The world celebrates International Women’s Day annually and this year’s theme collectively calls on businesses and society to #InspireInclusion. As a leader and top employer in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry, Accenture in the Philippines joined the celebration with a Leaders’ Summit that celebrated and empowered women to be without limits and embrace the freedom to ideate, innovate and dream big.
Held across its facilities in Manila, Cebu and Ilocos, Ambe Tierro, Accenture Country Managing Director and Technology Lead in the Philippines, highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive and barrier-free workplace that allows everyone to thrive in their careers.
An esteemed line-up of guests joined the Ms. Tierro and other women leaders in the Philippines in this year’s IWD celebration: Julia Abad, Executive Director of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment; Kat Abelarde, CEO of PLDT Global Corporation; Cosette Canilao, President and CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; Cessie Colayco, General Manager, Rustan Marketing Corporation; Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, Founding Chairperson and President of PhilWEN and Governing Council Chairperson at PBCWE; Agnes Gervacio, CEO of Connected Women; Vanee Gosiengfiao, General Manager, Consumer Healthcare at Sanofi Philippines; Blanca Mercado, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Manila Times; and Karen Roa, President of First Metro Asset Management Inc. and Filipina CEO Circle.
In Manila, the Leaders’ Summit included speed mentoring sessions on inclusive leadership and powering up one’s network with Accenture leaders like Jenny Hans, Inclusion and Diversity Executive Sponsor, and Christine Caburian, Inclusion and Diversity Lead for Accenture Operations. Aside from their own mentoring sessions, Accenture employees in Ilocos connected with their counterparts in Cebu and listened in to the inspiring stories of Court of Appeals Retired Executive Justice Gabriel T. Ingles, Philosophy Professor Dr. Maria Majorie Purino, University of Cebu School of Law Dean Atty. Ria Lidia Espina, and Mandaue City Treasurer and IBP National Director for Gender and Development, Atty. Regal M. Oliva.
As a woman leader herself, Tierro underscored Accenture’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive. In the Philippines, more than half of its workforce in the Philippines are women who hold positions across all levels in the company.
Ambe Tierro, Country Managing Director and Technology Lead, Accenture Philippines
“We at Accenture believe that inclusion and diversity is a driver of innovation. It is made possible not only through training and upskilling programs but also in companies’ commitment to provide people with an inclusive and barrier-free environment led by leaders who mentor, support and inspire women to take on opportunities for both their professional and personal growth. It is our commitment as a company and a community of allies to help ensure that the future is full of equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender.”
