Camille shares her entrepreneurial journey, successes, the business lessons learned, and her pro-women advocacies. Find out how she went from software engineering to lingerie in this exclusive interview! 

As women continue to be a driving force for change in the Philippines, this series aims to highlight those who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to creating an impact in their home nation and beyond.

In this interview Connected Women caught up with Camille R. Escudero, President and General Manager of the Quality Philippine Export Lingerie And Apparel, Inc. (QPELA). It pioneered products such as Lily of the Valley Period Panty, an innovative solution that addresses problems with sanitary pads for women across the globe.

How did you transition from systems software engineering to underwear manufacturing?

When I graduated, never did I imagine I would get into manufacturing undergarments. In fact, I dreamed of living in Spain, so I studied Spanish after college. But because my allowance stopped upon graduation, I needed to work to support my activities and luxuries. So I looked to join companies that could send me to Spain as an expat. While I was clear about pursuing a Spanish-speaking position, I was accepted for an English support project answering emails of customers having trouble with their ISP.

Fast forward to 2010, I was managing the technical support centers in the Philippines of AT&T, one of the US’ leading telecommunications companies. In eight years, I had become skilled in bringing together people, processes, and products to achieve a common purpose. At that time, I felt I was plateauing and I was soon going to look for a shift. To where or how, I did not know.

What triggered the change in career path and why lingerie?

A critical family event led me to drop everything and care for my dad, who was battling cancer. It was a short campaign, four months, and I couldn’t see myself going back after he passed. I took a few months off; then started dabbling on little projects for my mom’s business.

I love lingerie. I grew up with tons of beautiful sets and pieces because my mother had been in the industry since the 1980s. So the opportunity to be surrounded by those lovely, alluring underthings sounded so dreamy. I’ve learned so much, from technical to aesthetic. One downside is that it’s no longer fun shopping for underwear. I inspect the products too much because I can tell good quality from the cruddy ones. Tsk!

My role now primarily revolves around information technology and data management; process compliance and documentation; and environmental and sustainability initiatives. I’m working to transform our organization into one that can evolve with market demands.

Can you tell us more about Lily of the Valley and how you drive innovation within this niche market?

What is the most important aspect of your leadership style and company culture?

Building and maintaining a trusting relationship. Take a genuine interest in the person, not just the numbers. Make them feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Then they’ll stop working for you, but with you.

The relationships I’ve forged across various industries, among younger and older, have been valuable. Insight into, and being surrounded by brilliant minds have made me a better person overall. And when your friends are becoming friends of friends, your world isn’t getting smaller, it’s actually getting bigger.

As the President of BPW-Makati, what are the key benefits of being a member of a strong professional network?

Tell us about GREAT Women and your overall goal of supporting underprivileged women?

We have been engaging in development efforts involving indigenous/traditional communities in support of the country’s gender platform, GREAT Women. It stands for Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women. By working with local communities, we hope to revive the craft industry, and to provide sustainable livelihood to artisans and their families. The products borne support efforts to uplift the lives of underprivileged women and girls.

As a manufacturer, my influence is in taking these communities into my supply chain, providing them access to markets they would otherwise be unable to reach. The communities I’ve engaged with are piña weavers from Aklan, indigenous Bagobo women residing around Mt. Apo, Davao, and langkit weavers from Marawi, Lanao del Sur.

Other designers, like my friend Zarah Juan, work intimately with communities in producing truly artisanal, one-of-a-kind pieces. You can see more of GREAT Women products in our showroom in Tesoros Bldg. along A. Arnaiz Ave., Makati City.

What is your biggest challenge or frustration as an entrepreneur?

Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?

I don’t see myself staying in the same business. Yes, I dream to see my manufacturing company becoming a well-oiled machine so that I can move onto my next career. It could be in policy, technology, training … the possibilities are endless.

I have three goals for my company right now, which I’m working to achieve in the next three to five years:

Sustainability: To ensure our company can continue to provide work to people and help them improve their quality of life; to contribute to the 2030 Sustainability Development Goals.

Innovation: To allow our company to produce and develop quality products customers need/look for.

Resilience: To make it easy for our company to transform when customers’ needs change.

As for BPW-Makati, I hope that we create a culture of women empowering women, and women aspiring for greater things for themselves and the communities in which they belong.

Camille Escudero is a leader in both innovation and advocacy from developing Lily of the Valley to creating spaces where women can incite positive change among each other. She exemplifies a woman blazing new trails and actively championing the empowerment of women.