both the local and global stage, to better serve those around me and become a truly phenomenal woman.
Herlene Somook | CEO, Creative Labs PH, Co-founder Empowered PiNanays, Tribe Leader at The Freelance Movement Tribe
Industry: Digital Marketing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Creative Labs PH is a digital marketing agency that helps businesses and brands stand out in their industries. We use creative and effective marketing strategies tailored to increase our client’s visibility and build their reputation as their niche’s top-of-mind product and service.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Hey there! I’m a proud Filipina woman who firmly believes in the power of femininity and the limitless potential we possess to achieve greatness. My mom instilled in me the unwavering belief that with the right opportunities, nothing can stop us from reaching our dreams.
Thanks to her wisdom, I have fearlessly tackled challenges in both motherhood and entrepreneurship with confidence, strength, and faith. As a freelancer and agency owner, those values continue to drive my success every day.
I am passionate about empowering women to excel in their careers while being amazing parents to their children. With the right mindset and opportunities, I know we can all achieve greatness.
What’s more, I believe it is our duty to share our knowledge and experiences with others. That’s why I’m proud to serve as a tribe leader in The Freelance Movement Tribe and one of the founding members of Empowered PiNanays, two organizations that support women and mothers in becoming successful freelancers and business owners.
As the CEO of Creative Labs PH, I lead a team of experts who help brands and businesses grow through omnichannel marketing strategies. We collaborate closely with clients to clarify their brand identity, generate traffic towards their digital assets, and convert them into sales.
Besides my professional accolades, I’m also a homeschooling mom, breastfeeding advocate, hands-on parent to two amazing kids, and a passionate cook.
When I’m not busy helping businesses succeed, you’ll find me belting out my favorite tunes or whipping up a delicious meal for friends and loved ones.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been a crucial aspect of my growth as a freelancer over the years. It has helped me document the evolution of my career, from starting as a BPO representative to becoming a content creator and eventually leading my own company as CEO of Creative Labs PH.
Through LinkedIn, I have positioned myself as an expert in omnichannel marketing, which has led to feedback on the strength of my profile. This validation has opened doors for me to close deals and start partnerships with people and organizations that I serve.
As a legitimate business owner, LinkedIn has helped establish Creative Labs PH and reach more potential leads. I continue to improve and make my profile more interesting by highlighting my key accomplishments, skills, and projects.
I also find LinkedIn groups very useful where I can connect with like-minded professionals, participate in discussions, and share insights. This keeps me updated with industry, news and trends, expands my network, and provides opportunities for collaboration.
LinkedIn also helped me reach out and support Filipino freelancers who are starting out and building their careers in the digital marketing space.
Overall, LinkedIn has been an excellent tool for my business development and personal brand growth.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I think the best way to influence women is to lead by example, to walk the walk and walk the talk.
I’ve always believed in collaboration and supporting women in business.
As a person of influence, I use social media as a platform to introduce other women, especially mothers like me, to the freelancing space.
Mothers like me want to prioritize their family at all costs. And freelancing has given me and my family the best opportunity of all: time and financial freedom.
This is why I am a part of the biggest and best freelancing community, The Freelance Movement Tribe.
Through this community, I am able to mentor and coach women of all ages and backgrounds.
We get to discuss the process of starting a freelancing career and scaling the business.
I’m also a co-founder at Empowered PiNanays, where we help women entrepreneurs excel in their chosen career path while nurturing their family and teams.
I also lead Creative Labs PH, where I hire women of all ages and backgrounds. Here, they are provided with trainings and strategies that lets us serve our clients and hit their goals.
As a woman, I inspire other women with actions, not only words.
Ivy Paraluman De Borja | Vice President for People & Culture
Industry: BPO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Acquire BPO is a full-scale outsourcing company with headquarters in Melbourne Australia, and global foot prints in the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, United States and Australia. We have close to 10,000 employees across the globe at present, and we continue to grow.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am an HR Leader with ~18 years of solid professional experience. Prior to being VP for Acquire BPO, I was the Director for Recruitment and HR at Harte Hanks, HR AVP with Genpact, HR Manager with Resorts World, and HR Assistant Manager with Sitel. My expertise are fast-paced recruiting, HR business partnership, and organization development. I was certified by the Human Capital Institute as a Strategic HR Business Partner (sHRBP) and Change Management HR Practitioner (CMHR) in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
Aside from my degree in Social Sciences double Major in Psychology and Political Science from the University of the Philippines, I also acquired a diploma in Organization Development from De La Salle College of St. Benilde. I am active in the BPO industry. I’m serving my second term in the HR Council of the Call Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), and also actively participate in the Labor, Safety and Health Standards Committee of the IT-BPM Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
Nominated as Top 100 Filipinos to Follow on LinkedIn in the past and Top 101 Most Fabulous HR Tech Leader by the World HRD, I seek to help advance the state of HR by sharing knowledge through public speaking and engaging in online conversations where we can reach thousands if not millions of people.
I am a wife and mom to two beautiful children who are both taught the value diversity, equity and inclusion, kindness and empathy to create a better world.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I use LinkedIn in several ways to connect with others, build my career and help others do the same. Over the years, being active in LinkedIn, I learned to use the platform to:
First, build and expand my professional network – LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with people within and outside of my industry and profession. I use it to reach out to people for mentorship or professional advice and give the same to young professionals who approach me for help through the platform.
Second, do job search and recruit at the same time – LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job searching and recruitment. I use it to advertise for job openings, and personally use it to check the market as well for career opportunities that I am interested in.
Third, promoting my brand- LinkedIn is a great place to showcase expertise and promote personal or business brands. As an HR professional, I use it to share insightful content, participate in discussions, and join groups to learn and also establish myself as a thought leader.
Fourth, researching companies or individuals- I use LinkedIn as a research tool to learn more about companies or individuals I am interested in knowing more about or learn something from.
I can also demonstrate inclusion by embracing people from different backgrounds and cultures through my own practice and policies to create for the company I work with.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I can use my influence in many ways to create a more diverse and inclusive world:
First, continue to lead by example- I’ll endeavor and seek to be a role model to others by leading with as much empathy, kindness, and understanding as I could. I can also demonstrate inclusion by embracing people from different backgrounds and cultures through my own practice and policies O create for the company I work with.
Second, I’ll continue to speak up- I’ll keep using my voice to advocate for inclusive policies, programs, and practices in my workplace and community. This includes speaking out against discrimination or bias when I encounter its
Third, mentorship- I’ll continue to mentor other women and allies of women when opportunities to do so are there. I’ll encourage them to pursue their goals and help them develop the skills and network they need to succeed to the extent that I could.
Fourth, I can and will continue to support diversity initiatives- I’ll continue to get lead diversity initiatives both in my organization, in the industry through my seat as the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) HR Leadership Council. I’ll keep supporting those that are working to create more diverse and inclusive environments to the extent possible and feasible.
And finally, I’ll continue to educate myself – I’ll constantly be updated on issues and new concepts related to diversity and inclusion. I’ll continue to read relevant articles and books, listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and seek out opportunities to broaden my understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. There is always something new to learn and curiosity and effort are critical to being educated about DEI, and sharing what I know and practice to others.
By doing these, in however little but consistent ways that I could, I continue to contribute in building a world where diversity, equity and inclusion are no longer hot topics of discussions and debates.
Jamey Iris Galias | Career Excellence Coach & Public Speaking Global Trainer
Industry: Hospitality & Education
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Training Consultancy (own business) | Hospitality – Cruise Line (Employment)
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that each person has talents and abilities that can be enhanced for them to reach their full potential to succeed in life. I was blessed by God to reach a series of successes in my life at a young age because of the talent that He had given me in ‘Learning, Development, Training, and Public Speaking’.
My passion is to use these talents turned into my professional expertise to help equip and empower people through training them to reach their full potential in the workplace as an employee, a leader, or aspiring leaders.
I was able to train more than 30,000+ employees and leaders. Included are front-line team members, technical team, brand ambassadors, trainers, and coaches from more than 130+ nationalities.
Recently, during the pandemic crisis, I also helped, OFWs, starting businessmen and women to communicate better through the course I designed for Public Speaking. This included presenting and speaking in front of the public online and offline. I received positive feedback on how their confidence increased and the way they speak improved.
I support church leaders and church members by inspiring them as speakers.
One of my advocacies is to ‘Empowering Women for Excellence’. I now have an FB Page about this. I already started speaking in ladies’ or women’s gatherings. I am excited to create more video contents, blogs and posters to encourage women to empower each other.
Another advocacy I have that I also relaunched this 2023 is to ‘Empowering men and women for Success’ through the following:
Podcast – Empowering Talk and Career Tips 4U by Jamey Iris
FB PAGE
Build, Encourage & Succeed Together – BEST
https://www.facebook.com/BEST.Build.Empower.SucceedTogether
My PODCAST & FB PAGE OVERVIEW:
In a world full of negativity, greed, envy, jealousy, and fake news, it is time to relaunch the ‘online channel/podcast’ and ‘online community’ that aims to do the following:
– spread positivity
– dealing with reality effectively and
– bring the BEST in all of us
Saying a resounding NO to crab mentality and insecurity!!!
Instead, through this podcast and online community that I am relaunching, its objectives are to ‘Build, Encourage so we can Succeed Together (B.E.S.T)’ through Empowering Talk and Career Tips brought to you by Jamey Iris, your Career Excellence Coach & Public Speaking GlobalTrainer
I encourage followers and friends to share it with family and friends here and overseas so we can help each other to be the B.E.S.T.
It is my passion that turned to advocacy to spread positivity together. camaraderie and be empowered to learn how to deal effectively with the dynamic life reality that brings about uncertainty.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
On Linkedin, I am sharing my expertise and professional experiences to inspire and positively influence professionals.
My SUCCESS STORY shared in Linkedin through my posts:
✅️from a student who worked as a Jollibee service crew to an ‘International Trainer’ and ‘Career Excellence Coach’ I trained more than 30,000+ leaders, employees, coaches, trainers, brand ambassadors, and public speakers from more than 130 nationalities.
🏆 As a Career Excellence Coach Jamey Iris I coached more than thousands of employees for career excellence and thriving success locally and across the world.🏨🛩⚓️🌍
✅️ As a very shy child I cannot speak and I was bullied in school. With determination and perseverance I became an international award-winning public speaker who won and was awarded as the champion for a series of Toastmasters International contests in Abu Dhabi UAE in 2011 and 2012 (from Club to Area, Area to Division Level) 🏆🏆🏆
🏆❤️🌏 I also am a Toastmasters International Certified Communicator.
✅️Now, I also am one of the ‘international keynote speakers’ invited by companies, organizations, and groups to inspire their leaders, employees, coaches, and trainers.
✅️Aside from pursuing my passion as a public speaker, I am passionate about helping people (Filipinos and other nationalities) to become successful in their chosen careers or life. She gave up her banking career and focused on enhancing and honing her expertise in Learning/Training and Development.
🙂I conquered the land, air, and sea… you name it, by God’s grace, wisdom and strength, I did it!🌍🏨🛩🚢⚓️
🌍For 15+ years, I had been an international Learning/Training and Development Manager for famous international brands such as a 5-star hotel, a 5-star airline, and a luxury cruise line.
🙏Though the pandemic crisis was very challenging, it did not stop me to display a strong courageous inspiring woman to giving life to her long-time dream to become a businesswoman.
🙂🏆Jamey Iris is now the Managing Director and founder of Empower-to-Excel Training Consultancy https://www.facebook.com/jameyiris.e2e .
This focuses on training individuals and company leaders and employees to enhance their communication skills including but not limited to the following:
📌public speaking
📌powerful presentation delivery
📌coaching aspiring life coaches and trainers
📌empowering workplace communication strategies training
📌speech and pronunciation for daily winning conversations
📌equipping aspiring vloggers and content creators and businesses (with empowered public speaking, enhanced image, improved confidence, increased influence, and simply pursuing passion turning it into profit)
🎥Jamey Iris TALK TV – I realized that being blessed with public speaking skills and abilities, I can pursue another one of my passion, public service. https://youtube.com/@JameyIrisTALKTV.
I also did my best to enhance this gift by joining Toastmasters International, one of the social media channels she created with the aim to use her exceptional public speaking skills for public service pursuing her passion to help people. More channel segments will be introduced this 2023 that will inspire, empower and equip her subscribers and viewers.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I will use my influence as a woman by creating awareness among people I am able to reach that it is important to learn how to accept and appreciate themselves so it will be each for them to accept others regardless of gender preferences, race, ethnicity, social status, etc.
I will use my skills and expertise as a trainer to help equip, empower, and encourage people to understand that they can reach their full potential which will help them succeed. While doing this I want to help them increase their self-esteem and self-confidence. I will create opportunities for them to improve their self-awareness so that later on I can influence them to practice self-mastery.
Aside from basic workplace interpersonal skills, I want to help people improve their communication skills so they can express themselves better, whether in their native tongue (Tagalog or their native dialect) or in the English Language. I desire people in the Philippines or overseas to gain the basic skills needed in communication to improve the passive communication style to an assertive communication style.
Lastly, I want to share with the people in our country and even with other nationalities, how to discover their purpose in life. This also will help them have a more meaningful, happier life that will help to create a world that will accept and respect diversity, deliver consistent equitable treatment for all nationalities, and always practice inclusivity. I am happy I already started doing this and I look forward for the support of other empowered women to continue this.
Jan Abdelghany | Chief Executive Officer
Industry: BPO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
At Algorhythm, we proudly serve an impressive portfolio of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies and Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platforms. Located in Laguna, our exceptional team of agents is primarily composed of graduates and students from the prestigious University of the Philippines Los Baños. This elite academic background ensures that our agents consistently deliver services characterized by honor and excellence.
We specialize in providing top-tier assistance across a range of business needs, including inbound and outbound sales campaigns, customer service, seat leasing, and virtual assistant services. Our comprehensive solutions are designed to meet the diverse demands of our clients while maintaining world-class standards of service at an affordable local rate.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m Jan Abdelghany, the grateful founder of Algorhythm Call Center, which I started back in 2019, and the branch owner of Ideal Visa Laguna, Pampanga, and Davao. My heart is deeply invested in supporting working students and guiding them to unlock their full potential while making sure they can fund their education. When the pandemic struck, I felt compelled to contribute by setting up a community pantry in the Laguna province to lend a hand to those facing hardships.
In my family, I am fortunate to be the first entrepreneur, breaking the cycle of traditional employment and hopefully inspiring future generations. As a woman, it is important to me that I contribute to dismantling gender biases and help uplift the lives of others in my community by offering opportunities, especially for those who are also raising families.
My personal values center on equal opportunities, social responsibility, and fostering a sense of community. By cultivating an atmosphere that promotes growth and nurtures innovation, I aspire to make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of those around me. It is my hope that through perseverance and dedication, I can encourage others to break free from limiting gender norms and embrace their unique potential to lead satisfying, successful lives.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has played a crucial role in my journey, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic when my business faced several struggles. The platform connected me with the right individuals who offered invaluable support, insights, and opportunities that helped my business navigate the difficult period. It provided me with hope and the chance to unleash my potential through meaningful networking.
Moreover, I have utilized LinkedIn as a medium to educate and inspire others by sharing relevant content that resonates with their experiences. I believe that my success story, as well as the stories of others, can uplift people by reminding them that they are not alone in their journey. It brings me immense joy to know that the content I share has a positive impact on the lives of others, providing them with a sense of camaraderie and support in both their professional and personal lives.
In essence, LinkedIn has not only contributed to my own growth and development, but it has also allowed me to connect with and inspire others in a profound way. This platform has demonstrated the power of connection and collaboration in overcoming challenges and reaching new heights of success.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I believe that I have the ability to use my influence to create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by leading by example and be the opportunity presenter to those who needs it. One such story that resonates with me is about our previous house helper who almost fell victim to being sold to a man three times her age in order to alleviate her family’s financial struggles. Fortunately, she managed to escape this terrible fate, and we provided her with a laptop and the support she needed to continue her education. This young woman, who once cleaned our offices and worked multiple side jobs to make ends meet, has become one of my company’s top performers today.
This experience taught me that in order to uplift and empower other women, we need to create a supportive community or tribe ourselves, in which we accept and encourage women who are eager to improve their lives and seize opportunities as they arise. By providing resources, mentorship, and an inclusive environment, we can help women overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and contribute to a more equitable world.
I aim to use my influence to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and inclusivity, both within my company and the broader community. By sharing stories like this and highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for women from all walks of life, I hope to inspire others to join the cause and create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive, regardless of their gender or background.
Jan Briones | Creator | Founder | CEO
Industry: Marketing and Advertising | Business Outsourcing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am the creator, founder and CEO of School of LinkedIn Marketers (SOLMA), Connected By Humans (CBH), and JB & Associates PH (JBA). All of which was bootstrapped without any investors and are running 100% remote from the Philippines.
SOLMA is an e-learning platform where I teach Filipino LinkedIn marketers the world-class and ethical ways of LinkedIn Marketing without selling themselves short.
CBH is my lead generation agency where we help B2B service providers get consistent, quality leads through our whitelabel LinkedIn lead generation services without using bots or any automations but of pure human interaction from start to finish.
JBA is my virtual assistant agency where I help connect global entrepreneurs with high-performing Filipino service providers, freelancers, and consultants so they can step out of the daily grind, better serve their clients, and make their businesses run more efficiently.
I am also the podcast host of ‘Weekends with Jan’, where I introduce you to high-performing Filipino talents, business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers as I let you in on their ‘real and no holds barred’ journey to success.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am an award-winning business outsourcing expert who provides support for some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Prior to establishing my own business, I worked with three renowned BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies; led sales, customer support, and partnership initiatives that achieved record revenue growth; and worked with globally recognized companies including JP Morgan Chase & Co., Dell, and Citibank.
With an eclectic range of experience and an acute knowledge of what a business really needs to scale, I bootstrapped two remote companies to 7-figure revenue, helped hundreds of international clients, and provided work for hundreds of people.
