MANY women executives in Philippine business – enterprise, media, finance, real estate and perhaps even politics – consider Marife Zamora their mentor.

As co-founder of Filipina CEO Circle in 2016, while at the helm of Convergys as chairman of Convergys Philippines and managing director for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa for Convergys Corporation, Zamora's goal was 'for more Filipino women to aim and go for the top job in the organizations they are working at.' With an initial membership of 65 CEOs, which has multiplied since, the association encourages Filipino women in the workplace 'to achieve their full potential and pursue their ambitions to lead their organizations.' 'Women should not be afraid to be leaders in the workplace and in the home,' she said, asserting the irrefutable 'separation of feminism and female leadership from mere idealistic fantasy and wishful thinking.' On March 9, Zamora's closest friends in the circle feted her with a surprise birthday bash at the Malayan Lounge of Admiral Hotel Manila. Hosted by Anchorland Holdings Inc. President Beth Ventura, it was a gathering of the who's who in women business leadership, all of whom consider the current board director of both PLDT and Pru Life UK as their mentor.