Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) recently welcomed EastWest Bank’s Executive Director Isabelle Gotianun Yap and two other women leaders to its board of directors, further emphasizing the company’s commitment towards embracing inclusion at the highest levels of the organization. Joining Yap as FDC’s new board of directors are Atty. Marievic G. Ramos- Añonuevo and former Philippines Treasurer Mina C. Figueroa. The company’s board of directors comprises five women out of seven members, marking a significant step forward on gender parity and diverse leadership.
Isabelle Yap graduated cum laude from the Singapore Management University with a degree in Business Management. She obtained her MBA from the Harvard Business School. Meanwhile, Atty. Marievic G. Ramos-Añonuevo has over 40 years of law practice and has advised major local and foreign clients in banking, finance, investments, and mergers and acquisitions. Mina C. Figueroa, on the other hand, is a Certified Public Accountant and former Treasurer of the Philippines.
The other two female Directors are FDC President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang, who was nominated as Director in 2023, and Vice Chairperson Lourdes Josephine Gotianun Yap who was first elected as Director of FDC in 1990.
Isabelle Gotianun Yap: Inspiring women to fulfill their dreams
At a Filinvest event dedicated to Women’s Month, Yap delivered an inspiring talk about redefining strength and realizing dreams as an empowered Filipina.
“In reflecting on my journey, I owe a debt of gratitude to influential mentors like my grandmother, Mercedes Gotianun, a dedicated implementor, and my mother, Josephine Gotianun Yap, a visionary leader. They’ve shown me the value of authenticity in leadership — the courage to stay true to oneself and the importance of leading with integrity,” Yap said. “At Filinvest, our gender-neutral environment ensures equal opportunities for all and creates a culture of collaboration where everyone’s contribution to the business is valued.”
Filinvest maintains a gender-neutral environment, with women near-equal representation for men and women in the workforce, leadership roles, and the board, reflecting the organization’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.
In 2023, 57% of employees across the Filinvest group are women, 50% at the executive level are women, and 51.3% at the executive, manager, and supervisor levels are women.
This year, the Filinvest group is earmarking a total combined capital expenditure budget of ₱25 billion. Sixty percent of this budget will be allocated to the development of real estate projects. Another 15 percent will be directed towards renewable energy projects, while an additional 15 percent will be invested in expanding the hospitality business. The remaining balance will be dedicated to digitalization and other ventures. The company is focused on driving synergy and collaboration across FDC’s business portfolio and future-proofing the organization to propel the Filinvest group forward.
