FWN Magazine 2011 - 100 Most Influential Filipina American Women in The U.S.

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Southwest Airlines proudly partners with those who are helping to shape our communities all across America. One
good deedwhen coupled with another and another and anothercan truly make a positive difference in our daily lives.
WHEN WE SERVE TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITIES, EVERYONE SOARS.
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Southwest Airlines is Proud to Support
Filipina Womens Network
M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
T
here are two events
in my lifetime that I
am grateful for that
I was born, and that
I gave birth to two admirable
daughters, Johanna and
Martha.
I recently became grateful
for one more profound
lifetime experience that of
discovering the extraordinary
lives and accomplishments
of fellow Filipinas in America.
These unpublished bestsellers
are found in the more than
three hundred nomination
entries since 2007 when the
Filipina Womens Network
called upon the identication
of the 100 Most Inuential
Filipinas. These authentic
documents endorsing
authentic Filipinas are proof
that phoenix, professions
and peak performance
possibilities intersect.
It is a gift and a privilege to
review their nominations
and eventually meet these
fabulous Filipinas in person.
Many became my new role
model and whose friendship
I have cultivated. Their place
in this present space in time
is illuminated so that Filipinas
who are still emerging in
the workplace or in their
respective community can
aspire and aim even higher
for what it is that they are
meant to be. FWN believes
that it will be a remarkable
legacy for accomplished and
inuential Filipinas, with their
leadership skills and tending
instincts, to mentor another
Filipina. Beyond this future
planning strategy is the
awakening of an untapped
force that will lead to the
rise of Pinay Power in any
milieu, indelibly marking the
Filipinas place in herstory.
I
wish to extend my
warmest congratulations
to the Filipina Womens
Network for convening
the 8th Filipina Leadership
Summit and awarding the
100 Most Inuential Filipina
American Women in the
United States for 2011 in
San Francisco on 13-14
October 2011.
We laud the dedication and
commitment of the Filipina
Womens Network in increasing
awareness of women on the
various issues facing them and
in empowering them given
their vital role in todays society.
We commend the eort of
FWN to recognize dynamic and
inuential Filipina American
leaders who serve as role
models for future women
leaders. We are condent that
this years Summit and Awards
Ceremony would gather both
fementors and fementees in
2012, with a view towards
achieving the vision of
doubling the number of Filipino
women leaders by 2012.
The positive impact of the
leadership role of FWN, its
Summits and other endeavors
on the Filipino and Filipino
American community certainly
enriches and provides an
exemplary model to other
communities in a multi-ethnic
society.
Together with the members
of the Philippine Consulate
General, I wish the Filipina
Womens Network a fruitful
Summit and success in their
Pinay 2012 campaign.
Mabuhay!
WELCOME FROM THE FWN CHAI R
MABUHAY FROM THE PHI LI PPI NE CONSUL GENERAL
T
he nationwide search for
the 100 Most Inuential
Filipina American
Women in the United
States has always been about
developing our next generation
of leaders. In order for the
Filipina American community to
get that coveted seat at the
tablewe need to build our
pipeline of qualied leaders who
are willing to put in the time and
resources to learn the ropes of
what it takes to succeed in
America.
Pinay Power 2012 is the
roadmap. We have found the
women who can lead. We
challenge them to duplicate
themselves by femtoring
another Filipina woman so we
can have a robust group of
leaders nationwide.
Since we launched Pinay
Power 2012 in 2006 with the
simple goal of doubling the
number of Filipina American
leaders by 2012, we have
witnessed many triumphs in our
community. I think the most
meaningful is the awareness that
we have the capacity for
leadership and we can
contribute to the future of
America. But much work is still
to be done. And we need action
now.
Warmest congratulations to
FWNs 2011 class of the 100 Most
Inuential Filipina American
Women in the United States. It is
always a joy to discover the
many hidden talents and
accomplishments of a new
group of awardees. It warms my
heart to know about the work
they do in their organizations
and communities. I so look
forward to the gathering and to
the many voices of inspiration.
Mabuhay and mga Filipina.
MARILY MONDEJAR
President, Filipina Womens
Network
ELENA BUENSALIDO
MANGAHAS
Chair, FWN Board
MARCIANO A.
PAYNOR, JR.
Consul General
SPONSORS
HERMANA MAYOR
AsianWeek Foundation
NINANG
AT&T
Ramar Foods International
KUMADRE
Evelyn Dilsaver
Southwest Airlines
Wells Fargo Bank
KABABAYAN
Chevron Corporation
KASAMA SPONSORS
Dellie and Achelle Punla
Delarch Corporation
Sponsorship in Honor of
Dr. Estela C. Matriano
Alliant International University
Esther Chavez
Inquirer.Net
Jaime Ortiz
Dr. Josefina Enriquez
Rotacare
Lillian Gonzales-Pardo MD
Maria Beebe, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Global Networks
Maria Benel Se-Liban
Vasquez & Company LLP
In Honor of
Esther M. Chavez & Christina Laskowski
Margarita Chavez & Katrina Montinola
Mila Josue
American College of Nursing
In Honor of Judge Rosa Moran
Patty Pomper, Managing Partner
Law Office of Pomper & Dettenhaim
Soledad Manaay
Care-on-Call
KAIBIGAN (Individual Supporter)
Design Acquisition Corporation
EDITORIAL TEAM
MARILY MONDEJAR
Publ i s her
LEAH LAXAMANA
Edi t or
AL S. PEREZ
Art Director
FWN BOARD
AL PEREZ
BAMBI LORICA MD
ELENA MANGAHAS
JOSEPHINE ROMERO
MARILY MONDEJAR
MAYA ONG ESCUDERO
LT. COL. SHIRLEY RAGUINDIN
SUSIE QUESADA
F I L I P I N A W O M E N S N E T W O R K | w w w . F i l i p i n a W o m e n s N e t w o r k . o r g 4
W
e are a product of our
environment and our
history. We choose the
parts that will best develop
us toward our goal, help us be more
than what we think we could be.
I choose to live life in service of
the people, making a career option
that is also a lifestyle choice. Moving
from a vibrant private sector life to
a challenging Philippine foreign
trade service has been the most
out-of-the-comfort-zone decision I
have ever made. It has also been the
most fullling.
Heres hoping you nd your own
area of discomfort to lead you to a
lifetime of success and happiness.
Josephine Romero
Trade Commissioner, Philippine
Trade and Investment Center,
Consulate General of the
Philippines in San Francisco, USA
'
ne highlight in my life
journey was seeing
our authentic line of
Filipino Frozen foods at
Costco. Watching my fellow Filipino
community recognize our brands
and being proud that Filipino cuisine
was at Costco made all the hard work
worth it. Not to mention all Costco
members were trying our food and
immediately putting it in their carts,
even if they had never had it before.
Sometimes we get caught up in the
details (and they are important), but
if we keep our minds on the big
picture, our mission and dreams will
come through.
Susie Quesada (FWN100 07)
Executive Vice President,
I
ts all about having the
courage to do what your
intuition tells you about
you! You know better than
anyone else what makes you tick,
what job or business is right for
you if only you have the courage
(and maturity) to sit back and listen
and shut o the outside noise. But
then again, Filipinas are inherently
courageous so Im not being very
original here. Perhaps only in the
sit back and listen to yourself part.
Highlight of my journey in this life? A
great marriage, a fantastic husband
and son, a few but amazing friends
for life, and hopefully Ill live to enjoy
one or two grandkids.
Lilia V. Villanueva
(FWN100 07)
M
y thirty-seven year
journey as an educator
was dedicated to
youth, inspiring them
to reach their highest potential in
life; to community, encouraging
them to get involved, support, and
invest in neighborhood schools;
and to those I have mentored,
empowering them to help make
a better world. I am humbled to
have broken the glass ceiling with
my appointment as principal in
the East Side Union High School
District, San Jose, California the
only Filipina high school principal
in twenty years. As principal, I have
always believed that arrogance has
no place in education. My journey
continues as a college adjunct
professor, training and supervising
future teachers and administrators.
Thelma Boac
Principal, Silver Creek High School
FILIPINA AMERICAN WOMEN
IN THE UNITED STATES
Most Inuential
Congratulations

SPTB!N/!NPSBO!
on b~:ng s~i~.:~d on~ oi :h~
:oo mos: In0u~n::ai
I:i:p:na wom~n :n :h~ U.8.
i:om ou: io:m~: pa::n~:s a: :h~
MBX!PGGJDF!PG!QPNQFS!'!EFUUFOIBJN
8~::ng :h~ I:i:p:no .ommun::
s:n.~ :jjj.
W
ith great inuence, comes
great responsibility... no
matter where you are
in your career and/or
life you can make a dierence. I
am truly inspired by the inuential
women of Filipina Womens
Network who courageously display
how leadership is often times a
choice and not a position.
The biggest highlight in my
career is having a family to learn
and grow with through the years. It
is also a privilege and honor that we
continue to mentor others to excel,
both in the civilian and military
workforce to Do what you can, in
the time that you have, in the place
that you are.
Shirley S. Raguindin
FWN 100 Selection Committee
Co-chair
State Diversity Coordinator
Arizona National Guard
/
ctober is always
special for me. A
trifecta of celebrations
happens during this
month National Breast Cancer
Awareness, Filipino American
Heritage, and my favorite the
Filipina Womens Network annual
summit. As a breast cancer survivor,
I am always reminded that a new
day is never promised anyone. So
when I look at this years group of
outstanding Filipina women, I am
overjoyed that they have made
each day matter. These women
are not overnight successes. Their
accomplishments came from
working hard each day, from doing
what they love, and from making
each minute matter. They are truly
trailblazers, mentors, and role
models. With pride and joy, join me
in welcoming them to this years
event.
Gender equality and women
empowerment are at the core of
our celebrations. So lets continue
to work in our communities to
ensure there are no barriers to
education and no limits to our
participation in business and
government.
When women achieve, society
wins. Congratulations again to this
group of notable women and all
those who came before us.
Gloria T. Caoile
FWN 100 Selection Committee
Co-chair
Senior Political Director,
APALA, AFL-CIO
WHAT WOULD YOU LI KE YOUNG FI LI PI NA WOMEN TO KNOW
ABOUT YOU, YOUR PROFESSI ONAL AND CAREER LI VES AND
ONE HI GHLI GHT I N YOUR LI FE JOURNEY WHEN THEY OPEN
THE PINAY POWER 2012 TIME CAPSULE I N 2016?
Sustaining Pinay Power 2012 is
FWNs biggest challenge. As the
excitement dies down and reality
sets in, many will drop out and
others will pick up the torch.
And the Keepers of the Flame
are the caretakers, ensuring the
vision is kept alive.
F W N 1 0 0 S E L E C T I O N C O M M I T T E E
K E E P E R S O F T H E F L A M E F O R P I N A Y P O W E R 2 0 1 2
GLORIA T. CAOILE SHIRLEY S. RAGUINDIN JOSEPHINE ROMERO
LILIA V. VILLANUEVA
BAMBI LORICA, M.D.
THELMA BOAC
JUDY ARTECHE-CARR
SUSIE QUESADA
MUTYA SHAW, M.D.
F I L I P I N A L E A D E R S H I P S U M M I T I S S U E 5
Vasquez & Company LLP
Congratulates our own
Nonprofit Practice Leader,
Maria Benel Corazon G. Se-Liban
as one of this years
100 Most Influential Filipina Women
in the United States.
