In the Philippines, women have been taking on significant roles across various fields, emerging as influential leaders who are challenging norms, driving innovation and inspiring new generations to pursue excellence.

It’s no different in the highly cutthroat Philippine real estate industry, where women executives have consistently demonstrated decisive and visionary leadership. These exceptional leaders have taken their rightful place at the table, aptly demonstrating that women can, and women will.

A journey of purpose, experience, and empowerment

Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso

Megaworld Corp.

Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso is the current president of Megaworld Corp., bringing over three decades of experience to one of the Philippines’ leading property developers. A certified public accountant, she joined Megaworld in 1990, six years after earning her accounting degree from Far Eastern University, and steadily rose through the ranks.

Before assuming presidency in June 2023, she served several top posts in the company. She also serves on the board of Global-Estate Resorts Inc. and MREIT Inc., the property developer’s affiliate companies.

Alfonso is noted to champion women’s nurturing qualities as valuable leadership strengths while emphasizing the importance of complementary leadership styles between men and women. She earlier said that success is not about proving superiority but about using one’s talents with purpose and integrity.

In 2024, her exceptional contributions earned her a spot among Forbes Asia’s 20 Outstanding Women Leaders and the Fortune 100 Most Powerful Women in Asia list, where she ranked 85th—solidifying her influence as one of the region’s top executives.

Transforming PH retail, hospitality

Mariana Zobel de Ayala

Ayala Land Inc.

Heiress Mariana Zobel de Ayala is gaining prominence as a rising leader in both Philippine real estate and finance.

As senior vice president at the Bank of the Philippine Islands, she has introduced innovative solutions and demonstrated strong commitment in helping shape the future of this field. And it’s unsurprising. Zobel de Ayala started her career at J.P. Morgan in New York, having graduated from Harvard College in 2011 with a BA in Social Studies. In 2020, she received an MBA from INSEAD.

Today, she is an executive director and senior vice president at Ayala Land, overseeing key divisions such as Ayala Malls, Ayala Land Offices, and Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts. She is spearheading the extensive redevelopments of the company’s existing malls and hotels, while also planning additional resorts, and retail spaces to capture emerging market opportunities.

She also previously oversaw leasing strategy and development across the malls, which required building the Ayala Malls Lab/Digital & Data, a new unit focused on commercializing synergistic opportunities using technology and data. She was also named a board adviser for Asia Partners, a Singapore-based private equity firm focused on enabling the next generation of high-growth technology companies in Southeast Asia.

Making a difference in PH real estate

Maria Rochelle S. Diaz

Shang Properties Inc.

Maria Rochelle S. Diaz is the executive vice president for Commercial at Shang Properties, Inc., one of the premier luxury real estate developers in the Philippines. A graduate of De La Salle University, she has built a distinguished career in financial leadership, holding key positions in some of the country’s top corporations.

Prior to joining Shang Properties, Diaz built an impressive career across multiple industries. Her stellar track record included working as chief financial officer at Ayala Land, Inc. and as treasurer and chief financial and information officer at Max’s Group Inc.

In 2023, she joined Shang Properties. As part of the property giant, Diaz believes that sustainability is a way of life and is most effective when seamlessly integrated into design, construction, and development—an approach increasingly adopted by developers.

She also highlights the importance of building a strong community through sustainability programs, such as green living workshops and incentive systems for eco-friendly practices, to drive collective efforts toward a greener future.

Pioneering change, delivering results

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy

Ayala Land Inc.

Anna Ma. Margarita B. “Meean” Dy made history in 2023 when she was named the first female president and chief executive officer of property giant Ayala Land Inc., since it was established over three decades ago. She leads as an example for more than half of the employees in Ayala Land who are women.

More than a year into the job, Dy has provided Ayala Land with stellar numbers under her watch.

Last year, the property arm of the country’s oldest and largest conglomerate achieved a record consolidated revenue of P180.7 billion, up 21 percent from a year ago, while net income rose 15 percent to P28.2 billion. With these achievements, Dy had said that she looked forward to “bring innovative residential and leasing offerings to our customers, expand our market reach and capture new business opportunities.”

Dy graduated magna cum laude from Ateneo de Manila University’s Economics Honors Program in 1990. She received her Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1991 and her MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in 1996.

Her career at Ayala Land spans 18 years, where she was previously executive vice president and senior vice president of the developer and a member of its management committee since 2008.

‘Bench strength’ of homegrown leadership

Ma. Socorro “Mybelle” Aragon-GoBio

Robinsons Land Corp.

