Three Focus Areas for Transformational Growth

(Left) Ayala Corporation Executive Director and Ayala Land SVP for Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala leads the induction ceremonies of the FINEX Institute, FINEX Foundation and FINEX Academy Board of Directors and Trustees on January 24; (right) ALI CFO and Treasurer Toti Bengzon, the 52nd FINEX president, reflects on the organization's 2024 theme of "Transformational Growth Through Sustainability, Diversity, and Digitalization"

Transformational growth must come from a sense of purpose. Adapting to change is a natural part of business, but true transformation is one that is rooted in one’s reason for being, paying homage to what’s been done before, while also imagining how growth can lead to a better world and enabling more people to thrive.

MARIANA ZOBEL DE AYALA
AC Executive Director
ALI SVP for Leasing and Hospitality

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) on January 24, Ayala Corporation Executive Director Mariana Zobel de Ayala shared insights from her experiences in the parent company, BPI, and Ayala Land to emphasize the importance of sustainability, diversity and digitalization in enabling transformational growth in organizations: "These three focus areas have been incredible catalysts for change and continue to shape the way we do business today."

She added that these should be grounded on purpose: "Transformation can be a hard job, but I have always sought for purpose to guide and ground what I do. Purpose drives deeper meaning and serves as a North Star, no matter how different or difficult the days can be. Purpose informs so much of how we live our values, how we make decisions and how we choose to influence the changes we want to make.

In his first speech as president of FINEX, ALI CFO and Treasurer Augusto "Toti" Bengzon also reflected on FINEX's theme for the year, saying: "Sustainability guarantees our longevity and adaptability. Diversity brings depth to our perspectives, fostering innovation and resilience. Digitalization, the backbone of modern enterprises, allows us to efficiently deliver new products and services, find new ways to engage customers and turn them into lifelong partners."

Further, he said sustainability, diversity and digitalization are not isolated endeavors, but rather "interwoven threads shaping the fabric of a future-ready organization."