I N
Q U
E X
Tel: (213) 873-1700
Fax: (213) 873-1777
www.vasquezcpa.com
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HOW TO REACH THE FI LI PI NA WOMEN S NETWORK |. 0. |e\ z+1, :+a |r+ac|.ce, t| + ||eae. + / 1. +|\N |+\. + / 1. I+
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MISSION STATEMENT
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GOALS
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FILIPINA WOMEN
AGAINST VIOLENCE
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VDIARIES: ANTIVIOLENCE
RESOURCE GUIDE
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FILIPINA WOMEN WHO
COULD BE PRESIDENT
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POWER LUNCH: REMARKABLE
FILIPINA WOMEN
Make ME a Filipina Millionaire Forum
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FILIPINA WOMEN S
NETWORK MAGAZINE
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PINAY SPEED FEMTORING
|e.e|ej|a t|e ae\t eaer+t|ea el |e+aer..
www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org
facebook.com/FilipinaWomensNetwork
Twitter@lipinawomen
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Alliant is a not-for-profit institution of higher education accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the American Psychological Association and other specialized accreditors.
www.alliant.edudu
Fresno Irvine Los Angeles Sacramento San Diego San Francisco Mexico City Hong Kong Tokyo
*Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine July 7, 2011
Alliant International University,
top producer of graduate degrees for Asian Americans*,
is proud to congratulate one of its own,
Dr. Estela Matriano,
being recognized as one of the 100 Most Inuential Filipino Women in the United States
for her countless contributions to the elds of multiculturalism and global education.
Valentin became the Director,
Regional Operations, in the Oce
of the Secretary of Defense (Health
Aairs) TRICARE Management
Activity. There, she led sta and
joint service teams in developing
plans and strategies to implement
statutory and policy guidance for
the delivery of healthcare services to
eligible beneciaries worldwide. Her
subsequent assignments included
Executive Ocer, Naval Hospital
Corpus Christi, Texas; Commanding
Ocer, Naval Hospital/Health Clinic
Cherry Point, North Carolina; and
Chief of Sta, Navy Medicine National
Capital Area.
Rear Admiral Valentin has achieved
Fellow status in the American College
of Healthcare Executives and the
Academy of Healthcare Management.
Her personal decorations include
the Defense Superior Service
Medal; Legion of Merit (2); Defense
Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious
Service Medal (3); Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal (3);
and Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal.
R
ear Admiral Eleanor
Valentin assumed
command as the third
Commander of the
Navy Medicine Support
Command on 18 September 2009 and
assumed duties as the rst female and
16th Director of the Medical Service
Corps on 1 October 2009.
Rear Admiral Valentin is a native of
Seattle, Washington. After receiving
her Bachelor of Science degrees
in Zoology and Psychology at the
University of Washington, she
completed a Masters degree in Public
Health (Health Policy and Planning),
and a Master of Science degree in
Public Health (Biostatistics) at the
University of Hawaii.
In 1982 she was commissioned as
a Lieutenant Junior Grade, Medical
Service Corps, United States Navy,
and for the next decade she served
in a variety of department head and
administrative ocer positions at
Naval Hospital San Diego, California;
Admiral J. T. Boone Branch Medical
Clinic in Norfolk, Virginia; Naval
Medical Clinic Norfolk, Virginia; U. S.
Naval Hospital Guam; Armed Forces
Institute of Pathology in Washington,
D.C.; and U. S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka,
Japan.
Rear Admiral Valentin served as
Director for Administration at Naval
Medical Clinic in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
from 1994 1997. Following that duty,
Rear Admiral Valentin reported to the
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and
became the Branch Head for TRICARE
Marketing and Communications.
In October 2000, Rear Admiral
Eleanor
VALENTIN
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9
J
ustice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye
was sworn into oce as Chief
Justice of California on January 3,
2011. She is the rst Asian-Filipina
American and the second woman
to serve as the states Chief Justice. After
former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
nominated her as Chief Justice on July
22, 2010, the California State Bar Judicial
Nominees Evaluation Commission rated
her as exceptionally well qualied for
the position. At a public hearing on
August 25, 2010, she was unanimously
conrmed by the Commission on Judicial
Appointments, and in a general election
on November 2, 2010, an overwhelming
majority of voters elected her to that
position. Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye
chairs the Judicial Council of California,
the administrative policymaking body
of state courts, and the Commission on
Judicial Appointments.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye has served
for more than 20 years on California
appellate and trial courts. In 1990,
Governor George Deukmejian appointed
her to the Sacramento Municipal Court
and in 1997, Governor Pete Wilson
elevated her to the Superior Court of
Sacramento County. On the superior
court, she presided over both criminal
and civil assignments. In 1997, she
established and presided over the rst
court in Sacramento dedicated solely to
domestic violence issues. In addition,
then-Judge Cantil-Sakauye chaired the
courts criminal law committee and was
a member of the presiding judges task
force on domestic violence and the Home
Court committee. In 2005, Governor
Schwarzenegger nominated her to the
Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.
Chief Justice Ronald M. George
appointed Justice Cantil-Sakauye to
the Judicial Council of California in
September 2008. She has served as
vice-chair of the Executive and Planning
Committee, vice-chair of the Rules and
Projects Committee, chair of the Advisory
Committee on Financial Accountability
and Eciency for the Judicial Branch, and
cochair of the Judicial Recruitment and
Retention Working Group.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye was also
a member of the California Commission
for Impartial Courts. She previously
served as a member of the Judicial
Councils Domestic Violence Practice
and Procedure Task Force and chaired
its Best Practices Domestic Violence
subcommittee. She is president of the
Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn
of Court, an organization dedicated
to promoting civility, ethics, and
professionalism in the practice of law.
Since 2007, she has been a Special
Master, selected by the Supreme Court to
hear disciplinary proceedings before the
Commission on Judicial Performance.
Born in 1959 in Sacramento, Chief
Justice Cantil-Sakauye attended C.
K. McClatchy High School (1977) and
Sacramento City College (1978) before
receiving her BA from the University of
California, Davis, graduating with honors
in 1980. After taking a year o to visit
her ancestral homeland, the Philippines,
the Chief Justice entered the UC Davis,
Martin Luther King, Jr., School of Law
in 1981. After receiving her JD in 1984,
she worked as a deputy district attorney
for the Sacramento County District
Attorneys Oce, where she prosecuted a
variety of criminal oenses. In 1988, she
served on the senior sta of Governor
George Deukmejian in two capacities:
as deputy legal aairs secretary and as a
deputy legislative secretary.
F I L I P I N A L E A D E R S H I P S U M M I T I S S U E
C JUSTC O CAO!NA
HON. TANI GORRE CANTIL-SAKAUYE
INFLUENCING THE WORLD: THE FUTURE WE MAKE
A clear and simple vision. A roadmap. Unlocking the vital source of power within us.
Creating a future that is achievable for Filipina American Women in the United States. Overcoming barriers.
Transforming Filipina Voices in the midst of the largest shift in economic history.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye is
a former board member of several
nonprot organizations and has
been active in numerous professional
community organizations, including
membership in the California Judges
Association, the National Asian Pacic
American Bar Association, and the
Sacramento Asian Bar Association. She
has received many awards, including
honors from the Sacramento Domestic
Violence Coordinating Council, the 2005
Presidents Award from the Sacramento
Asian Bar Association, the 2003
Trailblazers Award from the National
Asian Pacic American Bar Association,
the Filipina of the Year Award, and other
awards from youth groups.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye and her
husband, retired Police Lieutenant Mark
Sakauye, and their two daughters, are
active in the Sacramento community.
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F I L I P I N A W O M E N S N E T W O R K | w w w . F i l i p i n a W o m e n s N e t w o r k . o r g
Women of Achievement award, 2007
and California State University East Bay
Alumnae of the year, 2008.
A sought after speaker on leadership
and strategy, Evelyn has been a guest
10
&
velyn Dilsaver is a
recognized leader in
building highly motivated
teams in both the public
and non-prot sector. As
President and CEO of Charles Schwab
Investment Management, she was
responsible for all facets of the business
from portfolio management to product
development, sales, operations and
technology, growing the assets from
$137 Billion to over $200 Billion in 4
short years while generating $1 Billion
in revenue. At the same time, she
was Chair of the Board for Womens
Initiative, a non-prot organization
that helps lower income women
become economically independent, by
providing a one-stop organization for
training, micro-nance and savings to
help them start their own businesses.
She took this organization through a
founder transition, restructuring the
board and its nances after the dot-
com bust, to a healthy and growing
organization serving over 3000 women
annually.
Evelyn has been recognized in
the community for her leadership,
receiving the 2003 Filipinas Magazine
Corporate Award, the San Francisco
Business Times 100 Most Inuential
Womanaward 2006 2010 and
Forever Inuential Award in 2011, the
California Womens Leadership Alliance
Award, 2006, Legal Momentums
Evelyn
DILSAVER
lecturer at Stanfords
Senior Executive Program
for 10 years and has
appeared on CNBC
and Bloomberg TV.
Evelyn is also a frequent
speaker at leadership
conferences such as the
professional Business
Womens Conference, The
Governors Conference
for Women, California
Diversity Council and
the Financial Womens
Network.
Evelyn currently serves
on two public company
boards: Aeropostale, a
specialty teen retailer
and Tempur-pedic Intl
and also serves on the
boards of Blue Shield
of California, High Mark
Funds and Russell ETFs.
She also serves as Chair of the Board
for Bishop ODowd High School and
on the boards of Womens Initiative,
The Commonwealth Club and Cal State
East Bay.
GXO!211
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FOR ESTHER CHAVEZ AND CHRISTINA LASKOWSKI,
Women of Substance, of Strength, of Soul
CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU
FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF
THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA WOMEN IN THE U.S.

WITH LOVE FROM KATRINA AND MARGARITA
% 1 0 ) 4 # 6 7 . # 6 + 1 0 5 & ' . . + ' 2 7 0 . #
11 F I L I P I N A L E A D E R S H I P S U M M I T I S S U E
WHY PARTI CI PATE:
Whether youre an
entrepreneur, student,
career changer, homemaker,
new or re-entering the
workplace, up-and-coming
supervisor, seasoned
manager, or top executive,
the Filipina Summit has a
place for you. FWN provides
tools to improve life skills,
career competencies, and
capacities for leadership
eectiveness thinking
strategically, acting
decisively, and inuencing
others. Focusing on real
life, business, and career
advancement experiences
from practitioners, corporate
managers, and community
leaders along with
peer-to-peer networking are
the distinguishing features
of FWN meetings.
About the Filipina
Leadership Summit
Filipina Womens Networks annual
Filipina Leadership Summit is the
leading national forum of its kind.
Filipina professionals-decision makers
in leading industries gather to
learn the latest developments for
multicultural professionals in the U.S.
workplace and make the connections
that will advance their businesses and
professional careers.
THURSDAY SATURDAY
OCTOBER 13 15, 2011
Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel
San Francisco
Inuencing the World:
the Future We Make
On behalf of all of us at the Filipina
Womens Network, we are delighted
that you will be participating in our
8th Filipina Leadership Summit in San
Francisco!
Designed around the theme,
Inuencing the World: the Future
We Make, we have an exciting
Leadership Summit that focuses on
building the architecture of Pinay
Power by recognizing the 100 Most
Inuential Filipina Women in the
U.S., and establishing margin-to-
center approaches that are marked
by collective power, compassion,
collaboration, and creativity.
Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel
905 California Street (in the Nob Hill district), San Francisco, CA 94108
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Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel (except as noted)
905 California Street (Nob Hill), San Francisco
8:30 AM 4:00 PM
Pick up FWN Filipina Leadership Summit Credentials
@ Stanford Foyer (lower level)
Attire: Professional Business; please wear your name badge
Contribution: Included in full summit registration or
Thursday-Only day registration
9:30 AM 4:30 PM (CLOSED 11:30 AM 2:00 PM)
CONCURRENT SESSIONS # A
Time Capsule Project (FWN100 Awardees ONLY)
Individual Photo Sessions #1
@ Nob Hill Room (ground level)
Individual Video Sessions #2 and #3
@ Russion Hill Room & Rincon Hill Room (ground level)
9:30 AM 11:00 AM
PANEL DISCUSSION: MAKE ME A FILIPINA CEO
@ Stanford West (lower level)
How do Filipina American Women reach the top jobs?
Examining the obstacles in greater depth, taking charge,
managing upward, nding a sponsor vs a mentor, networking
the corporate hierarchy these are the many pieces of the
puzzle we need to be mindful from reaching our full potential.
Developing strategies to navigate the corporate mineeld.
Moderator: Laura Izon Powell, Esq. (FWN100 07); Kronick,
Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard
Speakers: Judge Rosa Moran (FWN100 11), Minerva Malabrigo
Tantoco (FWN100 11), Katherine Eldemar, Esq. (FWN100 11),
Leah Beth Naholowaa (FWN100 11) and Agnes Briones Ubalde
(FWN100 11)
11:00 AM 11:30 AM
PRESENTATION: GENDER EQUALITY PRINCIPLES
INITIATIVE
Presented by: Dr. Emily Murase, Executive Director,
San Francisco Department on the Status of Women
12:00 NN 2:00 PM
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
California & Supreme Court Chief Justice
Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye
@ Stanford Ballroom (lower level)
11:30 AM Meet & Greet with VIP Guests and Sponsors
(by invitation only)
12:00 NN Lunch Service, Program & Keynote
2:00 PM 4:30 PM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS # B
(1) Kwentuhan: Pinay Circles
Roundtable discussions on FWNs Response and
Recommendations to the White House Council on Women
and Girls Report.
Facilitators: Dr. Maria Beebe (FWN100 11), Elena Mangahas
(FWN100 07), Sol Manaay (FWN100 11), Maya Ong Escudero
(FWN100 09) and Susie Quesada (FWN100 07).
12 F I L I P I N A W O M E N S N E T W O R K | w w w . F i l i p i n a W o m e n s N e t w o r k . o r g
DAY ONE :
THURSDAY, OCT 13
Run, Filipina, Run
Judge Cheryl Moss (FWN100 11)
Kansas Pioneers Its
Filipino Cultural Center
Lilian Pardo, M.D. (FWN100 11)
Being FilAm: Our Issues,
Our Lives: Spoken Words
From the Heart
Cynthia Rapaido (FWN100 11)
Being Strategic in
CrossRacial Alliances
and Partnerships
Gemma Bulos (FWN100 11)
Writing and Advocacy
for our Sisters, for our
Community, Our Nation
Melissa Roxas (FWN100 11)
Expanding Our Pipeline
of Trailblazers
Dr. Maria Beebe (FWN100 11)
Eliminating Hurdles to
Success: Believing in Your-
self and Your Capabilities
Marjan Philhour (FWN100 11)
Pop Culture: How to
Reframe the Filipina
Images in America
Perla Daly (FWN100 11)
Mentoring Program /
Experience with ISSFA
Maria Se-Liban (FWN100 11)
The Way to BE: Be True,
Be Prayerful, Be Smart,
Be Grateful, Be Humble
Emmie Ortega Anderson
My Life in the Spirits
Julie Hudson (FWN100 11)
Empowering Myself
Cherina Tinio (FWN100 11)
Hon. Ed Lee, Mayor, City of San Francisco
Hon. Anita Lee, First Lady of San Francisco
Hon. Myrna de Vera, Mayor, City of Hercules
Hon. Ruth Uy Asmundson, former Mayor, City of Davis
Hon. Joanne del Rosario, former Mayor, Town of Colma
and Hon. Hydra Mendoza, President, SF School Board
request the pleasure of your company
.. O~.. ...... ... ..
And to formally kick-o
the 8th Filipina Leadership Summit
Rear Admiral Eleanor Valentin
Welcome Keynote
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South Light Court at City Hall
One Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
RSVP at
FilipinaWomensNetwork.org/events
$58 FWN member, $68 Nonmember
415. 935. 4FWN
. Sponsored by Ramar Foods International ,
Most Inuential
FILIPINA WOMEN IN THE U.S.
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(2) Kwentuhan: Pinay Talks (a la Ted Talks)
SCHEDULES, SPEAKERS AND PROGRAMS
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. UPDATED CONFERENCE
SCHEDULES WILL BE AVAILABLE
DURING THE SUMMIT AT THE REGISTRATION DESK.
F I L I P I N A L E A D E R S H I P S U M M I T I S S U E
8:00 AM 12:30 PM
GET READY... GET SET... FEMTOR ! ! !
FWN100 Speed Femtor 100 Young
Pinay Protgs
Co-Chairs: Hydra Mendoza (FWN100 09),
San Francisco School Board
President and Education Advisor to the
Mayor; Edcelyn Pujol, Financial
Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
@ Carnelian by the Bay Restaurant
One Ferry Plaza (at the foot of Market St.
& Embarcadero, located behind
the Ferry Building), San Francisco
8:00 AM
CHECKIN AND BREAKFAST
Sumptous Filipino food by
Susie Quesada (FWN100 07)
Executive Vice President,
8:30 AM
FILM SCREENING
Miss Representation How Women
are Portrayed by the Media
Written, directed and produced by
Jennifer Seibel Newsom, former
First Lady of San Francisco
10:15 AM
DEBRIEF: REACTION TO THE FILM
Moderator: Diana Reyes (FWN100 11),
Manager, California Corporate
Aairs, Chevron Corporation
10:45 AM
SPEED FEMTORING
12:30 PM 1:30 PM
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
1:30 PM 4:00 PM
Free time!
5:00 PM 7:00 PM
AWARDS CELEBRATION
GALA REGISTRATION
@ Stanford Court Hotel,
905 California St., San Francisco
See invite (shown at left) for details
8:30 AM 10:30 AM
MAKE ME A FILIPINA MILLIONAIRE
SPEAKER PANEL
@ California Blue (lower level)
This popular speaker panel features
Filipina entrepreneurs sharing their
journeys how they reached their rst
million dollars in business, as they work
their passion, achieve their dream and
share their prosperity with those who
need it.
1O:30 AM 12:00 NN
CLOSING KEYNOTE:
WHATS NEXT FOR FWN 100
AWARDEES OF 07, 09 11?
Planning the Pinay Power 2012
Reunion @ the 9th Filipina Leadership
Summit. MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Aug. 30 Sept. 1, 2012 @ the
Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco.
FEATURING:
Reunion Gala at the historic
Herbst Theatre, where the
U.N. Charter was signed
Time Capsule what items go into
the capsule, who wants to lead this
important and awesome project?
Whats next for the FWN 300 + 300
Protges? Pinay Power Steering
Committee starts now.
13
DAY T WO:
FRIDAY, OCT 14
DAY T HR E E :
SATURDAY, OCT 15
6:00 PM 7:30 PM
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA MAYORS
VIP WELCOME RECEPTION
@ San Francisco City Hall, South Light Court,
One Carlton G. Goodlett Place
LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE
Rear Admiral Eleanor Valentin (FWN100 11)
Attire: Professional Business; Filipiniana
optional; please wear your FWN name badge
Contribution: Included in full summit
registration or Thursday-only day registration;
meal tickets collected
Transportation shuttle provided if you are
registered to the full summit and staying at the
hoel. Meet at the hotel lobby. Shuttle leaves at
5:15 pm promptly. If you miss the shuttle, take
a taxi to City Hall.
At the 8th Filipina Leadership Summit | October 13 15, 2011
AWARDS CELEBRATION GALA
Evelyn Dilsaver
Former President and CEO, Charles Schwab Investment Management
FWN 100 Keynote
Friday, October 14, 2011
6:00 pm Cocktails | 7:00 pm Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Filipina Attire / Formal / Barong / Black Tie
Stanford Court Hotel, 905 California Street, Nob Hill, San Francisco
RSVP before October 3rd
FilipinaWomensNetwork.org/events
415. 935. 4FWN
Please join the Filipina Womens Network in Honoring
F O U N D E R S A N D P I O N E E R S s I N N O V A T O R S
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FWN 100 AWARDS GALA HOST COMMITTEE
Al Perez | Bambi Lorica MD | Edcelyn Pujol | Elena Mangahas | Franklin M. Ricarte | Genevieve Dwyer | Gloria T. Caoile
Hydra Mendoza | Josephine Romero | Judy Arteche-Carr | Leah Laxamana | Lilia Villanueva | Mariluz Ragaza |
Marily Mondejar | Maya Ong Escudero | Mutya San Agustin MD | Shirley Saoit Raguindin | Susie Quesada | Thelma Boac
Most Inuential
FILIPINA WOMEN IN THE U.S.
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A N k n a B c g r a F s c W
c c r c s c r s t n g i r A
C I D F r c | n c M
Ramar Foods International congratulates
the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women
in the United States for 2011
www.ramarfoods.com
Ramar Foods International congratulates
the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women
in the United States for 2011
www.ramarfoods.com
congratulates
the 100 Most Inuential
Filipina Women
in th United States
for 2011
100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA
WOMEN IN THE U.S. AWARDS
A Filipina Womens Networks Pinay
Power 2012 Campaign A Nationwide
Search for the Filipina Women Who Are
Inuencing and Contributing to the
Building of America.
The nationwide search for the 100 Most
Inuential Filipina American Women in
the U.S. is the ultimate showcase of the
Filipino American communitys most
inspiring individuals in the private and
public sectors, which exemplify innovation,
mentorship, professionalism, gender
empowerment and leadership.
Being honored as one of the 100 Most
Inuential Filipina American Women in the
U.S. in 2007 introduced me to a network of
women who recognize your achievements
and who want to help in any way they can
to ensure that you remain a success. This
award, and the recognition that comes
with it, has really given me the urge to
propel forward with more vigor than ever
before, says Lieutenant Colonel Shirley
Saoit Raguindin, an executive at the oce
of the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
The search is part of a larger game
plan called Pinay Power 2012 a dream
with a meaningful purpose to double
the number of Filipina women leaders in
the U.S. by 2012. Pinay Power is about
advancing Filipina women in the U.S.
workplace.
The 100 Most Inuential Filipina
American Women in the U.S. Awards
is a working recognition award, a key
initiative of Pinay Power 2012. FWN asks
each selected awardee to re-invent
herself by giving back to the future of
the FilAm community by womentoring
ONE protge thus helping in developing
tomorrows Filipina Leaders NOW.
All FWN 100 awardees are invited to
return to the Filipina Leadership Summit
in 2012 with their protges for a grand
reunion and celebration.
Protge a female protg (person)
who is guided and supported by a more
experienced or inuential person.
Femtorship refers to a developmental
relationship in which a more experienced
or more knowledgeable female
person helps a less experienced or less
knowledgeable female person --who
can be referred to as a protge. Peer
fe,mtoring is encouraged.
