Marily Mondejar

Foreword
Becoming Influential To Be Influential

Fearless Leader • Grassroots Organizer • Community Advocate

Marily Mondejar has parlayed her success as a business leader and image consultant into founding the successful non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization, the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN). FWN has members in 28 countries and seeks to increase the influence of Filipina women as leaders and policymakers in the private and public sectors. Mondejar has steered the organization to a leading position in the Filipina women community worldwide. Ms. Mondejar’s campaign to re-shape the Filipina image grew out her necessity to elevate the status of Filipina women. In 2001, an internet search for the word Filipina returned millions of hits, including “mail-order brides, sluts, exotic, sexy and submissive wives.” Her plan was to highlight the leadership roles and economic contributions of Filipina women in corporate America, small business, public service, and the government.

As an executive coach and management consultant, she has provided counsel to the senior leadership of prestigious organizations. Ms. Mondejar is recognized for the Image 360®-degree assessment questionnaire, a method for measuring executive image performance and corporate reputation. She has delivered business, career, and image presentations in a variety of formats and has reached over 10,000 participants internationally. A select list of international and trade publications that have quoted Mondejar include The Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, AdWeek, Self, Allure, Working Woman, Black Enterprise, Academy of General Dentistry’s AGD Impact, El Norte (Mexico), Cintermex Magazine (Mexico), Momentum (magazine for Mercedes Benz owners), and various TV, radio and publications in the US, Philippines, Canada, and the UK.

Ms. Mondejar balances her professional life with advocating for other women in the business arena and serves on multiple boards engaged in public service, community, philanthropic, and professional development. She has been appointed to commissions and task forces by San Francisco Mayors Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom, and Edwin Lee. A resident of San Francisco, she has raised two wonderful sons as a single mother and is a proud grandmother of three boys and adores her new great-granddaughter.

Susan Celia Swan

Preface

Visionary Activist • Movement Architect • Dynamic Leader

Susan Celia Swan is an activist, organizer, and producer whose work has centered on the role of art in culture and system change. Instrumental in creating RAINN, Feminist. com, and V-Day, she serves as the Executive Director of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against all women, girls, gender expansive people, and the planet, and sits on the boards of V-Day and Feminist.com.

Susan’s efforts have been integral to developing the V-Day movement, which grew from a one-night benefit to a wide-ranging global non-profit with a presence in over 200 countries and territories. V-Day campaigns have educated communities, changed laws to protect women and girls, and raised well over $120 million in urgently needed funds for groups working to end violence and serve survivors and their families.

Susan oversees all aspects of V-Day, including One Billion Rising and City of Joy, creating and developing campaigns, producing award-winning films and videos, staging artistic events, and managing finance, development, and communications. V-Day has taken Susan across the United States and the world addressing the issue of violence against all women and girls, including the Philippines, Haiti, Kenya, Europe, India, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where V-Day opened and supported the City of Joy. In this transformational leadership center, survivors of gender violence turn their pain into power.

Maria Beebe, Ph.D.

Editor
Introduction
Engendering Leadership
Synthesis

Global • Educator • Katipunera

Maria Beebe has expertise in engendering women’s leadership in international development, discourse analysis, and digital technologies for improving quality education. She has a masters in Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University. For over 25 years, Maria has successfully developed large multistakeholder programs that bring together academics, industry practitioners, and policymakers in Africa, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. She led Knowledge Exchanges & Learning Partnerships (KELP) in South Africa (1995), Nettel@Africa in Africa (1996-2005), and Afghan eQuality Alliances in Afghanistan (2006-2009).

Maria has shared her global experience through international conferences, such as the International Leadership Association annual conference, the Internet Governance Forum, and the FWN leadership summit. Maria is on the Fulbright Specialist Program roster and a Department of Anthropology affiliate at Portland State University.

Maria co-edited AfricaDotEdu and edited three books about the leadership of global Filipina women: DISRUPT 1, 2 and 3. Filipina Women: Rising (2018). Maria is a consultant to develop the Asia Open RAN Academy based in the Philippines with an Indo-Pacific focus. Her latest pro-bono initiative is Kaisipan, launched at the time of COVID-19. Kaisipan aims to improve digital capabilities for all educators and learners in the Philippines to contribute to Sustainable development goal 4. Inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Anna Isabel C. Sobrepeña

GRACE. In the Time of COVID-19

Tenacious • Multi-faceted • Enigmatic

The first published work of Anna Isabel C. Sobrepeña was an obituary. The award-winning writer and editor was a high school student who channeled the pain of loss into a unique tribute to a beloved grandparent. A magazine editor and family friend read the announcement and invited her to become a contributing writer in a nationally circulated Sunday journal. The satisfaction of creative writing took a backseat to the greater joys of marriage and motherhood.