My mission is to connect global entrepreneurs with high-performing virtual assistants and consultants so they can step out of the daily grind, better serve their clients, and make their businesses run efficiently.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
99.99% of my clients are from LinkedIn, and this is the same platform that I use to help others find their own clients too. Sharing my experiences and educating other people about the importance of building longterm relationships on and offline is what I always aim for and LinkedIn has always been a very essential part of my career journey in doing so.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
The nature of my business – generating leads for others and connecting people from around the world for project or work collaboration gives me the opportunity to make anybody feel important and inclusive. Being able to match their business challenges with solution-makers is what makes my heart happy every single time.
Jen Capones – Tongco | Chief Executive Officer
Industry: Cybersecurity Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Netrust is a cybersecurity services organization whose mission is to provide world class technology services that will enable its clients’ business growth. Netrust through the years has served different industry through security consulting and systems integration of security products and services.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Many people ask me how I became me and with that they have different opinions of who I am. Some call me an overachiever, a strong woman, ambitious, smart, direct to the point, opinionated, strong-willed. However, just like any other women, there are many facets to the word me and I think that these words that they use to describe me may be true to a certain point but who I really am is an ironic blend of personalities. Strong yet vulnerable, Achiever but failed a lot of times, ambitious yet content at the same time, smart yet constantly in search of new learnings.
I am genuinely interested in connecting with other people. I love hearing their stories – be it young or old, man or woman, a CEO or a fresh graduate. I have regular lunches with my employees – usually with my Gen Z’s to understand them and be influenced by them – to their way of thinking to a certain extent, and for me to positively influence them and impart the wisdom I have gained through the years.
Lastly, I am a mom, a #CEOMom . I have 4 wonderful very young daughters who keeps my weekends noisy and crazy, who make me ride the roller coasters and made me love candy strips.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Linkedin has helped me connect with a lot of people. It has opened the doors for me to get to know people. One of the gifts of Linkedin for me is the ability to inspire people. I have some people telling me that they are inspired with my story or my success. I shared in LinkedIn previously about my Bells Palsy journey and how I was able to recover and I have people as far back as Australia thanking me for sharing that journey which gave them awareness about the condition.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
There is no easy answer for this. I believe the first step here that I am trying to do is becoming the best version of myself. I am still a long way to go to what I feel I should be doing but I strongly believe in small continuous efforts that lead to massive results. By becoming a woman of substance and value, people will naturally be inspired with one’s journey. With that inspiration comes the desire to become the best version of themselves too which has a ripple effect – and that is how women break barriers – women supporting other women through example.
Show, not just tell.
Jennette Cajucom | Personal Branding and Content Strategist
Industry: Marketing and Training
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Inspired by the ideals of innovation, creativity, and excellence, IdeAlley Training and Consultancy was founded by Jennette and team of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who saw the need for a new approach in preparing graduates for the real world. Driven by passion for empowering future young professionals to reach their fullest potential, IdeAlley addresses that gap between traditional schools and what the job market needs. IdeAlley’s unique perspective stems from the understanding that success in the real world goes beyond just academic qualifications. It requires a combination of practical skills, industry knowledge, and a strong personal brand that sets one apart from the competition. Its training programs are carefully designed to provide a holistic approach to education, encompassing not just technical skills, but also personal and professional development.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a remote work veteran with 15 years of experience, I have honed my skills in helping local and international business owners build and elevate their personal brand. Through my own training and consultancy company, I have been privileged to work with diverse individuals and organizations, empowering them to thrive in the digital era.
I am a staunch advocate for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and in my own little ways I strive to create a world where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their gender or background. I am passionate about uplifting and amplifying the voices of women and underrepresented individuals, and I actively support initiatives and organizations that promote their advancement in all aspects of life.
And as a firm believer in the value of education and preparation for the future, I volunteer my time speaking at schools to share insights and inspire young minds on how they can best prepare themselves for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I believe in the importance of equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need to thrive in the rapidly changing world.
In addition to my professional endeavors, I am also deeply committed to personal growth and continuous learning. I believe that learning is a lifelong journey. I get excited whenever I am constantly seeking new ways to expand my knowledge and skills to better serve my clients and make a positive impact in the small communities am a part of. Incidentally, I’m also learning about artificial intelligence, and hopefully be able to share what I learn with those who believe in the power of AI.
In all that I do, I strive to foster an inclusive and empathetic environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone’s unique voice is valued.
I am excited to continue my journey of empowering individuals, promoting diversity and inclusion, and making a positive impact in the world through my work, and advocacies.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LiinkedIn has helped me find like-minded people and mentors who have helped me attract opportunities, which, in turn, allowed me to help other people with what I know in my own small way. The impact of that cycle of being helped and then paying it forward is probably why I would always recommend LinkedIn to anyone who wants to attract the right opportunities.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I believe that my influence – or any woman like me for that matter – is not just about breaking glass ceilings, but also about creating a ripple effect that can shape a world into one that is truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Perhaps in my own little way, I will continue to use my voice and my platform to amplify the stories and experiences of those who feel they are not being heard.
In my simplest way, I will continue to lead by example, modeling inclusive behavior in my interactions with others, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected. And by actively mentoring women and underrepresented individuals, and providing them with the guidance, support, and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.
I will likewise celebrate the achievements of diverse individuals, and shine a spotlight on their contributions to inspire others and break down stereotypes. Lastly, foster an environment of empathy, understanding, and inclusivity, where differences are celebrated, and everyone has a seat at the table.
Jenny Constantino | SVP, Country Leader
Industry: IT, SaaS
Tell us about your organization, business or work
RealPage Philippines, a Thoma Bravo Company. Realpage is a leading global provider of software and data analytics in the real estate industry in the US. RealPage started in the Philippines in 2011 and has seen continuous success in all business units supporting all of the products and services in our corporate office. I oversee operations in the Philippines in two locations, Manila and Cebu.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am passionate about helping my country and our industry thrive more and stay relevant, consistent in creating value in the world by giving the opportunity for Filipino talents to be globally known and be competitive.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I started with LinkedIn treating it just like any other social media platform but as i grew in my career LinkedIn has helped me not only connect with people but also learn from the journey and stories of others. Gain new knowledge and learning, stay updated and in the know. LinkedIn has been my go-to for any information and update as it relates to anything that can help me and my team professionally, benchmark practices, share my passion and advocacy.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
The only way I can do it is share my journey and my story and hope that someone somewhere another young professional is in the same path and can learn from my experience as I share myself to this platform.
Joann Farmer – Aquino | CEO
Industry: Engineering Design & Construction Management Consultancy
Tell us about your organization, business or work
JFAQ Enterprise is a duly registered consultancy office that offers architecture and engineering design services including construction management services.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a career oriented-woman but I strongly support life and work balance. It is my passion and advocacy to promote clean and healthy living without hurting animals. Plant based proteins are enough on our planet to sustain our protein requirements.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success story are as follows; First, I got several project offers from LinkedIn connections. Second, I got recognitions by being among top LinkedIn Filipinos in 2021 and top LinkedIn successful women in 2022.
Last but not the least, my posts are getting engagement with the right connections and giving impact on their lives, not to mention the valuable global connections who are very dear friends now.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I inspire other women to uplift themselves, love and respect themselves and stay motivated at all cause regardless of the circumstances and have strong faith with God.
Katherine Corinne Patron | Senior Assistant Vice President for Talent Attraction
Industry: Energy
Tell us about your organization, business or work
AboitizPower is in the business of Transforming Energy for A Better World.
Our mission of providing reliable, reasonable, and responsible energy solutions is equally as important as our commitment to solving the global challenge of power consumption and its negative impacts on the environment.
Together with our partners, we are the nation’s leading renewable energy provider. With our Balanced Mix Portfolio in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services, we champion the welfare of the people and environment in our business operations.
AboitizPower aims to empower every home and dream while sparking positive environmental change.
In AboitizPower, I lead a team of experts in the following HR functions: employer branding, recruitment marketing, recruitment operations, executive hiring, onboarding, and international hires management.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As seen on my LinkedIn profile tagline, I am, first and foremost, a mother of an awesome little girl. I try to raise her in a gender-neutral neutral environment by avoiding gender stereotypes in the decisions that we make – be it in our choice of clothes, toys, activities and experiences for her. We try to raise our daughter in a way that does not impose gender norms, allowing her to explore her own interests and express herself in ways that only feel natural to her, and not be constrained by societal expectations. At a very young age, we try to teach her to understand and embrace diversity, equality and inclusivity.
I am also an advocate of sustainability and environment-friendly ways of living at home and in the workplace, long before sustainability became a buzzword. For example, when I was a kid, I would always shout, “Mommy, ate (older sister) didn’t turn off the light again!” When I started as HR supervisor in 2008, my team used to call me Ms. Earth because I would always remind them to minimize printing, conserve water and electricity, join volunteer activities, etc. To this day, I continue to promote ways to recycle, reduce waste, and conserve resources.
I am passionate about my career and how I can share the same passion with the people around me. I get a sense of fulfillment in leading a team, coaching and mentoring.
I use LinkedIn as my platform share more about my personal beliefs, passion, and advocacies.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I have benefited from LinkedIn both on a professional and personal level. I started to hold a Recruiter account around 2010 and through the years, I was able to hire and build connections across all demographics. In 2016, LinkedIn was also the platform that allowed me to shift careers from the BPO industry to a local conglomerate (Aboitiz Group).
As AboitizPower’s lead for Employer Branding, I use LinkedIn to promote our company as an employer of choice by crafting campaigns that would resonate to our target talents, stakeholders, and anyone who is not yet aware of our organization.
On a personal level, I use LinkedIn to talk about my advocacies, share my experiences, and share content that could motivate and inspire others. I am fond of talking about the joys and challenges of being a working parent, the significance of compassionate leadership, and the possibilities of career development for those who lack encouragement.
I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment every time someone would send me a private message about how a story that I shared has influenced them one way or another. I’ve received private messages on LinkedIn about 1) how a fresh graduate who does not know where to begin their job search was able to find the courage to seek help from recruiters and industry experts; 2) how a working parent who feels frustrated trying to manage their career and growing family was able to find comfort in knowing that they are not alone, and learning that there are ways to manage their time and energy between two priorities; 3) how a young professional who wants to shift careers was able to land their ideal job because they’ve seen it happen to people like me; 4) how a demotivated team member who is dealing with a difficult leader was able to find their voice and start to assert in order to protect their overall well-being; and the list goes on.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Creating a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) is a shared responsibility of every individual regardless of gender and social position. I wrote this on my wall recently, DEI are not just frameworks, buzz words, trends, or KPIs. These are concepts, values, and principles at that I, as a leader and as an individual, believe are important and should be instilled in every organization’s culture… Consciously and unconsciously, we embed these values in our activities, not because we are going to be rated for it, but because we understand its significance and our role in society.
I use my role as the head of employer branding and talent acquisition as a platform to influence not just our organization, but also our adjacent agencies and institutions, in promoting the power industry – a male-dominated industry – as an environment where anyone, regardless of age, race, religion, ability, or gender identity feels safe, welcome, and has the opportunity to thrive and succeed without fear of discrimination.
In the past two years, we launched our #EverydayPrideDay and #BABAEngineer campaigns to highlight the members of our LGBT+ community and female engineers across our organization. We use these campaigns as our avenue to listen to their stories about their challenges, career highlights, and how they view the company as an organization that is being true to its efforts in creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
Outside my profession, I strive to use my personal voice to support and promoted DEI starting with how I raise my daughter, being mindful of the messages that I share with my network, and continuing to be an active advocate and ally of marginalized communities with the ultimate goal of creating an accepting and respectful environment for all.
Kay Galinato | Recruitment Director, AI
Industry: AI/Tech
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I currently work for TELUS International AI Data Solutions. I lead almost 100 sourcers, team leaders, managers, digital sourcers and admins located in PH, Spain, Germany, Japan, South Korea, China, Ireland. We source for gig or crowd workers around the globe to work on tasks for our top tech clients to improve or support their AI and Machine Learning projects that revolutionize the way we use technology today.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am passionate in helping people find opportunities to support themselves and their families. I am an advocate of Impact Sourcing and DEI having launched multiple projects and partnerships in the PH and across the globe to provide opportunities for those living in poverty, persons with disabilities and other cohorts that otherwise have limited prospects and access for sustainable employment.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn is not only a place to look for work. I’ve secured some of my experience with jobs posted in LinkedIn. I was able to grow my network, keep myself conected to colleagues, found partners for Impact Sourcing and DEI and found myself mentoring others in their aim to develop their careers.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Promoting DEI in every chance I could. I take time to talk to my business partners and stakeholders the importance of having a diverse team not just to economically help another but to increase the perspective of everyone thereby promoting a culture of kindness and mindfulness. We are all equal, we are all able and we are all capable of caring.
Kris Margallo | AVP for Renewable Energy Business Development
Industry: Renewable Energy, Sustainability
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am part of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation focused on developing renewable energy projects as part of the group’s commitment in helping our country transition to clean energy.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Aside from renewable energy and sustainability, I am passionate on women empowerment. I’ve volunteered to a number of seminars/talks which aimed to encourage young women to a career in renewable energy and sustainability. In addition, I’ve mentored younger colleagues on how to advance in their careers. On a personal level, I like running and I am currently training for a marathon.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helped me connect with inspiring individuals. I learned a lot from their stories.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I would like to use the platform to inspire more women to achieve their full potential by sharing my personal stories and lessons learned. Specifically, I’d like young women to pursue a career in STEM and/or Engineering.
Kristina Isagunde | Director of Operations
Industry: Saas / IT / Technology
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Revnue is a privately held US-based, global Software as a Service (SaaS) company that empowers businesses to streamline their process and manage their contracts effectively. Revnue’s goal is to build an end-to-end contract lifecycle management solution that will help businesses accelerate recovery from losses and propel their growth by enabling them to uncover opportunities and mitigate the risks hidden within their contracts.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a passionate and dedicated professional, leading the way in the male-dominated tech industry, with a deep-rooted belief in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a better world. As orphans, my sisters and I faced significant challenges growing up, including financial struggles during college. Through resilience and determination, I secured a scholarship that enabled me to pursue my education and ultimately succeed in my career.
As a female leader in tech, I continuously seek opportunities to grow and develop, both personally and professionally, while inspiring and supporting others to do the same. In giving back to the community that supported me through my own struggles, I now actively help others succeed by providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities.
My journey has been driven by a commitment to empowering underrepresented voices and fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace and beyond. My advocacy for gender equality, social justice, and environmental sustainability stems from my conviction that each of us has a responsibility to make a positive impact on the world around us. By leveraging my expertise and network, I actively engage in initiatives that promote these values, working closely with various organizations to drive meaningful change.
LinkedIn has been an invaluable platform for me to amplify my message and connect with like-minded individuals, allowing me to build a robust community of professionals committed to making a difference. I consistently share thought-provoking content, engage in meaningful conversations, and provide mentorship to those seeking guidance and support.
I plan to continue using my platform to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive world, inspire others to pursue their passions, and drive positive change through collaboration and knowledge sharing. My journey is one of purpose, resilience, and a firm belief in the power of community to transform the world for the better.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success story began when I started actively utilizing the platform to not only network but also to share my knowledge and inspire others. By regularly posting insightful articles, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and connecting with professionals in my field, I was able to establish a strong online presence that contributed to my career growth.
One pivotal moment occurred when a well-respected industry expert reached out to me after reading one of my posts. This connection led to a collaborative project that greatly expanded my professional network and provided me with new opportunities. Additionally, by using LinkedIn’s job search feature and leveraging the platform’s robust network, I was able to secure a position in a company that aligned with my values and career aspirations.
As I continued to grow professionally, I also used LinkedIn as a platform to educate and inspire others. By sharing my experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, I was able to provide guidance to those looking to advance their careers or navigate challenging situations. This, in turn, allowed me to give back to the community that had supported my own professional development, and helped me further establish myself as a thought leader in my field.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I am committed to using my influence to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world. I will begin by educating myself and others about the issues surrounding these values, and I will use my platform to amplify underrepresented voices and share their stories. I will actively advocate for policy changes that promote equity and inclusivity, while offering mentorship and support to individuals from marginalized groups. By modeling inclusive behavior, engaging in allyship, and challenging stereotypes, I hope to foster a culture of respect and understanding in my community.
I will also work towards creating inclusive spaces by promoting open dialogue and collaboration, and I will support diverse businesses and organizations to contribute to economic equality. By celebrating diversity and embracing the unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives that each person brings, I believe that I can help create a more just and equal world for all.
Kristine Eusebio | Executive Assistant
Industry: Railway
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Alstom is a French multinational rolling stock manufacturer which operates worldwide in rail transport markets. It is active in the fields of passenger transportation, signaling, and locomotives, producing high-speed, suburban, regional and urban trains along with trams.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m an OFW based in Dubai, UAE. UAE has multicultural society where I was able to learn and explore more about myself. The Society has become my source of strength and enrichment. I’m an experienced Executive Assistant in UAE for 11 years, supporting CEOs, Senior VPs, High Level Directors and Country Management Team with a demonstrated history of working in the transportation & railroad industry.
My values are: discipline, motivation, goal setting, achievement
I’m very passionate about learning new things, acquiring new skills and sharing what I learned to all available platforms online/offline.
I’m a firm believer of work-life balance. In fact, I’ve been practicing Triathlon (swim, bike, run) locally and internationally since 2015.
I’m an advocate of Sustainable life. I firmly believe that small or big contributions can make a difference to change the world.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I started Linkedin in 2020 after I was told that my role is no longer necessary to the company. At first, my goal is just to look for a job. Later on, I started the loving the platform and the community. I found it as a platform to connect to people with the same passion & interest. Through LinkedIn, I was able to brand myself and enhance my professional reputation.
My employer noticed that I can do more than being an EA – they saw me as someone valuable and someone that can represent the company in the social media world.
I love Linkedin and I’m excited to learn, connect and share my values to more and more people.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
First of all, I want to lead by example.
