As I read "DISRUPT", I learned about women who are leaders in business, in their communities, in their families and in government. I read about smart women who volunteer time and resources to promote the well-being of others. I learned about women whose skills have been finely honed on the whetstones of education and professional experience. And as I look out at this audience, I see the potential for a network of expertise; I see potential sponsors and mentors, and therein lies the potential resolution to some of the challenges I just mentioned.

Many Filipina women are already out there changing lives day in and day out.

Just think of Cristeta Comerford who went from working at a salad bar to working within the White House within ten years of arriving in America. I was touched, as I am sure everyone here was, to read Janet Stickmon's chapter "Blackapina".


- DISRUPTing Hollywood Keynote Speaker Former U. S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas
December 14, 2014