Happenstance took the journey from contributing writer to the editor in chief (EIC) of the largest circulating glossy when most people were already considering retirement. Unperturbed at being dismissed as a housewife wannabe, she went on to win awards in her first year as EIC. She translated the magazine’s tagline of “living at its finest” to mean more than visible wealth, defining luxury as a generosity of spirit that separated the rich from the truly rich. Magazine content subscribed to highest order values with stories and features that provided a trajectory towards meaningful lives. She disengaged from the magazine after 11 years, capping that chapter with an award as Editor of the Year given by the Asia Leaders Award. She is currently doing consultancies, contributing to media platforms, working on commissioned book projects, and being involved in civic and social work.

Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Ph.D.

Macario’s Oil

Courageous • Happy • Powerful

A native of Canada, Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Ph.D. balances life as a scientist, educator, author, wife, and mother of five. Dr. Annabelle has completed an NIH clinical trial certification and began her graduate work at Georgetown University in Neuroscience. Dr. Annabelle has a doctorate in Cell and Development Biology from Vanderbilt University and focuses on genetic mutations that mimic the offset effects of chemotherapy on heart disease. She has presented and published on the resulting cardiotoxicity of these pathways and the developing cardiac mesothelium. In 2016, Dr.

Annabelle saved her son’s life using a cannabis formulation that she created and now pursues the possibility of implementing cannabis and/or plant compounds into modern medicine. She served as Tikun Olam USA’s Chief Scientific Officer and started her own company, Masaya Medical Inc., in 2019. She now serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of Nasdaq company Flora Growth Corporation which has recently acquired Masaya. With her new team, Dr. Annabelle consults on legislation and leads multiple clinical trials around the globe while advocating as an international speaker for medical cannabis backed by scientific rigor. This year, she will release her book Mighty Flower with ForbesBooks.

Cora Dela Cruz-Torres

Leading My Life

Confident • Compassionate • Committed

Cora has been President of Trade Alliances Canada Inc. since 2018. She has over 20 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized companies, and government organizations and establishing connections between Canada and the Philippines. Until she retired from the Ontario provincial government in 2001, she held a wide range of executive positions in the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Business Practices Division. Roles included those in the real estate sector, tourism and travel sector, bereavement sector, ICT sector, and legislation for business regulation and consumer protection. She then moved and lived in the Philippines from 2012 to 2018 to serve as National Executive Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

In Canada, Cora served as President of the National Alliance of Philippine Business Trade and Tourism from 2009 to 2012, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce from 2005 to 2007, President of the Canadian Association of Philippine Travel Agents from 2001 to 2005, and Regional Vice President of the National Council of Filipino-Canadians from 1992 to 1998. Her awards include One of the Most Outstanding Filipino-Canadians; One of the Most Outstanding President of Philippine Associations in Canada; 1999 Asian of the Year in Business and Public Service category; 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year at the International Women’s Day, and One of the Global FWN100.

Cora was born and raised in Tarlac City, Philippines. Cora and her husband have lived in Canada for over 50 years. They have six children and eight grandchildren who live in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Isabelita “Lita” T. Manalastas-Watanabe

Just me, Lita’s Mom

Very Independent • Generous • Warrior

Isabelita “Lita” T. Manalastas-Watanabe was an economist, diplomat, and banker before she became a businesswoman. Her professional career outside the Philippines started when she became an Ambassador of Goodwill for Japan and the ASEAN Countries.

Lita graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman with a B.S. degree in Business Economics, received her diploma in Japanese language from Osaka University of Foreign Studies and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Tsukuba, on full scholarship from the Japanese government. In addition, she completed an Executive Program for Leaders in Development at Harvard University’s Institute for International Development.

Having achieved financial comfort and success, Lita plans to devote more time to being a social entrepreneur launching in Sept. 2022 the Ecumenical and Innovative Women and Children Dialogue in Digital World. Lita has assisted overseas Filipino workers in Japan through her Dear Tita Lits advice column in Jeepney Press. Lita assisted Filipina caregivers and nurses in Japan, whose maximum tenure as trainees or professionals is almost up, to deploy to other countries and give them a chance at a better quality of life and career advancement. Lita set up an educational foundation to formalize her years of commitment to sending poor but deserving students to college. Lita plans to spend her retirement on a learning l farm that is also a place for a silent retreat. Lita has been chosen for UP’s Outstanding Alumni Award, 2022, by the UP Sigma Alpha Sorority.

Joanne De Guzman Rico

Gusto

Purpose • Grit • Resilience.

Joanne Rico is an empowered Filipina who has risen above adversity. From humble beginnings in Manila, she has gone a long way from her first job to now being a genuinely inspiring global woman. A consistent A-student, Joanne believes a solid academic foundation will serve as a springboard to success. Armed with resilience, grit, and ambition, she did not let poverty define her future, so she studied hard to earn scholarships. Joanne graduated Valedictorian in high school and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy at the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Joanne has 17 solid years of work experience in Marketing and Brand Management. She has managed brands in local and international markets, including Qatar, UAE, Oman, and the Philippines. She is currently the Head of Marketing in a government healthcare facility in Abu Dhabi, the first Filipina to take a senior leadership role in the public sector in the UAE.