Pinay Synergy Synergy (from the Greek
syn-ergos, meaning working
together) is a term used to describe a
situation where Filipina women from
dierent backgrounds and experience
levels come together willingly to cooperate
advantageously for a nal outcome (Pinay
Power 2012). Simply dened, synergy
means that the whole is greater than the
sum of the individual parts.
NOMINATION CATEGORIES
Founders & Pioneers honor Filipina
women in their capacities as the chief
executive, president, executive director
or founder of a U.S. based company,
community organization, non-prot, or
business venture that they helped start,
build or signicantly grow.
Innovators and Thought Leaders
recognize Filipina women who have
broken new ground in the U.S. through
vibrant, energetic presentations of critical
ideas, transforming the way people think,
in the elds of arts and letters, performing
arts or through pop culture, or have
improved the lives of others by helping
develop a product or service in the elds
of science, technology, biotechnology or
medicine.
Policymakers & Visionaries recognize
Filipina women leaders who have made or
are making a dierence in U.S. government
policies or laws that impact business,
industry, and society and who enrich the
lives and careers of others by sharing the
benets of their wealth, experience, and
knowledge.
Behind the Scenes Leaders recognize
Filipina women who, though they may
not have the big title or corner oce, are
a driving force behind the success of their
U.S. employer or organization and who
have gone beyond the call to devote time,
energy, and resources to support their
community.
Builders & Emerging Leaders are
making their mark in a large workplace
environment, displaying high energy and
skill in a leadership role at a U.S. nonprot
institution, government agency, or
organization in any eld.
Nicole honors Filipina women whose
words, actions, and activism, inspire others
to act and revolutionize our societys
way of understanding traditional beliefs
and customs. This category is inspired by
Nicole who sparked an international
dialogue about womens rights, national
sovereignty, and international law as she
steadfastly pursued justice against her
rapists.
The recognition event is a tting
celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in
October.
PI NAY POWER 2012 Developing
tomorrows Filipina leaders today
The nationwide search for the 100 Most
Inuential Filipina American Women in
the U.S. is a campaign to advance Filipina
women in the U. S. workplace
1. identify the Filipina women who are
shaping our communitys inuence in
American society today and are impacting
our future and
2. double the number of Filipina leaders
by 2012.
This prestigious recognition is a
working award the Top 100 are invited
to womentor a protge. Both leaders are
invited to return to the Filipina Leadership
Summit in 2012.
SELECTION CRITERIA HONOREES
WERE DETERMINED BY:
Impact: The signicance of an activity,
program, or project the nominee may have
created, been part of, or have managed
and how it aected the quality of life
of individuals and her constituency or
community (in the U.S.).
Innovation: A strategy, project or
activity that the nominee may have
created, managed or improved that has
beneted the U.S. workplace or FilAm
community. Original and pioneering
strategies for problem solving are
especially encouraged.
Involvement: Demonstrated example
of how nominee has been involved
with other people (U.S. based groups,
businesses, government agencies,
community members, etc.) in her activities.
Mentorship: Nominees mentoring
experience as a mentor (U.S. based).
[A mentorship is a supportive relationship
established between two individuals
where knowledge, skills, and experience
are shared. The mentee is someone
seeking guidance in developing specic
competencies, self-awareness, and skills in
early intervention. The mentor is a person
who has expertise in the areas of need
identied by the mentee and is able to
share their wisdom in a nurturing way.]
Sustainability: Nominees eorts
to ensure long-term sustainability of a
project or activity that is U.S.-based (e.g.,
continue making positive impact, increase
involvement of constituents,
use of resources, etc.).
Professionalism: Demonstrated
example of nominees professionalism
(U.S. workplace example). [Professionalism
includes integrity, courtesy, honesty,
and willing compliance with the highest
ethical standards. Professionalism goes
beyond observing a professions ethical
rules: sensitively and fairly serves the best
interests of constituents, colleagues and
the public. Professionalism fosters respect
and trust.].
BEHI ND THE SCENES
LEADERS
BENNIE LOU
QUEVEDO
Assistant Vice
President, Trust
Admin Ocer,
Whittier Trust
Company
Residence: San Francisco, CA
Education: B.S., Business Administration, St. Paul
University
Community Involvement: Serving Others Aid Relief
(SOAR)
First job in the US: Stock Transfer Specialist at Crocker
Trust Co.
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Marily Mondejar for her
dedication and compassion to womens causes, values,
and achievements.
Proudest professional achievement: Being
an Investment & Portfolio Associate with Stein Roe &
Farnham/Atlantic Trust; continuing as Trust Ocer with
both Investment and Wealth Management for Whittier
Trust Co. of SF and serving as liaison with high net worth
clients and their philanthropic & charitable gifts.
Biggest workplace challenge as a Fil-Am
woman: Challenges in a dynamic environment, its
changes and procedures and working harmoniously with
a diverse sta.
Five-year goal: To start my own philanthropic and
non-prot organization to help women empower
themselves to be self-sucient and to educate and
provide resources to achieve their goals.
The one thing that nobody would guess about
me: I am an ovarian cancer survivor.
Filipino custom or tradition I would like to
pass on to others: The use of poor opo(Yes, sir/
maam) when talking to anyone older than you.
CHERINA
VILORIA TINIO
RN, CNS, MSN
Clinical
Coordinator,
Veterans Adminis-
tration Health Care
System, Menlo Park Division
Residence: Daly City, CA
Education: Clinical Nurse Specialist; B.S.N., Manila
Doctors College of Nursing; M.S., Nursing, San Francisco
State University
Community Involvement: Philippine Nurses
Association Northern California Chapter
First job in the US: CNA
Proudest professional achievement: Awarded
the 2011 Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year by the
Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA).
woman: Those resistant to change.
Five-year goal: To continue to mentor, precept and
empower my fellow Filipino nurses.
me: I have a good sense of humor.
pass on to others: Humility.
EVELYN
JAVIER-
CENTENO
Entrepreneur, EJC
Global Links
Residence: Martinez, CA
Education: B.S., Chemistry, University of Santo Tomas
Community Involvement: Filipino American
Democratic Caucus, Contra Costa Mental Health
Commission, Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure K
First job in the US: Bookkeeper
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother who was a
model of resilience, diligence and service to others.
She, along with my father, raised and educated seven
children, led a successful profession while leading the
Filipino parish community.
Proudest professional achievement: I worked
with a team of engineers in building cell sites for wireless
technology in Northern CA.
woman: To be acknowledged in equal footing with my
male counterpart.
Five-year goal: To establish a non-prot After-School
program to help the underserved students improve their
education and excel in Math and Science as the next step
to my current tutorial learning center.
me: I pulled cables in the phone company.
pass on to others: Respect for oneself and our elders
that are assurances of success.
FRAN
VILLARMIA-
KAHAWAI
Principal Broker,
Properties
International
Limited
Residence: Aiea, HI
Education: B.B.A, Marketing, University of Hawaii -
Manoa
First job in the US: Sports Clerk at the Honolulu
Advertiser
Proudest professional achievement: Opening
a real estate company with my husband in 2007 and
coaching alma maters varsity girls basketball team that
brought them to a state championship in 2001.
woman: Desiring to help everyone succeed and
realizing that sometimes I cant.
Five-year goal: To establish a non-prot organization
with the goal of helping kids get to college through
basketball.
me: I am an introvert and would rather be alone with
a good book.
GLORIA RAMIL
OMANIA
Campaign Mgr./
Finance Director,
Tom Torlakson
for State
Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Residence: Concord, CA
Education: Chabot College, Diablo Valley College
Democratic Caucus of Contra Costa County;
Delegate, California Democratic Party
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My beloved mother, Fausta
Reyes Ramil. She dedicated herself to the happiness and
well-being of her family; she loved life and seized every
second of it.
Proudest professional achievement: I was the
campaign manager/nance director for the successful
campaign of Tom Torlakson for State Superintendent of
Public Instruction.
Five-year goal: To expand my political consulting
business to assist worthy candidates, especially Filipina
women, achieve success in their political endeavors.
me: I enjoy gardening and playing golf.
HENNI JAY
ESPINOSA
Senior Reporter,
Balitang America,
e Filipino
Channel
JOSSIE
ALEGRE, EMPA
Accounting
Operations Mgr.,
San Francisco
Public Utilities
Commission
Residence: Colma, CA
Education: E.M., Public Administration, Golden Gate
University; B.S., Business, Far Eastern University
Community Involvement: WFA Inc., USA; FPACC;
Philippine American Press Club
Proudest professional achievement: First Filipina
appointed Commissioner in Oakland, CA.
Five-year goal: To leave a legacy, of leading WFA to
the right path.
me: My current physical appearance.
JULIETA
ZARATE
HUDSON
Accounting Process
Manager,
Bay Medical
Management, LLC
Residence: Concord, CA
Education: M.B.A., St. Marys College; B.S., Business
Administration, University of the Philippines
Corporate Board Membership: Genevive Wines
Community Involvement: Friends of University
of the Philippines Foundation in America; Habitat for
Humanity East Bay
First job in the US: Computer Operator at Ramar Int.
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Alva Appel she is always
positive, laughing and enjoying life despite many
struggles.
Proudest professional achievement: Co-founded
the Mt. Diablo Habitat for Humanity and created its
Womens Crew which is the rst and largest in the West
Coast.
woman: Convincing management leaders to become
more socially active.
Five-year goal: To live in an entirely new culture
(country/state) where I can learn a new language and
contribute my expertise.
me: I taught sex education.
pass on to others: The spirit of bayanihan
voluntarily helping each other.
MARY ANN C.
UBALDO
Goldsmith, Artist &
Activist,
Urduja.com
& Center for
Babaylan Studies
Residence: Sunnyside, NY
Community Involvement: Gabnet Kilawin
Kolektibo, Center of Babaylan Studies
woman: Being able to integrate my core Filipina
identity in transformational ways.
Five-year goal: Ayurveda Holistic Health Counselor
Masters in Philippine Studies integrating my alternative
healing modalities in Reiki, Aka Dua, Ayurveda and
Baybayin practices.
pass on to others: Maka-Diyos (faith in God)
Maka-Tao (love for fellow men) Maka-Bayan
(patriotic love of country)
PEARL
PARMELEE
Marketing &
Community
Relations, Mama
Sitas Mixes &
Sauces
Residence: Pinole, CA
Education: B.S., Aeronautical Engineering
Community Involvement: Board, San Pablo
Community Foundation; Commissioner, Safety San Pablo
CA; Board, Barangay Dance Co. Board; Filipino American
International Youth Foundation
First job in the US: Assistant Manager at Mc Donalds
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Alice Bulos, for her tireless
support for the Filipino Community.
Proudest professional achievement: Employee
of the Year for Hilton Corp.
woman: Balance of work and motherhood, time wise.
Five-year goal: To have Filipino food at the front and
center in mainstream U.S.
me: My shy side.
pass on to others: The tradition of mano(hand-
blessing) and use of poto address an elder.
ROSARIO
PUCHI
CARRION
DI RICCO
Consulting
Gerontologist,
Self Employed
Education: M.A., Gerontology, SFSU
Community Involvement: Mission Hospice
First job in the US: Executive Secretary to the
President/Owner at Kohlenberg Industries
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Chief Justice Tani Cantil-
Sakauye - shes the epitome of a woman who went up
the ranks on her own terms and struggles.
Proudest professional achievement: Returned to
school at 50 years old and graduated with a Master of
Arts Degree on May 26, 1996.
woman: Running for the President of the Commission,
Adult and Aging Services, City and County of San Francisco.