I would like to raise awareness that women have equal access to resources and opportunities. I will create campaigns to put an end to discrimination and make it possible for everyone to live to their full potential.
Social media is a very powerful resource that we can take advantage of nowadays and I would like to use it to reach more people in my advocacy.
Kurly de Guzman | Career and Leadership Coach
Industry: Coaching / Professional Development
Tell us about your organization, business or work
As a Career and Leadership Coach of KDG Career, Leadership and Coaching, I help leaders, organizations and coaches bring out the best in themselves and in others, so that they can thrive in their evolving careers. I provide coaching, mentoring and training to individuals, private, non-profit and government organizations to enable them to find and create meaning in what they do, and create solutions that are both systemic and transformational.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
If I am not working, you’d probably find me tending to my garden, homeschooling my son, cooking food, chatting with my husband or caring for my pets. And that pretty much reflects who I am – a wife, mother, and a coach. I take each role seriously and wholeheartedly. I enjoy the challenges of my work, just the same as I enjoy and honor my needs for pause and reflection.
I believe that one’s career is an evolving masterpiece. It doesn’t start and end with landing a job or getting a promotion. It’s way more than that. So we need to go deeper than understanding how to gain clarity more on our why’s and what’s. Everyone has a unique gift to the world, and it’s my mission to enable more people to discover that.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
As an active member of the LinkedIn Community for the past 4+ years, Linkedin has helped me expand my network and has become a stepping stone to opportunities and clients. It has helped me share my ideas and give value to more people through my posts.
As the only recognized LinkedIn Top Voice from the Philippines, I take pride in making my voice heard in the global community and continue supporting our very own Filipinos. I also hope that my story can be an inspiration to many who are aspiring for bigger things but like me have their own doubts and fears, and sometimes feel like they’re invisible in this world.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Creating a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive starts from within. When you see yourself as someone worthy and of value, you begin to exude a level of confidence that commands respect from others. So I make investments on myself — not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I also leverage on opportunities in the different roles that I play (as a coach, leader, parent, consultant) to inspire women to do the same, to address systemic issues that lead to gaps in EI, and to speak up about what we can do in our own ways.
Laraine Zyreen Marcelo | Head of Digital Learning, Sales, and Operations
Industry: 
Professional Training & Coaching, Management Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
We’re an 18-year old award-winning face-to-face and digital training and consulting company based in Makati, Philippines. We have trained 500+ organizations (including Fortune 500 companies) in 15 countries, 4 continents. We provide the (arguably) most engaging and interactive classes in the Philippines.
We have been awarded as the Outsourced L&D Organization of the Year by the Phil. Society for Talent Development last 2021 due to our swift shift to digital learning during the pandemic, and by being the (arguably) filipino training company who have conducted the most number of virtual classes in just 3 years, with a running number of close to 800 virtual classes conducted.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a digital learning leader, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to my role, using my skills and knowledge to drive transformation and innovation within my organization. My passion for digital learning is demonstrated through my successful leadership of a team that underwent a rapid digital transformation in just two weeks in 2020, showcasing my resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
My reputation for driving innovation and success in the field is built upon my extensive track record of achievement. I have developed and launched a cutting-edge digital learning site that has been accessed by learners from all over the world. I have overseen hundreds of training projects for 500+ organizations (including Fortune 500 companies) in 15 countries across 4 continents, providing learners with valuable skills and knowledge that empower them to succeed in their careers.
Over the past three years, I have led my team to deliver close to 800 virtual classes, reaching almost 30k audiences around the globe. Through innovative and engaging digital learning experiences, I have helped learners to develop new skills, achieve their goals, and unlock their full potential. As a digital learning leader, I am dedicated to delivering transformative educational experiences that inspire, educate, and empower learners everywhere.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
As a digital learning leader, I knew that connecting with influential people in my industry was crucial for success. That’s why I turned to LinkedIn, where I discovered a treasure trove of knowledge, inspiration, and networking opportunities that ultimately led to my own success story.
Through LinkedIn, I was able to connect with influential leaders and experts in my field. We exchanged ideas, knowledge, and insights on digital learning, technology, and innovation. These connections not only helped me to stay current on industry trends but also gave me a fresh perspective on how to lead my team and drive innovation within my organization.
But the impact of my LinkedIn connections went beyond personal growth and development. As a result of these connections, I was able to generate leads for my company, expanding our reach and impact in the digital learning space. Through my posts, I was able to showcase the innovative work my team was doing and attract the attention of potential clients and partners.
Today, I can confidently say that my LinkedIn connections played a crucial role in my own success story. They helped me to stay informed and connected, generate leads for my company, and inspire and influence others in my industry. And I am excited to continue leveraging the power of LinkedIn to drive innovation and growth in the digital learning space for years to come.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I am driven to use my influence to make a positive impact in the world. Through the power of sharing and co-promoting content, I strive to inform, inspire, and influence others to join me in the effort to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society.
By actively raising awareness and initiating meaningful conversations, I aim to encourage others to take action and become agents of change in their own communities. Whether it’s sharing inspiring stories of underrepresented groups, promoting insightful articles and research, or advocating for events and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, I am dedicated to using my platform to create a better world for everyone.
To further this mission, together with my team, we have created a comprehensive course on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which we have successfully rolled out to organizations across various industries. Through this initiative, we have already made a positive impact on thousands of professionals and are committed to continuing to spread the message of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ultimately, my goal is to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect, where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. By working together and supporting one another, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Le-an Lai Lacaba | CoFounder
Industry: Outsourcing Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
2xYou is the winner of the 2021 Stevie Award for Employer of the year. 2xYou is an outsourcing company that specializes in switching service-based entrepreneurs from owning a job to owning a business with a highly-trained, executive assistant who comes with a custom business operating system.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Le-an stumbled upon working remotely when she was 15, as she was maintaining a personal blog and started getting messages about being hired as a writer online.
For most of her life at that point, Le-an’s father was working overseas, as it was one of the main ways for Filipinos to be able to earn a dollar wage or more than average pay.
She would only see her dad once or twice a year, and when she was getting paid gigs online from writing to creating graphics to video editing, it blew her away at the thought that if this was available for her parents when she was her age, her dad wouldn’t have needed to leave the country after all.
At 18, Le-an survived Category 5 Typhoon Haiyan, when she realized that as she was about to drown in her childhood home, she made the decision to detach from the expectations of her family which was to become a lawyer and work abroad, to focus on building her remote career.
Moving into another city after that traumatic experience, Le-an found work as a book editor for a US publishing company and found that there were so many opportunities for Filipinos to be able to work from home.
At 20, when given the opportunity to be trained to be the remote CEO of that US publishing company, Le-an jumped on the opportunity and fell in love with entrepreneurship and developed systems in the company to the point where she could step away from the business when she wanted to.
With a passion for educating and providing opportunities for Filipinos to work from home, Le-an partnered with her boss to start 2xYou, to create jobs for Filipinos and to show the world the amazing experience of working with Filipinos.
Le-an was able to grow 2xYou to the point where they were awarded the Silver Stevie Award for Employer Of The Year in 2021 for their training and development for virtual assistants as well as grow her personal brand as an expert in building a remote business through her content.
Since then, Le-an has further developed 2xYou as a Business Operating System where they can create a structure for their client’s businesses with a highly trained executive assistant.
Le-an aims to help 10,000 entrepreneurs grow remotely, and 1 Million Filipinos to work from home so less kids would need to experience not having a parent at home.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I primarily use LinkedIn to promote my educational content on the outsourcing world, from how to hire online, to how to be hired online.
I’ve been consistently writing posts and sharing posts that are relevant to my audience on what they need to succeed on how to work remotely.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
My goal is simple: teach 1 Million Filipinos on how to work from home.
How I’m doing this is by working with Filipinas all over on educating and having them experience this, as I do believe that once we teach the Nanays and the Ates how to do this, they will teach their community, and so on and so forth.
This gives people everywhere the opportunities to be able to work from home, and not have to leave the country to find a good job that can support them and their family.
Loida Jerusalem | ATN Assistant Officer
Industry: Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippine Embassy in Iraq)
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Attending to Nationals in Baghdad, Iraq
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
A simple, passionate, loving, caring and dedicated woman who believe that in every good and bad deed we make, there’s always a reward from God.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I was broken-hearted and lost when I started in LinkedIn. Going through my pain and suffering, I found myself writing all my heartaches and struggles, then created a poem. I was creating poems based of what I was going through then people started following me. I was inspired to create an e-book and people started following me because through my emotional writings I’ve touched people’s heart.
An e-book that narrated my broken heart and then my recovery. It inspires people in LinkedIn and I showed them that after the storm, the sun always shine to rise.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, know your rights and where to stand. Let your voice be loud as your soul arise to fight for your rights. Don’t be afraid to take the risk at all cost. Because maybe that risk you’re afraid to take, could be the one that changes your entire life.
Loradel Ang | Executive Director and Headhunter
Industry: Executive Search/Headhunting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Icon Executive Asia is an executive management solutions firm that aims to help businesses grow and be in the right direction through executive search as well as leadership and business development summits. The combined years of experience of our recruitment consultants empower our company to expand our portfolio and provide exceptional services primarily to businesses in the emerging industries of digital, tech, startup, and legacy businesses.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am one of the executive directors at Icon Executive Asia (IEA) whose specialty lies in Middle Management and C-Level requirements as well as Consultancy Search for the digital, technology and e-commerce sectors. As a driven woman who never gets tired of learning and growing, I pursued my master’s degree in business administration while working full-time and ventured into headhunting after five years of testing the waters in the fields of both sales and business development.
I started my career in recruitment as one of the founding iconic team members of IEA. My boldness somehow drove the company to new heights in the past two years and enabled me to build a better version of myself and has helped both our candidates and clients through my combined knowledge of the scope of business development and recruitment. Despite being a hardworking headhunter who’s always on the lookout for iconic talents and professionals, I never forget to take a well-deserved breather by letting my mind wander.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn is a significant tool, especially for my job. I cannot count how many good leads or talents I was able to get from this platform that helped me fill the talent acquisition requirements of our clients. Moreover, there are also learnings and inspirations that I was able to share and learn from. In fact, I never imagined I would be part of the Top 100 Filipinos to follow on LinkedIn for inspiration and learnings and the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2022. I am humbled and beyond grateful for such a milestone.
It is also through LinkedIn that I found my passion, which is my current role, and keep on excelling in my chosen field. Without this platform, I couldn’t imagine building a quality network and establishing relationships with my co-professionals, candidates, and clients.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Though I don’t have a big platform yet to create a more significant impact, I believe that there are simple ways for me to make a difference. Making do with what I currently have as an ED and a headhunter, I have come accustomed to going above and beyond my role to deliver the best results that I can offer to both my clients and the candidates I tap. When it comes to clients, I always provide insights to help them identify what they are really looking for in a professional and to fulfill their requirements. At the same time, I make sure to be objective with the candidates I tap and strive to be as responsive as I can to them at all times, no matter the result of the hiring process.
Aside from giving insights and helping our clients and candidates in my own way, I also use platforms such as LinkedIn to share some meaningful and relatable experiences and learnings that could somehow touch the lives of my networks and fellow professionals.
Lorenz Aimee Mutia | Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition Project Management
Industry: Business Process Outsourcing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I currently work for Concentrix, a global company that touches countless lives every day. Concentrix has a responsibility to look out for its employees and the environment, a duty that we take very seriously. We believe we have a fantastic potential to leverage our size as a force for good. For a worldwide impact, we have centered our activities around three strategic priorities that direct our global efforts and translate to progress toward our 2025 targets.
At Concentrix, DEI is highly prized and purposefully ingrained into the company’s DNA. A culture where everyone is validated, feels seen, heard, and appreciated for their extraordinary contribution is fundamentally dependent on this.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a Talent Acquisition expert with 11 years of solid recruitment experience and has obtained the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designation last 2017. Outside of recruitment, I am a (UP) Certificated Paralegal, an Employer Branding Professional and currently taking up Master’s in International Business, which is only offered at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
I am passionate about helping candidates find their dream roles, regardless of the industry.
I do pro-bono consultations for job hunters about resume creation/updates, acing interviews, and salary negotiations.
I also believe in the importance of lifelong learning – the pursuit of happiness on an individual level, and the creation of caring, compassionate, and cooperative communities all depend on education, both formal and informal. It is also crucial for society as a whole because it enables various groups of people to share knowledge, come to consensus on shared values, and get a deeper understanding of one another.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Aside from attracting and connecting prospect candidates, and posting job openings, I share materials of things that matter to me – positivity, motivation and women empowerment. I also use the platform to connect with like-minded individuals and share practices within our industry.
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How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a Talent Acquisition Professional, I believe that diversity equals better business. A workforce that is inclusive and varied makes use of the skills and perspectives of a larger cross-section of society and aids in connecting the company with its target market.
Even while improving DEI is not the sole duty of one person (or department), talent acquisition professionals can take several steps to create a truly inclusive workplace. This is because we oversee managing and setting the standards for fair treatment, management, and compensation of all employees to create a completely inclusive workplace, in addition to attracting and hiring candidates from various backgrounds.
Mae Mendoza | Senior Manager – Go-To-Market and Sales
Industry: Recruitment
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Robert Walters is a global specialist recruitment company headquartered in London and present in 32 markets all over the world.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a proud Filipina working in America to help build our business in Austin, Texas. I am a feminist and firmly believe that Asian females especially Filipinas have a lot more to offer. I support women empowerment as well as ED&I. People often tell me that I carry the Philippines flag with me anywhere I go.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in business administration. I actively participate in charity work in the Philippines and even now in the U.S. I am passionate about making an impact.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I have been recruiting for 12 years and I have been using LinkedIn for 10 years now. This is the most effective recruitment tool for me. I helped countless people change their lives through finding the right job for them. I’ve also been actively posting and talking about my career story to influence more women to take up space in the global stage.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I fearlessly speak up and discuss my learnings and mistakes. I empower every people I meet and make sure they feel accepted and valued regardless of race, gender, or age. We all bleed red.
Mari Pantoja-Smith | Principal Digital Health Strategist
Industry: Healthcare
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I currently work for the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Digital Health (CDH) as a Principal Digital Strategist. I advocate for CDH strategy and vision among senior executive leadership. I help translate business strategies into actionable, value-driven digital product and platform strategies. Mayo Clinic has been voted no.1 hospital in the US and worldwide for several consecutive years and voted “world’s best hospital”. I am honored to work for an organization that truly cares for its patients and staff.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Growing up in the 3rd world country like the Philippines taught me the value of family, hard work, ambition, education, and enjoying the little things in life. At a young age, I saw life’s good, bad, and ugly. I treasure every part of those life lessons, which, undoubtedly served as the foundation for how I approach life each day. I am very passionate about helping people and undoubtedly passionate about healthcare. My healthcare passion has three pillars: global health equity since I personally experienced losing my Lola due to healthcare inequity; healthcare technology for it bifurcates towards clinician efficiency and positive patient outcomes; last but not least, global clinician shortage because, as a nurse, I know the consequence of that. In life, it’s what you make of it. Things happen for a reason for every milestone experience/life lesson, good or bad, I took something out of it. I somehow turned a negative situation into a positive one and leveraged that to strengthen me for the next life wave.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Linkedin has helped me in so many ways. It was my first ever social media account. This year, however, I’ve had several Linkedin success stories. First, it allowed me to make stronger connections with the Filipino community in the US and the Philippines. I got to meet and collaborate with exceptional individuals such as Bless, Leylord, Cybill, and so much more. LinkedIn allowed me to meet and build a strong relationship with Dr. Abby Hamilton (3x TEDx Fil-AM Speaker). I now serve under her leadership as NAFFAA Florida Chapter – Public Relations Director. To date, my biggest Linkedin success story is the opportunity to connect with Ms. Virginia Bautista and Connected Women; if it wasn’t for Linkedin, I would not have this opportunity, and I would not have the chance to learn about the fantastic Filipinos (men and women) on Linkedin.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman of color, and mother of 3 biracial children, I use my influence by emphasizing, educating, and promoting that each letter in the DEIB means different things and to achieve value in DEIB truly, one cannot exist without the other. Remember that D-Diversity is seen, E-Equity is fulfillment, I-Inclusion is felt, B-Belonging is acceptance. Our differences bring a variety of perspectives to this world. Give people a chance; no one is perfect, and never judge the book by its cover. Be open to different ideas and different ways of doing things.
Just because “it’s always been done the way” does not mean it’s not up for change.
Maria Cecilia Conder | Retired
Industry: Arts & Culture
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am now fully retired and dedicated to giving back to my community and connections worldwide. I am an art collector, a Board Member At Large for the Fine Arts Society Arts Advocates of Sarasota, Florida, USA, an active member of a women’s charity organization, Impact 100SRQ, an ambassador for the Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance. I donated five Florida Highwaymen Original artworks to the Fine Arts Society Arts Advocates of Sarasota. The Florida Highwaymen are 26 African-American artists who sold their art along USA’s Highway 41 because they were not allowed in art galleries. This is my way of championing and supporting diversity of humanity, thought, art and societies as a whole. I donated the art appraisals and evaluation of its art collection in my Florida condominium building in an effort to promote community engagement. I was granted a Certificate of Honor by the Sarasota County for the art collection of my condominium building in support of the local artists in our building’s art collection. I am still involved in promoting Filipino Arts and Culture through The Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company. I was a soloist-dancer from 1975 to the early 2000’s and am still active with The Bayanihan in the Spirit of Community and Humanitarianism. This year I supported the publication of a book on The Bayanihan in celebration of the Philippine Women’s University Anniversary. In the past I commissioned several original paintings by artist Jun Alfon to honor the late Helena Z. Benitez, Filipina educator, environmentalist, the first woman UN ambassador, and first female Filipina senator. I continue to support and honor Philippine Arts and Culture via The Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company. I also donated 131 images from The American Geographical Society on General Santos, my maternal grandfather and Filipino national hero, and on General Santos City to the Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City local museum. I am an ardent supporter of Filipino arts, culture, and society, to this day.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I practice and promote kindness, empathy, humility, gratitude, and faith in God, in every way I can. I am a devout Catholic, and I believe in supporting diversity of thought, religions, beliefs, and cultures. On LinkedIn I make sure I honor, support, and celebrate all religions, cultures, societies especially women’s rights through my posts. I was fortunate to practice these from being a Bayanihan dancer and Philippine cultural ambassador when I performed in 51 countries of the world and 88 cities in the USA. Allow me to say, I am most humbled and honored to be nominated here. My family of public servants raised me to serve others. Humanity first always.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I am blessed to have the opportunity to Support my Network on LinkedIn. My Focus and Goal on LinkedIn is to Support Others. This is my joy and truly makes me content. I was humbled to be honored by Amanda Kazzy Cryer in her post, and by Blessing Ododo and her African Women’s Group, BIGA Women Digital Academy in their post.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I continue what I am doing to lift others on LinkedIn and my Florida community by using my abilities to listen with empathy, be watchful of unconscious bias, acknowledge all religious and cultural holidays, facilitate respectful exchange and interaction, promote and honor diversity through my words and actions. My favorite quote is, “We rise by lifting others”. It gives me great joy to witness the success of others.