Joanne has received numerous recognitions for her accomplishments: Marketing and Advertising Professional of the Year by The Filipino Times in 2017; a nominee for Huwarang OFW by GMA 7’s 700 Club Asia in 2018; one of the Thought-Leaders in Illustrado’s 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf in 2020; and one of the Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network in 2021.

Joanne is a genuine advocate of paying it forward. She has been a sponsor of World Vision Philippines for over 15 years. She has been supporting needy children together with their families and their communities in depressed areas of the Philippines.

Laarni San Juan

The Beauty of Windows

Curious • Determined • Changemaker

Laarni San Juan is a nurse, bestselling author, community champion, and thought leader. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at San Francisco State University and a Masters in Public Health at UCLA. She openly shares the many awkward experiences in her childhood that have taught her the true value of resilience and the will to win. Laarni embraces the five pillars of family, education, community, career, and health that continuously guide her to revisit at each life milestone as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. With over 29 years of experience as a healthcare professional, Laarni deeply understands the unique journey that each human possesses and encourages all she meets to share their story. Her own journey filled with loss, grief, and disappointment has challenged her to rise and discover her true potential. She believes anything in life is possible with the right mindset, support system, and staying true to oneself.

Lucia “Lucy” Olalia Reyes

Living the American Dream at the Heart of the Canadian Prairies

Creative • Honest • Achiever

Lucy has contributed more than four decades of progressive and diverse experience in the care of people with complex medical needs, outpatient settings as a frontline clinical manager, health informatics specialist, and project management leader to several organizational initiatives such as the planning and implementation of the Electronic Health Record at four acute care hospitals in Calgary in 2006, the development and launching of the first Health Informatics credit course at the University of Calgary in anticipation of the Electronic Health Record readiness for frontline leaders within the Calgary area after Y2K, and the amalgamation and transformation of the four Hospital based Ethics Committee into one Regional Ethics team. In addition, extending her Ethics expertise, she was a volunteer instructor in her faith community focused on Ethics and Caring in Pastoral Care for four years.

More recently, she was instrumental as project Clinical Engagement lead and project manager in connecting patients living with Cardiac Electrical Implantable Devices (CIED) remotely from their homes to their clinics throughout Alberta. Thus reducing their travels to the clinics, especially during the winter, yet having the option of being assessed by their clinicians remotely and reducing emergency admissions. This project received the 2020 Health Quality Council of Alberta Patient Experience Award and the 2022 Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses Health Promotion and Advocacy Award. In addition, Lucy was one of the 2021 Awardees for the Filipino Women’s Network Global Award in the Innovation and Thought Leader Category held in San Francisco.

Maria Santos-Greaves

Find Ability in Disability

Resilient • Strong-Willed • Visionary

Maria Santos-Greaves is a hearing health professional who has been in the industry for over 30 years. She began her career at the pioneer hearing clinic in the Philippines after graduating from Centro Escolar University. After that, she received additional education and training in Canada from reputable institutions such as the MacEwan University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Having hearing loss herself, she has made it her life’s work to help the hard-of- hearing, especially the elderly, in various communities. A firm believer in the importance of good hearing in relationships, her clinic, Surrey Hearing Care, Inc., provides affordable hearing services through its five locations in the Lower Mainland. Throughout her career, Maria has received various recognitions such as the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow, Top 25 Immigrants Across Canada, and recently, the Surrey Women in Business Awards—the first Filipina to earn the title.

Maria Zelda “Marizel” Magistrado Rojas

Predestined: #SerialOrganizer

Passionate • Infectious • Resilient

Currently working at the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, since 1998. Marizel finds great fulfillment in working for an organization that bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhere: on the Earth’s surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground.

Marizel received a Bachelor of Science in Physics for Teachers (BSPT) degree from the Philippine Normal University – De la Salle University consortium through a National Science Development Board (NSDB)-National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) scholarship. She taught at the Camarines Sur National School for four years. In 1991, she migrated to Austria.

Since 2012, Marizel has been actively involved as a leader of various organizations in Filipino and international communities. She received the 2019 Most Influential Filipina Women in the WorldTM (Global FWN100™) “Behind the Scenes” award. The values inculcated by her parents, coupled with the education she received from Colegio de Sta. Isabel, during her formative years in high school and elementary, as well as her experiences in the Filipino diaspora, laid the foundation for her being the kind of leader she chose to be.

