TWO FILIPINAS have been named to Forbes Asia’s 2025 Power Businesswomen list, which recognizes 20 female leaders reshaping the region’s corporate landscape.
Ayala Corp. Managing Director Mariana Beatriz E. Zobel de Ayala, an eighth-generation member of one among the Philippines’ oldest business families, was cited for her leadership within the leasing and hospitality units of Ayala Land, Inc. She also serves as president of Ayala Malls, one among the country’s largest retail chains.
Forbes Asia noted that Ms. Zobel de Ayala is leading the corporate’s pipeline to redevelop and construct recent malls, a move expected to extend its gross leasable area to 2.9 million square meters by 2028.
She was also cited for steering Ayala Land’s $500-million (P29.3 billion) investment to double its hotel room inventory to 7,500 by 2030.
Joining her on the list is Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Robinsons Land Corp. She is the primary woman and nonfamily executive to move the Gokongwei-led property arm of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.
Ms. Aragon-GoBio is steering Robinsons’ P125-billion expansion over the subsequent five years, including a push to “premiumize” its brands.
“The ladies on this yr’s Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen list will not be just adapting to alter but actively shaping the long run of the region’s business landscape,” Forbes Asia Editorial Director Rana Wehbe Watson said in a press release.
“Some are forging paths in hot sectors like data centers, semiconductors and rare earths, while others are guiding their family businesses to recent heights,” she added.
Forbes Asia said greater than half of the ladies named have a track record in banking, consumer goods and transportation. Three are first-generation entrepreneurs, it added.
Other female leaders included within the list are HSBC Hong Kong CEO Maggie Ng and Shangri-La Asia CEO Kuok Hui Kwong of Hong Kong and Sunway Executive Deputy Chairperson Sarena Cheah of Malaysia.
Forbes Asia also named South Korea’s Shinsegae, Inc. Chairperson Chung Yoo-Kyung, CIMB Group Country Head and Bank CIMB Niaga President Director and CEO Lani Darmawan from Indonesia and Lynas Rare Earths Managing Director and CEO Amanda Lacaze from Australia.
It also cited three leaders from India — Hindustan Unilever CEO Priya Nair, OfBusiness co-founder Ruchi Kalra and Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice-Chairperson Manasi Kirloskar Tata.
From Singapore, leaders cited were DayOne Data Centers CEO Jamie Khoo and Temasek Singapore incoming President Png Chin Yee.
Also on the list are Kasikornbank CEO Kattiya Indaravijaya of Thailand, Trip.com Group CEO Jane Wiwynn, Chairperson and Chief Strategy Officer Emily Hong and Marketech International Chairperson and CEO Margaret Kao of Taiwan. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz