Women leaders share their stories, lessons learned
BALANCING family life and career, discrimination, and gender-sensitivity issues are among the challenges faced by the ambassadors of France, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to the Philippines in pursuing their job as diplomats.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Romanian Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg and British Ambassador Laure Beaufils shared the challenges they experienced on Thursday at The Manila Times (TMT) Women’s Circle forum.
The diplomats said they were grateful for women leaders before them who paved the way to make a niche in the world of diplomacy. The ambassadors said they now reap the benefits of their efforts.
Matache said she was glad that she was able to overcome those challenges. “I’m happy that I did because now I am in the Philippines. There’s no better position than being an ambassador in the Philippines.”
The envoy from Romania said that the challenges being faced by women are the same. “It’s universal. I’m not sure if I’ll be happy to be quoted, but I think it’s no secret for any of us that we live in a patriarchal society.”
“Yes, our mothers, our predecessors have made great strides. They started the fight for the emancipation of women. But it is a continuous fight and we as women have to take this battle every day,” Matache said.
Beaufils cited discrimination. “I remember in one of my postings in particular where I had the bad fortune of being called sweetheart and darling by some men.”
“That’s tough, right? When that happens you have to make a split-second decision. How am I going to deal with this? Because the person you’re speaking to is one of authority and power,” she said.
“More often than not we don’t challenge when we are younger and less senior. Because we don’t have the power,” the envoy from the United Kingdom said.
Beaufils added: “You know, those are decisions that I think most women in the room have had to make at one point and we are no exceptions.”
Fontanel had a similar experience. The envoy said that when she was younger she received “comments on how beautiful you look and how young you look, etc.”
“Then I understood that it would be a hard journey. But at the same time I, for sure, belong to a generation where it’s still easier than, maybe for women before me [to pursue a career in diplomacy],” the envoy from France said.
“And one of the main challenges really for me is always the ... [balance] between professional and personal life, having
three kids and having also activities apart from my job,” said Fontanel.
See said: “I would say we don’t face any barriers in the [Singapore] foreign service. You get promoted the same way based on meritocracy. But along the way, you do need to make many personal decisions, and those are sometimes the hardest: whether you can find a partner who is willing to travel with you every three years.”
“Is there someone who’s willing to sacrifice his career for you every three years or so. And then dealing the ‘mom guilt.’ I have two children and sometimes it’s just you do not spend enough time with them,” See said.
Thunborg said she started her career in 1997. “At that time almost all the people in management position, directors or other ambassadors were men,” she said.
But in her generation, the ambassador from Sweden said there were “more women than men” who entered the foreign service.
“Of course it had to do with the opportunities that our mothers and grandmothers and other generations [of women] had helped us get [to where we are now],” she said.
“So, I don’t think that there were many barriers in my generation because since the development and change came with us. We were promoted automatically,” Thunborg said.
Beaufils added: “I do think we’re very lucky to live in a generation where women are more supportive of each other than in the past. And to have a group of girlfriends is brilliant. I would encourage everyone to invest in that.”
“You wonder whether you really are cut out for the job. But at the end of the day, I tell myself, ‘I just have to show up.’ Is this what I really want to do? If it is, I just show up,” See said.
Lessons learned
At the same TMT forum at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila, 130 women in leadership roles in business and government shared the lessons they learned on the way to the top.
Undersecretary Kim BernardoLokin of the Department of Trade and Industry, who led the conversation as moderator, emphasized the importance of authenticity and empowerment.
Cosette Canilao, president and CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., underscored the role of mentorship and leadership in breaking down systemic barriers for women.
“It is essential that we actively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder women’s advancements in the corporate world. What we do is to champion exemplary leadership and programs that empower women in the workplace,” Canilao said.
“My leadership style is based on a steadfast commitment to openness and accountability which I learned early in my career. We also nurture an environment where debate is not only encouraged but embraced as a means to driving innovation and progress. Apart from that, we create a culture of inclusivity and create spaces where voices are heard and truly valued by providing mentorship and advancement opportunities regardless of gender identity or background,” she added.
Karen Roa, president of First Metro Asset Management Inc., emphasized the importance of self-assurance when inspiring other women to speak out without fear of social biases.
“Call them out. I think at this certain point in your life — as they say — there’s no filter anymore. But also, apart from being able to call them out, educate them. But there should also be self-awareness. And another thing that I want to highlight is embrace femininity. So with those two, you’re going to promote authenticity. You don’t need to be dominant. Or maybe the dominance will be in a more feminine way. You choose certain aspects that are innate to women, and you embrace that and that will reflect your own authenticity,” Roa said.
Ma. Aurora “Boots” GeotinaGarcia, founding chairman and president of Philippine Women’s Economic Network, said women leaders should be prepared when addressing biases in a confident yet authentic approach.
“When you speak out, you better make sure and be confident about what your response or comment will be, especially when it comes to decision-making. If you just speak for the sake of speaking, then obviously you will not be taken seriously. So prepare; there’s a process. That’s how you will project your authenticity, [and] have the confidence to deliver your idea,” Geotina-Garcia said.
In navigating male-dominated industries like real estate, construction supply retail, and banking, the speakers highlighted the power of presentation and mental preparation.
Elizabeth Ventura, president of Anchor Land Holdings Inc., emphasized the importance of self-care and confidence.
“The beauty about women is that we care for ourselves. You have to present yourself very well, not to talk louder, but proper. For the younger generation, before aspiring for higher position, prepare physically but also mentally,” she said.
Ventura added: “Most women also have that mother instinct. We love to listen; we’re very compassionate. As you know, every bright idea comes with listening. That’s innate to women and that’s an advantage.”
Meanwhile, Rosemarie BoschOng, SEVP and COO of Wilcon Depot Inc., emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating women’s achievements in the workplace and also called for equal opportunities, rights, and respect for both men and women.
“Men and women deserve the same opportunities, rights and respect, especially in the workplace. There should also be fostering collaborations, building awareness and overcoming biases. In leading inclusivity, walk the talk and stay true to your values and uphold your integrity. Apart from that, celebrate women’s achievements, especially your own,” Bosch-Ong said.
On the other hand, Abigail Tina del Rosario, president and chief executive officer of Maybank Philippines, said that with the company’s 46,000 employees worldwide, the bank’s objective is to make sure that more than 30 percent of the leadership roles go to females.
“Banking is a male-oriented industry, but we take it seriously when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as belonging,” del Rosario said.
Nikki Tang, CEO of DMark Beauty and DermAsia Corp., and Judith Tubil, director for people and culture at foodpanda Philippines took pride in how half of their employees are women and said inclusivity is a cornerstone of collective success.