Leadership and Inclusive Growth (speaker #1)

Our guest speaker last night (September 28, 2016) was Ms. Maria Yolanda B. Capistrano Sevilla (aka Yoling). She is the CEO of The Leather Collection, Inc.  She graduated in UP Diliman, with AB and MA major in Philosophy and MA in Family Ministry in Ateneo de Manila. At the age of 52 she took her Masters in Entrepreneurship in AIM. She become an entrepreneur from 35 years. 

photo credit: Ms. Pia Manalastas

She talked about the leadership and how to address the issue of inclusive growth from the point of view of business. The Leather Collection is an entrepreneur. She shared the company experience in promoting and inclusive growth. From the point of view of the company, inclusive growth simply means equal opportunities for productive employment. Productive employment means increase in income and raise standard of living. Also, she talked about the Integral Humanity Development, access to market and resources thru inclusion in the value chain.

Applied/Address Integral Human Development  (sa loob muna magsisimula)
1)  "Hanap Buhay" is the big word in their company. It is full flourishing of mental
       capabilities, emotional capabilities, materials needs and spirit capabilities.

      She became the better person because of her role in the enterprise. Her skill was behold and developed, from enterprises to masters, and from single skill to multi skill as well as actively engaged in the enterprise.

      The teamwork and relationship is important to the company. They build relationship to their employees such as they share common room/cubicle and eating with the same place. They have weekly assembly, discuss issues and bond to them even they have different faith. They also show their commitment - "hindi pwede ang pwede na". They also pay performance based on the income of the company.

2) "Magkabalikat"
        They know what to expect from them and responsible for it. Also, "hindi ito trabaho lang" - everyone is involve in the company with expected output.

The Leather Collection Interventions
 - Taught women to weave leather
 - Provide appropriate work tables and solar lights
 - Provide leather strips, jigs and molds to ensure consistent quality of output and
                increase productivity
 - Assist women in pricing their output.
 - Income based on their output/weaver/day

With the help of Ayala Foundation, The Leather Collection (TLC)  was established. Its' objective is to taught women in marginalize community; women in the countryside. The most important part of their intervention, they do not intervene with their lifestyle. In addition, they enhance their skill as well as increase their income.

We also learned that her husband is a graphic designer. They are couple entrepreneur with vision and mission to help the community such as during the eruption of Pinatubo. They project to build a relocation in Pampanga by borrowing a land; and raise the fund for housing. They are also working for Itas, for the last 23 years and sponsor scholarship. 

At the age of 27 she's already an entrepreneur and she's the eldest. Women as leaders are very nourishing. She advise that -  know to bring out the yin and bring in the yang.

What's amazing about her is her relationship with God, husband, customers, suppliers and employees. As well as she build trust to their employees. She overcome the bankruptcy by praying to GOD and told him that she does not like to go bankrupt...and at the end of the day.... its' faith, hope and trust with GOD. And everytime she pray, may dumarating na order. "It's never say die until pantay ang paa mo". But her prayer is to continue the company to survive then lead in financial growth and turnover the manufacturing to the employees as a cooperative and continue to manage. This is true, in our journey in this life, only GOD knows what the best for us. Prayer can move mountains.

And the most important thing I learned is her dream to turnover the company to their employees. I salute her because she truly value her employees. Dreams come true and hard work does pay off.