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MARY JANE ALVERO AL MAHDI TRAILBLAZING FILIPINA
With her grace, warm attitude and cheerful
Woman of Substance, Emirates Woman of
smile, it is sometimes hard to imagine
the Year, recipient of the Blas F Ople award
creating and fostering a culture of Excel-
that a consummate lady like Mary Jane
for exemplary OFW’s, recipient of the
lence. She expounds, “I strongly believe
Alvero could figure so highly in a company
Presidential “Pamana ng Pilipino” award.
that achievement and value creation in the
that deals with corrosives, construction
She is widely recognized for opening doors
organization will not be sustained if one is
material and nuclear testing, and yet she
and breaking racial barriers for Filipinas in
without the other,” she says. “It is my duty
does. Not only is she a card-carrying
the Gulf.
to build a culture. Work gets done through
member of the well-renowned Geoscience
style is characterized by a keen focus on
people, and people are profoundly affected
Testing Laboratory, she leads the compa-
One of her most admired initiatives was
by culture. A lousy work environment can
ny. As CEO, she oversees the operation of
the Filipino Digerati Association, which she
drive away high performers.”
4 branches and 54 laboratories, and looks
established with the help of her friends
after over 700 employees.
in 2008 with the purpose of uplifting the
She says that as a leader, she creates a
standards of the Filipino work force in the
compelling purpose, tells a story about
Mary Jane is renowned not just as an
United Arab Emirates. Their knowledge
aspirations and vision for the company,
inspirational personality in the Filipino
and skill-building programs produced
and articulates clear values and behav-
community, but also as a key figure in
some of the most valued Filipino em-
iours for the organization. “Helping people
the Middle East business community and
ployees in the region, with many gain-
is my main advocacy,” she says. “It is my
a global force for women empowerment.
ing higher positions in their respective
way of celebrating the greatness of God
Her list of accolades is as lengthy as it
companies or moving onto more important
and thanking Him for all the blessings He
is diverse and far-reaching: Illustrado
and lucrative employers. Her leadership
continues to bestow upon me.”
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