MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Benel Se Liban (U.S. FWN100™ '11) and Trish Quema La Chica (Global FWN100™ '15)

Maria Benel Se Liban
Principal, Vasquez & Company, LLP
Los Angeles, California

My Fil-Am s/hero is... the late Senator Ninoy Aquino because he was not only a man of principles and brilliance but also a man of action and character. I admire his love for God and his family; he later gave up his choice of personal comfort and freedom of his new home in America in order to help bring back democracy to the Filipinos that he loved so much. I truly share Senator Aquino's principle that "The Filipino is worth dying for!"

My proudest professional achievement is my work as a co-founder of ISSFA and raising it as a leading Filipino American professional development organization in the field of accounting and finance in the U.S.

My biggest workplace challenge as a Fil-Am woman is balancing work, family and faith.

My five-year goal is to continuously grow the non-profit business as a Principal and Nonprofit Practice Leader of Vasquez and Company, LLP.

Trish Quema La Chica
Policy Analyst, Office of the Governor, State of Hawai’i
Honolulu, Hawai’I, USA

What is the global impact of your work? As a public health advocate, I am involved in a lot of initiatives that aim to improve health outcomes for the Asian and Pacific Islander population. Here in the U. S., my work has had an impact across the nation, particularly in the development of Tagalog translated materials that are used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Department of Health and Human Services.

What's the best part of being a Filipina woman leader? I love being the only Filipina woman in the Governor's Office who actually grew up in the Philippines. I like being able to talk about my home country and the unique experiences I have had that helped to shape my career.

What is the most significant barrier to female leadership from your experience? There are actually a lot of women leaders in the health care field, and many of them are vocal about issues that affect the Filipino community. I think that there is always a need for Filipina women to run for public office, particularly those who wish to implement innovative and progressive legislation.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Dellie Punla (U.S. FWN100™ '11) and Cathy Campbell (Global FWN100™ '15)

Dellie Punla
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Delarch Inc.
Pinole, California

Fil-Am s/hero in the U.S.: California Chief Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye. She is the first Filipina-American woman Chief Justice and the second women to serve as the State's Chief Justice. An inspiration to many more Filipina women.

Proudest Professional Achievement: Having established residential care facilities in Sacramento, San Francisco and Turlock, California and also having established self-storage facilities in the South Lake Tahoe, Red Bluff and Sacramento.

Five-year goal: To continue my work and develop policy guidelines for my companies and to be able to mentor deserving young Filipinas and help our community at large. 


 

Cathy Valle Campbell
Senior Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Microsoft
San Bruno, California, USA

Cathy Campbell received the Global FWN100™ Award in 2015 while she was the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Charles Schwab.

What's the best part of being a Filipina woman leader? Leading through strengths and having parents who instilled in me the values of perseverance and responsibility, which has guided me throughout my personal and professional life.

What do you think is the biggest challenge that faces the next generation of Filipina women? Leaning in earlier in their careers.

If you had super powers, what would you do? Build infrastructure to help families/communities benefit from economic sustainability.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Cynthia Rapaido (U.S. FWN100™ '11) and Stephanie Lomibao (Global FWN100™ '15)

Cynthia Rapaido
Principal and Adjunct Professor, South San Francisco High School/University of San Francisco
San Leandro, CA

Fil-Am Shero in the U.S.: My parents and my five siblings are my role models for strength, courage, love, support and encouragement. Dr. Rica Llorente and Thelma Boac as my professional role models and mentors.

Biggest workplace challenge as a Fil-Am woman: Filipino values at times contradict Western values such as respect for elders and those of authority/hierarchy. Filipino culture finds it disrespectful to disagree with elders while it is expected and important to speak up, have a voice and assert oneself in Western culture.

Filipino custom or tradition I would like to pass onto others: Respect for elders, honoring family, humility, offering food in large portions at family gatherings, treating others when it is your birthday and giving back to your parents.