Maria Elizabeth de Guzman | Executive Director, Cybersecurity Leader
Industry: Information Technology
Tell us about your organization, business or work
EY (Ernst & Young Global Limited) is a multinational professional services partnership. EY is one of the largest professional services networks in the world. It is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms which later on expanded into consulting and other services. In 2019, EY was the seventh-largest privately owned organization in the United States and has continuously been ranked on Fortune magazine’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
I lead EY’s extensive Global Delivery Services – Cybersecurity team in Manila Philippines, offering end to end Cybersecurity services – making it one of the biggest and most extensive in the region, servicing EY’s biggest clients globally.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I always have a vision to make the Philippines a powerhouse in the Cybersecurity global space and drive more employment opportunities locally. I am the first female certified chief information security officer (CCISO) in the country and recently recognized by SecurityMatters magazine, PWCA and WISECRA as one of the Top Women in Security in the Philippines and Top Women in Cybersecurity in the ASEAN region. I was also well recognized as part of Women who inspire Honorary in my previous organization.
A member of EC Council’s International Advisory Board for CCISO — composed of prominent industry
leaders and top Threat Intelligence professionals from a diverse range of industries and globally-known brands, I am serving as an invaluable guidepost to help in building new initiatives for Information Security management.
As a Cybersecurity Talent Ambassador, I have always been actively participating and mentoring young cyber professionals, including hiring fresh talent to hone and grow their potential through the annual Cybersecurity cadetship program. I have been very active in global cyber forums and webinars to share knowledge and career advice in local and international universities.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Staying connected with industry peers in a global environment is key in the IT industry. I personally get to share my insights, cybersecurity news and thought leadership materials in LinkedIn. It’s a great and powerful collaboration tool for us and helped us spread the word whenever there are big hacks, security news, events, etc. Working in a multinational, global consulting firm it’s a must to be up to date and active in the cybersecurity arena and Linkedin has provided me with that platform to be heard and seen. With the help of Linkedin, I have been recognized as a global thought leader and invited on big scale international forums, talks and symposiums.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
We continue to see a widening talent gap and global shortage in cybersecurity professionals. The challenge for us has always been how to build and empower the team and pass on the same passion in building the next generation. Building a better, more secure world has a strong link to our purpose. Embedded in that purpose-driven mindset is a commitment to wellness and flexibility. I strive to affirm new ways of working and create a work environment that offers trust and inclusivity.
Outside my busy day to day schedule, I have also been championing diversity and inclusion within the firm, I am a sponsor in hiring neurodiverse professionals and also mentoring young women who are starting their cybersecurity careers.
As a Cybersecurity Talent Ambassador, I have always been actively participating and mentoring the young cyber professionals and hiring fresh talents and hone and grow their potentials.
Maria Jennalyn Maniago-Miranda | Vice President – Head of Human Resources
Industry: Real Estate and Property Management
Tell us about your organization, business or work
After 5 years of grateful and meaningful journey with SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., I bid adieu to my beloved company to support my husband’s catering business.
However, there comes a time in our lives when we discern and look for a more meaningful path, one in which you feel more connected to a deeper purpose and able to bridge your gifts and passion with your values. Then came the opportunity offered by Property Company of Friends, Inc., commonly known as Pro-friends. After ascertaining and praying whether to pursue another journey in the corporate world or not, I came to realize that God has another mission for me in terms of uplifting lives of others. By January of this year, I started my new role with Pro-friends as Vice President – Head of Human Resources.
PRO-FRIENDS, is one of the fastest growing property developers in the Philippines, with over 60,000 quality and affordable housing units built since its inception in 1999. As part of every Filipino’s dream of owning a home, we build communities that promote family’s well-being. Our vision is to be at the forefront of creating integrated communities that provide lasting value and uplift the lives of the families we serve. And this is my passion, my calling, my purpose in life – to uplift the lives of our colleagues whom we serve including their families.
Property Company of Friends, Inc. was incorporated on February 23, 1999 by Guillermo Choa and a group of friends who shared in his vision of creating communities and transforming lives. As a property company, it began providing housing units in small pocket developments in Cavite. It has since grown to include medium rise condominiums, estates for low, middle and higher end markets, and a flourishing township in its portfolio. Today, Pro-friends has committed to be at the forefront of creating integrated communities that provide lasting value and uplift the lives of the families it serves. Since its establishment and as of December 2022, Pro-friends has built and delivered over 60,000 houses for Filipino families.
I decided to join the company because of its genuineness to its core mission, that as stewards of God-given resources and the people entrusted to our care, our shared mission is to serve our stakeholders by providing innovative living solutions through the properties we develop, the communities we build, and the relationships we nurture.
As the head of the Human Resources Department, together with the HR Team, whom I now fondly call as the PRO-HeaRTeam, we are given the mission to deliver exceptional and meaningful HR services and resources to make employees’ lives better every day, including fulfilling their life goals outside Pro-friends.
Pro-friends will not be where it is today without the valued hard work of its employees. Key to this is the transformation of their lives through personal and career development as well as being able to provide them with a second home. It is my profound desire to create a culture of collaboration among our colleagues, where our call to create communities and transform lives is deeply rooted with our core values.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I have always been an advocate of creating an inclusive environment in the workplace, where women can always thrive. I have always believed that roles, responsibilities, and results should not be based on gender or physical attributes of a person. As a woman leader, I have always acknowledged, navigated, and fostered a gender-inclusive environment. I have always believed in walking the talk, where an adaptive leadership mindset is constantly working.
I have been invited by most universities to speak and educate students on safe spaces at the workplace. Providing safe spaces for people (especially women) to share and learn other perspectives is one of extreme passion. Daily actions matter than big statements.
I have also consistently and avidly promoted HEARTwork over hardwork. This is when we combine purpose and passion, that whatever we do everything must touch the heart/the lives of the people we serve and deal with.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Linkedin has empowered me to change lives of people I am connected with in this portal. I get to help people make one of the bigger decisions they make in life – that is to look for a more meaningful and fulfilling career. People, whom I do not personally know, would send me their CVs and ask if I can refer them to my colleagues or with other companies. They would also consult me on job offers. To date, about 20 Linkedin connections already secured new career opportunities through my referrals. It’s super fulfilling knowing that this new job will be their means of uplifting the lives of their families.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
In a world that offers choices and opportunities, ownership is the first step to fostering a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Within the scope of my influence (such as my company, the academe, with my son, among my colleagues/peers/friends, and family), building awareness is the first step towards real change. As the Head of the Human Resources Department, we start addressing this by helping our team members understand how individuals are impacted with unconscious biases. Values reinforcement programs injecting creating safe spaces for everyone is one concrete action we will be rolling out this year. We will also launch our Keep on Learning Campaign, wherein employees learn from each other, recognizing that no one is an expert, but rather respect and embrace other person’s experiences, skills, capabilities, and realities. All our employee engagement activities are rooted to our objective of creating delightful and meaningful work together.
Maria Liselle Flipphi | Opti/Write’s Co-Founder and LinkedIn for Business Strategist
Industry: Marketing and Communications
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Opti/Write helps individuals and teams succeed in job hunting, thought leadership, and online prospecting. The goal: make clients stand out from the competition. There are two main divisions: 1. Resume Writing: Opti/Write provides jobseekers with hire-worthy and ATS-friendly resumes, LinkedIn profiles that rank high on search results, and tools a client needs to land an interview. 2. LinkedIn Management: Opti/Write helps business owners and teams establish credibility, build a following, gain crucial business connections, and connect with clients.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As Opti/Write’s co-founder and a LinkedIn for Business consultant, I partner with business leaders in unlocking the power of their profiles and messaging to boost their online credibility, grow a strategic network, and authentically connect with other decision-makers.
With a visionary yet pragmatic approach, we strategize content for the C-Suite, manage LinkedIn campaigns, and write for social impact. Our portfolio of clients spans continents and cultures, reflecting our commitment to delivering results on a global scale.
As a storyteller, I am passionate about humanizing businesses and uncovering people’s unique strengths to make them more relatable and valuable to their audience.
But my work doesn’t end there. I am also a coach at The Freelance Movement Tribe, where we work collaboratively to provide resources and support in transforming the landscape of freelance work in the Philippines.
Because of my experiences, I feel strongly about championing the following causes:
– Empowering executives to take proactive steps in their career paths;
– Promoting fearless entrepreneurship and supporting individuals to pursue their passions; and
– Encouraging professionals from diverse backgrounds to share their expertise and insights to enrich narratives with unique perspectives.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I am grateful for how my life has evolved since that fateful day (August 6, 2019) when I published my first post promoting my services as a LinkedIn writer and entrepreneur. I knew it was a leap of faith to open myself up to a global platform, but it was all worth it.
From growing an international network and getting 90% of our business through the platform, every win fuels my drive to support others to experience the same. My proudest achievement from the past year was getting to reach out to more people through speaking engagements, supporting various online communities, and bringing more offline business owners to establish their footprint on LinkedIn.
Once the pandemic lockdowns have ceased, it became more apparent that we would have to navigate a hybrid form of engagement to demonstrate the impact of the connections we’ve established online. I am thankful for having been a part of the initiatives made by the Active Filipinos on LinkedIn in promoting good governance as well as the network cultivated by Virginia Bautista.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Whether conscious of it or not, we somehow tend to get stuck in reading and consuming only the stories we agree to or those we closely identify with. This is unfortunate since we end up dismissing diverse perspectives and nurturing biases that work against inclusivity.
On a personal level, I strive to make conscious efforts to seek out stories and converse with people whose views may be different than mine. As a woman co-founder and writer, I open ways to collaborate with other content creators who come from different skills and markets and find something that I never thought could tie us together.
Being a woman and a Filipino, I recognize that it can be unnerving for others to share their thoughts or views online. To counter the fear, I need to start by example, share what I know, cheerlead others’ efforts and communicate the belief of #progressoverperfection and #courageovercomfort.
Maria Montserrat Monette Iturralde-Hamlin | President and Founder
Industry: Marketing and Communications
Tell us about your organization, business or work
TeamAsia is an award-winning strategic marketing agency that’s been creating and sustaining visibility since 1992. We build brand, community, and industries for positive business impact; and develop integrated marketing strategies for visible growth, reach, and engagement. We do this by exploring innovation to its fullest potential through our core services: Creatives, Digital, Events, and Public Relations.
We are passionate and committed to helping communities, caring for the environment and promoting inclusivity, integrity and shared prosperity.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe women can do anything they want if they put their heart and passion into it. I grew up surrounded by strong women as my father died when I was 10 years old. It was my mother and my aunts who guided me and provided me with my needs. They were also the ones who instilled in me that the opportunities are limitless for me if I work hard and do my best in everything I do.
Autograph your work with excellence. I’ve taken this lesson to heart, and it has become a driving force in everything that I do.
When my dad died, our finances changed drastically, and my mom converted our home into a boarding house. It was a big change in lifestyle, and I could see how difficult life was for my mom, having to take care of all of us. I decided then and there to work hard and make sure my family, especially my mom, would not suffer.
I went through school on scholarships and worked summers to earn enough money to buy books and school supplies. Because I had to maintain my grades, I studied hard and finished college with a summa cum laude, then two years later got a full scholarship at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where I also graduated with distinction. It was at AIM that I became interested in marketing and decided to take on more classes in it.
My education opened doors for me. After college, I worked as a Group Personnel Manager for five companies, responsible for all facets of personnel management and administration for over 2,000 employees, despite being the youngest employee. But I felt I needed to learn more about business, and so I took my two-year Master in Business Management at AIM when the opportunity presented itself.
After AIM, I was hired as a management trainee at an international magazine, World Executive’s Digest. Starting as a management trainee, I learned the ropes of publishing and ten years later, I had risen the ladder to the second highest position of the company. I was Associate Publisher of the magazine, responsible for circulation worldwide, taking charge of marketing the magazine and running a highly successful regional awards program for World Executive’s Digest and AIM. And then, the new owners of the magazine decided to let top management go so they could put in their own people. I was out of a job, separated, undergoing annulment, with two young daughters and a mother to take care of. What to do?
Well, AIM asked me to continue organizing the Asian Management Awards in six different countries. Michael Alan Hamlin, who was the vice president of AIM and my counterpart in the project, advised me to take it on. I was worried. How could I run this program without money? Mike believed in me and said all I needed to do was to focus on what I’ve been doing, and that the money would follow. This opportunity gave birth to The Events and Awards Manager of Asia, which many now know as TeamAsia. Mike and I got married later and grew TeamAsia into what it is now.
TeamAsia is an award-winning agency that creates and sustains visibility for brands through integrated marketing strategies using our core services: creatives, digital, events, and public relations. We bring brands to the next level experience.
In 2013, Mike succumbed to cancer, and people thought it would be the end of TeamAsia. Not so. My daughter Bea who was then taking up her masters at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts decided to join me at TeamAsia as managing director, bringing with her youthful fervor and the latest knowledge and best practices. And we’ve become even stronger.
Truly, when God closes a door, He opens a window. So, while it was a Mike and Monette tandem before, now it is a Monette and Bea tandem. From husband-and-wife partnership to a mother-daughter partnership.
Concurrently, I am a trustee and the immediate past chairperson of the Women Business Council of the Philippines, chairperson of Hopkins International Partners, Inc., President of the Government Academe industry.
Network (GAIN), Inc., and Vice President (and previously President and Chairperson) of the Philippine Association of Conventions/Exhibitions Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS). I also serve our parish as a lector and servant leader.
I am a staunch advocate of women empowerment, helping unlock more opportunities for them, and of bringing out the best in the Filipino talent to showcase our relevance and competitiveness in the global marketplace. I also believe in education as an empowering force for global competitiveness of human talent, a message I embrace at GAIN where we advocate for international standards in English language proficiency, digital skills, and leadership; run national conventions and masterclasses; conduct research; and work with the Commission on Higher Education on a National Roadmap for Global Competitiveness in Communication Skills.
I helped set up and regularly teach at the Philippine MICE Academy so that tourism players can become internationally certified. As past president and chairperson of PACEOS, I worked together with my colleagues on the MICE Roadmap 2030 with talent development as one of four focus areas. I co-chair the Sub-working Group for Human Resources, and have co-authored Professional Event Management: A Guide to Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions and Events. I served as a director representing the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions on the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board for three years, and it was at this time that we launched the highly successful It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign.
Along the way, I have been recognized by various organizations, such as the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network as an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur, by IABC in their CEO Excel Awards, by the Global Woman Club as the Woman Leader of 2022, and by LinkedIn in their 100 Most Influential Women on LinkedIn in 2021. What makes the latter deeply meaningful is that my daughter Bea Lim was also recognized by LinkedIn at the same time for her accomplishments. As a mother, I am tickled pink and bursting with pride that I share this honor with Bea.
I am the mother of three beautiful and accomplished children, and take care of my 88-year old mother. I love to teach, write and share my stories to inspire others.
I believe in growing old gracefully, accepting the physical changes that come with age such as going grey; celebrating life and being grateful for all our many blessings, and using our God-given talents and resources to help empower others.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I am very passionate about empowering women economically, and I feel that education and upskilling opens doors. But I also feel strongly that the challenges women face need to be brought to light so that more people become aware of them, and do something about it. A lot of real work being done by women to make life easier for their families is unseen, unpaid, and many times unappreciated.
On LinkedIn, I post about my engagements and accomplishments, hoping to inspire women in and beyond my network to believe in themselves, put in the work, and reach for success. LinkedIn is also where people and organizations find and learn about me, leading to many speaking opportunities.
Last April 19, I was invited to be one of two speakers at Globe’s event entitled EmpowHER: Celebrating Women of Greatness. It gathered accomplished and empowered women leaders from the Top 150 enterprises in the Philippines in an exclusive post-Women’s Month and early Mothers’ Day celebration. I playfully suggested my talk to be titled They said ‘No, you can’t.’ I said, ‘Yes, I can.’ I’ve heard this said many times in my life from people meaning well. And if I had listened and believed, then I wouldn’t have ventured out and taken the risks I have. But one thing drilled into me, growing up surrounded by strong women, was that I could achieve things if I set my mind to it and worked really hard. After the talk, several women approached me to say they were touched, got teary-eyed, and were inspired by what I had shared. Some even said they related to my experiences and felt I was telling their story.
On March 31, I organized and moderated the panel on women supporting women entrepreneurs in Laguna as the culminating event of WomenBizPH’s celebration of International Women’s Month. It gathered 140 women business leaders, government officials, and Laguna-based MSMEs. The panel discussed the challenges that women in business face, what the government is doing to help address them, as well as what successful women entrepreneurs can do and share to help others like them. The project also showed what willpower, commitment, and teamwork can do. A prime example of women helping women, TeamAsia and Enchanted Kingdom collaborated seamlessly in designing, organizing, and managing the event, with a team of mostly women. When women help other women, great things happen.
