The SM group, with its presence across multiple industries and millions of customers served, said it promotes the value of inclusion and underscores the role of diversity toward shaping a sustainable future for the company.
“We ensure a thriving workplace culture across the group guided by our principles of diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI],” said SM Group diversity officer Elizabeth Anne Uychaco said the group joins this year’s celebration of Women’s Month.
“In doing so, we provide inclusive safe spaces where we can help develop the full potential of our colleagues by celebrating their individuality and diverse backgrounds,” she said.
About 62 percent of SM’s employees are women and about the same percentage of varying managerial roles are held by women. Among these leaders is WalterMart president Jennilyn Uy, who started her journey in the organization by working behind the register in one of WalterMart’s stores when she was in her first year of college.
“I remember working in the store as a cashier on weekends and during school breaks in the summer and the holiday season,” said Uy. I rotated across different roles, whether it’s bagging groceries, visual merchandising, or stocking inventory you name it—I was able to do them.”
The 30-year veteran in the food retail industry also recalled her time packing holiday baskets for the Christmas festivities. Entering WalterMart’s management trainee program, she also learned the ropes working in different departments, from accounting to marketing and store set-up. When asked whether she saw herself leading the organization one day, she said it was always a dream job.
Leading the company allows her to make a positive impact in the lives of the communities, served by WalterMart, providing gainful employment to Filipinos, as well as giving affordable access to fresh and high-quality products to customers.
“Female leadership often embodies empathy. And I think treading that journey with my mentors who empowered me to reach my full potential allowed me to feel more connected with our people now. We seek to continue providing that same environment where individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to showcase their best and bring out their utmost potential,” she said.
SM Group’s logistics arm 2GO Group Inc. also celebrates women empowerment in the workplace. The company is comprised of over 43 percent of women in its workforce—with more than half of their senior management positions held by women.
Elsewhere across the group, women leaders are being recognized by industry-leading organizations who helped pave the way in breaking the ceiling and setting a bigger space for the next generation to prosper.
Rosemarie Rafael, chairperson of Airspeed, made strides in the end-to-end logistics solutions industry. Beyond the company’s longstanding presence for over three decades, Rafael is also the first woman president of the Air Cargo Forwarders Association.
“We are committed to raising awareness and advocating for diversity across the group,” Uychaco said. “As a group, we work hard together to make sure diversity and inclusion aren’t mere words on our press releases but lived out daily by our colleagues through our shared values and culture.”