Stephanie Lomibao
Senior Vice President, Philanthropy Manager, Bank of America
Los Angeles, California, USA

If there is one professional accomplishment and/or influential action that makes you very proud from your body of work, what would that be? I helped to illuminate Bank of America’s philanthropic investments in hunger relief, military support, diversity and inclusion - especially for the intellectually disabled - through cause-related promotions and bank-owned channels as part of the integrated enterprise team.

Workplace challenge as a Filipina woman and why: Challenging the status quo in Corporate America - looking different from the stereotypical executive.

What's the best part of being a Filipina woman leader? Embracing my heritage as a distinction and strength in all that I do.

Member Spotlight: Trina Villanueva (Global FWN100™ '15) and Elizabeth J. Bautista (Global FWN100™ '15)

Trina Villanueva
Community Outreach and Foundation Officer, MUFG Union Bank
Oakland, California, USA

If there is one professional accomplishment and/or influential action that makes you very proud from your body of work, what would that be? As a board member of Filipino Advocates for Justice, I'm proud that I have helped the organization grow and helped them accomplish their mission of serving the Filipino community specifically, our youth, recent immigrants and low-wage workers for the past 12 years.

Workplace challenge as a Filipina woman and why: I always get mistaken for being a lot younger than I really am.  So many times I feel I have to prove myself to my colleagues because they don't realize how long I have been doing this work and the different experiences I have had in my career.

What do you think is the biggest challenge that faces the next generation of Filipina women? I think as with other generations, the next generation of Filipina women will take care of a lot of people including their parents, partners and children while juggling their own personal goals and aspirations.  They need to have a solid group of friends, mentors and colleagues to support them and help them pursue their dreams.

Elizabeth J. Bautista
Operations Technology Group Leader, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Daly City, California, USA

If there is one professional accomplishment and/or influential action that makes you very proud from your body of work, what would that be? I continue to create opportunities for women to consider a career in the Computing Sciences area.

What is the global impact of your work? By creating opportunities for women in Computing Sciences, I give them a tangible inroad into this area. They can experience the work they can potentially take part in and demonstrate the impact of what they do to further scientific research.
What's the best part of being a Filipina woman leader? I'd like to provide insight and opportunities to young women.

Workplace challenge as a Filipina woman and why: My industry is still very male-oriented and as a woman in a technical area, my co-workers and even management team, assume that I do not understand the technical aspects of our work. I am more known for my soft skills and not my technical skills. The challenge for me is to continue reminding management, that I cannot do my job well if I did NOT have a technical understanding.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Laarni San Juan (US FWN100™ '07) and April Veneracion Ang (Global FWN100™ '15)

Life is a constant journey of learning and discovery. I’ve learned never to give up on my values no matter how uncomfortable and difficult life scenarios can be. I am a big advocate of obtaining support on a regular basis from trusted family, friends, therapists, mentors and anyone who is willing to share their wisdom. It is only through exchanging stories and experiences can we powerfully access knowledge and insight. As a public health nurse for the past 23 years, I have listened to countless stories of difficulties. As a Filipino-American who grew up with immigrant parents, I can relate to the dialogues filled with hurt, pain, and struggle. From my own journey of healing and thriving, I can wholeheartedly offer hope and meaningful ways to cope to those who seek that pathway. Everyone should have an opportunity to fulfill their life goals yet I am aware that not all have the access or tools to do so. I have recently embraced my budding entrepreneurial spirit combined with my passion of helping others by starting a resumé business. I believe a basic and concise document about a person’s worth can open doors and life-changing opportunities. - Laarni San Juan RN

April Veneracion Ang is a social change leader with a deep and varied background in policymaking and community development. She is currently a senior Legislative Aide to San Francisco District Six Supervisor Jane Kim. Her legislative portfolio includes affordable housing,  land use, urban planning and transportation. Previously, April was the Executive Director of the South of Market Community Action Network. She has also worked at the National Community Development Institute and the Greenlining Institute, a policy and advocacy organization focused on racial equity and inclusion. She received her Master’s degree in City Planning from MIT and has an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside. She lives with her husband, Eric Ang, in Oakland, CA and is a mother of two beautiful children.