Women of real estate named as among Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful in Asia
Trailblazing Filipina executives in Philippine real estate have earned their rightful place in Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful Women Asia 2024.
This prestigious list, which was released earlier this month, honors women who are “redefining the concept of leadership by transforming companies, disrupting industries and driving growth, innovation and business excellence, whilst inspiring their teams, peers, industries and the next generation of leaders.”
The inclusion of Filipina real estate leaders in this list thus highlights their growing influence and significance in a sector that is traditionally dominated by men, and which remains vital to the country’s continuing economic development.
Specifically, seven Filipina leaders landed on the list, four of which are engaged in real estate development and/or specific segments in this sector. These are GCash president and chief executive officer Martha Sazon, who ranked 38th; Robinsons Retail Holdings president and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe (48th); Shell Pilipinas president and CEO Lorelie Quiambao Osial (67th); Ayala Land president and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita Bautista Dy (73rd); Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Lynette Ortiz (82nd); Megaworld president Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso (85th); and Filinvest Development president and CEO Rhoda Huang (98th).
As president and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Gokongwei-Pe oversees one of the country’s largest multi-format retailers with a range of businesses including supermarkets, drugstores, and pet supplies. Robinsons has a network of over 2,400 stores across the Philippines, plus more than 2,000 franchised drug stores, according to data from Fortune.
Dy meanwhile made history by becoming Ayala Land Inc.’s first female chief executive officer since the company’s inception more than three decades ago. She also currently serves as the president of the property giant. Her appointment last year can be attributed to her “extensive experience” and “pivotal leadership roles within the strategic landbank management group.”
Prior to her appointment, Dy was the company’s executive vice president and COO, and has been a member of the management committee since 2008. She was also said to have played a key role in launching critical projects in Ayala Land’s portfolio, such as Bonifacio Global City, Nuvali, Vertis, and Arca South, while leading the residential business group and, in the latter part of her career, the malls, offices, and the hotels and resorts group.
Gutierrez-Alfonso is another veteran in the Philippine real estate industry, having joined Megaworld in 1990, just six months after it was founded by tycoon and real estate magnate Andrew Tan. As president of Megaworld, the largest office developer in the Philippines, Gutierrez-Alfonso has been a key figure in the company’s expansion. Her tenure has seen Megaworld redefine urban living through its township developments, integrating residential, commercial, and business spaces to create self-sustaining communities.
With her extensive experience and leadership, Gutierrez-Alfonso has been instrumental in helping shape the real estate landscape in the country
Huang is the first person outside the founding Gotianun family appointed to lead as president and CEO of Filinvest Development Corp. With an impressive background in banking and finance, Huang is bringing a fresh perspective to the conglomerate’s diverse operations, which span real estate, banking, and renewable energy.