Mybelle Aragon-GoBio is recognized as an achiever and trailblazer in her own right. In February 2025, she was appointed as the first female president and chief executive of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC).

Aragon-GoBio originally wanted to be a doctor but was intrigued to take Management Engineering from Ateneo de Manila University after her brother talked about this difficult course. Her constant drive to take on big challenges allowed her to be successful in her career with RLC, which is the first company she joined after graduation.

Rising through the ranks, she represents RLC’s ‘bench strength’ of homegrown leadership. Aragon-GoBio began her career with RLC in 1993 and held significant leadership positions in logistics, residential and office developments, as well as mixed-use estates. Through her strategic vision and innovative approach, she has been instrumental in driving the growth and diversification of the company.

In the early part of her 30-year career in real estate, Aragon-GoBio played a role in establishing RLC’s High-Rise Buildings Division, driving significant revenues through residential condominiums and office projects, which capitalized on the growth of the business process outsourcing industry. She also helped advance the company’s Public-Private Partnership projects with both local and national government entities.

Ensuring growth, expanding horizons

Cathy Casares Ko

Torre Lorenzo Development Corp.

Cathy Casares-Ko has been making wonders in the real estate sector for over three decades now. As chief operating officer of Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. (TLDC), she has defined what it means to expand and innovate in the industry.

Today, she is contributing to TLDC’s continued success as a pioneer of premium university residences and its expansion as a full-scale developer of mixed-use and leisure projects in major urban centers in the country.

In an earlier interview with the Inquirer, Casares-Ko said: “Our success is reflected on how we are able to uplift the lives of our clients and employees, how we are able to contribute to the transformation of the communities where we operate, and how we are able to protect the environment for the generations to come.”

Casares-Ko also leads the company through big wins with her forward thinking. At the core of her values is sustainability. Casares-Ko earlier said that “sustainable growth affects not just ourselves. We acknowledge that it’s our responsibility to the community to create long-term value for the future generations.”

Before joining the company, she had decades’ worth of experience under her belt, having worked with Ortigas and Company, Filinvest Land, and Federal Land Inc.

Constructing a legacy in PH retail

Rosemarie Bosch-Ong

Wilcon Depot

Rosemarie Bosch-Ong is the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot, the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer. With over four decades in the industry, she has played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion and success, leading a workforce of more than 4,000 employees.

Her dedication and leadership were recognized in 2024 when she received the “Asia’s Empowered Iconic Business Leader” award at Asia’s Golden Icon Awards.

Beyond her role in Wilcon Depot, Bosch-Ong is an influential figure in the business and retail sectors. She is also part of several organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Women’s Business Council Philippines. She chairs the Philippine Retailers Association and is founding director of the Proptech Consortium of the Philippines.

Bosch-Ong’s journey from a purchasing manager in 1984 to one of the most respected executives in the industry is an inspiration to young women. She has thrived in a male-dominated field, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Leading with expertise, elegance and vision

Valerie Jane Lopez-Soliven

Rockwell Land Corp.

Rockwell Land’s president and chief operating officer Valerie Jane Lopez-Soliven is a highly influential name in the real estate industry.

Prior to joining Rockwell, Soliven worked at prominent hotels such as Manila Garden Suites and Shangri-La hotels in Singapore and Edsa. A licensed broker, she graduated from the University of the Philippines and, in 2016, eventually completed her studies in the Management Development Program of the Asian Institute Management. She also completed the Leadership Excellence through Awareness and Practice Program in INSEAD Singapore.

Described as elegant, poised, and highly professional, she has been integral to Rockwell Land’s current status as one of the Philippines’ leading real estate firms. Soliven joined Rockwell only shortly before the Asian financial crisis. A hotelier for four years, she found herself working for the newly formed company as an assistant sales manager in 1996.

When she joined the company, she had the fortune of being mentored by Rockwell’s former president and now chairman Nestor J. Padilla. After being steered to the path of success, she is now paying it forward. Soliven is highly regarded as a coach and mentor of many senior executives with her real estate experience for nearly three decades.

Shaping a sustainable, resilient future

Jessica Bianca Sy

SM Development Corp.

As a third-generation Sy and a key force behind SM Development Corp. (SMDC), Jessica Bianca Sy’s vision as vice president and head of design, innovation, and strategy is rooted in her family’s long standing mission of building a nation of homeowners–a dream championed by her father, SMDC chairman Henry Sy Jr.