A day before that, on March 30, I was inducted as a Fellow of Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), together with ten other women. With more women directors at the table, boards will benefit from a greater diversity of experiences, points of view, skills and strategies, and subsequently, better governance, and better results for the organizations. While women are still under-represented on boards according to a Deloitte study, the induction of more women in the ICD certainly increases the bench and allows for more women at the table to ensure gender diversity on boards.
Last March 8, I was honored to moderate the first two panels of WomenBizPH’s Women Lead conference. It featured five panels: Women Leadership, Women Entrepreneurship, Life Balance, Health and Nutrition, and Women in Professions and Career. The discussions highlighted the responsibility of leaders to forge the path into the unknown, set the example for others to follow, and look after and take care of your people. The idea of extra hard work was also tackled, as women must prove that we can do it despite our gender, coupled with dedication, responsibility, and commitment, that all lead to creating a sterling reputation in the industry.
All in all, the importance of women empowerment and gender inclusivity is getting traction and more conversations are being held around it, as evidenced in just the few examples from the various speaking engagements I’ve had this year.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
My hard work and dedication for women empowerment, education, and boosting of the Philippine MICE industry are all grounded on the commitment to always give back. As an empowered woman myself, I believe that my God-given talent and expertise are meant to be shared and imparted so that more people can also rise and excel for the greater good.
I use my influence towards shaping a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive through my service in various organizations, my writing, and my multiple speaking engagements locally and overseas.
I talk about the various challenges that women face, such as unpaid care work at home, societal and cultural expectations, poverty and lack of access to education, finance, markets, training, and more. I write about these in my column, Monette’s musings in The Red Circle, TeamAsia’s online publication, and in my various social media platform. An article I wrote entitled What is a Woman’s Worth caught the attention of Inquirer.net and later UN Women Asia and the Pacific and was widely distributed. By shining light on the issues, we get the conversation going on what can be done to overcome these challenges.
As a member, past President and immediate past Chairman and now Trustee of WomenBizPH, I worked on various programs to elevate women in the business sector. Among these is the womenar (women seminar) series I led which was called I am Woman: A Gender Responsive Guide for Business and Corporate Leaders to aid companies in understanding women empowerment and gender equality. The sessions centered on gender fundamentals, inclusive leadership, corporate communications with a gender lens, marketplaces and supply chains, corporate policy review and safe spaces. The learnings were collated into a book now serving as a guide for women leaders.
Providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children is one step to building a more equitable world. This we’ve been doing with our annual CSR campaign, My Dream in a Shoebox where we get our network to fill an empty shoebox wrapped in festive paper with school supplies which are then distributed nationwide. During the pandemic, we shifted to e-hubs to support online learning. Since 2009, together with our partner Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, we’ve distributed 421,219 dream kits (shoeboxes) to 96 community beneficiaries, donated 701 computers, funded and built 4 e-hubs, raised P41.6M, gathered 4,154 volunteers and sponsored 497 scholars.
Creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive world starts at home where the right values are instilled in children. When children see their parents treat each other with respect, with love, with service, and with equity, they will grow up living these values as well. An important message is not to be afraid because you can be anything you want to be. I remember when it was my mother who also said these words to me when I was growing up and this was what fueled me to work hard and chase my dreams. Hopefully, this will also motivate and inspire more women to be brave and be risk-takers to truly move forward, achieve success, and create change.
We discuss the importance of value formation at home and at work at the MommaCon conferences that we’ve held at TeamAsia and at Breakfast-to-Business, a podcast hosted by my daughter Beatriz Lim.
At TeamAsia, we create a culture that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Our employee satisfaction surveys have shown this, and our employees post about this in their own social media. We’ve been recognized by the UN Women as the SME Champion for Gender Inclusive Workplace. We signed up for the Women Empowerment Principles in 2021. We have 60 full-time employees, 60% of which are women. Seven out of nine directors are women. The two top posts: President and Managing Director are held by women.
In 2021, my daughter Beatriz Lim and I were recognized as two of the most influential Filipino women on LinkedIn. Imagine that! Mother and Daughter tandem! This just goes to show what a woman-owned, woman-led SME can do to make the world an inclusive and better place for everyone!
I stress how important it is for women to support other women, beginning with our homes, our companies, our networks. By serving as mentors, role models and supporters, we can open doors and empower women, especially those who are under-represented to achieve their full potential. I honor the women who have allowed me to flourish, especially my mother who took care of my children while I was building up TeamAsia.
With women making up half of the world’s population, providing them the opportunities and harnessing their strength will contribute not just to the world’s economy but contribute to a more equitable world as they use their resources to take care of their family first. We need to do our part to inspire women to learn and develop their skills, find their purpose in life, and be a light to others. By lifting one another, we create a stronger foundation for the next generation of women in the country.
When women support other women, great things happen.
Maria Victoria Roberto | Former Consultant/Graft Investigation Officer
Industry: Office of the Ombudsman
Tell us about your organization, business or work
The Office of the Ombudsman is a constitutional office that investigates complaints of inefficiency, graft and corruption etc against public officials and employees. It includes those elected to public office and appointed in the government service. The rationale for its creation was primarily intended for the efficient delivery of public services that is like the Ombudsman in Sweden where the purpose originally created. It has 5 sectoral offices that have jurisdiction in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the Military and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. There is a public assistance office, corruption prevention office, community coordination office, research and special studies office, national integrity office, investigation of criminal and administrative cases and prosecution. These are the major functions.
My work is in public assistance and corruption prevention where I was involved in the formulation of anti- graft and anti- corruption programs. I conducted seminars and workshops to implement these programs, to raise awareness of the individual as to how the Filipino culture knowingly and/or unknowingly make him/her commit corruption. Aside from major programs and projects involving the students and private organizations, I also conducted seminars on corruption in education to raise awareness of the practices and procedures that lead to corruption. The result is to awaken or change one’s mindset about graft and corruption. The workshops were conducted nationwide both in the private and public sectors, as well as, in schools.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
The results of my work at the Office of the Ombudsman were not easily evident nor quantifiable because raising awareness was the main objective in order to reduce graft and corruption. It cannot be eliminated because it has been with us since the biblical times. As the saying goes, the reason that evil perpetuates is because good men did nothing.
Integrity is foremost for me and respect is on the top of my list. I believe that showing kindness, empathy, and compassion can make someone’s life better. These are what this cruel world badly needs right now as we see strife, deceit, poverty, hunger, and diseases not only here but it is now worldwide.
As I love dogs, nature, cats and birds, my concern for their continued habitats and the way they are treated by humans matter a lot to me. With the environment, it is because we live in this world, we breathe the air and commune with nature. Nature has a way of getting back to us as the wanton destruction makes us suffer the consequences.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Through LinkedIn, I met a new set of friends who had given me inspiration and encouragement. By sharing experiences not only in work, ways in handling relationships with colleagues and concerns especially in life, these had given me a new perspective as to how we should see and conquer challenges in all areas of our life. In return, I shared some graft and corrupt practices to raise awareness. By posting various articles and sharing comments that deal with work-related problems and suggestions to overcome them, I firmly believe that it was a great help in the most pressing issues. There were questions sent directly on how to manage pressures/or conflict between management and family, on how to address the performance system on the frequent turnover of personnel and avoiding conflicts or subjective ratings in work, to the extent that issues about personal relationship and how to resolve were sought. It felt as though it was a different media platform related to personal relationships. I also posted quotes that deal with work encouragement, to achieve success, and those that can be inspiring and motivating to people.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
The terms have frequently been used as the world is now seen as divided, there exists factionalism/regionalism and we see the exclusion of people in certain groups and/or activities.
We need to remember that although God created us humans in His image, there is a need to understand and appreciate that diversity exists. There are a myriad of factors that influence or create an impact as to why humans are diverse. Otherwise, people’s lives will be boring if we are all the same. I have posted that on my LinkedIn profile.
Inequality exists because of economic and social class, in one’s education, in his race and in his beliefs. We need to understand that there will always be differences in everything and accept that but we should never take it against them. Respect of another person matters so as to avoid inequality as people’s circumstances vary.
The same thing with being inclusive that we see some people’s resistance to that word. However, living our life as Christians and internalizing the teachings, and again trying to understand the great disparities, one’s attitude and a paradigm shift would make everyone’s life happier and better because we shall all live in peace and harmony.
Mary Ann Gilyn Basa | Recruitment Manager
Industry: IT – BPO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
That is why we put our employees and customers at the heart of everything we do, by celebrating diversity of our people and growing our Inclusive culture.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am not afraid to fail. To fail is to learn. I believe that behind every successful woman, there is herself and that there is no force more than powerful than a woman who is never afraid to rise.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has always been my greatest avenue to broaden my circle. This is the best podium ever created to connect with the best talents and other professionals globally. I was able to hire the best people for my clients efficiently through this platform. It also allows me to learn the wisdom of other professionals and use them as my career survival guide and to build an opportunity to grow and develop my personal brand.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I use my influence to help others discover their purpose. Once you find your purpose, that’s the perfect time to start investing on yourself to serve that purpose. I want every women to be in all places and not to become an exemption because quiet woman can be powerful even if she’s not the Alpha in every room.
Mary Rose Somera Cadiente | CEO
Industry: BPO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Coefficients is a BPO company in Lucena City, Quezon Province that provides inbound and outbound voice-based services, web-based and email-based services, back-office services, website design and development, graphic designs, video editing, content creation, project management, and services related to data processing and data analytics. Based on the team’s rich domain understanding and vast experiences, Coefficients provides solutions for the following industries: online retail, tent and manufacturing, real estate, IT, apps solutions, digital marketing, and other industries.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I was recently featured / interviewed in / by The Business Manual (One Mega’s Business Magazine) as a resource person for those who aspire to start a BPO business.
Driven by my desire to make a difference and the conviction that Coefficients could improve the lives of our clients, employees, and the world at large, I consider fostering a positive culture as one of my proudest accomplishments.
As a female leader, I’ve worked my way up from humble beginnings. While I never initially saw myself as a CEO, an opportunity presented itself and encouraged me to aim higher. My personal journey prior to founding Coefficients was challenging and humbling, but my positive attitude towards life has helped shape me into the person I am today. I firmly believe that every difficulty presents an opportunity, and I strive to leverage those opportunities during both good and bad times.
It’s true that climbing the ladder can be a daunting and lengthy process, but I’m living proof that perseverance pays off. If you stay committed to your goals and remain focused on overcoming obstacles, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
When I founded Coefficients, I wasn’t really thinking about my own professional progress so much as I was about meeting corporate goals and taking on new challenges. Eleven years later, the empire that I built still stands strong with the number of logos that the company acquires over the year continues to increase in numbers. I inspire other women by making positive changes in the business sector by creating jobs in Lucena City and the surrounding towns and by harnessing the strength of my team. I exemplify the fact that female leaders are more inclined to use the skills and talents of others around us to achieve success, as opposed to focusing on our own advancement.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I’ve been publishing articles in LinkedIn for many years now and currently, I have 2,687 followers. I have been using LinkedIn to share insights, showcase Coefficients’ culture, celebrate our success, engage with the community, offer mentorship, and establish myself as a CEO who is a thought leader and role model in the BPO space.
Using the SEO-optimized articles that I published in LinkedIn, I eventually received inquiries from other entrepreneurs who eventually became our clients as I was able to establish our expertise and credibility in the BPO space. LinkedIn has also given our company exposure to potential hires as they see us as a credible company who is serious about the business and the welfare of our employees as we showcase our company culture and as we share our milestones and successes over the years.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Coefficients, the company that I built, is predominantly made up of female employees who are breadwinners, single mothers, and career-driven women. This unique composition is a true differentiator as our company prioritizes leading with a heart-forward service to our clients. Our strong culture of diversity and empowerment fosters a welcoming workplace where female employees can achieve their full potential.
Coefficients has been providing BPO services to our clients since 2011, and our team members have mostly remained the same, which speaks to their high level of motivation and productivity.
Our company’s approach to employee care is not limited to professional development but also extends to personal needs. In addition to providing equal opportunities for all employees, we have implemented pro-women policies at work, including safety measures and flexible working options. One of the company’s retention strategies is to provide our employees with a VUL plan, a combination of life insurance, critical illness benefits, and mutual fund. Employees who have been with the company for at least five years qualify for this program.
Our commitment to empowering our employees through training, support, and personal care sets us apart from other companies. Our team’s success is ensured by the provision of tools and training necessary to carry out their work, along with the encouragement to reach their full potential and find their voice. Coefficients’ focus on individual care, along with its pro-women policies and retention strategies, is a testament to our dedication to creating a welcoming and diverse workplace.
I also want to take this opportunity to give concrete tips and advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs. I’ve learned a lot about perseverance and growth as a female entrepreneur over the years, and there are many things I wish I’d known when I was first starting out that I can share with others. Now, I’d like to pass along a few nuggets of wisdom to other female business owners, with an emphasis on those who are just getting started.
1. Empathize with others and yourself in order to control your own and others’ feelings. I have to admit I also made a lot of mistakes when I was starting out as an entrepreneur. I was afraid that being empathetic would be seen as my weakness. But experiences taught me that compassion cannot reduce my ability to lead and be an effective leader. Instead, being an empathetic leader helps in fostering a stronger bond with my employees and the people around me.
2. The only person who will have faith in you is yourself so be your best advocate. There will be moments in your professional life when you feel like you are fighting the good fight alone. Keeping this in mind, it’s best to tell your story the way you’d like it to be read. While honesty and modesty are essential to the finely honed art of perception, knowing how to own your story can mean the difference between surviving adversity and succumbing to it.
3. Take care of yourself. Female business owners often neglect their own needs in favor of those of the company. When I lost my first son in 2017 due to a pregnancy complication, I realized that taking care of oneself is very important. When we’re healthy, everything runs more smoothly: our personal lives, those of our loved ones, and our professional endeavors. Put in some effort to keep yourself in tip top shape physically and mentally so that you can become the best version of yourself.
4. Acknowledge your strengths and make the table better by collaborating with other women rather than competing with them. The advancement of women in positions of power is hampered by unconscious bias and other cultural and systemic barriers. One way to overcome these challenges is to build strong relationships with other women, who can offer advice on everything from how to negotiate your worth to how to best showcase your individual strengths in a leadership role.
Marylen Ramos-Velasco | CEO & Founder
Industry: Events Services – Training and Conference
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Customized Training Solutions Pte. Ltd. knows the importance of enhancing with your business’ most valuable assets, your employees. CTS is Asia’s Most Trusted Customized Solutions Provider. We provide business, leadership, learning and development solutions that will benefit you most.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Marylen Ramos-Velasco is the Founder and CEO of Customized Training Solutions (CTS) Pte. Ltd. Experienced in sales and marketing, customer service, events management, operations and training production.
With her gift of leadership and strength in partnership to drive clarity and change, she is living her purpose to make life easier for others.
Recent pivot includes facilitating virtual summits, webinars, blended learning, masterminds and gamification. Some of her clients include Ayala Group, JFC, Aboitiz Power, BSP, BLNG, MERALCO, FDC, PETRONAS to name a few.
Her goal is to be able to serve and provide revolutionary solutions to clients towards holistic and impactful transformation that leads to sustainable business success. Marylen and her team of experts, created outcomes through passion and customer centricity.
Marylen strives to make a positive impact on the industries and the lives of the people she worked with. She is a successful working mother and enjoys spending quality time with her family.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I used to think that LinkedIn is just used to put in your profile to apply for work until 10 years ago when I used it to look for contacts relevant to my research and to find my resource experts back in my employment.
Little did I know that it will be a platform that I now use to connect, meet friends and even find clients/partners to collaborate . From previous hundreds of connections mostly ex colleagues and clients to now global connections that reach over 14,800.
Recently, I have been receiving comments and private messages how I provide value & inspiration through my contents – posts, articles, comments and live interviews….it has been both a learning and fulfilling journey.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
One of my favorite topics and discussions around Leadership & Transformation is women empowerment and DEI. I always ensure that even in my interviews I get to invite diverse people (gender, industry, culture/country, etc) as I believe that through such conversations everyone is represented and somehow heard to make the discussion inclusive.
Melany Punzalan-Tagalogon | Supply Chain Manager
Industry: Co-Working space
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I am supporting a Global Company as the Lead for the Global Supply Chain Support Team. Our company focuses on providing a well structured and readily available remote office and business space.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
My advocacies are equal opportunities, safe environment, mutual respect and the rights of every unique individual. Another advocacy is helping in any way I can, especially those inflicted and fighting with cancer. My passion is to create more and more competent leaders.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn not just helped me with my profession. It gave me the opportunity to meet/rub elbows and be friends with amazing personalities from different industries. I have learned a lot by knowing and understanding other people’s point of views, expertise and experience. LinkedIn connections were also there during the time I needed help.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I will continue to share and stand up to what I believe in, my passion and advocacies by not just lecturing / posting about it. But by showing through actions and activities that hopefully I can continuously share via LinkedIn, events and get-together. I am also working on my first book that tackles topics I usually touch and posts on Linkedin
Michelle Morales | Co-founder, Leading With Success
Industry: Management Consulting and Training Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
We believe in making your organizational transformation success by facilitating fun eLearning, infusing happiness & positivity. We help companies with eLearning for their Business Development, Digital & Social Media Marketing and Human Resources Learning & Development.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a Psychology Major, Certified HR Professional, Master of Industrial Relations, Certified Management Consultant, Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and Registered Psychometrician, I have gained extensive experience in various facets of Human Resources across diverse industries. From large, medium, and start-up companies, I have developed skills in HR Business Partnering, Strategic Planning, Learning and Development, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Employee and Labor Relations, Job Analysis and Job Evaluation, Recruitment and Selection, Compensation and Benefits, Lean Process Improvement, Quality Management System, and Events Management.
My passion for HR continues through my work as a freelance HR consultant, where I assist companies in setting up their HR system. Additionally, as a freelance Trainer, I consistently facilitate learning sessions to various industries in the public and private sectors.
