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EmpowHER: Building a better workplace for women at Capital One Philippines

Capital One Philippines is committed to inspiring inclusion to the next level by investing in its people through platforms where they can express their thoughts and share their ideas, build a support network, and find allies and mentors who can help them reach their goals.

One of these platforms is EmpowHER – a business resource group that stands for Empower Her – which provides a platform for women to connect, become mentors or be mentored, and share their stories of triumphs and adversities.

Wax Pangan, Capital One Philippines Director of Operations and EmpowHER Accountable Executive shared, “In EmpowHER, we have mentoring programs for our women leaders, and we ask senior leaders to mentor our up-and-coming women associates. We believe in paying it forward because I, for example, would not be here if not for the women leaders who supported me.”

Aside from mentorship, EmpowHER also hosts learning events that provide skills and knowledge for everyday work. In one EmpowHER learning event survey, an associate shared, “I find it valuable as a People Leader that these initiatives help me know how to handle my direct reports and create an impact not just in the numbers of their performance but in their lives in general. May the company continue to provide us with venues or channels to promote and strengthen inclusiveness and diversity.”

At EmpowHER, women and allies come together to help drive the organization’s commitment to gender equity and empower women by elevating their achievements and enabling them to become the best versions of themselves. One of these avenues is the Superwoman Awards, an annual recognition program for women by EmpowHER.

Geraldine Anterola, the recipient of the 2023 Superwoman Awards, shared, “The recognition gave me more reasons to know my purpose in life. It was a humbling experience knowing that my colleagues look up to me and see me as a role model and an inspiration. Everything I learned from this experience got me more motivated.”

Inclusion is a core part of Capital One Philippines

Heather Ramos, Capital One Philippines Chief Operating Officer, believes that integrating diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DIB) across all business and operational aspects is key to creating a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

“EmpowHER, our women’s resource group, are really supportive communities that help associates have a sense of community and connectedness,” she said. “To make EmpowHer and our other DIB investments more impactful, diversity and inclusion can’t just be one-off programs. It needs to be woven into the fabric of our company. This means hiring practices, development opportunities, promotions, how we mentor, how we offer flexible work options, and even our daily operations all need to reflect our commitment to an inclusive workplace.”

Wax added that Capital One Philippines’ predominantly work at home model is conducive to creating a team of empowered women.

“This is what’s beautiful about Capital One – because we’re a work at home organization, this makes work and life balance possible where women can freely take good care of their family while pushing their careers forward so they feel empowered by the supportive work environment,” she said.

She also explained the value of women leaders being open about their own journey and struggles to become more effective mentors.

“Maya Angelou once said that each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women. And I think that’s what we do – when we speak out or give a voice to all women, when we rise, we elevate in our careers. We’re setting models and examples for other women that this is possible and that they can do this. So, we should all try to find our voice and thereby give voice to others as well.”

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Chris Layugan