Kahlil Gibran says: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

Pamela Gotangco

Heart Full of Passion

Creative • Resilient • Kind

Pamela Gotangco is a visual artist, wearable art designer, and entrepreneur living in Switzerland. Recently she received the 2021 Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential award. This award is conferred on overseas Filipino individuals who have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession. Her art is heavily anchored in advocating for the empowerment of all women and girls, promoting the Filipino culture and artisans in the global arena, and uniting the Filipino migrants abroad by highlighting the beauty of our culture and heritage. On the same note, she aims to inspire and encourage Filipinos worldwide to showcase their talent and shine in the global arena.

In response to the pandemic, Pamela co-founded PamPinay clothing line. PamPinay is a fashion-forward brand born at the height of the global pandemic as a social project with a mission to provide income opportunities for women in the Philippines who were affected by the pandemic. In addition, PamPinay showcases one hundred percent Filipino-made crafts aimed to promote social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and responsible branding through the playful illustration of funny Filipino habits and traits.

Pamela received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Miriam College, Philippines.

Alicia Del Prado, Ph.D.

Follow Your Heart: Leadership Lessons

Kind • Strong • Persevering

Alicia del Prado, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, consultant, author, and tenured faculty member at the Wright Institute. Dr. del Prado earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Washington State University, specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and provides therapy to clients in her private practice. She created the first enculturation scale for Filipino Americans and has co- authored numerous publications on cross-cultural studies of personality. In addition, Dr. del Prado wrote Proud of my Mommy and It’s Time to Talk (and Listen): How to Have Constructive Conversations About Race, Class, Sexuality, Ability & Gender in a Polarized World She is a past-chair of the Asian American Psychology Association’s (AAPA) Division on Filipinx Americans, chaired the first national Filipino American Psychology Conference, and co-editor of the first Special Issue on Filipino American Psychology. Moreover, Dr. del Prado founded the AAPA’s Division on Multiracial and Adopted Asian Americans. Dr. del Prado values making psychological literature accessible to the public and writes a Psychology Today blog, “Speaking from the Heart.” Nationally recognized for her leadership, service, and scholarship, Dr. del Prado received awards from the National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology, AAPA, and the California Psychological Association.

Angelica Urra Berrie

Becoming Ruth: A Transformational Journey

Passion • Purpose • Philanthropy

Angelica Urra Berrie is President of The Russell Berrie Foundation, a philanthropic leader known for transformational gifts to the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University in New York, the Russ Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at the Technion in Israel, and The Pope John Paul Il Center for Inter-Religious Studies at St. Thomas Aquinas University of the Angelicum in Rome. A widow leader, Angelica took the helm as Vice-Chair and CEO of Russ Berrie & Co., a global gift company, after the loss of her husband, New Jersey sales entrepreneur Russell Berrie. Angelica was Board Chair of the Center for Inter-Religious Understanding and Co-Chair of the Jewish Funders Network. In addition, Angelica is Chair of the Shalom Hartman Institute, a center for pluralistic Jewish learning in Jerusalem. Angelica is Co-President of the American Friends of Ofanim, a nonprofit organization in Israel whose mission is to deliver high-quality supplemental education to children in the periphery using mobile classrooms. Angelica is the Co-Founder of Global Nomad, an experiential travel company established by Lorenzo Urra in Hong Kong. She co-authored a book on philanthropy: A Passion for Giving: Tools and Inspiration for Creating a Charitable Foundation, with wealth adviser Peter Klein.

Kristine Custodio Suero

Designing Sisterhood: From Fears to Fierce

Coach • Educator • Change Agent

Kristine Custodio Suero is an award-winning legal professional and a highly sought-after speaker in her profession, inspiring legal professionals to achieve authentic, purpose-driven careers and lives. A true servant leader, she has led the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA) and California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) as President. Kristine is a member of the University of San Diego School of Law Paralegal Program’s Advisory Board and is also Adjunct Faculty. She serves as the Chair of the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Paralegals Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. In 2020, Kristine was selected as the California Paralegal of the Year. In October 2021, Kristine was appointed to the Center for Judicial Education and Research Advisory Committee by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. She is a Commissioner and served as the past Chair of the City of San Diego Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, advocating for supplier diversity. She is currently a Senior Paralegal/Business Development Director for Butterfield Schechter LLP, specializing in ERISA/ESOPs/employee benefits law, business law, and civil litigation.

Kristine may be reached at kristine.custodio@gmail.com and linktr.ee/kristinecustodio.

Marietta Evelyn P. Revilla

Reflection on My Leadership

Compassionate • Loyal • Religious

Marietta was born in Cebu City and her family migrated to Manila when she was only 6 years old. She’s known as Evy, Beng or Evelyn. A dedicated Mom of two Italian-Filipino daughters Stephanie and Sheela, a family oriented person and grandma to Andrea Clara, Asia, Cecilia Giovanna and Orlando Leone. As Corporate Relations Consultant, she travels frequently all year round to support and keep track of the family’s team – Italtrans Racing team Moto2 Grand Prix for Motorbikes. She used to work in the family owned business company “Ortobell” in the cultivation and distribution sector of ready-to-eat pack salad. She owned by concession and managed Prenatal Shop Curno and Italpoint Viaggi in Milan.

