Marily Mondejar: Power Moves for Filipina Women Professionals

Filipinas are getting more and more noticed the world over. It's an undeniable fact.

Just take a look back at the year that has passed—we have Hidilyn Diaz winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, Geraldine Roman first transgender woman elected to the congressional district of Bataan, Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach bagging the Miss Universe title, Jaclyn Jose making history as the first Filipina to attain a Best Actress award at Cannes Film Festival, and Lea Salonga still reigning on the global theatre stage, to name a few. There's no stopping Filipina women in achieving what they want, making a name not just locally, but also in the international scene.

Filipina Women's Network (FWN) recognizes the potential of every Filipina woman, that's why this year, they've yet again awarded the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the world, topped by Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo. This acknowledgement aims to encourage more Filipina women to lead and take charge in their respective fields, just like these selected outstanding women who changed the face of leadership, locally and abroad. This is in line with the organization's mission to promote their social welfare and advocate for women's rights.

FWN CEO and founder Marily Mondejar shares what women need to do to exercise their rights and power as a female:

1. It should be about you. "You have the potential to change the world—yes, you. We have behind-the-scenes leaders, founders and pioneers, innovators of top leaders, policy makers. Women are part of the emerging leaders in the world."

2. Speak up. "My message to the Filipina women of the world is "speak up". You have got to develop your voice; it is very important. When you attend an event, raise your hand and ask a question because they will remember you for it. Don't be afraid! Don't underestimate yourself. You are contributing to the economy."

3. Dare to lead. "Focus on your competencies. We challenge our contributors to the our leadership book to tell their leadership stories - how they developed their leadership skills, how they got to where are they are because this reflection makes us realize that we do have the skills to get ahead and lead."

4. Learn to say 'no'. "We have an intense feeling to prove ourselves. We like to be prepared, so when we say 'no', it's because we aren't confident to say 'yes'. Sometimes 'you have to fake it until you make it' to overcome our shyness because Filipina women are innately talented!"

5. Build your network. It is important to surround ourselves with supporters. You can not do it alone. You need people to cover your back and to advise you on whatever aspect of your life needs support. Find people who can help you resolve your career issues. Nurture them, get them involved."

News story from ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Global Pinay Power Launch & DISRUPTing Los Angeles

Be part of our history! Join your Filipina Sisters for the official inauguration of the Face of Global Pinay Power.  We conducted a worldwide search for the Filipina Rosa the Riveter - the face of Global Pinay Power.

Inspired by the female empowerment image of “Rosie the Riveter” the Filipina Women’s Network is proud to announce the selection of Francine Maigue (Global FWN100™ ’15) of Chula Vista, California as the Face of Global Pinay Power!

Francine graduated with a Master’s Degree in Management from Harvard University, where she received the prestigious Harvard Commencement Speaker Prize. She hosted the Philippine Presidential Debate at Harvard Law School and founded and served as the Executive Director and Director of Strategic Partnerships for Harvard’s Women’s Empowerment Convention and Network (WECAN), the first of its kind to be produced at Harvard. She currently serves as District Director for California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.

We’re taking Francine on a Roadshow - so join us in Los Angeles, our first stop. Meet our very own Filipina Rosa.

Catch us in Los Angeles for our official inauguration - LIMITED SEATING. RSVP before June 14th

ASK A FILIPINA: #26 Leadership Tip from Gloria T. Caoile (U.S. FWN100™ '07, Global FWN100™ '13)

Image Credit: Gani Ricarte

Develop your people skills. Having people skills; being approachable, friendly, pleasant and respectful of others; requires that you actually interact with humans. Even in a technology-centric world, face time is essential for establishing relationships. When you're able to make others feel at ease, they're more likely to cooperate. 

- Gloria T. Caoile, National Political Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, U.S. FWN100™ '07, Global FWN100™ '13

#FilipinaDISRUPTER

Order the first book on Filipina women leadership. DISRUPT. Filipina Women: Proud. Loud. Leading Without A Doubt.

http://amzn.to/1arFT7x — download Kindle edition
http://amzn.to/1AybRbV — Amazon print edition

Member Spotlight: Denise Miles (U.S. FWN100™ '09) and Aimee Alado (Global FWN100™ '15)

Denise Miles
Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Wells Fargo Bank

Denise Miles is a Senior Vice President with Wells Fargo’s Diversity and Inclusion in the Government and Community Relations group.  She serves as Manager for Strategic Partnerships where she is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with national nonprofit organizations.  

Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2004, she worked as a Community Development Officer in the San Francisco Area, managing economic development and affordable housing programs in partnership with nonprofits.  Miles began her career at Wells Fargo in Corporate Communications supporting the Community Bank for the San Francisco-Bay Region.

Prior to Wells Fargo, Miles worked for the City and County of San Francisco in Mayor Willie L. Brown’s Office of Neighborhood Services. There she served as the Community Liaison for several districts and the Filipino community.  

Before working with Mayor Brown, Miles was an Assignment Editor at KTVU-TV, a FOX affiliate in Bay Area. She also freelanced for Fox News Network and Fox Sports Network, and was a news producer for KTVN-TV in Reno, Nevada.

Miles has received several awards including the National Urban League’s 2013 Donald H. McGannon Award, the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. and the Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition’s Emerging Leaders Award. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from San Jose State University.  

Aimee Alado
Attorney-at-Law, Executive Committee Member at AUBF (ASEAN UK Business Forum)
London, United Kingdom

What's the best part of being a Filipina woman leader? The best part of being a Filipina woman leader is the ability and opportunity to inspire the group that you lead coming from different backgrounds to achieve a common goal. The challenge and the life transformation is not only for others but also a personal transformation for me. I always draw inspiration from the word synergy, one of my many favourites, whereby the interaction, cooperation amongst the members of my group has always a combined effect greater than the sum of our separate effects.

What do you think is the biggest challenge that faces the next generation of Filipina women? Someone has said that “the best way to predict the future is to create it”. And already, with the way things are, we are creating a future generation that is a lot more competitive; a world that is a lot more complex but with big challenges comes tremendous opportunities. I think the challenge really is how to equip this next generation of Filipina women to deal with these grand challenges and problems and come out as the most successful leaders from the lot  instead of just being followers.