The making of a leader: what continues to inspire Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow through the years?

Melissa Nava
Co-founder and CEO, 1Export and Zendease

"Solving small business problems in the light of growing global uncertainty is what inspires me to take action right now because there’s so much to be done. A lot of small businesses are at risk of dying and they currently make up 90 per cent of total businesses and employ 40 per cent of the economy and to help them export and ship within the region and the world–navigating regulatory challenges and making profits amid rising costs is challenging but very fulfilling."

Nikki Sevilla
Founder and president, EcoNest Philippines

"The person who inspires me most right now is my dad, who recently passed away — a great pillar of strength and the quiet heart behind the culture we created at EcoNest Philippines.

He found joy in the simplest of things: merienda with the team, fishing at the farm with the neighbours’ kids, flying a kite with my dog, and even saying “Business is good!” with a warm smile every time we filled a truckload of orders. His life was a masterclass in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.

While his loss was sudden, we recently found out that we’re expecting a little one, a reminder that there is always something to look forward to and that the most lasting impact is built in how we show up for one another, every ordinary day."

Avin Ong
Founder, chairman and CEO, Fredley Group of Companies

What inspires me most today is the opportunity to keep building and evolving.

From Fredley Group of Companies’ venture into real estate through Central Bloc in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, to creating brands that become part of people’s everyday lives. Whether it is growing brands such as Macao Imperial Tea, Kenangan Coffee, NYFD and Nabe Unlimited Japanese Hotpot, or introducing new concepts like Sulbing Dessert Café to Filipino consumers, I am inspired by the challenge and fulfilment of bringing new business ideas to life.

Beyond business, I draw inspiration from the thousands of employees and families whose lives are connected to the organisations we build, especially in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. The fact that we continue to thrive, adapt, and create opportunities despite these challenges reminds me that growth is never just about numbers; it is also about making a lasting impact on people and communities. 

Louise Mabulo
Founder and executive director, The Cacao Project

"In my years working with the environment, I've grown up in an industry so deeply tied to our natural world, interwoven with the uncertainty of time, and always looking to the horizon in the mission of creating a sustainable and equitable future that I can gladly pass to future generations. What inspires me now is the stewardship of legacy. The older I get, the more I realise that time is our most finite inheritance. My faith reminds me that life is less about what we accumulate and more about what we do with what we’ve been entrusted—our gifts, our opportunities and our responsibility to create something meaningful to leave behind, in service of something that will endure long after we’re gone."

Kiyanusch Braun
Co-founder and CEO, GoRocky

I'm inspired by positive feedback from patients who say that their life has been changed or positively impacted by losing weight, improving their relationship and in effect transforming confidence and the way they walk through life. Even more than that, I'm excited for the potential of building a new healthcare ecosystem and improving health outcomes for not only our past 50,000 patients but for millions of patients to come. Most importantly, I'm energised by working with a rockstar team of talented, smart and driven individuals, seasoned healthcare partners, experienced investors, I admire the people I get to work with and learn from them every day.

MK Bertulfo
Founder and CEO, FHMoms

What inspires me now is seeing how remote work and freelancing can completely change the trajectory of a family's life. Over the years, I've met mothers who started with nothing but determination, borrowing laptops, working through self-doubt and learning new skills between caring for their children. Watching them earn their first income, regain their confidence and realize they're capable of so much more never gets old. As a mum, those stories hit differently because I know what's behind them, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights and the quiet prayers that no one sees. They remind me that sometimes, one opportunity is all it takes to change not just a woman's life, but the future of everyone she loves.

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