| THE AYALA WAY

Vol 6 No 69 · 4 Jul 2025

“Inclusive Circles create safe spaces where people can show up as their full selves and feel heard. They allow us to lead with listening, offering us a window into the lived experiences of our colleagues that can help shape more inclusive decisions, policies, and priorities. What begins as a conversation among colleagues often grows into something larger: deeper connection and trust, a stronger sense of belonging, and a workplace where everyone can truly thrive.”

KATH KHOO
AC Acting Head for Social Impact and Equity Action

DO WHAT’S RIGHT

Proud and thriving: Building community through Inclusive Circles

A thriving workforce where individuals feel safe, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work. Ayala recognizes that its purpose of “building businesses that enable people to thrive” begins with its people, which is why diversity, equity, and inclusion remain a strategic priority across the group.

One way this commitment is brought to life is through Inclusive Circles, a program that creates safe spaces for colleagues to gather and engage in small-group conversations around topics not often discussed in traditional workplace settings.

Since 2024, Inclusive Circles has brought together more than 200 employees across 12 sessions to explore themes such as mom guilt, navigating intergenerational workplaces, neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and cancer care. Sessions like these allow employees to reflect, connect, and be heard, while also surfacing anonymized insights that inform broader HR policies, priorities, and people strategies.

The most recent Inclusive Circle, held in June, focused on pride and allyship and was attended by LGBTQIA+ employees from across the Ayala Group. Reg Capili, Lexy Aurelio, and Nape Tronco of Globe led the discussion with their personal stories, touching on the power of authenticity and safe spaces in shaping their sense of self, pursuit of excellence, and life inside and outside the workplace. More than 35 participants from nine business units then shared their own reflections, challenges, and everyday experiences, filling the room with energy that was both candid and celebratory.

The session also helped to build momentum for the Ayala Group’s participation in LOV3LABAN 2025, Southeast Asia’s largest Pride event. Employees proudly joined the march held on June 28 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Through a groupwide DEI agenda and programs like Inclusive Circles, Ayala continues to build workplace cultures that reflect and value the diverse experiences of employees, foster environments where all voices are heard, and hold leaders accountable for modeling inclusive behavior and advancing equitable opportunities. And while the journey towards thriving and belonging doesn’t happen overnight, Inclusive Circles shows the way through every conversation, every listening moment, and every opportunity to lead with empathy and intention.

The Ayala contingent led by AC Acting Head for Social Impact and Equity Action Kath Khoo (sixth from right) at the Lov3Laban 2025 Pride March at the University of the Philippines Diliman

Ka-Globe, ASTICOM, and other Ayala Group employees were among the thousands who joined the vibrant display of authenticity, inclusion, and community.