BRAINS OVER ‘BROWN’
“One myth that I help debunk is the idea that women in the automotive executive suite lack the technical depth or industry toughness to lead effectively. My experience has shown that women bring strong strategic, analytical, and operational capabilities. We have shown that a leadership style grounded in empathy and discipline is a competitive advantage.”
That’s how Atty. Imelda M. Abadilla-Brown, the current First Vice President for Legal of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp (MMPC), answered when asked what specific “myth” about being a woman in the auto industry she enjoyed debunking.
Brown is the former president and vice president, respectively, of two other male-dominated organizations: The Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi).
In my first feature on her in March 2023, when she was still FVP for the Corporate Division, she said, “Gender doesn’t define your value. It’s the value that you bring to the organization that matters. So, keep striving, persevering, and challenging yourself. Success does not come overnight. You go through bumpy roads and experience roller coaster rides. What’s important is that you safely arrive at your desired destination and enjoy the ride.”
The Lal-lo, Cagayan native and mother of two noted that her current role at MMPC is now “more focused on building compliance strategy to ensure that internal policies and controls are in place, external regulations are observed, and everyone in the organization shares good values.”
“As (Mitsubishi) is a major automotive brand, compliance is key to safeguarding company reputation,” Brown explained. “In this role, I realize that power or influence is not driven by titles. Power lies in one’s ability to change mindsets and drive positive change in the workplace. My role gave me this opportunity to drive a compliance culture built on trust, and I can see significant transformation within the organization in this area.”
Brown described working at MMPC as “fulfilling, with plenty of opportunities to grow and innovate; our culture values teamwork, collaboration, and continuous learning.”
‘Chase excellence, not titles’
Today, her advice for any young female lawyer or professional who looks at her career at Mitsubishi and says, ‘I want to be in that seat one day,’ is clear:
“Don’t chase titles. Chase excellence. When I started, I didn’t aim to be in this seat. I simply focused on doing the work with excellence and integrity, learning relentlessly, and showing up with courage even if I was the only woman in the room,” Brown said.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out from Day One. Leadership in law or in any industry is earned through consistency, credibility, and compassion. You will encounter difficult challenges; accept these as opportunities to build your confidence and mature as a leader. The seat will come when you have built yourself strong enough to carry it,” she added.
New breed of leaders
On her current designations in other organizations or academic institutions, Brown said: “As I approach retirement age, I have transferred my leadership roles at TMA and CAMPI to give way to a new and younger breed of leaders, but I have continued and will continue my role in shaping and developing a new breed of lawyers through the academe. I humbly share that I was given the opportunity to serve as a Bar Examiner in the 2023 and 2024 examinations in the field of Labor Law, and it warms my heart to see many of my former students successfully hurdle the bar. I also continue to teach in various law schools and conduct bar review lectures.”
Brown’s role often deals with high-stakes government relations and corporate governance. Asked for her “litmus test” for making a difficult decision when there is no clear legal or business precedent, she said: “If a decision is principled and upholds fairness, dignity, and integrity—even in uncertainty—then it is the right one.”
Brown’s background in labor standards and social legislation is extensive. This expertise heavily influences how she manages MMPC’s corporate culture and ensures that “power” is used to protect and empower the workforce.
“My labor law background has taught me that a strong corporate culture is one where people feel secure, respected, and protected. It reminds me that management prerogative must be exercised with due regard to the rights of employees. When employees trust that leadership uses power to protect—not intimidate—they become more engaged, empowered, and committed to the shared mission,” said Brown.
In the 2023 article, Brown mentioned that her daughter was a student at De La Salle University in Manila earning a double degree in Philosophy and Entrepreneurship, while her son was studying Computer Science at Mapúa University. She said that today, “My children are about to finish their respective degrees. While completing their studies, they are helping run our small family business. I am proud to see them committed to finishing their studies and starting early in operating a business.”
From courtroom to showroom
A career in the auto industry seemed furthest from Abadilla-Brown’s mind during her early academic life. Her first job was as an Executive Assistant at the Court of Appeals. She later joined the law firm of the late Senator Raul Roco (Roco, Bunag, Kapunan and Jardeleza), where she engaged in private practice.
Brown earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science at the University of Santo Tomas and her Bachelor of Laws at San Beda College of Law (now San Beda University).
In 1993, Abadilla-Brown began teaching law. It was in this academic setting in 1995 that she was referred by a colleague at San Beda to the chief legal counsel of Mitsubishi, which was then called Pamcor.
“Since then, I never left the brand,” she said. Abadilla-Brown started as an assistant manager in the legal department, becoming a manager in 1998. She rose to senior manager, then was appointed MMPC assistant vice president in 2014, and vice president by 2018.