Five-year goal: To attain my doctorate in Gerontology.
me: I love to cook and sew, and go camping!
pass on to others: Respect of our elders with a kiss
on both cheeks or hand, using the word poas a sign
of respect.
BUI LDERS AND
EMERGI NG LEADERS
CYNTHIA
RAPAIDO
Assistant Principal,
San Mateo Union
High School
District, San Mateo
High School
Residence: San Leandro, CA
Education: Doctoral Candidate, International
and Multicultural Education; M.A., Educational
Administration; B.S., Biology with Spanish minor
Community Involvement: Association of California
School Administrators (ACSA) Region V
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My parents and my ve
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.
Proudest professional achievement: I am currently
writing my dissertation on Filipino American Educational
Leaders in Northern California Public K-12 Schools. I hope
to complete and defend Fall 2011 and graduate with a
Doctorate in Education in December 2011.
woman: Filipino values at times contradict Western
values such as respect for elders and those of authority/
hierarchy. Filipino culture sees it disrespectful to disagree
with them while it is expected and important to speak
up, have a voice and assert oneself in Western culture.
Five-year goal: To transition to higher education to
work in the Educational Leadership / Administrative and
Teaching Credential programs in order to be a role model
and mentor for other Filipino and Filipino Americans
pursuing careers in education.
me: My hobby that is also a small business I design
jewelry with semi-precious stones, 14K Gold wires, and
Swarovski crystals.
pass on to others: Respect for elders, honor to
family, humility, oer food in large portions for family
gatherings, treat others when it is your birthday, and
giving back to your parents.
DIANA REYES
Manager,
California
Corporate Aairs,
Chevron
Corporation
Residence: Oakland, CA
Education: B.S., Business, New York University
Board Membership: Leadership California
Community Involvement: FRIENDS of the
San Francisco Department of the Status of Women
First job in the US: Account Coordinator at Young &
Rubicam Advertising
ESTELA
MATRIANO,
EDD.
Professor of Global
Education, Alliant
International
University
Residence: San Diego, CA
Education: Doctor of Education
Community Involvement: World Council for
Curriculum and Instruction; Council for Teaching Filipino
Language and Culture
First job in the US: Assistant Professor at City
University of New York
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Loida Nicolas Lewis, role
model for Filipino American Women
Proudest professional achievement: Received
George B. Barbour Award from University of Cincinnati
and the Inaugural Provost Pillar Award on Multicultural
and International Competencies from Alliant
International University.
woman: Salary equity for women in the workplace.
Five-year goal: To train young women for global
leadership in general and Filipino women in particular
through my Executive Director position in World Council
for Curriculum and Instruction.
me: I am a child of war (WWII) and a lifetime peace
educator.
pass on to others: Filipino women should remain
mahinhin, maganda at magalingand family-oriented,
strong, resilient, independent and smart.
ESTHER MISA
CHAVEZ
U.S. Director of
Sales,
Inquirer.net
Education: B.A., St. Scholasticas College; Teacher
Certicate, O.B. Montessori International
Community Involvement: Philippine American
Press Club, USA; San Francisco Filipino American
Chamber of Commerce
First job in the US: Case Secretary at San Francisco
Board of Trade
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Margarita and Camilla, my
daughters, who pursued higher education and made a
name for themselves in highly competitive elds.
Proudest professional achievement: Currently,
I nd myself the lone Filipina advertising sales executive
among mainstream pioneers, veterans and futurists of
the digital advertising space during industry events.
For the same reason we have everything to be proud of
in our technical capability and journalistic standard as
Filipino publishers.
woman: As a Filipino-owned entity, the challenge is
in proving to mainstream advertisers/agencies that our
company, as well as our community/niche market, is
highly credible and one that can give them a good ROI.
Five-year goal: To make Inquirer.net a household
name among Fil-Ams, and to nish my masters degree
I started two decades ago.
me: I write poetry.
pass on to others: Tradition of respect for elders.
GENEVIEVE
HERRERIA
Policy Associate,
Bay Area Council
Education: J.D., Georgetown University Law Center;
B.A., Brown University
First job in the US: Sales representative at Bath &
Body Works
Proudest professional achievement: Taking a big
leap of faith and moving to California to nd a way to be
true to myself professionally.
woman: I am proud that I am able to approach
my career pursuits without having to worry about
whether my Filipina identity aects how I am perceived
professionally.
Five-year goal: To gure out what I want to be when I
grow up, and being bold enough to go for it.
me: I love college basketball that I dont schedule
anything for March, because Ill be busy...
pass on to others: The craft of making biko (rice
cake) and handing it down further as tradition.
GLORIA B. GIL
Managing Director
Real Assets,
e Regents of
the University of
California
Education: B.S., Commerce, De Paul University
Community Involvement: Pension Real Estate
Association
First job in the US: Accounts Receivable Clerk at
Aetna Life & Casualty
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My hero is my mother,
Letty French. Hers is a story of courage, determination,
and seless focus on achieving her goals for her children.
She has inspired me in all my undertakings through lifes
personal and professional challenges.
Proudest professional achievement: In May,
2008 I was recognized by my peers as one of the 20 Most
Inuential Limited Partners in private equity real estate
around the world in PEREs 5/08 issue, a globally
published real estate magazine.
woman: To have balance in my personal and
professional life.
Five-year goal: To consider being semi-retired
and complement that by being actively involved in
philanthropy for causes that benet the Philippines, and
also be a mentor in the U.S. for young professionals.
me: I love the arts I play the piano, guitar, ukelele and
banduria and also love dance, interior design, as well as
designing and making jewelry.
pass on to others: The Filipino custom of letting our
children sleep with us as long as they want to. I think it
has made us closer to our children and have made them
more secure and condent knowing their parents are
there to protect them no matter what.
KATHLEEN
QUINN DUBOIS
Attorney, Crumley
Roberts, LLP
Residence: Winston Salem, NC
Education: J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law;
B.B.A./B.A., University of Notre Dame
Community Involvement: Work and Family
Resource Center
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother, Dr. Priscilla
Magante Quinn, always has been and will continue to be
my She-ro. Her desire to ensure that children receive
quality education has propelled her professional success
both in the US and in the Philippines. Above all else,
she motivated in me the desire to help those who need
it most.
me: My husband and I have six chickens in our backyard
or urban farm.
LEAH BETH O.
NAHOLOWAA
Director, Guam
Department of
Labor
Residence: Tumon, Guam
Education: B.A., Communication and M.A., Public
Administration, University of Guam; Ed.D Candidate
in Educational Leadership in Higher Education, Argosy
University
Community Involvement: Serve Guam Commission
Board; Guam Workers Compensation Board; Filipino
Community of Guam
First job in the US: Freelance Writer at Pacic Daily
News
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Cristeta Comerford, for her
resiliency and determination when she was appointed
by the First Lady Laura Bush as the rst woman (Filipina)
executive chef at the White House, her hard work and
patience paid o.
Proudest professional achievement: When I got
a call on December 24, 2010 from then Governor elect
Eddie B. Calvo, asking me if I can serve in his cabinet
as Director of Labor. On January 4, 2011, I received the
appointment letter to be the Director of Labor.
woman: Racial discrimination. While I was going
through my conrmation hearing at the Legislature, it
became more of a racial issue rather than my merit and
my qualication to become the Director of Labor.
Five-year goal: To nish my dissertation, work in one
of the Federal Government agencies and perhaps take a
chance in running for public oce.
me: That I grew up in the Salvation Army Bethany
Childrens home back in the Philippines
pass on to others: Our bayanihanspirit, our love
and respect for our elders and our close-knit family
values.
LEIA LORICA
Corps Member,
Teach for America
MARIA
BEEBE, PHD
President,
Global Networks
Residence: Spokane, WA
Education: Ph.D., Stanford University
Community Involvement: Global Networks Aging
& Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW);
Filipino-American Association of the Inland Empire
International Leadership Association (ILA); Society for
Applied Anthropology (SFAA)
First job in the US: Peace Corps Volunteer
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Dr. Teresita Ramos because
she is an outstanding linguist.
Proudest professional achievement: Design and
implementation of the Afghan eQuality Alliances which
has served thousands of Afghan college students.
woman: Preconceptions about Filipinas.
Five-year goal: To raise funds to achieve the goal and
objectives of Global Networks.
me: I love to perform Philippine folkdancing.
Filipino custom or tradition I would like
to pass on to others: The practice of Mano po!
(hand- blessing) as it shows giving respect to elders and
accepting blessings from elders.
MELANIE A.
CAOILE
Senior Director,
Global Creative
Solutions
Microso
Residence: Seattle, WA
Education: M.B.A., Simon School at the University of
Rochester; B.S., Management, Boston College
Community Involvement: Wider Opportunities for
Women; Filipinos at Microsoft
First job in the US: Shampoo girl
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother
pass on to others: Filipino hospitality
MILA M. JOSUE
Faculty, Board
Member, American
College of Nursing
Residence: Union City, CA
Education: B.S., Nursing, BRN/BVNPT Certied Nursing
Educator
Corporate Board Membership: American College
of Nursing(ACN); TNC of Northern CA
Community Involvement: Coalition of Concern
Medical Professionals; Veterans Supportive Services
Agency; Sagip Kapamilya of America
First job in the US: Nurse Assistant at Veterans
Medical Center
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Marily Mondejar,
President,FWN. Her vision, courage and pioneering
leadership for FWN inspired me to be a part of the
collaborative spirit to empower women to be involved,
to become activist and make a dierence for the
community and in the workplace.
Proudest professional achievement: Facilitating
the State Boards approval for ACN Nursing Assistant
Training Program (NATP) and becoming the rst NATP
Director/Instructor pioneering the rst Sagip Kapamilya
NATP Scholarship Program.
woman: Dealing with corporate-run academia
and student issues, the latter being the consumer of
programs.
Five-year goal: To provide Continuing Education to
the community and broaden my reach to nationwide
healthcare providers and other allied professional.
me: I create meditative poetry.
pass on to others: The close-knit family customs and
traditions of Filipinos.
ODETTE
ALCAZAREN-
KEELEY
News Anchor/
Executive Producer
New America
Media
Residence: Burlingame, CA
Education: B. A., Communication, Major in Broadcast
Communication and Minor in Broadcast Journalism,
University of the Philippines
First job in the US: 1st Grade Teacher at Corpus Christi
Elementary School
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Chief Justice of the CA
Supreme Court Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye. She embodies
the fearless, driven, brilliant, compassionate and grace-
under-re Filipina-American professional and mother
who continues to inspire me in my own work in media
and community advocacy. Her singular accomplishment
in being voted into the highest judicial position in the
state has made all of us Filipinos proud and inspired us
to strive for excellence in our respective careers and serve
our communities in our best capacity.
Proudest professional achievement: After 9/11,
I was part of a core team that was given the unique
opportunity to build a newsroom and a newscast,
Balitang Americafrom the ground up in order to deliver
news, information and entertainment from the Filipino
diaspora in the United States and around the world. I was
proud to have been able to contribute in the creation and
launch of this premiere newscast.
woman: I would like to see more Asian faces in the
mainstream TV anchors seat, and so in my own capacity
with our TV/cable partners at NAM, I am working to
make my own contributions towards that goal.
