WHAT does it take to shape a future where leadership is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable in our social and institutional systems?
That was the central question at the “Breaking Barriers: Women Leading in Business and Beyond” forum organized by the Nextgen Organization of Women Corporate Directors last June at the BPI Wealth Lounge in Makati City. The event brought together leaders from business, government, and academia to reflect on the progress of women’s leadership and the structural changes needed to support it.
At the forefront of the conversation was the Far Eastern University (FEU) Public Policy Center, whose participation affirmed the higher education institution’s long-standing commitment to research, inclusion and future-ready leadership.
FEU Public Policy Center Executive Director Julia Andrea Abad moderated a dynamic panel discussion with Mariana Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Land, Robina
Gokongwei-Pe of Robinsons Retail, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Political Science Professor Dr. Jean Franco of UP Diliman. Together, they explored the lived realities of women in leadership, the role of mentorship, and how institutions can evolve to foster greater diversity at the top.
“Sustainability includes building systems that empower people equitably and evolve with the times,” Abad noted. “True progress requires dismantling the barriers that keep leadership from reflecting the diversity of our society.”
In a key moment in the forum, FEU Public Policy Center data analyst Patricia Thea Basilio delivered a research presentation on gender attitudes among Filipino college students. Referencing their 2024 College Experience Survey, the study revealed that sexist views remain prevalent among young people, especially males, and are often linked to higher interest in leadership roles. These, Basilio said, raise important concerns for the country’s future leadership landscape.
“We found that many of those aspiring to lead still hold beliefs that could [undermine the very inclusivity they aim] to champion,” she shared. “This calls for deeper reflection on how we cultivate both skills and values in our future leaders.”
Consultant for External Affairs Gianna Montinola represented FEU’s senior leadership at the event, where she introduced Zobel de Ayala as keynote speaker. Montinola’s involvement highlighted FEU’s broader institutional advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion across sectors.
“Inclusive leadership doesn’t happen by accident: It requires intention, investment, and collaboration,” she said. “As an academic institution, FEU takes this responsibility seriously, both in what we teach and in the research we pursue.”
Bringing the lone academic research voice to the table, FEU contributed a unique perspective that blended empirical insights with practical recommendations for cultivating inclusive leadership in a changing world. The event closed with a call to continue building networks that support women not only in reaching leadership roles, but in thriving within them.
As for the university, the work continues: generating data that matters, fostering dialogues that challenge norms, and preparing students to lead with both competence and values.
This article first appeard on Business Mirror online.