Awardees are selected and determined by averaging scores assigned by the Selection Committee on the criteria described on the nomination form for activities and projects nominee may have initiated or have been involved in her country of residence:

1. Impact

2. Innovation

3. Involvement

4. Femtorship (mentorship)

5. Professionalism

6. Sustainability (of activity or project she may have started or have been involved)

The following scoring has been set up to be consistent across the award categories and the Selection Committee will provide numerical scores for each of the following final selection scoring:

LEADERSHIP

The degree to which the nominee led the initiative, project or activity, demonstrated by behaviors such as setting clear goals, providing guidance, coaching and support, working through obstacles and/or celebrating success.

CHALLENGE

The scope, difficulty and size of the initiative, project or activity.

OWNERSHIP

The degree to which the nominee took ownership of the challenges she faced for the initiative, project or activity, demonstrated by behaviors such as helping define outcomes, setting clear goals, providing guidance, working through obstacles and communicating challenges and successes.

ECONOMIC SECTORS REPRESENTED BY THE NOMINEES

Primary Economic Sector includes industries that produce or extract raw materials: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,
Farming, Hunting, Mining,
Extraction

Secondary Economic Sector
includes the manufacturing of natural resources:
Construction, Processing,
Auto Production, Textiles,
Engineering, Energy Utilities

Tertiary Economic Sector includes service industry:
Communication Services, Government (military, law enforcement, politics, public transit), Healthcare, Finance, Food Services, Education,
Entertainment (special events, publishing, motion picture, video & TV, sound and music), Professional Services (Legal, Accounting), Non-profit/non-governmental, Restaurants,
Retail, Travel/Tourism,
Transportation, Wholesale

Quaternary Economic Sector includes knowledge-based and production of information:
Consulting Services
(interior design, architecture), 
Information Technology, 
Financial Planning, Media (journalism), Research & Development, Science

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY THE NOMINEES 

Australia • Philippines • United Arab Emirates • United States

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 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.

Jacqueline Aquiler Ciron, MD, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Healthway FEU-NRMF Medical Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila PHILIPPINES [Economic Sector: Healthcare]. Nominated by RHODORA PALOMAR-FRESNEDI

Judy Patacsil, PsyD, Board Trustee, Faculty Equity Coordinator/Professor, Palomar College, San Marcos, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Education]. Nominated by Joyce Javier

June Magallanes, MD, Executive Director and Business Owner, 777 Yosemite, LLC, Alviso, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Finance, Consulting Services]. Nominated by Marily Mondejar

Kristel Acacio, Ph.D., CFO, Founder and Leadership Coach, Alameda County Health and Reverie Leadership Coaching, LLC, San Leandro, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Government, Public Service, the Military, Consulting Services]. Nominated by Sheilani Alix

Lourdes Moldre, Nurse Executive Patient Care Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, UCSF Health, UCSF, San Francisco, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Healthcare]. Nominated by Laarni San Juan

Lourds Adalia-Evertse, Business Owner, Spice Grill Restaurant, Sharjah, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES [Economic Sector: Restaurants, Food & Beverage]. Nominated by Cristina Calaguian

Meredith Curry, MBA, Owner & Principal Consultant, AdvancED Consulting, LLC, San Jose, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Non-profit/non-governmental, community development, social services, social entrepreneurship, Consulting Services]. Nominated by Amar Bornkamp

Shelene Atanacio, Global Real Estate Advisor, Engel and Volkers Brokerage/DBA The Shelene Group Real Estate Team, Westlake Village, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Real estate, construction, planning, Education, Science & Technology]. Nominated by Marily Mondejar

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, Cleveland, Ohio UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Architecture]. Nominated by Gina Marie Atienza

Jennifer Capones Tongco, Founder and CEO, Netrust Philippines Corporation, Makati City, Metro Manila PHILIPPINES [Economic Sector: Science & Technology]. Nominated by Donna Kuenzler

Stephanie Reese, Business Owner, Stephanie Reese Music LLC, Bainbridge Island, Washington UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Entertainment]. Nominated by Al Perez

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, CPO, Cupertino Electric, Inc., A Quanta Service Company (PWR/NYSE), San Jose, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Construction, Consulting Services]. Nominated by Gizelle Robinson

Gwendolyn Baquiran, Asst. Superintendent Student Services, San Benito County Office of Education, Hollister, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Education]. Nominated by Leonora Galleros

Jelynn Malone, Chief Branding & Marketing Officer + Co-Founder, Mostra Coffee, Inc., San Diego, California. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, consumer goods, wholesale]. Nominated by Rohanee Zapanta

Lynne Lourdes N. Lucena, M.D., Neurosurgeon (Brain And Spine), Misc Hospitals, Legazpi, Albay. PHILIPPINES [Economic Sector: Healthcare]. Nominated by Rhodora Isabedra Palomar-Fresnedi

Mila Sprouse, EdD, Chief Nursing Officer, Providence Regional Medical Center/Providence North Puget Sound, Everett, Washington. UNITED STATES [Economic Sector: Healthcare, Science & Technology ] Nominated by Sofia Aragon

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, Western Australia. AUSTRALIA [Economic Sector: Professional services, Consulting Services]. Nominated by Mary Massina

Hon. Vilma Caluag, City Mayor, Government of San Fernando City, Pampanga. PHILIPPINES [Economic Sector: Government, Public Service, the Military]. Nominated by Elenda Tesoro

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 to ensure that the FFWN’s North Star Vision is kept alive: A Filipina Woman Leader in every sector of the global economy. Long-term FWN volunteers and board directors qualify for this award category.

Benel Se Liban, Managing Partner, JBC Group Los Angeles, California. USA, US FWN100™ 2011; Global FWN100™ 2022

Cora Tellez, Board Chair and Founder, Sterling Health Services Administration, Oakland, California. USA, US FWN100™ 2009

Gina Atienza, Chairman of the Board, SunStar Media Group, Cebu. PHILIPPINES, Global FWN100™ 2016; Global FWN100™ 2022

Juslyn Manalo, Mayor and Councilmember, City of Daly City, California. USA, Global FWN100™ 2015; Continuing Influential Global FWN100™2018; Global FWN100™ 2022

Lorna Kapunan, Esq. Partner, Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. PHILIPPINES, Global FWN100™ 2016; Global FWN100™ 2022

Marily Mondejar, Founder & CEO, Filipina Women’s Network, San Francisco, California. UNITED STATES

Maria Beebe, Ph.D., President, Kaisipan, Naples, Florida. UNITED STATES, Global FWN100™ 2013; Continuing Influential Global FWN100™2019, Hall of Fame Forever Global FWN100™ Influential 2025

Natalie Garcia Lashinsky, Partner, Husch Blackwell, San Francisco, California. USA Global FWN100™ 2021

Susie Quesada, President, Ramar Foods International, Pittsburg, California. UNITED STATES, US FWN100 ’07, Global FWN100™ ’13