San Francisco, CA — The historic Julia Morgan Ballroom shimmered in gold as Filipina women leaders and allies from every corner of the world filled the room — a gathering of visionaries, changemakers, and dreamers moving to a single heartbeat: Pinay Power. It was the culminating and magical night of the FWN's 25th Anniversary Milestone at the 2025 Filipina Leadership Global Summit.
Nineteen extraordinary Filipina Women leaders from Australia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States received the prestigious FWN Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World Award (Global FWN100™ Award). Now in its 16th year, the FWN Global FWN100™ Awards recognize Filipina women across four categories: Builder, Founder and Pioneer, Innovation and Thought Leader, and Policymaker and Visionary.
A panel of peers and awardees of previous years selected seven entrepreneurs, five doctors, three C-Suite officers, and four electeds/appointeds in government service.
The 2025 awardees were joined by FWN Board Members and the Executive Advisory Council, united under one mission: A Woman Leader in Every Sector of the Economy.
FWN Founder and CEO Marily Mondejar stepped into the light,
“Let me tell you what I see in this room. I see CEOs and entrepreneurs who control billions of dollars in economic power. I see elected officials and appointed leaders making policy decisions that affect millions. I see doctors, scientists, and researchers who are advancing human knowledge and saving lives.”
She paused, scanning the faces before her — women leaders from every continent, each one a force in her own right.
“This is not just a room full of accomplished women. This is a room full of nation-builders.”
A Legacy of Influence
The evening was the inaugural launch of the Hall of Fame: Always Influential Global FWN100™ Award. Dr. Maria Beebe, editor of the five DISRUPT Leadership Series documenting the journeys of 167 Filipina women authors from 16 countries was honored for her enduring leadership and commitment to amplifying Filipina women voices across the globe.
“When I began bringing together our leadership journeys, I wasn’t just collecting stories,” said Dr. Beebe. “I was listening to the heartbeat of a global sisterhood — 167 voices strong, across 16 countries — each one a spark of courage, resilience, and love for community.”
“My legacy is written not in numbers or awards, but in the hearts of every Filipina woman who dared to dream — and in the hands of those who continue to lead.”
2025 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World™
BUILDER: ARCHITECT OF CHANGE
This award goes to the Filipina woman who not only dreams of a better world but lays the foundation stone by stone, leading with heart, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, and celebrating a Filipina woman leader who constructs bridges to the future with her remarkable organizational prowess. Recognized for her spirit and dedication to collaboration, driving measurable results, the Builder awardee reshapes the landscape of corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.
A Builder is redefining the essence of leadership and leaving a lasting impact on her organization and community.
Christine Catipon, PsyD, Staff Psychologist, Stanford University — Healthcare (USA)
Jacqueline Aquiler Ciron Angeles, MD, COO, Healthway FEU-NRMF Medical Center — Healthcare (Philippines)
Judy Patacsil, PsyD, Faculty Equity Coordinator (Ret.), Palomar College — Education (USA)
June Magallanes, MD, Executive Director, 777 Yosemite, LLC — Finance (USA)
Kristel Acacio, PhD, Founder & Principal Coach, Reverie Leadership Coaching — Consulting (USA)
Lourdes V. Moldre, Nurse Executive Patient Care Director, UCSF Health — Healthcare (USA)
Lourds Adalia-Evertse, Owner, Spice Grill — Food & Beverage (UAE)
Meredith Curry, MBA, Principal Consultant, AdvancED Consulting — Consulting (USA)
Shelene Atanacio, Global Real Estate Advisor, The Shelene Group Real Estate Team — Education (USA)
FOUNDER & PIONEER: THE GROUNDBREAKER
This award honors a Filipina woman who serves as the chief executive, president, executive director, or founder of a company, nonprofit, or business venture she helped launch, build, or significantly grow. An entrepreneur who has blazed new trails and groundbreaking ventures that reflect a commitment to innovation and growth.
This award recognizes those who harness resources, creativity, and technology, turning visions into reality and leading by example to inspire bold, innovative leadership.
Aya Garcia Shlachter, CEO, MGS Global LLC — Design (USA)
Jen Capones Tongco, Founder & CEO, Netrust Philippines Corporation — Science & Technology (Philippines)
Stephanie Reese, Singer, Actress & Philanthropist, Arts and Humanities Bainbridge — Entertainment (USA)
INNOVATOR & THOUGHT LEADER: pioneer of progress
This award honors the Filipina woman whose groundbreaking contributions have redefined industries and dares to think differently. From disrupting traditional business models to revolutionizing art, literature, and science, inspiring innovation and fostering advancements that change the way we live, and whose inventive spirit and visionary ideas have created waves of change, touching lives and shaping the future.
Estrella Parker, Chief People Officer, Cupertino Electric, Inc. — Construction (USA)
Gwendolyn Bamba Baquiran, Assistant Superintendent Student Services, San Benito County Office of Education — Education (USA)
Jelynn Malone, Chief Branding & Marketing Officer + Co-Founder, Mostra Coffee, Inc. — Retail & Consumer Goods (USA)
Lynne Lourdes N. Lucena, MD, Neurosurgeon, Bicol Regional Hospital & Medical Center — Healthcare (Philippines)
Mila Sprouse, EdD, Chief Nursing Officer (Regional), Providence Regional Medical Center — Healthcare (USA)
POLICYMAKER & VISIONARy: the strategist
This award honors the Filipina woman leader at the forefront of change whose strategic and business acumen have significantly influenced policy and innovation. She enriches her constituents’ lives by sharing her knowledge and experiences driving business, industry, and society progress. She is a leader whose foresight and decision-making sculpt a more prosperous and inclusive future.
Dona Taguinod, Managing Director, ISA Australia Education & Migration Consultancy — Consulting (AUS)
Hon. Vilma Balle Caluag, Mayor, City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga — Government (Philippines)
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
Sustaining Global Pinay Power is quite daunting. As the excitement dies down and the reality of executing FWN’s Vision sets in, many drop out, and others pick up the torch. The Keepers of the Flame are the caretakers who ensure the FWN Vision is kept alive.
This category is reserved for FWN Board Directors and Lifetime Awardees who have demonstrated long-term volunteer work for FWN.
Benel Se-Liban, Managing Partner, JBC Group — USA
Gina Atienza, Chair, SunStar Management Inc. — Philippines
Hon. Juslyn Manalo, Former Mayor & Councilmember, City of Daly City — USA
Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, Esq., Partner, Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices — Philippines
Marily Mondejar, Founder & CEO, Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network — USA
Marla De Castro Rausch, CEO & President, Animation Vertigo — USA
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Cora Tellez, Board Chair and Founder, Sterling Administration — USA
Natalie Garcia Lashinsky, Esq., Partner, Litigation & Business, Husch Blackwell LLP — USA
Susie Quesda, President, Ramar Foods — USA
Together, they embodied what Marily Mondejar had declared from the stage:
“We are 800 strong across 33 countries, and we’re just getting started.”
The lights dimmed. The applause echoed. And in that golden room, every Filipina woman leader knew — this was not the end of a summit, but the dawn of a new era of Pinay Power, the next 25 years.