Evelyn is a golden hearted person with a clear vision that motivates, inspires and leads people to achieve their goals. She’s one of the founders and President of Sodalis Association in Milan, which envisions and elevates the Filipino migrant workers and quality of life. She’s in close cooperation with the Philippine Consulate, supports different Associations in Milan and widely acclaimed Grand Sinulog Festival In Europe. She received a Special award as “Woman of the Year 2016” by Federfil Europe. Being a woman leader, she exemplifies the common traits or nature of a woman in leading the organization like team approach, clear vision, believing oneself or self confidence and willingness to help. She participated on one of the most important conventions in Europe: Women’s Federation for World Peace, Annual European Women Leadership Conference in Lisbon. In 2018 she was awarded as 100 Most Influential Award for her successful leadership and dedication to the community.

Patricia “Denise” Lopez, Ph.D.

Sugarcane Princess, Steely Sampaguita: From Privilege to Purpose and Authenticity

Inspiring • Insightful • Supportive

Dr. Patricia “Denise” Lopez is a Full Professor of Organizational Psychology at Alliant International University. She teaches and researches leadership, work motivation and productivity, team effectiveness, and organizational change management. She was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the United States to complete her Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, New York City.

Over the last 25 years, Denise has taught, trained, coached, and consulted with diverse managers, teams, and organizations in the United States and Asia-Pacific. She has authored several publications on leadership, employee engagement, and diversity and globalization issues. In addition to the bestseller book, Lead, Motivate, Engage: How to INSPIRE your team to win at work, Denise has written book chapters and journal articles on employee engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; retention and career development of women and minorities in science and technology; developing culturally competent employees; authentic leadership; power and influence; change management and innovation. She also serves as a board director of Leadership Education for Asia-Pacifics (LEAP). Based in Southern California, Denise enjoys music, art, dancing, traveling, hiking, watersports, and simply hanging out with family and friends.

Arlene Tordecilla Ferrolino

The Joy of Sharing Music: How It Determined the Course of My Life

Pianist • Music Educator • Advocate

Arlene’s background combines bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and English from the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) with post-graduate work in piano performance and collaborative piano at The Colburn School of Performing Arts and the University of Southern California (USC). She is a professional pianist, organist, accompanist, classroom teacher and church musician, a nationally renowned piano adjudicator, clinician, and lecturer. As the first Asian president of the Board of Directors for the Glendale Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, she served three terms. In addition, she is the historic first president of the Board of Directors of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the first and only Filipino symphony orchestra outside the Philippines. In 2018 she was awarded outstanding alumna by the AUP AWESNA (AUP alumni of North America). She recently received the Filipina Women’s Network award as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World 2021. Also, she received the Outstanding Teacher Award 2021 from Steinway and Sons. As a music educator and advocate, she enjoys sharing the joy of music with her students and the community locally and globally.

Bernadette Mondejar-Schlueter, Ed.D.

Finding My Why

Resourceful • Persistent • Flexible

Dr. Bernadette Mondejar-Schlueter is an educator and school administrator who has worked in the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Guam, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. She is currently the principal of Feltwell Elementary School on the Royal Air Force Feltwell base in Norfolk, England. She received the 2010 Scroll of Appreciation from US Forces Korea General Walter L. Sharp for her dedication to the education of US military children. In addition, she was the 2012 Teacher of the Year for the Korea District and was one of the Filipina Women’s Network Most Influential Filipina Women of the World in 2016. Dr. Mondejar-Schlueter writes for Educator’s High, a regular column published in the Philippines. She was selected as the Best Newspaper Columnist of the Year in 2021 at the Eastern Visayas Media Awards. She wrote two children’s books, Maya and Her Loyal Friends and Adventures of Maya: The Lost Fields of Palale, translated into Tagalog, Waray, German, and Italian. Her coloring book, Pinoy Life, showcases Filipino customs and traditions. She loves running and traveling with her husband, Richard. She has completed 438 marathons and ultramarathons in 47 countries on six continents.

Cynthia Rapaido, Ed.D.

From Military Brat to Educational Leader: A Filipina-American Journey

Mentor • Leader • Teacher

Cynthia Rapaido received her Ed.D. with an emphasis in International and Multicultural Education and her M.A. in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Organization and Leadership from USF. She earned her B.S. in Biology from SDSU. Her dissertation was titled “Filipino American Educational Leaders in Northern California K–12 Public Schools: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Her 31 years of educational leadership and teaching experience include: 5 years as a principal, 17 years as an assistant principal, and 9 years science teacher, all at the high school level. In addition, her experience in higher education includes being an adjunct faculty member as a lecturer, doctoral advisor, and field supervisor for teacher candidates. In 2011, FWN honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the United States in the category “Builders and Emerging Leaders.” In 2013, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) honored her for exemplary performance in promoting the success of all students and was given the State award, “Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year.” In 2014, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) honored her for outstanding, active, and front-line leadership. She received the national award “Assistant Principal of the Year State Finalist” for the State of California.

