Empowering Women at Work: Mondelēz Philippines’ Pioneering Moves for Gender Equality

Mondelēz International, a leading global snacks company, promoted inclusion during its Women’s Month celebration activities in the Philippines with a commitment to foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) inside and outside its workplace. To empower the women in their organization, the Company’s goal is to grow the number of women leaders continuously.

Mondelēz Philippines: Talking, Leading, and Running for Women’s Empowerment

In line with its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Mondelēz International championed women’s empowerment throughout March by hosting a series of events for employees and stakeholders.

The first one was the “#InspireInclusion She-ssions” held last March 4, 2024, a panel discussion on empowering women in the workplace. This event served as a platform for thought leaders, advocates, and professionals to engage in dialogue surrounding the vital importance of women’s empowerment in today’s landscape. It featured women leaders within the organization from Sales and Manufacturing, as well as external speaker Audrey Dimarucot, mom, entrepreneur, and owner of clothing brand googoo and gaga; and Parañaque City Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, who shared her insights on women in government and how to inspire inclusion in the country. Mondelēz International has called Parañaque City its home for the past 61 years, and the Company looks to its leaders to share insights on promoting DEI.

“The more that people are invited, the more they are involved and the more they follow policy,” said Vice Mayor Villafuerte. “For me that is inclusion. It means empowering people to speak up, participate, and realize they are part of government.”

In a significant step towards inclusion, the Company welcomed its first Filipino Woman Managing Director in 15 years: Aleli Arcilla. This milestone underscores the Company’s commitment to promoting female leadership and exemplifies the tangible strides towards gender parity within its ranks.

Arcilla was recently a panelist during the second event, the “Building Inclusive Workplaces” session hosted by the Makati Business Club last March 1, 2024. “At Mondelez Philippines, we understand that diversity fuels creativity, equity promotes fairness, and inclusion fosters belonging,” said Arcilla. “These principles are not just aspirational; they are integral to our workplace culture and essential for driving long-term success in an ever-evolving snacks industry.”

In addition to these discussions, Mondelēz International sought to show women’s power by participating in a third event, the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC) Women’s Run PH, further demonstrating solidarity with the broader movement towards gender equality. Twenty female employees joined the run, proving that women are strong and ready to take on the world. The runners were from different departments, from Finance, Marketing, Sales, HR, and Logistics, and were also part of the Company’s wellbeing initiatives.

Calling Women Leaders to the Front

Mondelēz International proudly boasts a leadership composition comprising 69% women, indicative of its steadfast dedication to providing equal opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. In alignment with its broader commitment to Economic Inclusion and Supplier Diversity (EISD), the Company collaborates with women-owned businesses within its supply chain. Through training and empowerment sessions, the goal of the engagement is to help support the growth of these businesses.

Through these initiatives and achievements, Mondelēz International reaffirms its steadfast commitment to fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, champions equity, and ensures the inclusion of all voices.