It was an inspiring day dedicated to women’s empowerment, featuring remarkable speakers who are driving change across various sectors. She Means Business: Accelerating Vision into Action, was held in SPACES PNB, Makati, last March 11th.
The event opened with Her Excellencies (H.E.) Saija Nurminen and Răduţa Dana Matache.
H.E. Saija Nurminen, Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines, shared insights from the Finnish Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 report, which revealed that 36-40% of board seats in Finnish-listed companies are held by women—a testament to Finland’s commitment to gender diversity in corporate governance.
Next, H.E. Răduţa Dana Matache, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the Philippines, highlighted her efforts in strengthening Philippines-Romania relations through cultural and diplomatic engagements. She delivered a powerful message: “Each of us women has a responsibility to help our fellow women.”
Another inspiring moment came from Senator Risa Hontiveros, who, during her virtual speech, emphasized the importance of solidarity among women, urging us all: “Let us be each other’s champions.”
Women Leaders Driving Change
The main event featured a powerhouse of women leaders, starting with Ms. Rhoda Castro Caliwara, Founder and CEO of Executive Genesis Services, Inc. and National President of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON). She also established negoSHEnte, an initiative supporting female entrepreneurs, and served as President of the Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH), representing the country in the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN).
During her talk, Ms. Caliwara addressed a common struggle among women: self-doubt. She reflected on how, despite being hardworking and innovative, many women hesitate when leadership opportunities arise, often asking themselves, “Am I ready to lead?”
But she reminded us that women don’t just lead businesses—they lead communities. Through the advocacy and action of women leaders, we pave the way for greater female leadership in the business sector.
She also shared her personal journey as a probinsyana from a traditional family who worked her way up, determined to finance her own business. Hearing her story was deeply inspiring— Probinsyanang Pinay Power at its best, reminds me of being a probinsyana myself.
Women Shaping the Business Landscape
The event also featured Dr. Diana Edralin, a distinguished physician, business leader, and General Manager of Roche (Philippines) Inc. She is also the Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the first female President of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP)—a true testament to Pinay power!
Beyond her leadership roles, she is a passionate advocate for gender equality and champions companies that prioritize women’s health. She firmly believes that a supportive environment for women enhances productivity, commitment, and loyalty in the workplace.
Another inspiring speaker was Ms. Carollyne Claveria, a Certified Public Accountant and a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. She is the General Manager of Henkel Global Business Solutions Plus (GBS+) in Manila and President of Henkel Philippines Inc. and Henkel Philippines Applied Technologies Inc.
She shared three key takeaways for women in leadership:
- Confidence is key.
- Build a strong network.
- Keep learning, growing, and supporting other women.
Empowering Women Through Renewable Energy
Recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn”, Ms. Ruth Yu-Owen has made a significant impact beyond her corporate roles.
She co-founded Connected Women, a technology-driven social impact startup that creates income opportunities for Filipino women, that trains disadvantaged women in AI data annotation, allowing them to work from home and achieve financial independence.
Ms. Owen also serves as Chairperson on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), where she actively advocates for cleaner energy solutions.
As one of her biggest fans, hearing her say, “Gender equality is a mindset,” and witnessing her embody that belief through her work and leadership was truly inspiring. Her impact in the renewable energy sector is nothing short of exceptional—I am truly in awe.
Our Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
I firmly believe that true leadership is about empowering others and bringing out the best in people—especially women. When we uplift and support one another, we create stronger, more inclusive communities and workplaces.
At GreenDev, we are committed to gender diversity across our teams and support our employees through flexible working models that promote inclusivity and work-life balance.
A big shoutout to the ECCP ladies and our amazing host, Ms. Abi Paco, for making this event a huge success! 💜
Cheers to all the awesome ladies,
Kim Abella
CEO, GreenDev