Georgitta “Beng” Pimentel Puyat

We Grow As We Sow

Inspirational • Altruistic • Passionate

Georgitta “Beng” Puyat is the Co-founder and Chair of the Philippine Orchard Corporation. Its mission is to help marginalized farmers improve their economic status by introducing innovative products that promote quality and sustainability. She joined the Filipina Women’s Network Board in 2018, became FWN Global President (2019–2022), and is currently the FWN Global Chairman. She graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in AB Political Science and a Masters in Sociology. A lifelong Volunteer, she is an inspirational, result- oriented leader whose experiences shaped and committed her to be a “Volunteer” for Women’s Issues through Service and Advocacy. As a member of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs for 36 years, she has initiated and nurtured projects that have affected and empowered generations of women and young girls. She managed the East Rembo Livelihood and Skills Training Center and co-founded the ZCME Psychological Center for Sexually Abused Children (ages 3–17). She was elected Zonta International District 17 Governor (2010–2012). She was President/Chairman of the UNIFEM (now UN Women) Philippine National Committee for four biennia, a Trustee of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, and the Chairman/ President of the Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association.

Gina Marie Garcia-Atienza

When the New Year Comes in October

Friendly • Caring • Hardworking

Gina Garcia Atienza is an FWN 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World Awardee 2016. She grew up in the island paradise of Cebu and finished her fourth year in high school at St. Theresa’s College, Cebu, but graduated from the Rancho Alamitos High School, Garden Grove, California. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. In addition, she earned a post-graduate Diploma in International Relations and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies, Den Haag, The Netherlands. Gina worked in Corporate Communications in both Jakarta, Indonesia and Tokyo, Japan. She returned to Cebu in 2000 and produced the first annual Cebu Yearbook for the SunStar Media Group. She later became President of SunStar Management Inc., which manages the Group’s affiliate network. Gina retired in 2020 but has remained as Acting Chairman of the Board of SunStar and President of SunStar Davao. She now runs Java Pavilion, an online boutique and shop selling curated Asian furniture and antiques, including petrified wood and obsidian crystals from Indonesia.

Ildeme “Demee” Mahinay Koch

Beauty, Consciousness, and Leadership

Multipreneur • Investor • Forbes Influencer

Ildeme “Demee” Mahinay Koch a fearless woman, mother of two, multipreneur, and advocate of many causes, like many women – decided to change her destiny with her own strength and embarked on a journey to get to where she is right now.

As a sought-after speaker, guest author, and commentator on the subject of conscious beauty and entrepreneurship, she strongly advocates healthy beauty, inclusivity, empowerment, and social impact. Recognized and honored with awards as one of the most influential Filipinas in the world by Global FWN and as Ambassador of Peace by Universal Peace Federation UK, an NGO with general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Demee uses her influence to give back. In addition, she shares her expertise in business and conscious entrepreneurship as a Forbes Business Council influencer through her articles.

Demee is a Corporate Advisor of the revolutionary boxing brand SPARBAR. She is also a board member and shareholder of Luxvivendi GmbH, a company celebrating the finest in luxury products, services, food, and experiences. She supports various charity organizations like the Voice of the Free, a hybrid organization that combines social care, social entrepreneurship, and mobilizing social movements to achieve lasting social change. The Breaking Silence Movement (BSM), a private, non- profit organization that fights gender-based violence, recently welcomed Demee as a board member. She also established the DE MOI fund to benefit all the non-profit organizations DE MOI collaborates with, including BSM and Voice of the Free.

Maria Fides Balita

Trust Your Inner GPS

Charismatic • Entrepreneurial • Driven

Maria Fides Balita is a Certified Public Accountant and a financial professional. Maria recently retired as a partner at a woman and minority-owned Certified Public Accounting Firm in Chicago, Illinois. She provided audit and consulting services to clients in the government, lottery, gaming, transit, housing authority, university, 401k/403b, pensions, and not-for-profit industries. Maria served as Chair of the National Executive Board of the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (2018–2021) and now serves on the Advisory Board. In her new endeavor as a financial professional and registered representative of a broker/dealer, she aims to pursue another passion: to guide and educate families and individuals about financial independence, particularly in helping prepare for retirement and protecting their assets.

Marla De Castro Rausch

The Strength of a Wallflower

Creative • Pioneering • Driven

Marla D. Rausch has been a trailblazer as the founder of Animation Vertigo for almost two decades. She has set the standard in motion capture external development with a roster of titles in leading video games franchises. This roster includes Activision’s Call of Duty, NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat, critically acclaimed Hitman by IO Interactive, and Triple A sports titles like NBA2k, FIFA, and Madden, to mention a few. Not a small feat for a woman in a highly competitive, fast- paced, male-driven game and 3D animation industry.