Five-year goal: To anchor and produce a daily or
weekly mainstream TV news or talk program, where
I can highlight issues and perspectives from our
Filipino-American community and those from diverse
populations as well.
me: Im a varsity table tennis player in high school and
am itching to get a ping pong table so I can play again!;
a serious chocoholic; and a reality TV junkie.
pass on to others: As part of passing on my heritage
to my daughter, Zoe, I am teaching her the beauty of
saying Poor Opo[ respectful term for Yes] when
addressing her elders, especially her lolo and lola
[grandpa & grandma]. I am hoping that this will become
a lifetime trait which we can also share with her friends,
even if they are not Filipinos.
SELENNA
FRANCO-
CEFRE,CPA
President/Certied
Public Accountant,
University of the
Philippines Alumni
Association of Northern California (Berkeley)
Chapter
Education: B.S., Business Administration and
Accountancy, University of the Philippines
Community Involvement: UP Alumni Association
of Northern California (Berkeley) Chapter; PICPA-USA
First job in the US: Accountant
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Future Filipina CPAs in
the US.
Proudest professional achievement: Becoming a
licensed Certied Public Accountant in the US.
woman: Racial discrimination against minorities
like me.
Five-year goal: To become a successful business
entrepreneur in the US and help the Philippines.
me: I can cook!
pass on to others: Our leaning towards conservative
upbringing of our children.
I NNOVATORS AND
THOUGHT LEADERS
ANGEL
VELASCO SHAW
Co-Founder,
General Manager,
Artistic Director,
Center for Global
Art and ought
Residence: New York, NY
Education: M.A., Media Studies, New School For
Social Research; B.F.A., Post Studio, California Institute
of the Arts
Community Involvement: Third World Newsreel
First job in the US: Saleswoman in a gift shop
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Dr. Mutya San Agustin. She
drew out the innate Filipino values in me as an American
born Filipina. She taught me how to stand my ground
and take pride in being a double minority as a woman of
color. Lastly, she continues to inspire me to pass the torch
of knowledge, experience, and community building on
to future generations.
Proudest professional achievement: The
distribution of my lms and publications in the
educational and cultural sectors, and the work that I do
as a college professor for the past nineteen years.
woman: To continue working as a lmmaker, educator,
and cultural organizer outreach to the Asian/Filipino
American community and a broader global public.
Five-year goal: To build and sustain the Center for
Global Art and Thought, a non-prot virtual Philippine-
centric center dedicated to the promotion of Filipino and
Filipino American art, culture, and scholarship.
me: My desire to nd the time and space to paint again.
pass on to others: The Bayanihanspirit.
CELIA
PANGILINAN-
DONAHUE
Chief Executive
Ocer, PFC
Engineering NA,
LLC
Residence: Arlington, VA
Education: B.S.; Foreign Service; Graduate credits
toward an M.A. degree.
Corporate Board Membership: PFC Engineering
NA, LLC; Pacic Trade Associates, Inc.; Maces Chemical
Sd. Bhd.
Community Involvement: Feed the Hungry, Inc.;
Philippine American Chamber of Commerce; RP-US
Tourism Advisory Council
First job in the US: Sta at the Embassy of Botswana
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother. Between my
parents, they instilled in their 12 children the value of
education and how to be productive members of the
community and as a result, we all have our college
degrees. But it was my mother who was the rock of our
existence, and as the song says, the wind beneath the
wings of all her children. She gave up family and friends
back home so she can continue to nurture each one of us
here in the United States. She lived and died for us, her
children, professionals all as she always proudly declare.
pass on to others: Family comes rst, and we take
care of our own.
CHRISTINA
DUNHAM
Vice President,
Business
Development,
Froomz
Residence: Montara, CA
Education: M.B.A., California State University Hayward;
B.S., Marketing/International Business, Salisbury
University
Corporate Board Membership: Filipinas Publishing
Community Involvement: Skyline College Youth
Entrepreneurship Program
First job in the US: Student Manager at Salisbury
University Catering Department
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My father, for teaching me
the value of persistence and patience; the importance of
expressing sincere praise and appreciation and enabling
others to shine.
Proudest professional achievement: Getting
recruited and passing a 2-year certication process as a
trainer for Dale Carnegie.
Five-year goal: To have kids.
me: Im a FreeCell addict.
pass on to others: Family karaoke-thons.
EVELYN
DILSAVER
(Retired) Executive
Vice President,
Charles Schwab
Residence: San Leandro, CA
Education: B.S. Accounting, CSU East Bay; Senior
Executive Program, Stanford
Corporate Board Membership: Aeropostale;
Tempur-pedic Intl; Blue Shield of California; High Mark
Funds; Russell ETF
Community Involvement: Womens Initiative;
The Commonwealth Club; Bishop ODowd High School;
Cal State East Bay Foundation Board
First job in the US: Sales Clerk
Proudest professional achievement: Being chair
of the board for several non-prots that help women and
students succeed.
woman: Being taken seriously because I look younger
than I am.
Five-year goal: To help my kids navigate these
turbulent economic times so they come out
independently strong.
me: Im a master knitter.
pass on to others: Cooking of Filipino foods.
FRANCE VIANA
President,
France Viana
Consulting Corp.
Education: American College of Switzerland;
Maryknoll College
Community Involvement: Center for Asian
American Media
First job in the US: Associate Editor and Designer at
Filipinas Magazine
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Mona Lisa Yuchengco.
Starting as a political activist during the Marcos Regime,
Lisa is the founder of the Philippine International Aid,
a charity that sends thousands of children to school in
the Philippines. As founder of Filipinas Magazine she
documented FilAm achievements for the world. When
Lisa calls, the community answers and comes together
for good causes.
Proudest professional achievement: Introducing
Fortune 500 executives to the joys of Philippine culture,
cuisine and community.
woman: The rst couple of years were the hardest as
I learned to keep strict boundaries between private and
professional life, something we dont do too well in the
Philippines.
Five-year goal: To promote contemporary FilAm artists
and continue to create and exhibit good work myself.
me: I am an avid birder.
pass on to others: Our generosity, the ease with
which we share what we have.
GEMMA BULOS
Director, Global
Womens Water
Initiative
Residence: Vallejo, CA
Education: United States International University
First job in the US: Retail Store Clerk
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My shero is Jessica
Hagedorn. She has brought the realities of the Philippines
to a worldwide public in a stark but inspiring way.
Proudest professional achievement: As a pre-
school teacher who was not on my regular 8:50am train
to the World Trade Center on September 11, I witnessed a
global community united through tragedy. In response,
I wrote WE RISE, a rousing anthem that celebrates
water as a metaphor for peace and unity in action.
I left my life, sold everything and with my meager
savings began traveling around the world to launch the
unprecedented Million Voice Choir where groups sing
WE RISEon September 21, in celebration of the UN
International Day of Peace and Global Cease Fire Day.
In Spring 2004, I founded the non-prot organization
A Single Drop (ASD) and its rst formal year, the Million
Voice Choir united peaceful voices from over 100 cities in
over 60 countries and was the single initiative that has
helped her to become a living example of ASDs concept;
it takes a single drop of water to start a wave, one person
to initiate social change. To date, the Million Voice Choir
has dissolved the political, religious, social and cultural
boundaries by bridging together a variety of groups who
would not normally nd themselves doing anything
together. During her travels around 45 states in the US
and countries around the world, I raised the awareness of
the global water issues, and invited people to nd their
passions, follow their hearts, and consider the world in
their daily decisions and future goals.
woman: Fundraising as a not-prot was one or the
biggest challenges personally because I felt that when
I asked for money, it threatened my independence and
sense of self-reliance as a 2nd generationer. When I came
to the realization that it was not about me, but about the
project, it made it easier to reconcile.
Five-year goal: To be a full-time inspirational speaker,
performer and spokesperson promoting causes that are
most dear to me: access to clean water, environmental
regeneration, human rights and womens empowerment.
me: I fell out of a parasail on my 20th birthday and
broke my back.
pass on to others: Karaoke as a source of unity!
MINERVA
MALABRIGO
TANTOCO
Executive Director,
UBS Financial
Services
Residence: New York, NY
Education: B.A., Vassar College
First job in the US: Director, Product Education at
EFS/ManageWare
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother, Bella. She
is super-smart, talented, raised her children in a new
country, and taught by example what it means to be
honest, generous, hardworking, and to honor our Filipina
ancestors. She also makes brilliant pancit.
granted a US patent in 2010. It symbolized that I
contributed to inventing something truly new.
woman: We need more FilAm women in senior
information technology positions.
Five-year goal: To nd a way to encourage more
young women to enter the computer technology eld,
and help them dene and start their own startups.
me: I trained in boxing and other martial arts, and am a
fan of the sport.
pass on to others: Pasalubong, a way to show your
appreciation for family and express how nice it is to
come home.
FOUNDERS AND
PI ONEERS
ALMA
ONRUBIA
Chief Financial
Ocer,
Aliated Home
Health Services,
Inc.
Residence: Glendale, CA
Education: M.B.A.; C.P.A.; B.S., Business
Administration, University of the Philippines
Corporate Board Membership: Aliated Home
Health Services, Inc.; Apex Homecare Services, Inc.
Community Involvement: University of the
Philippines Alumni Association; Friends of the University
of the Philippines Foundation in America
First job in the US: Accounting Specialist at Citibank
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My brothers and sisters
who came to America ahead, the ones I truly looked up
to when I rst came to the US. With their unconditional
love and support I, too, was able to establish businesses
of my own.
Proudest professional achievement: My brother
put it best, that my companies doesnt just bring dinner
on peoples tables, but gives them an opportunity to
cook their own dinners. I am proud to employ hundreds
of Fil-Am men and women, knowing that through
their employment they are most likely not only feeding
themselves or their immediate families, but possibly
several more families back in the Philippines.
woman: The biggest challenge I faced as a FilAm
woman is not as pronounced today as it was some
twenty years ago. Back then Caucasians owned the
majority of the medical and healthcare eld and not too
many care facilities, doctors or hospitals would entertain
minority-owned companies. It took numerous follow up
visits, aggressive marketing, patience, and perseverance
before we nally established ourselves as a referral
agency.
Five-year goal: To have my daughter take over the
business and continue to provide quality service and
employment to our patients and personnel.
me: I failed Swimming in Physical Education class.
pass on to others: Gratitude. This is something
that Im sad to see not as prominent in the younger
generations as it was when I was growing up. Gratitude
goes a long way. Its the feeling you and the other person
share when you know that you genuinely appreciate
each other, and are grateful to have done something
(even the smallest thing) to help each other.
CHATEAU
GARDECKI
Chair of the Board,
Washington
International Piano
Arts Council
Residence: Fairfax, VA
Education: B.A., Political Science, University of Santo
Tomas
First job in the US: Executive Secretary
Proudest professional achievement:
Singlehandedly founded my non-prot organization
Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC)
and has successfully sustained it for 10 years in the
Washington, DC area.
woman: Winning a bid to open and manage a specialty
boutique inside the Department of Defense at Pentagon
and Navy Annex.
Five-year goal: To continue my work presenting
piano concerts and international piano competition and
showcase the winners of the competition at the White
House.
me: I love horses and do horseback riding English style.
pass on to others: Our Filipino celebration of New
Years Eve as a sign of prosperity and luck!
CHRISTINA
RODRIGUEZ
LASKOWSKI
Managing Director,
Alquemie Partners
Residence: Novato, CA
Education: University of San Francisco
Corporate Board Membership: CloudPhase
Community Involvement: Science & Technology
Advisory Council - Silicon Valley Chapter
First job in the US: Librarian Assistant
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My Sister. She studied in
the Philippines and was able to pursue a career in the
industry of interest in the US when she was 20. She
excelled to reach Director level at her rm.