Giving back to the community is an important aspect of my life, and I am proud to be a partner organizer of ROI PH by Dee and Michelle. This community is supported by ROI Institute and aims to provide free learning sessions on process improvement, HR transformation, and ROI. I am also a core volunteer of various well-known HR community groups in the Philippines, including HR Group (PHRG), ASEAN HR Leaders Circle Philippines (AHRLCP), and HR CaLaBaRZon.
My life’s mantra is #livelearnshare. I firmly believe that we exist because we have a mission to fulfill, not just for ourselves but for others, our organization, and our country. That’s why it’s essential to experience life, overcome struggles, and learn from every step of our journey. We must appreciate these lessons by sharing them with others, as sharing is a way of caring and loving.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Building my presence on LinkedIn early last year has been a game-changer for both my professional and personal aspirations. From a professional standpoint, LinkedIn has been instrumental in connecting with the right professionals for our recruitment needs. It has also allowed me to expand my network beyond the Philippines and benchmark the best practices in other countries by visiting the profiles of like-minded professionals. Through LinkedIn, I have the opportunity to showcase my professional background and experiences and share the ways of working in my current company, including virtual engagement activities.
On a personal level, LinkedIn has provided me with a platform to meet like-minded individuals across the globe, learn from their experiences, and further improve myself. It has also given me the opportunity to share my life’s mantra of #livelearnshare and foster snippets of my experiences and learning. With LinkedIn, I can share insights on a larger scale, connect with professionals who share similar interests and values, and contribute to a community that values growth and development. It truly is an invaluable tool for professional and personal growth.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
To me, diversity, inclusion, and equity are like a dance – we may have different moves and styles, but ultimately we are all moving to the same beat. As a content creator, I embrace this idea by providing a variety of #mventure and #livelearnshare content on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. I know that my content may not be for everyone, but I believe that even if I can make a positive impact on just one person, it’s worth it.
I also recognize the value of other people’s content, even if I don’t always agree with it. I’ve read countless articles and posts that have inspired and influenced me, and I know that my content may have the same effect on others. Every pitch, every swing, and every variation on the theme of diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to make a difference.
Ultimately, I’m proud to be a part of this movement towards a more inclusive and equitable world. I celebrate and value differences, and I know that by sharing our unique perspectives and experiences, we can create a better future for everyone.
Mikki Sachiko | Founder of Wellnessible
Industry: Wellness / Marketing / Podcast
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Wellnessible is a platform promoting a healthy lifestyle through wellness events, podcast and contents.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I really believe that there is no one perfect way to wellness, and that there are different strategies towards holistic health. Pick what works for you , pick what brings joy to you, and pick what creates growth for you.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been one of the platforms that helped us find clients and it also served as a tool to share our advocacy that wellness is possible for anyone who’s dedicated and strategic.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As women, we have a unique way of sharing passion. I hope my voice to promote inclusive health advocacy can inspire anyone to create their own health journey or join a wellness movement so we can inspire more people around us about the power of health.
Mylene Abiva | President / CEO
Industry: School Technology
Tell us about your organization, business or work
For over five decades, FELTA has been assisting in upgrading the quality of education in the country through its multi-educational line that serves the educational requirements of both private and public schools. FELTA is a major educational manufacturer and distributor with over 50 years of experience in multimedia field for education. FELTA products particularly on Robotics , Science equipment, Augmented Reality software and more enable our youth to construct, learn and grow in fruitful and rewarding learning environments
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that education is a valuable enabler especially for girls. My passion is to encourage more Girls in Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and for Robotics for All. I am an advocate of Women Economic Empowerment as Chairperson of the Women’s Business Council Philippines.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LindkedIn connected me with prospective business partners who share our vision and mandate “We Modernize Education”.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I inspire Women in Tech that we have a seat at the table. I have become the mother of Robotics Education in the Philippines and the Champion of the Geeks. I am the World Robot Olympiad Ambassador and ASEAN Access Ambassador which epitomizes that every woman should reach her full potential.
Niña Terol | Founder & CEO, Imaginable Impact
Industry: Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Imaginable Impact is a strategy consulting firm on a culture-shifting mission to create a world where women thrive. We integrate decades of experience in community-and culture-building, storytelling, innovation, and inclusive leadership to support women’s growth in the professional spheres.
We believe in a diverse and equitable world, where inclusion-driven action shifts the conversation and reality for women at the workplace—and in other spaces they engage in—to burst open access to leadership, economic empowerment, and wealth-building opportunities at various stages of their lives.
We set up Filipina leaders for success–wherever they are in the world–with programs designed to dismantle the barriers that are preventing women from pursuing their goals as professionals and leaders in their chosen fields. These include:
* Leadership Development: We offer training programs, workshops, and other specially designed events to enhance, support, and build the leadership prowess of Filipino women in leadership.
* Leadership Narratives: We develop media and communications initiatives to unearth, collect, and amplify the nuanced and diverse stories of Filipina leaders around the world.
* Leadership Community: We organize and curate intentional gatherings to activate conversations, build connections, and open collaborations among women leaders in safe, inclusive spaces.
At Imaginable Impact, we believe that when women thrive, we all win.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m a communicator, connector, creative catalyst, and changemaker with close to 25 years of leadership experience in the corporate, government, tech, and youth development sectors. I use my different gifts to fulfill my Why of igniting personal and systemic transformation to co-create a more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable world.
As a communicator, I have helped ignite positive change through the intersection of words, images, ideas, and tech-enabled communities. I have served as communications head and have helped run national campaigns for two progressive Philippine senators, been a consultant for the United Nations in the Philippines and in Uzbekistan, and have built brands that promoted financial inclusion in the Philippines and United States. Over the past few years, especially, I’ve been using my voice to support and advocate for women in leadership because of my firm belief that opening the door for more women leaders will benefit everyone.
As a connector, I love bringing people together in an atmosphere of learning and collaboration. Through the years, I’ve been very active in organizing events and helping build communities that connect humans around a common purpose. I’ve also helped hatch strategic partnerships that enabled organizations to scale their impact. I believe that anything worth doing, is worth doing with other like-minded collaborators. We truly go further and achieve more when we help each other.
As a creative catalyst, I enjoy building something out of nothing and being a zero to one person. I’ve founded or co-founded four companies on my own and have also been involved in tech-venture building in the Philippines, the United States, and the Middle East. During my early days as an editorial consultant, I’ve also hatched publications and concepts that bring creativity to corporate objectives. I am energized by the building process and am comfortable with the chaos and complexity of starting from scratch.
As a changemaker, I am deeply engaged in systemic transformation, whether it’s government-level transformation or organization- or ecosystem-level transformation. To me, it’s important to not just help bring out the best in myself and others. I also feel a deep pull to be involved in long-term, sustainable changes, which is why I also got involved in policy-making, in ecosystem-wide collaborations, and now, in doing the work that we do at Imaginable Impact.
I am also very much an advocate for mindfulness and wellness, and am quite committed to working out, having an active lifestyle, eating well, practicing yoga and meditation, and voting with my wallet by supporting sustainable brands. I also co-host a podcast called Girl, Make Your Move with my co-founder, Candice Quimpo, and have a home-based baking business, Soulful Bakes MNL, that sells gluten-free, low-sugar, healthy, but yummy desserts.
Most important of all, I’m someone with diversity and inclusion in my DNA. I come from an ultra-Modern Family whom I love; I am building my own family with my partner, Dennis; and am a clingy furmom. If everything else around me crashes to the ground, as long as I have my family, I know I’m on steady ground and will be okay.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been a valuable tool for network- and bridge-building, and it has been a witness to my career transformation and to the launching of my business, Imaginable Impact.
I started being hyper active on LinkedIn a few years ago as part of my previous marketing, fundraising, and business development roles in two other organizations. I invested in a Premium account to allow myself to reach out to anyone from anywhere in the world, and I’ve really used it to build and cultivate connections. I now even have regular check-in calls with other female leaders from other parts of the world whom I met through LinkedIn, simply to support and learn from each other as we navigate our leadership journeys.
I also started a LinkedIn newsletter, Journeys in Mindful Leadership, to accompany me in my career transition. Writing the newsletter, connecting with other like-minded professionals, and reading other LinkedIn content, and having access to thought leaders also helped me distill my Why and begin ideating for my new business.
Now, with Imaginable Impact, I use LinkedIn to keep abreast of data, insights, and trends on gender equity in different parts of the world; to see what people are talking about; and, of course, to prospect for potential collaborators or clients. With LinkedIn, I feel like I have the world at my fingertips, and I am quite bold about reaching out to others–especially if I feel like we share common interests and contacts, and could at least have a great exploratory conversation.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I believe that we can create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world by empowering other women leaders to step into their own power so they can achieve the greatest positive impact in their chosen spheres of influence. And then, by building supportive communities of women leaders, we can amplify each other’s voices, learn from each other, and magnify our individual impact to then broaden our collective impact.
This is why I have decided to build a company focused on empowering and reframing women’s leadership–especially for Filipino women. As an individual, I can only go so far in advocating for and supporting other women. But by building a company and working in partnership with other women leaders–and the brands, organizations, and ecosystem that support them–I know that we can shift narratives and cultures, and build new systems, structures, and stories that will make it easier for future generations of women to succeed and thrive.
Changing a broken system can’t be done only by raising our voices loudly at the system. Just like renovating an existing structure, we need to smartly dismantle parts of that existing structure and build strong, new structures in place so that any change we create will be strong, sustainable, and long-term. I’m here to use my communicator, connector, creative catalyst, and changemaker skills to help build that new structure along with other women leaders and our allies.
Ouida Rivera Montesclaros | Senior Director – Global Finance
Industry: IT BPO
Tell us about your organization, business or work
ADP is a Fortune 500 Organization that serves over 1 Million clients in over 140 countries, providing Human Capital Management services. It has been named among the list of Most Admired Companies in nearly 20 consecutive years. In addition, it has been given several recognitions as a great place to work for women. In the Philippines, it has been named among the Great Place to Work organizations.
In my role as Senior Director -Global Finance, I enable leader of leaders to deliver best in class service, grow our people and team, while ensuring profitable growth for the PH business. Our team in the PH also supports the Global ADP organization through our Global Accounting Center of Excellence.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am proof of God’s providence and his faithfulness. I was born to a destitute but God-fearing family in Cebu. We lived in the slums, but I was able to have the best education through scholarships both in high school and college. My life changed, and I was able to bring my family out of poverty through sheer faith, coupled with perseverance and hard work.
I believe that we can change our lives, if we want to. I speak and write to inspire people who are lost or have no hope. I bring in an uncommon life perspective. I want to remind people to do all they can to heal themselves to contribute to the healing of the world.
As a senior leader, I follow the prosperity mindset. I seek and support solutions that uplift the lives of people and benefit the total organization. I strongly support working women grow in their career, and I mentor those who aspire to be more.
I have been an active supporter of women advocacies, wholistic healing, people and groups doing who are doing what they can to create a livable world. I have been a keynote speaker and writer, mostly in NGO’s and church organizations. I am a servant of The Feast Alabang group for women. I am a mother of five beautiful young adults, and a wife of a wonderful man.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Linkedin opened the world to me, and for me. I received hope when I needed it, and I was able to give courage and inspiration when others needed it. It gave me the ability to learn from thought leaders, to see the world from so many perspectives. It gave me the platform for my ideas, to share my life story, my life lessons.
When I was named one of the Most Influential Women in Linkedin in 2021, I received messages from strangers telling me their private struggles and stories, from their traumas to their fears and everything in between. It gave me the chance to help and give people hope and courage. I connected with the awesome Filipinas who have done and continue to do so much through Linkedin, it was humbling. I finally belonged to a community of women who are co-creating a better world.
On the professional connection front, I got several invites for roles, and I found myself connecting to more inspirational and aspirational personalities.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
We need to breathe, live and speak diversity, equity and inclusivity. We need to be whole and healed to be able to allow others to be themselves. Just as they are. This way, we can be ourselves too.
The first person that we need to embrace and accept is ourselves. We can look at what separates us, what makes us different from others, and be okay with it. But we need to recognize that what makes us different is usually only superficial.
When we learn to look deeper, we realize that are all the same. We long to be seen, to be heard, to be embraced and to beloved. We want to matter. Once we see beyond the what separates we then recognize that we are one.
It is that recognition that changes us, and the way we relate to those around us.
Pamela Ann Baluyo | CEO
Industry: Business Process Outsourcing
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Scale Experts is an innovative business process solutions company specializing in virtual assistant services, customer service, content moderation, lead generation and data entry. Our focus is to help small and medium enterprises scale their businesses for better profit.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Pamela Ann Baluyo, or Pam as she is fondly called, was born in Sta. Ana, Manila to Constantino P. Mariano, an engineer and Yolinda B. Candelario, a school teacher.
She took up BS Mathematics at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop as she settled early for motherhood at that time. She worked in the packaging industry from 1994 until 2000 when she resumed her studies and took up Business Management, majoring in Management Information Systems at AMA Computer University. By 2002, she joined the Business Process Outsourcing industry, joining the BPO giants at that time that developed her skills in the Business Process Outsourcing industry. She has led teams and won various recognitions in her work to increase Customer Satisfaction Rating for a leading computer company by 87%, while leading a team of CSAT-challenged and English Proficiency outliers, besting 4 other sites in Etelecare at that time – an experiment in improving Customer Service that led her to be hailed as one of the Top Team Leads of the year.
She formed Scale Experts in 2018. The company’s specialties are Customer Service Support and Virtual Assistance. Currently, her teams cater to one of the leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of 300,000 restaurant partners. She is also catering to a network of recruiting firms in the US. She has just acquired a new account for Robot Delivery, catering to companies in Seoul, Dubai, and Michigan.
She is blissfully married to Emmanuel Baluyo and has three children – Patrice, a voice actress and works as her Recruiting Specialist at Scale Experts, Louie – who is also in the same BPO industry, and Yman Xavier – who is currently in Grade 10 and is an accomplished and champion JiuJitsu Fighter and MMA enthusiast.
She has been a Rotarian since 2014, and in 2020, she was elected as a Club President for the Rotary Club of Rodriguez. She is currently the District Chair for Membership Engagement for Rotary District 3800, and an incoming Assistant Governor for the Rotary Year 2023-2024. She is in the process of establishing the first corporate Rotary E-club in the Philippines. Her advocacy is to create more online jobs for Filipinos and improve digital literacy in communities.
In June 2022, she was hailed as one of the Philippines’ Top 30 Leaders on Linkedin, coveting Number 5 in the list.
As of February 2023, she was named by Passion Vista Magazine as one of the Women Leaders to Look Up to in 2023, and has just recently received the confirmation from Asia Awards as CEO of the Year for the BPO Sector and Scale Experts as BPO Company of the Year.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helped me boost my presence online, and present my professional profile better. By catering to the audience that is more suited to the work I do, I am able to talk about different business insights through my posts, and able to network with like-minded professionals online. Linkedin is a platform for a more meaningful business relationship.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Through social media in general, I want to promote to people that my skills and my personality, not gender is what we can use to influence others to improve life, and to improve relationships. Judgements have been made to people out of their color, creed and gender. I want to let people know that women can be tough, and women can decide on life decisions as objectively as men and that we can provide the same quality of excellence as any other person.
Patricia Victorio | HR Business Partner
Industry: Digital Logistics & E-Commerce
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’m currently an HR Business Partner at QuadX Inc., an innovation company that brings entrepreneurs solutions and services in an integrated e-commerce platform and uplift the life of every Filipino through entrepreneurship and e-commerce.
I have been working in the HR field for almost eight (8) years now in different logistics, supply chain, e-commerce and technology companies. Throughout my career, I have gained experience in various HR functions such as HR business partnership, talent acquisition, labor & employee relations, learning & organizational development, and performance management.
As an HR Business Partner, my primary focus is developing and implementing HR strategies that align with our business objectives. I work closely with senior leaders and managers to identify areas where HR can add value and provide support in driving business outcomes. And seeking ways to improve employee engagement and retention, as well as driving organizational growth through effective talent management strategies.
In my current role, I’m responsible for managing the end-to-end employee lifecycle, from recruitment to off-boarding, and everything in between. I work closely with our hiring managers to identify top talent and ensure that recruitment processes are efficient and effective. I also provide coaching and support to managers on employee relations issues, performance management, and career development.
I am passionate about HR and am constantly seeking ways to improve and innovate within the field. I believe that HR plays a critical role in helping organizations to achieve our goals, and I am committed to partnering with my colleagues to deliver outstanding results.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
One of my greatest passions is helping others to grow and develop in their careers. I firmly believe that everyone has the potential to achieve great things, and I am passionate about providing the resources, tools, and support that employees need to reach their full potential.
As an HR Business Partner, I see myself as a coach and mentor, helping individuals to identify their strengths, areas for development, and career goals, and then working with them to develop a plan to achieve those goals.
Another passion of mine is creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. I believe that a culture of respect, trust, and inclusivity is essential to creating an engaged and productive workforce.
As an HR Business Partner, I am committed to working with leaders and managers to create a culture that values diversity and inclusion, and to developing programs.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn success story is first to build a strong personal brand. LinkedIn is a powerful platform for personal branding. As an HR Practitioner, I can use it to showcase my skills, experience, and thought leadership in industry. Share my insights, articles, and research that highlight my expertise and engage with other professionals in my field.
Second, networking and connections. Connect with colleagues, industry peers, and thought leaders in my field. Networking on LinkedIn can lead to new job opportunities, collaborations, and learning opportunities.
Third, stay informed. Follow industry thought leaders, join relevant groups and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and news in my industry. I use LinkedIn as a source of inspiration and knowledge to keep up with the latest HR trends.
Fourth, recruit top talent. LinkedIn is a powerful recruiting tool for us as an HR Practitioner. I use it to source, connect, and engage with potential candidates for our organization. Share our organization’s culture, values, and job openings to attract top talent.
Last, educate others. I use LinkedIn to share my knowledge and expertise with others. Write articles, post updates, and share resources that can help educate and inspire my followers.