Beyond outsourcing, Marla has ventured into developing her own IP—an animated feature that her company, Kampilan Productions, is currently producing. In addition, Marla dreams of bringing Philippine stories to the world by sharing a Filipino hero’s tale. As passionate about growing businesses and helping organizations thrive, Marla is also a mentor, sharing her lessons and experiences through talks and panels. Her goal is to inspire, encourage and motivate women to enter or start a business.

Today, she continues to expand her role as a leader by starting new ventures focusing on capability growth and more opportunities in her home country—the Philippines.

Rhoda Castro-Caliwara

Human Agency and the Divine: My Leadership

Clarity • Consistency • Compassion

Consistency is what makes an average transform into excellence. As a woman who mustered up grit and courage, Rhoda will let you rediscover the power of being a woman with a strength that comes from God. She will highlight the celebration of her small wins. Her inner drive to set clear goals and communicate effectively to her people set her apart. Yet, her being is shaped by what she consistently does each day. She will let you experience a one-of-a-kind journey of self- compassion that helped her to move forward gracefully as she allows herself to cope and have a safe space to grow and build again. Rhoda will remind you that you are not your crisis. You are not your mistake. It is inevitable. Let it not overwhelm you. As you keep your eyes on your purpose, you can have a better perspective on things that enables you to maintain your identity. Focus is more valuable than intelligence.

Rhoda is Future Focus. It is beyond the ability of your foresight. It is your ability to focus on solutions for positive change that encompasses adversity. As you actively listen to current challenges, it enables you to find long-term solutions for potential challenges. She will emphasize that building genuine connections, and finding and becoming a mentor empowers us a life beyond our personal interests. It’s adding value to people, respecting differences, and building a community where we can capitalize on our strength—our natural being.

Carmina Montesa Aldana

Choosing, Being, Succeeding

Loving • Thoughtful • Principled

Born into a diplomat family, Carmina has an international view of social issues and had early exposure to the hardship minorities endure. Her experiences inspired her to improve people’s lives.

Mother, wife, philanthropist, and 2019 FWN Global 100TM Awardee, Carmina is co-founder and executive director of The Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation (NOF). NOF is a U.S.- based non-profit organization that advances neurosurgical care globally in underserved communities through service, education, and support. Its education-focused programs impact the lives of patients, providers, students, and health systems in Southeast Asia.

As a University of Toronto student, she founded the Kabataan Theatre Group, which produced original plays. Professionally, she began in Human Resources, which included work in a Fortune 500 company. Later, she launched a jewelry business and was involved in the Junior League of Akron. In 2021, Carmina successfully became a member of Leadership Jacksonville. Recently, she commissioned the first Filipino Heritage Mural in the city in partnership with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and The Jessie.

Carmina continues collaborating with individuals and organizations on children’s wellbeing, Philippine culture, Jacksonville’s cultural arts, and women’s causes. She enjoys relaxing with family and friends, traveling, reading, walking, and dogs for recreation.

Fe Odsigue Punzalan, RN-BC, MSN, PHN

Business Not As Usual

Diligent • Insightful • Tenacious

Fe Odsigue Punzalan was born in Antique, Panay Island. From an early age, she was motivated to excel in her education to improve her family’s economic situation. She graduated from UP Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and migrated to the United States in 1977, becoming a Registered Nurse in Chicago. After that, Fe moved to the Bay Area, where she worked at various healthcare institutions, including Kaiser Permanente and the Regional Medical Center of San Jose. In 1997, she opened Silver Punzalan, Inc., a group of residential care facilities serving people with special needs and intellectual disabilities. Fe’s leadership and community service have been recognized over the years, most recently in 2020 as Outstanding Alumna for Community Services by the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. In 2019, Fe was named one of Filipina Women’s Network’s 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World. Fe finds joy in dancing and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren when not working.

Joyce Rivera Javier, MD, MPH, MS

For Us, By Us: From Listening to Leadership

Mother • Pediatrician • Scientist

Joyce Javier MD, MPH, MS, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in the Departments of Pediatrics and Population and Public Health Sciences. She completed pediatrics residency training and a postdoctoral fellowship in general academic pediatrics at Stanford University. She is a pediatrician scientist whose research has focused on promoting the well-being of Filipino youth and families by using community-based participatory research to implement and evaluate evidence- based parenting interventions. She leads the Filipino Family Health Initiative, funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars Program. She serves as an Executive Committee Member on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Community Pediatrics, Co-chair of the Society for Pediatric Research Advocacy Committee, and a member of the Pediatric Policy Council. She also teaches trainees as a pediatrician at AltaMed Health Services and as an instructor in the USC MPH program. Dr. Javier has received several awards for her work, including the AAP Local Hero Award and the 2021 RWJF Award for Health Equity. She is the proud mother of two daughters. Her website is filipinofamilyhealth.com

Marivic Lualhati, Ph.D.