Proudest professional achievement: I was hired
as a Research Associate at Hambrecht & Quist. I was
the only Filipina in the department and the only Asian
Research Associate at the time.
woman: The Investment Banking industry was once
male dominated and there were no Filipinos, much less
Filipina-Americans represented at any of the rms Ive
worked with.
Five-year goal: To join the board of a venture-backed
company and lead it.
me: I am extremely romantic.
pass on to others: Preserving the practice of mano
to grandparents and elders.
DELLIE
PUNLA
Vice President /
Chief Finacial
Ocer,
Delarch Inc.
Residence: Pinole, CA
Education: 3rd Year Nursing, Manila Central
University Philippines
Corporate Board Membership: Delarch Inc.;
Stor-mor Warehouse; Alnup Corporation
Community Involvement: St. Agnes Church
Filipino Community; San Francisco Residential Care
Association
First job in the US: Clerk Typist
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: California Chief Justice
Tani Cantil-Sakauye. She is the rst Filipina-American
woman Chief Justice and the second woman to serve
as the States Chief Justice. An inspiration to many more
Filipina women.
Proudest professional achievement: Having
established residential care facilities in Sacramento,
San Francisco and Turlock, CA and also established Self
Storage Facilities in South lake Tahoe, Red Blu and
Sacramento CA.
woman: Being a Filipina and a woman in the
entrepreneur community thats traditionally a mans
world is a challenge that I have learned to face
graciously.
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 in various ways.
me: Im a hardworking perfectionist.
pass on to others: Filipino hospitality, patience and
hard work.
GERI
FERRER-CHAN
Vice President/
Co-Founder,
Charles W. Chan
Insurance Agency
Residence: Piedmont, CA
Education: B.A., Radio and Television, San Francisco
State University (Cum Laude)
Community Involvement: San Francisco-Manila
Sister City Committee; SF Filipino Chamber; Eastbay
Agency for Children; Asian Art Museum
First job in the US: Administrative Assistant
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Ms. Gloria Caoile, a strong,
intelligent and beautiful woman who has mentored
many. She also leads a charity to help feed impoverished
children in the Philippines.
Proudest professional achievement: Successful
in running an insurance business still thriving on its
25th year.
woman: Learning how to toot your own hornwhich
goes against the traditional Filipina value of being
modest.
Five-year goal: To keep our California Bay Area business
location thriving and to be able to expand to Hawaii.
me: Im a private person when it comes to my personal
life.
pass on to others: Our learned Filipino trait of
displaying a positive attitudeand smiling even when
times are tough.
HERNA
CRUZ-LOUIE
Executive Director,
American Center of
Philippine Arts
Education: B.A., Asian American Studies, San Francisco
State University
Community Involvement: American Center of
Philippine Arts; Oakland Asian Cultural Center
First job in the US: Administrative Assistant
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My Mother, Zenaida
Cruz. She raised me and my sisters with Filipino pride,
encouraged me to speak her native language, taught us
never to forget where our family came from, and proved
that Filipinas are what keep Filipino households and
communities organized.
Proudest professional achievement: Creating
and building American Center of Philippine Arts
woman: Staying on top of the growing needs of our
dynamic and ever-changing community.
Five-year goal: To see a stage production of Filipinos
and non-FIlipinos together presenting Philippine Cultural
art forms.
me: Had a C- grade point average in high school.
to pass on to others: The value of pakikisama
(cooperation and getting along with people) as part of
our daily life.
JANNELLE
SO
TV Host/Producer,
KSCITV-LA18
Residence: Torrance, CA
Education: B.A., Communication Arts with Latin
Honors, Miriam College, Philippines; Graduate Certicate
in Print and Broadcast Journalism; University of
California, Los Angeles (Extension)
Community Involvement: Center for Pacic Asian
Family; Gawad Kalinga
First job in the US: Freelance correspondent for
Balitang America, The Filipino Channel
Proudest professional achievement: Honorable
Mention from the Los Angeles Press Club at the 52nd
Annual Southern California Journalism Excellence
Awards.
woman: Trying to cater to the needs of my immediate
market/viewing public while being relevant to the
general US market.
Five-year goal: I dont really believe in setting goals
for ones self. I used to and only felt pressure to achieve
and disappointed when I didnt. What I do strongly
adhere by is exerting 110% in doing each task.
me: Sometimes I wish I pursued ballet or singing
instead of broadcast journalism. Im always and have
always been drawn to the performing arts.
to pass on to others: The Filipino Bayanihanis
important. We all share the same sentiments from being
uprooted from the motherland; leaving everything
behind and starting from scratch here in the US.
JOSEFINA R.
ENRIQUEZ, M.D.
Physician, Half
Moon Bay Family
Medical Clinic
Residence: Half Moon Bay, CA
Education: Music Degree, University of Santo Tomas
Community Involvement: Seton Medical Center
Community Advisory Board; Rotacare Community
Advisory Committee
First job in the US: Emergency Room Assistant at
St. Josephs Hospital
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mentor, Alice Bulos,
whose lifetime involvement in the educational
empowerment of Filipinos we benet from for years to
come. She is the pioneering founder of the UST Medical
Association. She is the rst woman commissioner of the
Health Plan of San Mateo.
Proudest professional achievement: As Founder
of Coastside Rotacare free clinic I have taken it to the next
level of Flying Samaritan Doctors Without Borders.
woman: The challenge hasnt been with work but in
mobilizing medical care to remote, underserved and
uninsured patients without adequate funding to sustain
nutrition and medical support.
Five-year goal: To eradicate obesity, chronic morbidity
of diabetes, hypertension and eradicate homeless in Half
Moon Bay and the Philippines.
me: My humility and religiousness.
pass on to others: Unity and family cohesiveness,
helping of one another
JOY
DALAUIDAO-
HERMSEN
Co-Founder/
President,
Nimble Training
LLC
Residence: Santa Rosa, CA
Education: M.B.A., UC Davis Graduate School of
Management; B.A., Political Science, UC Davis
Community Involvement: Girls on the Run,
Sonoma County; UC Davis Graduate School of
Management Alumni Association; Sacramento
Entrepreneurship Academy
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My mother and father,
Victoria Siquian Dalauidao and Ben Dalauidao. Ben, for
swimming across a pool to pass a test and join the U.S.
Navy, making a better life for his family. Victoria, who
even when orphaned at age 13, resolved to help raise
her 7 siblings. Both are models of Filipino resilience and
generosity, kindness and diligence.
Proudest professional achievement: Achieving
Director level at a U.S. national company at the age of 25.
Five-year goal: To build my company into a national
resource for health and tness for all people; to ensure
that young women, such as my daughter, also resolve
that there are no bounds to what they can achieve
pass on to others: I love how we always take group
pictures whenever we get together. These photos help us
look back on rare times of gathering and community
I wish everyone did this!
LILLIAN
PARDO, M.D.
Professor Emeritus
in Neurology and
Pediatrics, Univ.
of Kansas Medical
Center
Residence: Mission Hills, KS
Education: Doctor of Medicine, University of the
Philippines
Community Involvement: Filipino Association
of Greater Kansas City; United Nations Association of
Greater Kansas City; Zonta International; KCMO II Club
First job in the US: Residency training at the
University of Kansas in neurology.
Proudest professional achievement: Elected
as the rst Asian President of the American Medical
Womens Association, a national organization, in 1992.
Selected to join the ranks of Emeritus Professor in
Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of Kansas
Medical Center in 2009.
woman: The drive to excel and be the best was my
greatest challenge as one of the few women physicians
in the U.S. in the early 60s.
Five-year goal: To continue to do medical missions
to poor and underserved areas in the Philippines for as
long as I am physically able. In Kansas City, we built a
permanent Filipino Cultural Center Building in 2000. This
year we expanded to include a permanent exhibit are
for our cultural artifacts. I have been involved since its
inception of organizing and curating cultural exhibits to
showcase our rich heritage.
pass on to others: I would like to see for our next
generation a continued interest and respect for our
cultural heritage, through dance, music and knowledge
of our history. The cultural exhibits and community
involvement of our youth will help achieve that goal.
MARIA
BENEL
SE-LIBAN
Principal, Vasquez
& Company, LLP
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Education: B.S., Business Administration,
De La Salle University
Community Involvement: St. Johns Well Child
and Family Center; Protable Solutions for Nonprots;
American Institute of Certied Public Accountants;
Kalayaan of Southern California, Inc.
First job in the US: Bookkeeper in a small sole
proprietorship CPA rm.
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My Filipino 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 loves so much. I share
Senator Aquinos principle that truly The Filipino is
worth dying for!
Proudest professional achievement: My work as
a co-founder of ISSFA and raising it as a leading Filipino
American professional development organization in the
eld of accounting and nance in the United States.
woman: Balancing work, family and faith.
Five-year goal: To continuously grow the nonprot
business as a Principal and Nonprot Practice Leader of
Vasquez and Company, LLP.
me: I am a very devout and active Catholic.
pass on to others: The tradition of kissing the hands
or cheeks of the elders to greet them or in showing
respect.
MARJAN
PHILHOUR
President and CEO,
e California
Group
Education: B.A., Political Science, UC Berkeley
Community Involvement: Bay Area Democrats;
National Womens Political Caucus San Francisco Chapter
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye.
She serves an example of the importance of hard work
and perseverance.
woman: I have been challenged by the double
standard and institutional sexism. So much of what
we experience as women in the professional world
is steeped in a long history of women operating in
inequitable environments. Every day I commit myself to
doing all I can to shift this old paradigm. Whether it be
through mentoring or questioning the status quo, it is
important for FilAm women everywhere to speak up and
ensure our voices are heard.
Five-year goal: To continue to achieve excellence
in my profession while succeeding in training and
mentoring other women to push the envelope in their
respective careers.
PERLA LINDA
RAMOS
PAREDES DALY
Founder and
Publisher,
Pinay.com
Residence: Cedar Park, TX
Education: B.F.A., Visual Communication, University of
the Philippines
Community Involvement: Center for Babaylan
Studies
First job in the US: FPG International Stock
Photography
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Ninotchska Roska
Proudest professional achievement: Being a
respected resource as a Senior Art Director at work and
seen as someone who remains calm in dicult situations
and fair in all undertakings.
woman: Being seen.
Five-year goal: To develop Pinay.com through Phases
1-4 and increase online membership. Develop Center for
Babaylan Studies with larger community membership
and continue to hold retreats, conferences and other
events and to work with indigenous people groups in the
Philippines. Write and publish a book or two with Center
for Babaylan Studies and for journey through exploring
Filipina identity on many levels.
me: That I think outside of the box.
pass on to others: Respect for tradition and putting
family rst.
RHODA
YABES
ALVAREZ
Attorney, Law
Oce of Rhoda
Yabes Alvarez
Residence: Honolulu, HI
Education: Juris Doctor, Master of Laws (Corporate &
Commercial Law)
Multiethnic Society; Pinoy Stars & Friends, International
First job in the US: Documentation Specialist at
Citigroup Private Bank
Proudest professional achievement: Passing the
New York and Hawaii state bars and representing our
kababayansin State and Federal courts.
Five-year goal: To be the premiere Filipino American
legal resource for solutions to legal problems in Hawaii
and in the United States.
pass on to others: Filipino trait of utang na loob. I
would like to pass on this unique trait by paying forward
ones debt of gratitude by performing random acts of
kindness to others.
SOLEDAD M.