What’s highly notable about Sy though is her passion for sustainability and resilience.

Since joining SMDC, she has advocated for environmentally responsible building practices, green technologies and energy-efficient systems. Her work integrates disaster risk reduction into property development as well, ensuring that each project becomes an innovative, resilient environment that inspires progress.

A key voice for the Philippines at the United Nations Leaders’ Roundtables on Resilient Infrastructure Systems, Sy further demonstrated that her designs for change are about impact and inclusion.

Sy is an architect by profession, with an expertise grounded on both practical and academic experience. She progressed from Architectural Student to Graduate of Architecture at Plus Architecture, Australia, and possesses under her belt several other credentials, including a Foundation Degree in Design from RMIT University, a bachelor’s degree in Design with a double major in Architecture and Marketing, and a Master of Architecture degree from Queensland University of Technology.

Anchoring success with a fresh perspective

Elizabeth L. Ventura

Anchor Land Holdings Inc.

Digna Elizabeth L. Ventura has been the incumbent president of Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. since August 2011. Although real estate is perceived to be a male-dominated industry, Ventura felt that being a woman at the helm of a property firm proved to be an advantage because she brings to the table a fresh perspective.

After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Santo Tomas, she held different positions in sales and marketing for other real estate companies before joining Anchor Land. In 2005, she served as the assistant vice president for Sales and Marketing of Anchor Land and was promoted four years after as vice president.

In an interview with Inquirer in 2019, Ventura shared that she devised her own strategies to improve her craft and compete in a tough industry, including finding leads in hotels and coffee shops. Such strategies proved to be effective as Ventura gained a loyal clientele, enabling her to consistently hit her targets and be on top of her game.

But not one to rest on her laurels, Ventura continued to hone her craft by taking further studies and joining organizations that would later become crucial in her career. As president of Anchor Land, Ventura shares how their hands-on approach to property development has been the key to the company’s success for the last 20 years.

A woman of action, a leader with a heart

Camille A. Villar

AllValue Group

She may be juggling multiple roles, but she is undeniably a modern woman of substance. Camille A. Villar—a lawmaker, entrepreneur, daughter, wife, and mother—has alway been driven by grace, purpose and passion in everything she does. Whether advocating for policy changes, running successful businesses, or nurturing her young family, she has always sought to not just lead and serve, but also inspire and empower those around her.

Villar is the president and chief executive officer of AllValue Group, a rapidly growing retail chain in the Philippines. She also serves as a director at Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Golden Bria Holdings, Inc., and Vista Malls Inc. Beyond her corporate leadership, she has also built a strong presence in public service, serving as a Representative of Las Piñas since 2019 and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2021.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions to business and governance, Villar received international acclaim in 2022 at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in Las Vegas. She was honored as Government Hero of the Year and named Female Executive of the Year for Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, underscoring her influence in the industry.

Villar holds a Bachelor’s degree in management from Ateneo de Manila University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the prestigious IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Pioneering ‘premier family living’

Fatima “Pammy” Olivares-Vital

Ovialand Inc.

Fatima “Pammy” Olivares-Vital joined the real estate industry in 2006 after her dad, Giovanni Olivares of the Malate Construction and Development Corp. (MCDC), invited her to work for the family business.

Fresh out of college, she then faced a sales slump, armed with only two years of business management coursework before shifting to psychology. The years she spent in MCDC, a socialized and low-cost builder, led her to be committed to making premium homes available and affordable for the hardworking Filipinos.

In 2014, Ovialand Inc. was incorporated. While still working with MCDC, Vital was appointed as business unit head of Ovialand, during which she ensured that the company was not just building houses, but also providing families with secure, premium homes. In 2020, Vital became the president of Ovialand.

With Vital at the helm, Ovialand pioneered “premier family living” in its segment—ensuring quality homes with prime finishes, exceptional customer service, and communities offering safe spaces and choice amenities.

Vital is also known for her hands-on approach. In earlier interviews, she shared that she would actively monitor feedback from social media channels and taps into insights from diverse online communities–including Facebook mommy groups–to identify trends and preferences.

Sources: Inquirer Archives, asiarealestatesummit.com, smdc.com, insead.edu, asiapropertyawards.com, ir.ayalaland.com.ph, theorg.com, e-rockwell.com, allvalue.com.ph, corporate.allhome.com.ph, wilcon.com.ph, wsj.com, shangproperties.com, jgsummit.com.ph, robinsonsland.com