Leadership in Healthcare

Elan • Empowered • Purposeful

Dr. Maria Victoria Lualhati is the president and CEO of Beyond Medical Hub, a corporate trainer under Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc., and one of the awardees of the Most Influential Filipina in the World from the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN). In every affiliation, she ensures to leave her mark. She enters the door, strengthens institutional management, and exits with good-running administration. She is easily remembered as someone embraced by enthusiastic-colored blazers, painted lips, and persuading words. Behind her smiles are words that actuate people to navigate their limits and perform at their best. Dr. Lualhati is the epitome of a woman—an empowered and purposeful leader who transforms her vision to life.

Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, Esq.

A Block Off the Old Chip

Courage • Competence • Integrity

Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan graduated from the University of the Philippines AB Political Science (1973) and LLB (Law) 1978 and had seminar courses in Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) Tokyo (1997); World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Asian Region, Taejon Republic of Korea, (November 1998); National Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo Italy (September 2005); Summer Course International Humanitarian Law, Magdalene College, Cambridge University, London UK (July 2010). Atty. Lorna Patajo Kapunan, founding Partner of Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices, has been a practicing lawyer for 40 years. She has been recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers of the Country for three consecutive years (2019–2021) and was recently awarded the global “Women In Law Awards” for Corporate Law- Philippines.

Although known as a leading litigator because of her high-profile cases, her legal expertise is extensive. It includes intellectual property, corporate and commercial, international humanitarian, family, estate, and succession laws. Atty. Kapunan is an awardee of the prestigious TOWNS Awards in Corporate Law (1995) and was Bar Examiner in 1988 in this field of law. She was a recipient in 1998 of The Outstanding Women of the UP Awards and an awardee in 2016 of the FWN, composed of acclaimed Filipina women leaders worldwide. Atty. Kapunan has a weekly column in Business Mirror, “Legally Speaking” and a regular Saturday tele-radio program, “Laban Para Sa Karapatan” (Fight for your Rights), from 11–12 at DWIZ 882 AM radio. She is a Governor of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Vice Chairman and Trustee of Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Maria Rhodora P.I. Palomar-Fresnedi

Planting Seeds of Hope and Happiness

Passion • Purpose • Possibility

Rhodora is an internationally awarded advocate for diversity and inclusion, a global business leader, international speaker, and executive coach. Rhodora considers herself a hyphenated person. She has lived and worked in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She has been a teacher, financial controller, HR professional, general manager, consultant, and author. She has held senior global executive roles, led global teams, built NGOs, and has been an adviser to Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 CEOs and businesses in global leadership, business strategy, corporate social responsibility, large- scale organization transformation, and innovative interventions.

Rhodora is the Founding President and CEO of the Center for Growing and Giving Foundation, Inc. This non-profit organization created Sunshine Farm Philippines, a sunflower destination farm built to employ persons with disability. Her professional and personal achievements are noteworthy, but her passion remains deeply rooted in changing the world from wherever she is. She would like to help build a world where every person, no matter what gender, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, ability, disability, or any other uniqueness, will be able to say: “I am valued. I belong. I make a difference.”

Mildred Christine “Mitzi” Flores Piad, Ph.D.

The Fruit-Bearing Tree

Devoted • Compassionate • Empowered

Mildred Christine “Mitzi” Flores Piad, Ph.D. completed AB Economics at Maryknoll College and her Doctorate in Organization Development at the South East Asia Interdisciplinary Institute. She was conferred her second Ph.D. in Public Administration major in Good Governance and Social Responsibility Honoris Causa. She was awarded “1992 Top Real Estate Developer of the Year” by Pag-Ibig’s Home Development Mutual Fund for providing Socialized Mass Housing for the Urban Poor. She authored and published a book on Vanguards of Youth Against Illegal Drug Abuse and a CTB on The Legacy of Zonta International. Mitzi was President of GSP, Quezon Council for three trienniums, where she constructed “Ating Tahanan Sa Quezon” for 2000 Girl Scouts of Quezon Province. She established 13 Homeowners Association benefiting 1,343 families under the Community Mortgage Program of Social Housing Finance Corp. Mitzi was Centennial Provincial Board Member, 2nd District of Quezon Province, and became its Ex Officio Co-Chair on Poverty Alleviation. She received the Triple A Amazing Alumni Achiever in Maryknoll College in its 2022 Golden Jubilee Celebration. She is currently the elected Federation Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippines Region and Board Director Soroptimist International of the Americas Northern Philippines Region. Trustee and Past President of Women’s Business Council (WBC), Board of Adviser of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), among others.