MANAAY
Founder and CEO,
Care On Call
Residence: Redwood City, CA
Education: MA in Psychology/Gerontology, Ph.D.
Class 2013
Community Involvement: Commission on Aging;
San Mateo County
First job in the US: Media Analyst
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: I dont have a specic
person in mind but I admire those who have integrity,
believes in equality and justice for all, and people who
dedicate much eort in order to make a dierence in
someone elses life.
Proudest professional achievement: Founder of
Care On Call and becoming its CEO.
woman: Proving to mainstream clients that I am
capable and possess a high professional standard not to
mention expert knowledge of my chosen career.
Five-year goal: To establish philanthropic projects that
will result in global social change.
me: I have a great sense of humor.
pass on to others: Reviving the bayanihan spirit.
VELLIE
SANDALO
DIETRICH-HALL
President/CEO,
HPS Enterprises,
Inc
Residence: Cullen, VA
Corporate Board Membership: HPS Enterprises
Community Involvement: American National Red
Cross; Randolph Macon Womans College; Virginia Service
Foundation
First job in the US: Child caretaker
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Nanay Bebing my
mother who is now in Maryland. She is a real survivor,
a fast learner and still eager to learn!
Proudest professional achievement: When I
was appointed as a White House Commissioner on Asian
Americans and Pacic Islanders Initiatives.
woman: To succeed in a male dominated industry
Department of Defense world of contracting.
Five-year goal: To be able to expand my new business
venture into hiring blind professional massage therapists.
me: Marine Corps marathon runner.
pass on to others: Being respectful of others.
POLI CYMAKERS AND
VI SI ONARI ES
AGNES
BRIONES UBALDE
Vice President,
Community
Development
OcerSocial
Responsibility
Group, Wells Fargo Bank
Education: M.S. Public Policy & Management, Heinz
School of Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University
Community Involvement: Contra Costa Economic
Partnership; West Contra Costa Business Development
Center; Oakland Workforce Investment Board; San
Francisco Redevelopment Commission
First job in the US: McDonalds
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Violetta Marasigan.
Manang Bullet X was one of my mentors when she
was alive and served as a community activist in the
Filipino Community in San Francisco. She inspired me
as an organizer to be collaborative, inclusive and look
at all sides of issues. When it came down to action, she
delivered; and when it came down to helping others and
solving problems she was the best negotiator, healer and
always made me laugh.
appointed by former S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom as the
highest ranking Filipina in his administration as the
Director of the Small Business Commission.
woman: Being a full-time professional working mother
in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Five-year goal: Serving as an Executive focusing on
Community Development Lending and Investment for
Wells Fargo Bank. Focusing on providing investment
capital to support aordable housing & economic
development projects.
me: I am spleenless due to a childhood health condition
which required me to have my spleen removed.
pass on to others: Passing on mothers maiden
names and fathers surnames to daughters.
AMY AGBAYANI
Director of Student
Equity, Excellence
and Diversity
(SEED)
University of
Hawaii at Manoa
Residence: Honolulu, HI
Education: PhD., University of Hawaii; B.A., University
of the Philippines
Community Involvement: Hawaii Friends of Civil
Rights; State of Hawaii Advisory Committee to the Civil
Rights Commission; National Federation of the Filipino
American Associations Region 12
HON. ARLIE
N. RICASA
Trustee, Sweetwater
Union High School
District Board of
Trustees

Residence: Bonita, CA
Education: M.S., Counselor Education, San Diego State
University; B.A., Psychology, UCLA
Community Involvement: MAAC Project of San
Diego County; Greater San Diego Foundation; Filipino
American Educators Association of San Diego County;
California School Boards Association
First job in the US: Counselor at Sweetwater Union
High School District
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My late mother, Antonia
Ricasa, who instilled in me the values of family, hard
work, education and giving back to the community.
While I could never ll her shoes, I could always attempt
to walk in her footsteps. As a an educator and full-time
mother, my mother struck an amazing balance as she
raised ten children, sometimes worked part-time, and
remained actively involved in the Filipino American
community, our city, and with non-prot organizations.
My mother was never shy about speaking up for what
she thought was fair for our community or what was the
right thing to do. I admired her for her strength, wisdom,
compassion and selessness.
Proudest professional achievement: Mentoring
a particular student throughout his college career
and maintaining contact as he matriculated into
the workforce. The student, Luis, grew up in a tough
neighborhood, lived in subsidized housing, and lived
with a dysfunctional family life. His four brothers were
serving time in prison. I counseled and worked with Luis
to ensure he focused on his school work, school activities
and community service. Luis completed his community
college coursework, transferred to and graduated from
UCLA, became a legislative fellow, and now works for a
state legislator. Luis helped author legislation that allows
students to continue receiving college grants. Luis had
the talent to succeed. He only needed guidance, direction
and a small helping hand from someone who believed
in him.
Five-year goal: To develop a leadership training
program that will identify, train and prepare Filipino
Americans to successfully run for elective oces.
woman: There is a lack of Filipina elected ocials
in all levels of government. I have faith that our
community will continue to politically mature, become
more campaign savvy and help elect more Filipina/o
Americans in public oces.
me: I was a cheerleader and drum major in high school.
pass on to others: Giving of respect to elders and
family.
ELEANOR
VALENTIN
Rear Admiral,
United States Navy
Residence: Fleming Island, FL
Education: B.S., Zoology and B.S., Psychology,
University of Washington; M.P.H. and M.S.P.H., University
of Hawaii
First job in the US: Health Planner, Santa Clara
County
Achievement of ag rank in the U. S. Navy.
woman: I do not feel any challenge in the workplace
is due to my being a FilAm woman. Challenges in the
workplace are due to the position one holds, and they
do not have anything to do with race or gender. One of
the biggest workplace challenges is to ensure all have an
equal opportunity to contribute and compete.
Five-year goal: As Director, Navy Medical Service
Corps, to leave tools for professional development, and a
clear understanding of the paths that must be taken to
shape ones career.
me: I was a University of Washington Cheerleader.
KATHERINE M.
ELDEMAR
Attorney at Law
Board Director,
Goldbelt, Inc.;
Special Assistant to
the President and
CEO, Sealaskas Haa Aani
Residence: Juneau, AL
Education: J.D., University of Puget Sound School of
Law; University; General Jurisdiction Certicate, National
Judicial College; B.A., Business Administration, Seattle
Corporate Board Membership: Goldbelt Inc.
Community Involvement: United Way of Southeast
Alaska; Communities in Schools
First job in the US: Maid
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: John Eldemar, Sr. my
grandfather who was born in the Philippines. He later
came to Alaska (before it became a state) and worked
in the sh canneries and Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine. The
work was hard and the wages were extremely low. He
helped organize labor when it was dangerous to do so.
Despite the challenges he still worked to organize labor
seeking fair wages and working conditions.
Proudest professional achievement: Working
as a Judge.
Five-year goal: To signicantly improve the quality of
the lives of my children and community.
me: Enjoyment and support of the arts and music!
pass on to others: Filipino family recipes.
MAE CENDAA
TORLAKSON
Manager, Marketing
and Resource
Develelopment,
University of
California MESA
Residence: Pittsburg, CA
Education: B.S. Tourism, University of the Philippines
Community Involvement: Ambrose Recreation
and Park District; Friends of the Delta Trail; Bay Point
Garden Club
First job in the US: Supervisor at Duty Free Shoppers,
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Gloria Ramil Omania.
She empowers Filipinos to get involved in community
projects and public service.
Proudest professional achievement: Becoming
the rst Filipina elected in Contra Costa County.
woman: Breaking the glass ceiling in academia.
Five-year goal: Successfully completing the
renovation of the Ambrose Park according to its master
plan.
me: I wrote stories and scripts for Filipino action lms.
Filipino custom or tradition I would like to pass on to
others: Respect for elders.
MELISSA
ROXAS
Poet, Health
Worker, and
Human Rights
Activist,
Habi Arts
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Education: B.S., Animal Physiology and Neuroscience,
B.A. Third World Studies, UC San Diego
Community Involvement: PEN USA Rosenthal
Emerging Voices; Kundiman Poetry Fellow Great
Leap;Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition
(TASSC)
First job in the US: Worked at a fast-food restaurant
in High School.
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Jessica Hagedorn is one of
the FilAms that I really admire in America. She is a very
accomplished and an award winning writer, poet, and
performer. She is one of the few FilAm women writers
whose work has been recognized internationally. Also
interestingly, the original cover for her famous book,
Dogeaters,was a painting by the late artist Papo De
Asis, who was a really good friend and a very important
mentor for me.
Proudest professional achievement: One of the
things that I am most thankful for is the opportunity
to continue to write and advocate for human rights. I
am one of the few people who survived an enforced
disappearance and torture. This comes with the
responsibility to continue to be a voice for those that
remain missing, continue to be tortured, and killed.
woman: The biggest challenge for me is living with
the memories of what happened to me when I was
abducted and tortured by the Philippine military. It
has been a long road of healing the physical and
psychological wounds. My search for justice continues.
What gives me the strength to continue is knowing
that every time I talk about my experience, it is talking
about the experience of thousands of other people who
are killed, tortured, and disappeared. Every time I speak
out, it means that I am not remaining silent in the face
of injustice.
Five-year goal: To continue being an advocate for
human rights. I also want to continue to develop my
skills as a healer and so I am currently pursuing my
Masters Degree in East Asian Medicine. When I graduate
I hope to continue to serve the poor and disadvantaged
communities in the United States and all over the world.
me: I climbed Machu Picchu and traveled throughout
Latin America.
pass on to others: Our tradition of respect for elders
and our tradition of hospitality. Also, I admire our
traditional spirit of unity in working towards a common
goal.
PAT
GACOSCOS
Councilmember,
City of Union City
Residence: Union City, CA
Education: Candidate, M.A. Ed.
Community Involvement: Alameda County
Human Relations Commission; Alameda County Housing
Authority; Union City Sister City Committee
First job in the US: Assembler
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: My father. He instilled in me
the value of education and hard work; that everything is
possible when you have the mind and the determination
to succeed. He knew that despite his being one of the
best miners, he could not get a managerial position,
because of his lack in education. I always think about
him every time I get a promotion and recognition such
as being selected as one of the 100 Most Inuential
Filipinas.
elected to the Union City Council and topped the election
among nine other candidates, because the residents have
recognized my long record of public service.
woman: Promotion to managerial job in specialized
positions.
Five-year goal: To be successful in serving as a
Councilwoman to eect change and improve the lives
of residents, while balancing my duty as a wife, mother,
civic worker and businesswoman.
me: That I am always serious and reserved.
pass on to others: Respect for elders.
ROSA MENA
MORAN
Administrative
Director, Division
of Workers
Compensation,
State of California
Education: Doctorate of Law, University of San
Francisco School of Law; B.A. Political Economy,
University of the Pacic
First job in the US: Cashier
Fil-Am s/hero in the US: Alice Bulos. She has
championed the cause of Filipino empowerment,
particularly for young women for decades.
Appointment by Governor Jerry Brown as Administrative
Director for the Division of Workers Compensation. Now
responsible for administration of 26 statewide courts and
over 1,000 employees.
woman: To empower Filipina women in state service to
strive for management positions.
Five-year goal: To encourage young attorneys,
especially those of ethnic backgrounds, to consider public
service careers.
pass on to others: That I was once a maintenance
mechanic.
pass on to others: Respect for elders.
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FWN Magazine 2011 - 100 Most Influential Filipina American Women in The U.S.

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