Foundever, a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions, recently celebrated resilience, inclusionand empowerment during the Disability at Foundever(DAF) Summit 2024. Foundever hosted the event at its location in Tarlac and streamed online for its associates nationwide. The summit highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace that supports individuals across the full spectrum of human abilities.
“The DAF Summit 2024 reflects our unwavering commitment at Foundever to inclusivity and the celebration of unique stories that inspire us to build a more empathetic workplace,” said Mizthi Abatayo, HR Business Partner (HRBP) Manager and Secretary of Disability at Foundever, adding that “initiatives like the human library, help foster understanding and resilience among our associates, empowering them to thrive personally and professionally.”
DAF Summit 2024 highlights
A key feature of the summit was the “human library” segment. This part of the program presented associates who shared powerful personal stories, inspiring greater understanding and empathy within the organization.
Geoffrey Que, Senior Director of Operations and 2nd Co-Chairperson of Disability at Foundever, shared his journey of balancing career aspirations with personal responsibilities. He discussed how he is managing life with a child with autism and emphasized the importance of a supportive workplace during challenging times. Que encouraged associates to discover their own “why,” underscoring how inclusivity fosters strong leadership and resilient teams.
Jasmin Concepcion, a customer service representative at Foundever in Tarlac, spoke about her experiences as a person with a disability: from financial difficulties to pursuing education, and how she managed to find meaningful work and community support at Foundever. Concepcion’s story was a moving, inspiring model of resilience and it demonstrated the powerful, positive impact of having an inclusive environment where everyone treats each other like family.
Mizthi Abatayo, HRBP Manager and Secretary of Disability at Foundever, candidly shared her experience with invisible disabilities—conditions that can become disabling but are not so obvious to another person. In her case, she discussed bipolar disorder. She highlighted how leadership support and advocacy can create understanding and foster an inclusive workplace. In sharing her story, Abatayo underscored the importance of empathy in supporting colleagues with invisible challenges.
The human library session provided associates a unique opportunity to gain insights into the lives of their peers, while also reinforcing the values of resilience, community support, and advocacy.