To conclude, LinkedIn is an essential tool for me. As HR Practitioner to advance my careers, network, stay informed, recruit top talent, and educate others in my field.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As an HR Business Partner at QuadX, I can influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive while embodying with our core values.
First, encourage our organization to think big & do big when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can involve setting goals and developing strategies to achieve them, such as increasing the representation of women and minorities in leadership positions or creating an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and ideas.
Second, don’t let setbacks or challenges discourage you. I use my influence to inspire others to keep moving forward and to persevere in their efforts to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world.
Third, recognize that there is always more to learn and that you don’t have all the answers. Be open to feedback and willing to learn from others, including those with different perspectives and experiences. Also, treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or identity. This can involve actively listening to others, being empathetic, and promoting a culture of kindness and compassion in the workplace.
Finally, don’t forget to have fun along the way! Celebrate successes, acknowledge progress, and find joy in the work that you are doing to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world.
By embodying these core values by using my influence as an HR Business Partner, I can help create a world that is more diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all.
Reigine Valerie Banaag | CEO & General Manager
Industry: Hospitality
Tell us about your organization, business or work
mySTAY Hotels is the hospitality brand of Philippine Urban Living Solutions. The brand offers affordable, accessible, and aspirational accommodation for bleisure guests. Since September 2022, we have opened 3 branches near Makati and BGC business districts. We have a fourth branch opening in May 2023.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I strongly believe in the future of hospitality industry in the Philippines. As naturally accommodating and hospitable people, the Filipinos are service naturals. My passion and advocacy has always been learning and continuous improvement, whether it’s for preparing our future hoteliers or enriching the skills of our current hospitality workforce through training and development.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helped me enhance my skills though its free trainings, certifications, and helpful articles shared by my connections and people I follow. The quality of career advises and hospitality updates I get from my timeline helped me further my career and use these in my current role. I am passing on the advantages of leveraging LinkedIn for career growth to my colleagues, so they too could expand their career paths.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I nurture positive working collaborations in my company and industry. Effective collaborations would only be possible by embracing diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect to each other’s uniqueness.
Rhonadale Florentino | President & CEO
Industry: Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
UpRush Social Geekers is an HR solutions and services provider. We have been in the industry for more than 7 years now and have prided ourself with being the first 100% remote local company.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I have been an HR professional for more than 2 decades now, having worked with various IT companies. I am a staunch supporter of AI and technology as a way to decrease our carbon footprint. I also believe in breaking the stereotype that women in technology is a rare breed.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has allowed me to be seen as an authority in HR matters. Some of our clients were from LinkedIn. It also allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals who have helped me grow in my profession and learn more about the latest trends in how human capital can be better managed.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I am all about breaking barriers. I believe that, as a woman, I have the capability to show that there is strength in femininity, and inclusivity does not mean showing down your beliefs down someone’s throat – that each of us has a story to tell that someone can learn from.
Rona Marie Angeles | Membership Affairs Officer
Industry: Industry Association (BPO)
Tell us about your organization, business or work
CCAP (Contact Center Association of the Philippines) is the premier organization of the contact center industry in Philippines represented by more than 140 member companies with a current FTE of more than 1 million jobs.
I’ve started working with CCAP as an Admin Assistant in 2012 and promoted as a Membership Affairs Officer in 2013. One of my tasks is to update the members on the latest industry information and activities of the organization, and in the process, encourage engagement to maximize their membership opportunities.
Working with CCAP for almost 11 years, I learned that to achieve a member-driven organization and sustain engagement with them, we have to value and embody the word: Malasakit and the rest will follow.
We in CCAP continues to create a harmonizing community that shares best practices and treats each member as a FAMILY.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
At a very young age, I learned that family is not defined by blood or surnames; it is characterized by heart. I grew up without the presence of my biological mother, but I never felt incomplete or alone. I was blessed enough to be raised by my dad, his siblings, and my grandparents (who took me in and raised me like their own). I may not have experienced a mother-daughter moment, but their unconditional love opened my eyes to what love is all about.
From an unconventional yet loving and meaningful childhood, I learned these lessons, which I live by and share as much as I can:
– Put God in the center of everything.
– Be compassionate and passionate.
– Always give the benefit of the doubt.
– Stay humble.
– Always lend a helping hand.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
Social media mobile applications are the most used in this day and age, especially during our downtime. It offers entertainment, but most importantly, it’s a highly accessible avenue for sharing information. With recent online content becoming more controversial and skewed toward negativity, I find that LinkedIn has changed my perspective on social media. It has encouraged me to follow inspiring individuals and digest content that inspires me to use my time productively.
I used to scroll through content lacking substance, but I‘ve realized all that time spent scrolling could have been used to read up on current events, industry information, and personal growth. LinkedIn has helped me grow my connections and improve my professional profile, which in turn continues to help strengthen my career.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I always believe that a person’s mind is like a glass that is half-empty and half-full. Having a glass ‘half-full’ represents more than seeing life through an optimistic lens. It can also represent our current and past lessons, mistakes, and successes, while a ‘half-empty’ glass means there is room for more: improvement, knowledge, skills, and experiences from new journeys ahead.
If we wish to influence the world, we can begin by showing them how much room is in their glass and how to be selective when it comes to choosing what fills it. I dream of the day when people are eager to embrace this idea and they can accept and value the fact that the first step to filling that glass is by keeping an open mind. In welcoming new teachings and boldly embarking on journey after journey with each other, wisdom will never run out. That openness teaches us to embrace the importance of learning from each other, regardless of position, gender, title, or age.
Our world would be a thriving, prosperous place.
A place where ego and power are set aside because learning and sharing are more valuable than titles and hierarchy; a place where sharing of ideas and freely throwing questions are welcome because people find joy in sharing what they know. Wouldn’t that be ideal?
How do we start, you ask? With a simple smile and a friendly hello. Small talks can go a long way. You’ll be surprised at how much wisdom you can gain from simply listening to others.
Rosa Ana Sison-Holmes | Senior Consultant
Industry: Consulting and Training
Tell us about your organization, business or work
In my work, I partner with several organizations which include: People Ignite, Haraya Coaching, Customized Training Solutions, and Richardson Sales Performance. In our line of work, we help people achieve their best potential through coaching and training – whatever position they may be in their organization. We provide coaching and skills training and development on areas which include leadership, sales, sales management, culture, communication, and other topics that support personal and professional growth. As a trained professional coach and spiritual director, I also support individuals who may be seeking deeper insights into themselves and who need to break free from limiting beliefs that they may be able to live life fully.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
In a word, my life’s advocacy is helping. People, regardless of status, need help one way or the other. I support people who seek knowledge and personal growth. Growth, like a butterfly’s metamorphosis – can be a painful process and when people do not get enough support in their growth journey, they sometimes give up. I help people in the pursuit of their dreams by engaging them in conversations that provide space for them to talk about their beliefs, fears, and other obstacles that may dampen their intent. Often, through these coaching conversations, they come to powerful realizations that spark motivation which propels them forward in the pursuit of their best lives.
A strong personal belief that I have is that there is no end to possibilities. I never gave any thought to me being an inspirational person until a member of my coaching cohort said to me, you are an inspiration. I am a senior who is still gainfully employed and actively contributing to people’s development. 13 years ago, I made a brave career shift from a sales leadership role in a multinational company and set up a training and consulting practice with my husband. 13 years later, I have trained and coached thousands of professionals, not only from the Philippines but also from around Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, India, Australia, the Middle East, and even Europe. Today, I am the only Filipino among a roster of international coaches of Richardson Sales Performance International and I continue to be involved in delivering high-impact, world-class sales training and coaching to large global organizations. Integrity, a strong work ethic, and an unrelenting drive towards excellence have contributed to my success. These are among the values I live by.
My work continues. I have taken my coaching journey a step further towards spiritual accompaniment. To help people achieve personal growth through coaching is a great thing. To help people grow in intimacy with God and experience the blessed fruits of this relationship is a vocation. Through the ministry of spiritual accompaniment, I aim to walk with people on their faith journey.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
My LinkedIn story is an evolving story. LinkedIn helped me to be discovered by people in need of specific services: training, consulting, coaching, vision/mission crafting, and business planning, among others. I also utilize LinkedIn to inspire people to become better leaders and better professionals. I share stories, news that impact us, quotes to ponder, and best practices in sales, management, and leadership.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
There are many ways women can help create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We can be role models who lead empowered lives. Today, as a coach and mentor, I directly help women break free from their own limiting beliefs and the stereotypes imposed by society. By guiding women to recognize and build on their strengths, I help them find the courage to take risks, and be the best versions of themselves.
Rosemarie Rafael | Chairperson
Industry: Logistics
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Airspeed is an end-to-end logistics provider covering from import to export cross border clearance warehousing fulfillment domestic nationwide distribution by air sea and land and e fulfillment. We have also developed several platforms such as umboxmeph.com, speedgifts.ph, pinaspeed and Kh-PH.com ( Kahanga Hangang Pilipinas). I also am the current President of Womens Business Council of The Philippines.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe in building businesses so we can be sustainable, building communities so we can be engaging and building lives as this is what matters most. I am invested in helping MSMEs to have access to markets by working with them on the supply chain and business matching.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
By being in a platform that can be trusted, I am able to reach out to different markets and industries and present what my organization can do to serve them.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
By being able to showcase work that is inclusive and by showing that even if I started in a male dominated industry, being focused and intentional can make you finish strong.
Ruby Jaucian | First Vice President – Transformation Team
Industry: Conglomerate
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Aboitiz Group is a large Philippine conglomerate that operates in essential industries and serves over 20 million people. The Group is currently transforming to become technology-driven and expand its operations into new ventures.
I have worked with Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Aboitiz Power for the past 6 years, focusing on shaping people strategy, organization development, and talent management. As Group HR Head, my role has expanded to include employer branding, total rewards, and people analytics. All HR programs that cut across the conglomerate are part of what I lead and drive in Group HR.
Currently, I am with the Aboitiz Transformation Team, working on exciting new programs for business intelligence and distributed energy. We are using the ExO (exponential organization) framework to generate solutions that can deliver 10x results. In addition, I am also involved in scenario planning and war gaming, which help us prepare for the future.
My role in Transformation has been an exciting journey that has expanded my knowledge beyond HR and deepened my understanding of the business, innovation, and future trends.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
As a leader, I actively share my knowledge and expertise through various channels, including conferences, webinars, and mentoring. I believe in continuous learning and development and find that reaching out to others sharpens me as well.
Creating a positive work environment that prioritizes kindness, empathy, and wellness is a top priority for me. I believe these traits foster a psychologically safe space where people can realize their potential and find purpose as they contribute to society.
I’m also dedicated to preparing the next generation for success in the workforce. Speaking to students about communication, critical thinking, and relationship building at career talks and youth conferences is a privilege that I look forward to. I recently had the opportunity to participate as a speaker in a youth summit in Laguna, where I shared my knowledge with 3,000 college, vocational, and high school students. It was a rewarding experience, and I look forward to more involvement with the youth.
This year, I volunteered as a board director for the UP School of Statistics Alumni Association, where I have the opportunity to give back to my alma mater and contribute to the work readiness of the students.
My advocacy is driven by my belief that a well-equipped workforce is essential to the economic growth and development of the Philippines. I am committed to doing my part to ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
During the pandemic, despite restrictions on going out, Group HR, which is the team that I led, focused on reaching potential talents for the Aboitiz Group through employer branding on LinkedIn. To improve our reach and engagement, we reached out to Virginia Bautista who kindly accepted our invitation to teach us how to optimize our LinkedIn presence. By applying the principles that Virginia taught us, we were able to expand the reach of the Aboitiz Group and even got recognized as LinkedIn Top Employer, Forbes Best Employer and other accolades.
In the process of partnering with Virginia, she evaluated my LinkedIn profile and shared her insights on how I can improve it. Initially, I was more focused on Aboitiz’s employer branding, but Virginia’s advice led me to apply the principles to my own profile. She emphasized that employer branding is not about self-promotion, but sharing knowledge and skills to help others. What she said resonated with me, and I started posting my ideas on the platform, connecting with experts, and even reaching out to them with questions. In the beginning, I was surprised to know that LinkedIn is a community where a lot of professionals, authors and experts are willing to share their knowledge and expertise, eventually, I realized that sharing is the nature of the platform.
Despite being an introvert, my consistent posting and connections led to opportunities to speak in webinars and conferences, not just in the Philippines, but other countries as well. This experience has helped me in strengthening my confidence to express my thoughts and to reach out and establish connections.
Through LinkedIn, I was recognized as one of the Philippines’ Top 30 Leaders to Follow and 100 Most Influential HR Leaders in SEA. I am grateful for this platform because it offers equal opportunity to express ideas. The messages I have received from connections asking me to continue sharing my thoughts and articles to inspire others, are also very rewarding.
Overall, LinkedIn has been a powerful tool for me to connect, learn, and grow as a leader.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman with influence in the HR field, there are several strategies that I use to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the organization. One of the most common ways is to ensure that we have an understanding of what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) means. To do this, we have regular learning sessions, curated LinkedIn Learning courses, webinars and small group discussions on DEI. This is very important in the Aboitiz Group and is aligned to our ESG goals.
We encourage employees to share their ideas, thoughts, and feedback in a safe and respectful environment. This can help to foster a culture of inclusion where all employees feel valued and supported.
DEI is also embedded in other HR processes such as creating a diverse hiring process, having an equitable pay structure and offering flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements such as remote work or flexible hours to accommodate employees’ individual needs and responsibilities. This can help to create a more equitable workplace that supports work-life balance.
As a mother, the topic of DEI is particularly close to my heart. This is because I have a child who is a part of the LGBT community, and I am acutely aware of the challenges that she may face as she navigates through life.
As a parent, my greatest desire is for my child to be respected, valued, and to be safe. I want her to be able to pursue her dreams and ambitions without fear of discrimination or prejudice. I believe that by promoting DEI in our homes, communities, and workplaces, we can create a world where every individual is appreciated for who they are and what they can contribute.
This is why I try to role model what an inclusive leader should be. I believe that as parents and leaders, we have a responsibility to lead by example and show others what it means to be inclusive. I try to create a safe and supportive environment for my child, where she can be her true self and know that she is loved and accepted for who she is.
As an inclusive leader, I also strive to promote DEI in my workplace and community. I believe that by embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture, we can unlock the full potential of every individual and create a better future for all. I am committed to promoting DEI in everything I do, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
Ruth Yu-Owen | President and CEO
Industry: Upgrade Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Upgrade Energy Philippines is a Renewable energy and energy efficiency company developing rooftop solar for Commercial and Industrial establishments. We also build solar farms and wind farms. We are an Engineering, Procurement and Construction company building our own projects.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m part indigenous ( Tausug) and part Chinese. I’m a Native of Zamboanga City. I’ve started my career in logistics and now I’m in the energy and women empowerment space. I am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. How can I make life a little better for those that needed my help the most? I have difficulty being a bystander and not help when I know I can. I am a volunteer of the Mindanao Humanitarian Volunteers for Peace bringing medical services to people of Mindanao. As Co-Founder of Connected Women, my goal is to transform women’s lives by training and giving them opportunity to work from home through the use of technology.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with various professionals. I have connected with people successfully countless times and it has improved our partnership targets. We were able to arrange meetings that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. I’m so glad I got the hang of using LinkedIn . I now share content more often than I used to. I also try and engage others by giving my comments on their posts.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I use my voice and platform to speak up and advocate for others. I use my influence to bring attention to issues like gender inequality and advocate for those who may not have a voice and be an ally for marginalized communities.
Serely Alcaraz | Executive Director
Industry: Training, Coaching and Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
For the past 17 years (since May 2, 2006 to be exact), I’ve been working as a full-time Partner, Co-Owner and Executive Director (previously Country Head) of ITD World Philippines. ITD stands for Institute of Training and Development, part of the Malaysian-based, global leadership development organization and provider of corporate training, professional competency development programs, business coaching and consulting services, and mega events and conferences. With headquarters in Penang and offices in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Manila and partners in Asia and Africa, we are able to fulfill our mission of transforming leaders and changing the world for the better.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a lifelong learner. I actually invest at least 10% (often more) of my earnings in training and development as this is one investment that keeps on growing and yes, interest-bearing, that no one can take away from me. Truly blessed that I am a global trainer and mentor-coach so I get to help others learn and grow as well. I am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and leaving a legacy. So glad that my work allows me to do just that and at the end of the day, I leave not only footprints but heartprints as well. I am a connector and networker. I belong to multiple associations on human resources, talent development, global speaking, coaching and networking and this allows me to be part of communities that support advocacies close to my heart.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn has been a part of my life for the past several years. I was able to connect (and reconnect) with partner trainers and coaches as well as past, present and future clients around the world. Everyone is just a LinkedIn message away. I am able to reach a larger audience through this platform as it allows more business connections to be built and formed. I am able to share inspiring posts, updates on my work, and infographics that would benefit others. The recognition of being part of the Top 100 Filipinos to follow on LinkedIn for Learning and Inspiration and yes, Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women definitely helped and this inspires me to do more and contribute more.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
During Women’s Month last March, I conducted several sessions on embracing equity and women empowerment, and I plan to do more throughout the year. I want to use my voice and this platform of being part of The 100 Most Influential Filipino Women to continue to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Sha Nacino | Keynote Speaker, Author of 15 Books, Adjunct Professor at Asian Institute of Management, Founder of HR Summit Global
Industry: Speaking, Writing, Education
Tell us about your organization, business or work
I’m Sha Nacino, an author of 15 books, a keynote speaker, an adjunct professor at Asian Institute of Management, and the founder of the HR Summit Global. With over a decade of experience working with HR professionals and business leaders, I’ve helped organizations increase employee engagement, well-being, and productivity through my keynotes, training, and workshops.
