Mr. Richard Bates is the President and CEO of Manulife Philippines since August 2019. He is also a member of the board of the company. In November 2020, Manulife Philippines was named by the UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards as one of the Philippines’ most gender-inclusive workplaces. As part of the company’s commitment to fostering gender inclusivity, its executive committee maintains 50 percent female representation. The company also heavily invested in training and growth opportunities for its insurance advisors, 71 percent of which are female.

Ms. Cosette Canilao joined Aboitiz Infracapital Inc. as COO in 2018 and became its President and CEO in 2020. The group proactively conducted a total rewards market benchmarking study in 2019 to ensure that the Group’s compensation and benefits program remains competitive and implemented consistently, regardless of age and gender. In the same year, the Aboitiz Women’s Club was formed to promote women empowerment across the Group.

Mr. Kais Marzouki is the Chairman and CEO of Nestle Philippines since 2018. The company has been prioritizing gender balance since 2008, resulting in the increase of the number of women at all levels in the organization. The company’s new parental policy in 2020, that bases its standards on caregiver status regardless of gender, reflects equal consideration for both men and women.

Ms. Lizanne Uychaco has been the Senior Vice President of SM Investments Corporation since 2009. In the same forum exactly a year ago, Ms. Lizanne shared how the group continuously adapts to the times, not only in terms of gender equality but also in having a diverse and global perspective on conducting business.

Ms. Angie Zafra is the Project Lead of the MBC - UN Women Gender Diversity in the Philippine C-Suite Extension Study and Male Champions of Change Philippines Case Studies