The SGV journey toward inclusive leadership and empowerment

IN BRIEF:

• SGV & Co. advances women leaders through a strong meritocratic culture, resulting in a leadership bench where women have actively helped shape the Firm’s direction.

• The firm’s efforts highlight that inclusiveness is vital for a thriving future, demonstrated through impactful initiatives empowering women and girls in historically underrepresented areas.

• Equally vital to the ongoing journey towards equity are the male allies and supporters whose shared goals and mutual respect strengthen and amplify these efforts.

In an industry where leadership development and career pathing have traditionally been narrow, SGV & Co. has built something more enduring and increasingly relevant. The firm has long treated meritocracy as an operating principle. The result is a leadership bench where women have advanced and actively help shape its direction.

On International Women’s Month, we celebrate the women honored as leaders and changemakers, exemplifying power that nurtures, uplifts, and transforms lives with grace and purpose. Their leadership guards legacies and guides future generations with courage and compassion, built on a foundation of meritocracy that SGV has always upheld.

WOMEN SETTING THE PACE
SGV’s record on women leadership was built over decades by individuals who navigated, and often remodeled, the structural barriers of their time.

Erlinda T. Villanueva’s appointment as SGV’s first female partner in 1961 signaled a shift that would resonate for decades. It demonstrated that advancement within the firm was anchored in performance, not precedent.

The rise of Gloria L. Tan-Climaco to become the firm’s first woman Chair and Managing Partner marked a defining moment. Her recognition as both a Young Lady Achiever in Public Accounting and an Outstanding CPA in Public Accounting from the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants reflected a career grounded in technical excellence and credibility. Her subsequent role advising former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on strategic initiatives underscored the broader influence SGV leaders would wield.

SGV Senior Consultant Delia Domingo Albert followed a similarly expansive path. As former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Ambassador, she brought institutional discipline to the global stage. Her tenure included serving as chair of the United Nations Security Council in 2004, where she championed the role of women in peace-building. Her career has since become a template for leadership that crosses sectors while consistently advocating gender equity.

These women leaders did more than succeed individually. They embodied the values of integrity and excellence that the firm’s founder, Washington SyCip, built the firm upon. Today, women make up the majority of SGV’s workforce and more than half of its partners and principals.

MERITOCRACY BY DESIGN
At SGV, meritocracy is part of the organizational infrastructure. From recruitment to promotion, the firm has relied on performance metrics, technical proficiency, and leadership potential as its primary filters. Advancement is neither automatic nor arbitrary.

This philosophy is reinforced through deliberate investment in mentorship and professional development. Programs ensure that high-potential employees, regardless of gender, gain access to sponsors, stretch assignments, and leadership exposure. Over time, this has produced a steady influx of women leaders who are not only qualified but also well-suited for the positions.

The result is an organizational culture that is both competitive and collaborative. Individuals are encouraged to excel and contribute to the firm’s collective strength. For women professionals steering through a historically male-dominated industry, this environment has been significantly influential.

IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES TO EMPOWER AND UPLIFT
The firm takes pride in the progress it has made in its ongoing journey toward equity. Its efforts serve to underscore that inclusiveness is essential to shaping a future where everyone can thrive. These efforts include a range of impactful initiatives designed to empower and uplift women and girls, particularly in areas where they have been historically underrepresented.

One such initiative is the EY STEM Program, which equips girls aged 13 to 18 with future-ready STEM skills through a free, gamified app. This innovative approach builds confidence and curiosity in science and technology, engaging 600 students during its launch at one high school. The program has inspired many young Filipinas to explore STEM fields and is set to expand its reach in 2026 through a new memorandum of agreement with the school’s LGU. This expansion aims to bring STEM opportunities to more public schools, empowering even more young women to pursue careers in science and technology.

Complementing this is the EY Women in Tech (WiT) program, which SGV participates in as a member firm of EY. This global initiative was established by EY in 2020 to empower girls and women to enter, remain, and lead in the technology sector. Serving as an umbrella network of over 40 regional and competency-based WiT communities across the EY network, the program connects members, shares best practices, and fosters a strong sense of community. Open to everyone regardless of gender, rank, or professional background, WiT encourages participation in both global and local events that promote learning, inclusiveness, and career growth within the technology space.

Further strengthening SGV’s commitment to gender equality is the Gender Equality Assessment, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) Program. Building on the firm’s distinction as the first professional services firm in the Philippines and Southeast Asia to receive the EDGE Assess-level certification, GEARS enables the firm to measure its progress and continuously enhance gender equality in the workplace. This program reflects the firm’s dedication to creating an equitable environment where all employees can thrive.

Together, these initiatives highlight the firm’s holistic approach to inclusiveness, ensuring that equity is not just an aspiration but a lived reality for women and girls across all levels and sectors.

A PRAGMATIC BLUEPRINT FOR LEADERS
The SGV model offers a pragmatic blueprint for business leaders. While essential, meritocracy is not sufficient on its own. Without conscious efforts to eliminate systemic barriers, organizations risk underutilizing significant portions of their talent pool.

Embedding inclusiveness into leadership training is a critical first step. Bias, often subtle and unintentional, can accumulate into structural disadvantage if unchecked. Equally important is cultivating mentorship and sponsorship networks. At SGV, these have been instrumental in bridging the gap between potential and opportunity, especially for younger professionals. Transparency plays a pivotal role as well. Setting clear diversity targets and holding leadership accountable ensures that progress is visible and sustained.

Finally, flexibility should be viewed as part of the policy, and not just a perk. In a global talent market, accommodating diverse needs can be a decisive differentiator.

COLLABORATION ACROSS ALL GENDERS
As SGV celebrates its 80^th anniversary, it is important to see the bigger picture: SGV’s story is ultimately one of continuity. The firm’s early commitment to meritocracy laid the foundation for a leadership culture that could evolve without losing its identity.

Today, SGV is extending that legacy into a more complex and demanding era, shaping it in its own image. For the women leaders who have risen through the firm’s ranks, and for those who will follow, the message is clear: capability remains the currency of advancement. In a system that increasingly values inclusiveness, that currency now circulates more freely.

In celebrating International Women’s Month, it is important to recognize that true progress toward equity and empowerment is achieved through collaboration across all genders. Equally vital to this journey are the male allies and supporters whose shared goals and mutual respect strengthen and amplify these efforts. Together, women and men stand united, building a brighter, more inclusive future. This collective commitment ensures that the impact made today will inspire lasting positive change for generations to come.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

Rossana A. Fajardo is the chairman and country managing partner of SGV & Co.