Women leaders changing PH business landscape
In the boardrooms where men overwhelmingly take the lead, these two powerful Filipinas seek to make it clear: vision and leadership know no gender.
Robinsons Land Corp. CEO Mybelle Aragon-GoBio and Ayala Corp. managing director Mariana Zobel de Ayala—two of the country’s top women corporate leaders—have proven this.
With years of influence in their respective fields, Aragon-GoBio and Zobel are the only two women executives from the Philippines recognized in Forbes’ list of “Asia’s Power Businesswomen 2025.”
Shattering social expectations that only men officials could deliver significant financial gains, Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson says those named in the list are not just embracing changes, but are steering the way for a new business scene.
Purpose, care
It was only less than a year after the real estate veteran took the reins of Robinsons Land, with her appointment shaking things up, as Aragon-GoBio is the first woman and non-Gokongwei family member to run the corridors of the property giant.
Armed with three decades of experience in beefing up Robinsons Land’s portfolio, from high-rise buildings to mixed-use estates, the 52-year-old industry stalwart is not just after a ballooning bottom line.
“I have always believed that leadership is about creating value that endures and making a difference people can genuinely feel,” she tells Inquirer.
“At Robinsons Land, what drives me is the work of building communities and improving lives, and doing that work the right way, with integrity and purpose,” the property executive says.
After clinching a spot on Forbes’ list, Aragon-GoBio hopes to leave this belief— “that progress built on care and accountability is the kind that lasts.”
“I also hold a deep faith in what Filipinos can achieve, that by doing our work well and staying true to our values, we can build enterprises that stand proudly on the world stage,” she adds.
New era of Filipinas
Then comes 37-year-old Zobel, a young executive spearheading the leasing and hospitality business of Ayala Land with a $2-billion war chest to bolster a portfolio of malls, offices and hotels.
Surrounded by driven figures, Zobel has been exposed to women’s radiating influence and visibility, not just in business.
“Women play a critical role in society—within their own families, organizations and communities—leaving a lasting impact and shaping future generations,” Zobel writes in a commentary.
It was published by Inquirer on March 21, in celebration of Women’s Month.
“There is power in the choices that the modern Filipina consumer makes, especially in today’s era of endless options. Every decision is a careful discernment of where they want to spend their time and resources,” she adds.
As a leader, Zobel carries with her the power of diversity, equity and inclusion, especially as women remain “an underrepresented group.”
“Bringing those unique perspectives and experiences to the organizations they are part of will yield tremendous results and hopefully new ways of looking at things,” she says.
Seeing the issue of gender equity as of “national importance,” Zobel believes the journey isn’t over. And more needs to be done.
The list of Asia’s Power Businesswomen also includes other distinguished leaders across the region: Kuok Hui Kwong, CEO of Shangri-La Asia; Hindustan Unilever’s first woman CEO Priya Nair; Margaret Kao, chair and CEO of Taipei-based Marketech International; HSBC Hong Kong CEO Maggie Ng; Amanda Lacaze, managing director and CEO of Lynas Rare Earths; Temasek chief financial officer Png Chin Yee; Chung Yoo-kyung, head of Shinsegae Inc., South Korea’s largest department store chain; Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group and Jamie Khoo, DayOne Data Centers CEO.