As a former Fortune 500 company employee turned organizational leader, I’ve done extensive research with thousands of HR professionals and leaders across 32 countries, curating valuable insights to help build cultures where everyone feels safe, seen, and appreciated.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I was awarded the ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the United Nations Global Entrepreneur Council and the ‘Inspiring Humanitarian Award’ by the World Humanitarian Drive. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines – Diliman and a Certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing over 100 of the world’s top thought leaders, including Bo Sanchez, Fredrik Haren, Brenda Bence, Ron Kaufman, Andrew Matthews, Jack Canfield, Dr. Ivan Misner, and Dr. John Demartini, among others.
Some of the global brands I’ve worked with include HSBC, AXA, Manulife, Sunlife Financial, Usana, Metrobank, BPI, etc. I’ve also traveled to and given talks to countries like the Philippines, Singapore, India, Malaysia, UAE, France, the Maldives, and the U.S.
My most in-demand keynotes are The Power of Being Seen and Leading with Care.
I would be honored to help your organization unlock fearless possibilities and build a culture of care and appreciation.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I use LinkedIn to (1) share meaningful information related to my passion, (2) connect and build relationships with B2B leaders, and (3) be seen by my potential clients. One of my most successful LinkedIn stories is that I got invited to be a TEDx speaker thru LinkedIn. I love LinkedIn.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a global keynote speaker, an author, and an adjunct professor of Asian Institute of Management, I use my speaking and writing voice to help organizations and leaders build a culture where everyone feels safe, seen, and appreciated. I’ve helped men, women, teenagers, business leaders, senior citizens, PWDs, etc. unleash fearless possibilities in terms of helping them lead their teams, write books even if they are not writers, speak confidently in public even if they’re shy and introverted, rekindle their dreams, etc.
Stella Alamil | Managing Director
Industry: Facility Management & Workplace Experience
Tell us about your organization, business or work
ISS A/S is a facility management and workplace experience company with 350,000+ people in 30+ locations around the world serving 40,000+ customers.
Currently, I help the company to execute its digital business transformation strategy and to become the technology leader in the facility management industry.
I serve as the Managing Director for ISS Tech Portugal, responsible for building up the first software development entity of ISS. I also serve as Head of IT Transformation & CIO Office, where I lead tech strategy execution, governance, organization transformation, and IT vendor & contract management.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
Pursuer of dreams. Advocate for diversity, inclusion, and empowering education. Humbled to be a leader. Published author. Proud Pinay.
Growing up in a small town in the Philippines and moving into positions of global impact, I am committed to pay it forward and enable equal opportunities where I can influence. As I constantly strive to become a better force for good, I hope to inspire and energize the people around me to live by their own definition of possibilities, triumph, and meaning.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
As a senior executive in a global company, LinkedIn helps to keep my present and future colleagues informed of and engaged with the exciting tech leadership journey we are on, our progress, successes, and lessons. As a global Filipina leader, I represent a path for like-minded kababayans and showing what is possible. My story also enriches a bigger narrative of what a global Pinay look like. As a writer, it provides a platform to share empowering stories and have meaningful conversations about the good I stand for.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
It starts by believing I can influence, choosing to do so, and constantly reflecting this choice in my every thought, word, and action. To treat every interaction as an opportunity to create and make the people around me feel that they live in a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Stephanie Hinoso | HR Admin Client Manager
Industry: Services
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Services, Staffing, Training
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I’m an aspiring Psychologist and Psychotherapist that advocates mental health and well being of every individual focusing on the industrial setup. I’m also practicing a physically active lifestyle by cycling in support of mental health and work life balance. I support corporate social responsibilities and change management in the organization.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helped me connect to most influential people in the country as well as leveling up on my career and network.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
As a woman, I want to show and inspire people the strength and the value of a women in the society. I will be the bridge of the people linking them to the community and company where they will be valued and needed. I will be an ambassador for strengthening community networking and bridging the gap of communities to the industries.
Tonichi Achurra-Parekh | Vice President
Industry: IT-BPM
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Concentrix
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am currently Vice President for Service Delivery in Concentrix Philippines. In this role, I lead operational excellence in running the future of customer experience (CX) across a multi-industry client portfolio including technology, retail, social content management, and transformational accounts that reimagine and evolve service delivery with holistic, outcome-oriented solutions for clients.
I also lead Concentrix’ in-country brand marketing and communications, advancing the company’s reputation as an employer-of-choice, not just in line with size as the nation’s largest private employer but also as a role model organization in our space, and a responsible corporate citizen for our people and communities at-large.
My 25-year CX industry track record includes being Country Leader for BPO companies such as Voxpro and Nearsol prior to joining Concentrix, and previous roles as VP of Operations for Teleperformance and Genpact. My CX career started immediately out of college when I joined Citibank as a collections officer after completing a Business Administration degree from the Dela Salle University.
I am currently serving my 4th term as an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), actively promoting our industry here and abroad in various focus areas such as Security, Innovation and Marketing.
A strong advocate in advancing women in leadership positions, I endeavored to encourage more women to be in positions of influence – paving the way for increasing the presence of women in what used to be a 1-woman Board Member out of 9, in an industry of more than 1.4M workforce half of which are women- to now 3 terms later, 4-Women Board Members out of 10.
I also co-sponsor the Global Network Of Women for Concentrix – providing mentoring & encouragement to women who aspire to be leaderI was honored to also be part of a collection of stories about women which resulted in a book called “I Am Woman” in partnership with Women Business Council and UNWomen.
A strong believer of the power of education in nation-building, my husband and I are strong supporters of keeping children off the streets and putting them back to school. We have partnered with Pangarap Foundation since 2016.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I use LinkedIn as a form of self-expression. It’s how I keep in touch with friends and colleagues from different industries. I also use it to share professional guidance and leadership best practices with other people. After all, I’m just like everyone else. I’ve had highs and lows, anxieties, and hopes for growth. Most of the things that I’ve learned over the years came from the lessons that I’ve encountered, especially when I was starting out. I share all of those on LinkedIn in the hopes that I can help young leaders through the same experiences I went through.
It’s such a relief to be able to share my learnings, thoughts, and ideas on a platform that has an equal playing field. After all, on every post, you can see CEOs, managers, and staff interact and discuss their ideas. This aligns with my personal advocacy, which is promoting equity, gender equality, and creating an inclusive corporate culture.
The end goal shouldn’t be limited to speaking up for others—we also need to listen to and support them and be the community that they need. After all, the power behind empowered women and people is in their community and support system. LinkedIn creates this environment where people speak up and listen to each other, regardless of gender or corporate designation. I believe that this platform makes our world bigger and richer and extends it beyond its borders. I believe everyone should continue using LinkedIn to help raise generations of future leaders who speak up, listen, and fight for equity.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
The power of storytelling. A couple of months ago, on my flight from Manila to Barcelona, I came across a docu/video on The Power of Story Telling and it was such an eye opener. Our lives comprise of microcosm of moments and events that often seem trivial but could truly be significant. What I have realized is that, each moment – whether good or bad, impactful to me or not, may be significant for other people.
A commitment I have made to myself is that I will endeavor to engage in meaningful conversations in platforms available to me. I have found myself a recipient of lightbulb moments brought about by a statement I heard while watching a panel discussion or while scrolling down through Linkedin.
I am committed to honing my ability to tell stories of my experiences and be courageous in speaking my truth and encouraging others to do the same. It is through moments of enlightenment in conversations when we find inspiration to take action.
Vida Santos-Arciaga | President and CEO
Industry: HR Services, Consulting, Research and Education
Tell us about your organization, business or work
We help organizations and individuals determine their challenges and problems and design solutions. We help recognize gaps and create interventions to bridge. We encourage individuals to dream and aspire and be successful by recognizing and using their potentials and capabilities to the fullest.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am an ordinary Filipino woman with extraordinary stories to share. I represent all the possible roles that a woman can take – mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and colleague, teacher and mentor, leader and follower, adviser. In my own ways, I have inspired and continue to inspire many others not only with my testimonies of success but also of failures and disasters that made me a survivor and a stronger person.
On both personal and professional fronts, I have demonstrated excellence in pursuing my passion and purpose. I have helped many individuals go through the discovery of their passion and purpose and in pursuing their aspirations through the use of my gifts (abilities and capabilities) and my own hard-earned resources. I have encouraged and supported others in defending their rights in spite of poverty. I have motivated and enabled others to use their skills and abilities in earning their livelihood and becoming self-reliant.
I am genuinely concerned and I worry about the world but I know that I can only do so much. A lot of problems are so huge and deeply-rooted such as poverty, unemployment and corruption. We can not solve them merely by praying and by addressing the symptoms and manifestations. But we can certainly do something to make a difference. Even as a young child, I already knew that going abroad is possible and can make people rich. However, with my young mind, I have decided that I will stay in my country and serve.
I believe in the value of education. Truly it is difficult to eradicate poverty. But through education, I have seen many people and myself alleviate ourselves from being poor. Thus, I have taken upon myself that I will champion the values of discipline, hard work, perseverance, and determination. As a sampaguita vendor in my hometown when I was a little girl and a scholar throughout primary, secondary and tertiary education, I will share my story to others so that they will believe in dreaming and working hard to achieve one’s aspirations. Furthermore, I have devoted myself to helping others, especially children, to dream and aspire and fulfill their ambitions.
I also believe that corruption is not unbreakable. Whether in the public or private sector, the cure starts within us. Whatever we can contribute to any solution can go a long way. When we talk of honesty and integrity, we must make sure that we ourselves are role models of these values.
I believe that we need to enhance employability of students and of Filipinos in general. We can do this by forging partnerships between and among the basic social institutions – the academe, industry and local government units. Altogether we can support learners to be equipped, enabled and empowered so that they become more prepared for employment and/or for entrepreneurship.
In establishing my own consulting company – the Center for Research, Education, Solutions and Training (CREST), Inc., I have known and understood my priorities. I will help and support Filipino-owned companies, SME’s (small and medium enterprises) and those that are in the countryside. Of course, I am still willing and open to take clients or partners that are international and global, large-scale ones and those based in the major cities.
I have survived two cancers – and I tell my story to fellow victims and their families to help them believe that we can defeat it. Blessed with my extended life, I want to devote myself in the pursuit of my dreams and advocacies and in encouraging and inspiring others to fulfill their dreams and aspirations too.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
I was one of the 100 Most Influential Women on LinkedIn in 2022 and a big thanks for that!
I many not have hundreds of likes or reactions for my LinkedIn posts. But I know in my heart and conscience that the impact I create is not measured by quantity but by quality. I need not see the individuals and organizations I support to post and publicize whatever contribution I have made to help them succeed and thrive. I need not take any credit because the credit is theirs!
LinkedIn has helped me in various significant ways. People and organizations indeed found me and our connections have paved the way for partnerships and collaboration. I have occasional posts and members of the LinkedIn community have reached out to me and my company to connect, work together or just simply exchange views and share practices.
I have used LinkedIn to express and impart my insights and views about diverse topics and subjects. I conscientiously write and compose my posts – with the intent to express, not to impress. I am so grateful and blessed to realize that I am not alone in dreaming that we can have a better country and that we can become better Filipinos in so many ways.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I would like to inspire women by believing first that we have a very important role to fulfill. Our world is huge and limitless – we are not confined to the home and the family or our immediate community. We can grow and shine beyond our place. We can be leaders and followers representing our values, principles and advocacies.
Women empowerment is not just for aspiring leaders or those at the helm of their organizations and societies. It is for every woman from all walks of life and in different roles. Empowerment starts with awareness. Every woman should know that she has the freedom to dream and fulfill it. She has the right to pursue her passion and be happy. She can make decisions for herself and her family or children and the significant others she represents and be not afraid of being judged or misjudged!
She has choices and options to take – and she can decide which way to go. She has a voice and there are many who are ready to listen and support. Every woman should be anxious to matter because we matter.
I have personally perceived and observed that women empowerment initiatives are lacking in the countryside, thus, this year, I have launched my campaign in my own hometown – empowering the women of Lingayen so that we can kick it off and who knows, we can achieve a lot of things. My initial event was attended by solo/single parents, widowed and separated women, professional women in the public and private sectors, retired women, senior citizens, disabled or physically challenged women.
Vivian Cruz | Chief Organization Capability Officer
Industry: Consulting
Tell us about your organization, business or work
FORMIDEA PH is an organization engaged in forging strategic partnership by utilizing servicification approach in identifying relevant business intervention for clients to meet their objectives. We offer – learning services, consultancy services, executive search, HR & business process outsourcing, offshore consultancy leasing services, and executive & organization coaching,
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I am a mother of 2 who is an HR practitioner by accident. I rose from the ranks & have been part of organizations involved in transformation from various industries. Prior to joining the consulting world, I was the Asia Pacific HR Director for Royal Carribean Cruise Lines, managing the HR functions and the mobility centers in the Asia Pacific. Also, I head organizations in Asia in its thrust to be a place to work where our sites were all recognized because of our leadership & people practices. I was also recognized by organizations I’ve been affiliated with as one of their outstanding global leaders.
It is my advocacy to pass on my knowledge & skills in the human resources and leadership practices as HR has been a rewarding career for me. I find joy when I see people grow professionally & personally. I’ve been involved recently in HR Calabarzon where I collaborate with the founders on how we can propagate the HR practice & I’ve been the President of the Bless the Children Foundation, an NGO based in Tondo, Manila that is dedicated in uplifting the quality of standards of our brothers & sisters from the area. Likewise, I am a volunteer of Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Bulacan where I share my time & resources to children at the shelter.
At present, I also help MNCs set-up their presence in the Philippines and act as a business consultant to MSMEs. For MSMEs, I work closely with the owners as I would like to elevate the quality of employee experience in their respective organization. I am a Certified Global Practitioner in HR where I facilitate learning program to HR professionals who would like to be certified by UK CPHR; a Global Training Partner of International HR Institute in rolling out the Certified Compensation & Benefits Professional; an Investors in People assessor; & an internationally accredited Executive & Organization Coach.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
When I was at the corporate world, we used LinkedIn to create brand awareness & to share success stories of our organization. In addition, I use LinkedIn to share my thoughts & insights on human resources, organization and leadership practices, hoping that I will be able to influence & inspire future HR Leaders and practitioners. I would say that through this platform, I was able to connect & exchange thoughts & experiences to connection,
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I always believe that diversity & inclusion plays a significant role in the success of every organization. Even before the concept becomes a byword, I’ve been promoting the value of diversity in the workplace & how leaders must exude inclusivity. The companies I’ve been with are recognized for its actions. In my stint as CHRO, I always promote the importance & benefits of being inclusive.
As a consultant & facilitator, I always made sure that diversity & inclusion in included in my conversation. Through education of our line leaders that we will be able to make things happen.
Wandalyn Tan-Calupig | Founder, Lead Coach and Trainer
Industry: Professional Development and Training
Tell us about your organization, business or work
Caltan Training and Consultancy’s focus now is on helping entrepreneurs, executives and employees beat burnout to improve productivity and profits through consulting, custom-tailored training, and coaching.
Tell us more about you (feel free to include your beliefs, passion, advocacies you support, etc.)
I believe that you can do, be and have everything you want to be in your career and in life with the right mindset and guidance from the right people.
I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs, executives, and employees, especially working tp moms beat burnout because I know the silent battles they have personally and professionally.
What is your LinkedIn Success Story? (Tell us how LinkedIn helped you with your career and/or how you use LinkedIn to educate or inspire others)
LinkedIn helps me and my clients get customers, jobs, and endless opportunities.
My clients got clients and job offers even without filing an application because I taught them how to use LinkedIn.
In 3 years of being active on LinkedIn, here are some of the recognitions, nominations and opportunities I got on LinkedIn:
● Recognitions: 2021 Number 1 Most Influential Filipina on LinkedIn, Top 10 Filipino Content Creator on LinkedIn, Best Career Coach, Global Coach Awards, 70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn by Marketing In Asia, Best Speaker, Spendless Academy Summit, 2,000 Top Inspiring Women on LinkedIn (out of 387 Million Women on LinkedIn), Global Women Who Rule Awardee and more
● Nominations for Outstanding Leader, Asia’s 100 Women Power Leader Nominee, Global Women Leadership Award
● Article and website feature: Thrive Global, The Global Filipino Magazine, 999, UAE Ministry of Interiors Magazine, Marketing in Asia, Biz Ladies and more
● Speaking gigs: MommaCon 2021, Technology and Tourism Summit and more
● Partnerships and collaboration: FH Moms, The Asian Parent and more.
● Global coaching partner: NetExpat,
● Training Partners: Quintegral, American Management Association, Ariva Academy
● Podcast Interviews: Pera & Purpose Podcast, Leader Unlocked, Twenties for Dummies and more.
How can you use your influence as a woman to create a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive?
I will continue sharing my burnout to bliss journey, stories, struggles and successes as a mom, entrepreneur, employee and expatriate in Dubai so many women will understand how to navigate and be successful personally and professionally.
I will continue training and coaching executives and organizations so they can beat burnout and discover how to leverage the power of LinkedIn so they can achieve their goals with ease and grace.
My co-founder who is a former CFO of Citibank Switzerland and I also started Queens, a virtual and invite-only paid membership network focused on supporting working moms in the Finance industry to help mothers navigate careers and motherhood.
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my warm and sincere thanks to all the incredible individuals who played a part in bringing the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2023 to life.
Bless Baluyot, Leylord Marcelino, Jen Cajucom, Vanessa Pascua, Rianne De Los Reyes, Joana Ericka Simon, Alexa Marra Malonzo, Marg Avellanosa.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Virginia Bautista for collaborating with me on this project three years ago. She has been a true pioneer in championing Filipinos on LinkedIn since 2018 when she launched her original list of ‘Top 47 Filipino LinkedIn Professionals to Follow on LinkedIn.’ As you may know, Virginia experienced an unexpected brain aneurysm last year and is currently recovering. We send our love and prayers and await her return to leading and inspiring us on LinkedIn.
Congratulations to the 100 influential Filipino women listed, whose remarkable achievements and influence inspire a generation and shape a brighter future. Your impact resonates far beyond LinkedIn, creating a lasting legacy of empowerment and transformation.
– Gina Romero
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