At the MEGA Woman Club panel discussion, esteemed speakers Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Mili Kale, Savina Chow, and Grace Vera Cruz joined host Stephanie Zubiri to discuss the future of female leadership in Asia. As more women step into positions of influence, mentorship, digital innovation, and global collaboration are shaping the next generation of changemakers. This conversation examines the role of mentorship, the power of digital connectivity, and the steps needed to build a more inclusive and empowered future.
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Mentorship in Action Shapes Future Leaders
Mentorship is more than just guidance—it’s about actively creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Grace Vera Cruz emphasized that she owes much of her success to mentors who went beyond offering advice. “They weren’t just mentors; they were sponsors,” she shared. “They would push me up, like make me be the first in line for whatever new training.” She highlighted the importance of leaders who actively advocate for their mentees, citing her own experience at Grab. “Even my boss today, the founder of Grab, was telling me, ‘You choose what training you need, and I will sponsor you.’”
Beyond formal mentorship, Vera Cruz also believes that simply witnessing a strong working woman in action can shape young minds. She shared how she incorporates her work into her children’s lives, often telling them about her day before bedtime. “One of the things I really enjoy doing is telling my boys the details of my day before they sleep—like what happened at work, what Mama did today. At five and seven, they actually understand it. And when they understand it, they learn from it,” Vera Cruz declared. She believes that showing children what a strong, accomplished woman looks like is just as important as direct mentorship.
For Korina Sanchez-Roxas, meanwhile, mentorship is about planting seeds of empowerment—whether through speeches or simply leading by example. “Whenever I’m invited to do speeches for colleges, graduating classes and universities, I never say no,” she said, “because I really believe in planting that seed of empowerment in the minds of the young generation, boys and girls alike.” Reflecting on her own journey, she noted that while she didn’t have female mentors, success comes from being observant and taking initiative. She further asserts that true learning comes from being observant and drawing insights from every experience—whether through social media, family, or everyday life.
Guidance, Growth, and the Role of Everyday Mentors
Savina Chow views mentorship as more than structured guidance—it’s about meaningful relationships. “Mentorship can feel intimidating, especially for younger people,” she admitted. Instead of seeking formal mentors, she found wisdom and support through strong friendships. These relationships, whether with friends in finance, fashion, and beauty or with influential women in her personal life, have given her invaluable insights. “They’ve taught me how to be a better wife, daughter, friend, and leader.” For the Blunies founder, mentorship doesn’t have to follow traditional structures—it can be found in everyday connections that uplift and empower.
Mili Kale echoed the idea that mentorship can feel daunting, admitting that she still grapples with imposter syndrome. She confessed that when people ask her for mentorship, her first reaction is disbelief. “I’m always shocked. Like, why are you asking me?” However, she has found ways to share knowledge and resources through her role as a founder. “Over the last few years, it’s been such a great opportunity to share—knowledge, resources, or people we’ve met along the journey.”
One of the ways Kale fosters mentorship is through structured cross-team collaboration: “Something we do on a quarterly basis is connect with other team members from other teams—ideally larger teams with more experience—so they can share with our marketing lead their experiences.” Kale believes that exposure to different perspectives is invaluable, especially for emerging leaders. She also acknowledged the impact of her own mentors, both male and female, and noted that much of what she learned about leadership also came from observing her parents.
Mentorship, whether found in friendships, workplace collaboration, or family influences, plays a crucial role in shaping leaders. While some, like Chow, find strength in personal connections, others, like Kale, work to pass on knowledge despite their own doubts. Their experiences highlight the many ways in which leadership is cultivated—not just through formal mentorship but through shared wisdom, support, and lived experiences.
Authenticity and Ambition: The True Formula for Success
Patience, consistency, and self-belief stood out in the panel’s final reflections. Mili Kale spoke about the pressure of success in the social media age, where constant comparisons make it feel like a race. Even after years of building Moom Health, she still finds herself measuring against long-established companies. Her biggest lesson? “Be patient and consistent—there’s value in showing up every day for yourself, your team, and those around you.”
Savina Chow reinforced this mindset with what she called the “racehorse theory,” a lesson she learned from a close friend. She explained that racehorses wear blinders to avoid being distracted by others running alongside them—a concept she applies to her own life. Instead of comparing her progress to others, she focuses on her own pace and circumstances. “I shouldn’t look at other people’s achievements and how fast they run, but instead focus on myself. The best I can do is what’s right for me in my current circumstances.” Embracing this perspective, she made the bold decision to step away for a year to focus on herself. “It’s okay to take breaks when you see everyone running super fast,” she said, acknowledging how difficult it can be to pause while others seem to be excelling. But for her, stepping back was necessary, and she emphasized, “That is perfectly okay.”
Grace Vera Cruz, as a final word, encouraged women to dream without limits, sharing her own personal theme for the year: “being bold,” recognizing that self-doubt often holds people back. “What’s been stopping me all these years from being the best person that I can be is myself.” Her message to the next generation was simple but powerful: “Dream bigger and aspire for more. Not because today isn’t enough, but because the only thing stopping us from achieving our full potential is ourselves.”
Korina Sanchez-Roxas shared an anecdote that illustrated resilience and transformation: a young woman applied to be a reporter under her but initially struggled with confidence. Sanchez-Roxas had blunt advice: “Look, honey, I need soldiers. If you’re not ready for warfare, this is not the door to go through.” That same woman eventually toughened up, worked her way through the newsroom, and became a congresswoman. Sanchez-Roxas’s takeaway? “I believe in the power of a kind word and the importance of recognizing potential. If you spot a good one, don’t let them go.”
Stephanie Zubiri wrapped up the conversation by celebrating the power of authenticity. “When a woman steps into her power—into her most authentic self—that’s when she shines. Whatever it is that you want to be, be the best at it. That’s when the magic happens.”
Photographed by GRANT BABIA and ANGELOU LUQUE
Special thanks to PANDORA, MYRA, LUXE BEAUTY AND WELLNESS, and GRAB
