Women’s Month 2023: The inspiring women leaders of PHINMA
As we celebrate women this special month, we talked to some women leaders in the PHINMA Group and asked them about empowerment and equity. We are glad to share the answers of our leaders, all epitomizing the strength and wisdom innate in all women.
Trissa M. Menardo, Chief Strategy Officer at PHINMA Education
What empowers you as a woman leader?
My family, my colleagues and mentors, and my personal mission.
What for you is an empowered woman?
An empowered woman is an equal balance between the heart and the mind. She is headstrong yet empathetic. She is determined, has strong sense of direction, and inspires others to move alongside her. She is not afraid to be the loudest and boldest voice in the room – even if that means challenging the status quo. She is self-aware that there is much to learn, grow, and develop about herself, but sees this as an opportunity rather than a barrier. And in her pursuit of empowering herself, she moves mountains and breaks barriers to empower other women.
How do you and PHINMA cultivate a workplace that offers equal opportunities to people of different genders?
At PHINMA, leaders are cultivated based on merit and potential. I am fortunate enough to be directly mentored and surrounded by women leaders, who set and raise the standard for excellence not only for women, but for the entire organization. Coming into PHINMA Hospitality as a young woman, my voice and perspectives were always valued and given consideration. We proudly value gender diversity, with female colleagues making up 56% of PHINMA Hospitality HO.
How should we, as a society and as PHINMA, nurture future women leaders?
While a lot has already been achieved within and outside PHINMA, there is always more to do. Cultivating more women leaders for the future would mean disrupting the way we operate today – we must become more aware, more intentional, and more action-oriented to create a diversified workplace. Parity must be achieved on multiple fronts – opportunity, mentorship, and sponsorship – for women to meet their full potential.
Karen H. Pacis, President of PHINMA Insurance Brokers, Inc.
What for you is an empowered woman?
An empowered woman is someone who is the master of her own ship – takes control of the wheel, has freedom to navigate the ship’s course to its destination. To achieve this, women should be given equal opportunities in the area education, career, societal concerns and life goals in general.
What empowers you as a woman leader?
The equal opportunity to be heard, to make my own choices, to have access and resources to contribute to society and influence others.
How do you and PHINMA cultivate a workplace that offers equal opportunities to people of different genders?
The PHINMA value of professionalism and the culture of respect is definitely one of the driving forces in providing equal opportunities across all genders. My first job was at PHINMA, and 3 decades after, I continue to serve the company. My career path is a testament that PHINMA embodies and promotes women empowerment. And it is the same for all genders, too.
How should we, as a society and as 1PHINMA, nurture future women leaders?
I believe it should start with education. An educated woman will definitely have opportunities and right access to resources where they can define their life’s choices, take control, make their own decisions and ultimately contribute to society’s well being. All these will provide a woman with a sense of self worth.
On a lighter note, women empowerment is nothing new. It’s been around for decades known under a different tagline… “behind every successful man is a woman”. Meaning, women can work with men towards success. Without women, who knows how far men can go.
Maria Paz Eleanor S. Bernardo, Vice President-Logistics of Union Galvasteel Corporation
What for you is an empowered woman?
I consider a woman fully empowered if she is given equal opportunities regardless of the circumstances.
What empowers you as a woman leader?
As a woman leader, I am empowered by being my own transparent self, by being self-aware of my capabilities, by building my own network of trust and having confidence in myself.
How do you and PHINMA cultivate a workplace that offers equal opportunities to people of different genders?
PHINMA offers a sustainable work environment of providing equal opportunities to everyone, and as a leader, I fully support that by building my team with diversity and inclusion, providing better work opportunities to our talents and developing them to become the talents and leaders of tomorrow. Learning agility is a very critical trait that we want our talents to develop in a very dynamic business landscape.
How should we, as a society and as PHINMA, nurture future women leaders?
We should be able to harness the strength and diversity of our women employees and develop them as the future leaders who will drive the exponential growth of PHINMA.
Danielle R. del Rosario, Vice President – Insulated Panel Division of Union Galvasteel Corporation
What for you is an empowered woman?
An empowered woman is confident and comfortable in her own skin. She is not afraid to speak her mind, but exudes elegance in getting her message across. She is self-aware and graceful, honest yet polite, nurturing yet firm. An empowered woman embodies the gifts of compassion for others, creativity to try different approaches, and an unyielding commitment to quality and the highest standards. She learns from her failures and never stops learning and growing. She is generous with her wisdom and is not afraid to ask for help. An empowered woman empowers others.
How should we (as a society and as PHINMA) nurture future women leaders?
Women take on many roles in their lives, and many of these are non-negotiable. A woman leader requires some level of flexibility, and this is not for her own convenience, but more so for her ability to keep on taking care of others around her. We should support future women leaders by encouraging them to remain true to themselves, and to go forth and pursue their passions in life – whether these are on the professional or personal aspect or both. Women should feel supported so that they can hold multiple roles and still live balanced and fulfilling lives.
What empowers you as a woman leader?
In my journey as a women leader, I have been fortunate enough to be allowed and encouraged to spread my wings and take on new approaches. This has been instrumental to my growth and learning process as empowerment comes with the capability to soar to great heights. In the words of St. Marie Eugenie, foundress of the Assumption, “Let us not clip her wings” but allow women of faith and action to flourish and fly. Having a strong support system to help us in our worst and best days is part of what makes a woman leader able to thrive, grow, and drive. An empowered women leader must also be anchored to infallible values and driven by a strong sense of purpose and mission.
How do you and PHINMA cultivate a workplace that offers equal opportunities to people of different genders?
PHINMA is meritorious in offering work opportunities to our people, based on capability and potential, then further backed by good performance and the ability to deliver consistent results. There is no distinction based on gender or preferences, and we do not type cast genders into roles.
Chakka M. Bakunawa, AVP-Project Development at PHINMA Properties
What for you is an empowered woman?
She is one who, propelled by a moral compass and purpose anchored by greater self-awareness, musters the courage and resolve to be the change she wishes to see in the world.
What empowers you as a woman leader?
Having the support, respect and trust of my colleagues, as well as having various opportunities for growth and learning, empowers me as a woman leader. When I am encouraged to grow, improve and develop, I feel like I am capable of achieving anything. Empowering women is about creating a community where we feel valued, supported and able to pursue our goals and aspirations.
How do you and PHINMA cultivate a workplace that offers equal opportunities to people of different genders?
By acknowledging that we each have something to contribute, and that a workplace that benefits from multiple perspectives can better adapt and evolve. Like the African proverb says, if you want go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. At PHINMA, everyone’s contribution is valued.
How should we, as a society and as PHINMA, nurture future women leaders?
By protecting and honoring a woman’s identity as she comes into her own, seasoned by time and experience, and providing her with opportunities for growth and advancement. We are able to nurture future women leaders by creating a space where they are seen, heard, and valued.