Women who step up to take the lead and demonstrate exceptional growth as key drivers of success in various fields have been more than an inspiration and have encouraged women from different generations to break free from rigid gender norms. Sara Venturina, Chief Data Officer of GCash and an inspiration to this generation’s aspiring leaders, shared her thoughts and experiences on how just doing the things needed to be done is as essential as the resistance against gender bias.

On leadership style and career journey

"I would like to think that I practice purposeful leadership. I set clear goals and am focused to mobilize the team together to achieve a common goal, and that is to promote a responsible data-driven culture. This in turn inspires the team, and other people to participate and be involved in my advocacies because I give direction and purpose, that all we do is meaningful and leads to our shared aspirations. I have a clear strategy and genuine passion for making a difference with data, which helps the team remain grounded and brings them back to what is essential whenever they experience difficulties and challenges. 

"I would also like to think that I am an engaged leader. I make it a point to be involved and show care not only to the team but to our stakeholders, partners, and collaborators. I put a lot of effort to understand where each person in the team is coming from, to discover the goodness in every person, and to connect at a personal level, which contributes to better working relationships, thus providing positive reinforcement as we go along our shared journey. 

"I was fortunate to have inspiring women leaders especially during the first half of my 24-year career. My first boss and the leaders I was exposed to after that were all strong, competent, and results-oriented women. I am likewise grateful that from the beginning, I knew where my passion lies. I knew what I wanted to do, what makes me happy and fulfilled, and I had the privilege to pursue it and make a very rewarding career out of it.

Challenges encountered in her career

"Back in 2005, I went to work overseas, in Singapore, when I was 26. I was the first Filipino hire at that office.  After a few years, another challenge was juggling motherhood and career. I was working as an implementation consultant for a software company and there was a time when I was juggling two projects at the same time. It wasn’t like a 50-50 split of my time, more like 70-70 – that meant long nights at work. I was a mother then to a toddler, and my husband worked overseas. 

"In both instances, I focus more on what needs to be done, and I just do it. I do not compare myself to others, I do not think about breaking glass ceilings because I didn't think that I was a woman competing against men. I was just doing things that needed to be done. In those early years I was also hungry for learning and experience, and I accepted challenging situations to learn.

A message to all aspiring women leaders

"I have a tattoo on my wrist which reads, “Be brave” as a constant reminder to myself. There will always be a lot of scary things, but if you believe it's aligned to what you want for yourself, then you go for it. Take on every challenge as a learning opportunity. That quiet humility will enable you to succeed.

For a long time, women have been pressured to conform to social standards and customs that were primarily designed by and for men. Overcoming boundaries and challenging the status quo to showcase your capability as a woman has been seen as a powerful movement against gender biases. But sometimes, choosing not to compete with men and just embracing your strength as a woman is enough to stand still and contribute to defying stereotypes.