The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI), in collaboration with Connected Women and the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), successfully hosted the 3rd Women Lead Conference on March 12, 2025, at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. This remarkable event, attended by over 200 influential women leaders, marked a significant celebration of International Women’s Month and served as a powerful platform for driving change and fostering connections among top businesswomen, executives, and policymakers.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Sergio Boero, President of ICCPI, and Lorens Ziller, Executive Director of ICCPI, setting the tone for a day filled with inspiration, collaboration, and meaningful discussions.
35+ Women Speakers, One Mission: Empowerment!
This year’s conference was bigger and bolder, spotlighting the social, economic, and political achievements of women. With over 35 powerhouse women speakers, the event fostered strategic alliances and groundbreaking conversations that are shaping the future of women in commerce.
Among the highlights was the Women Leadership Panel, moderated by Andria Terese Nicolas, Vice President and CMO of Tag Media Group, publisher of Rising Tigers, InCharge and TopNewsAsia. The esteemed panel featured:
• Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Editor-in-Chief of MEGA
• Nikki D. Tang, CEO of DMark Beauty
• Ruth Yu-Owen, President of Upgrade Energy Philippines
• Ice Calderon, President of Bizzgator
The discussions delved into the evolving landscape of women’s leadership, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they are creating for future generations.
The Women in Entrepreneurship Panel was another highly anticipated session, moderated by Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, Co-Founder and President of Tag Media Group. The distinguished panelists included:
• Jonah Sison-Ramos, CEO of Dear Face Beauty and New Moon
• Miles Ballestar, Co-founder, Owner & CEO of iONTEK Power Solutions Corporation
• Dr. Christine Daguno-Canoy, President and CEO of Neocolors Productions and Advertising Inc.
• Atty. Amanda Carpo, Co-founder & Chief Legal Counsel of KMC Solutions
This session focused on the success stories of women entrepreneurs, their strategies for overcoming business challenges, and the future of female-led enterprises in the Philippines.
A Unified Effort to Inspire Change
The event was masterfully organized by Gabrielle Hahn-Lopez, Director of Public and Media Relations at ICCPI & GMA Sparkle Artist, who worked tirelessly to coordinate with stakeholders and ensure the success of the conference. Adding elegance and energy to the event, Liza Diño served as the emcee, keeping the audience engaged throughout the day.
This year’s Women Lead Conference was not just a celebration of women’s achievements but a call to action for continued progress in leadership, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. With the backing of ICCPI, Tag Media Group, and other key partners, the event solidified its role as a driving force for women’s leadership in the Philippines.
As the movement for gender equality and women empowerment continues to gain momentum, events like these play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and progressive business landscape. With women at the forefront, the future of commerce in the Philippines is undoubtedly brighter and more dynamic than ever.
