Tess Oben-Reyes: Leadership with a feminine touch
International Women’s Month may be coming to a close this March, but work goes on for all the leading ladies of the automotive industry.
One of them is Tess Oben-Reyes, who has spent over three decades helping the Oben Group grow into one of the country’s top-performing Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) dealer groups. As senior vice president for finance and administration, she oversees the operations of Toyota Balintawak, Toyota Otis, Toyota North EDSA, Toyota Marilao and Toyota San Jose Del Monte.
“Financial discipline has been key in keeping us resilient and growing despite challenges,” she told Inquirer Mobility in an exclusive interview.
“I take pride in helping develop a culture of accountability and integrity in financial management – values that Atty. Rey Oben, my father and our founder, instilled in me,” the veteran automotive executive added.
Growing up the ranks
Much like her brother, Oben Group president Cosco Oben, Oben-Reyes cut her teeth in the car industry by working in her family’s first dealership, Toyota Balintawak.
“I started as an assistant to the vice president for finance and administration in 1993,” she said. “I was promoted to vice president for finance and administration at Toyota Otis in 1994, and later held the same position across other dealerships.”
Oben-Reyes said she was appointed to her current role in 2019 and only recently became executive vice president of Toyota Balintawak.
“One of my most significant achievements is ensuring the financial strength and operational stability of the Oben Group dealerships over the years, particularly during economic downturns and market disruptions,” she said.
“I’ve also learned that trust and integrity are invaluable assets, whether in dealing with customers, employees or business partners,” Oben-Reyes added. “These principles have guided me in making sound financial decisions that benefit not just the company, but also our team members and customers.”
A woman’s competitive edge
Oben-Reyes said although she has faced challenges as a woman in the car industry, she saw these as opportunities to prove herself.
“The automotive industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but I focused on delivering results, staying disciplined and setting a high standard of professionalism,” she said. “Hard work and integrity speak louder than anything else.”
Oben-Reyes added that women have a competitive edge in a fast-paced and constantly evolving business that requires strategic planning and adaptability.
“Women tend to have a stronger attention to detail, a more collaborative leadership style, and a natural ability to balance analytical and people-centric decision-making, all of which are essential in finance and operations,” she said.
The power of unity
Oben-Reyes points to her family’s unity and ability to work seamlessly as their greatest assets.
“We each know where to put in our individual strengths, when to lead, and when to step back and support each other,” she said. “This deep trust and understanding allows to us to make unified decisions and drive the organization in the right direction. We were raised to always help one another and this is the same culture of teamwork and solidarity that we instill to our teams.”
Oben-Reyes added that those who want a fulfilling, long-term career in the car industry, whether man or woman, must be dedicated and willing to evolve with the times.
“Learn the fundamentals, stay disciplined, and always uphold integrity in everything you do,” she said. “Financial stability is the backbone of any dealership, so whether you’re in sales, after-sales, operations, back-office or management, understanding how financial decisions impact the bigger picture will set you apart.”
Oben-Reyes likewise emphasized the power of teamwork in making businesses bloom.
“Success in any business is not just about individual performance, but about how well you collaborate, trust and support the people around you,” she said. “Most importantly, stay committed to excellence because when you consistently do good work, opportunities will follow.”
Salute to women like Tess Oben-Reyes, who go all-out, all-year-round!
