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.