Cover Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Rosalind Wee, Nanette Medved-Po at the 9th ASEAN Business Awards 2017 (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Rosalind Wee, Nanette Medved-Po at the 9th ASEAN Business Awards 2017 (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
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Former actress Nanette Medved-Po turned her memorable role of the superheroine Darna into somewhat close to reality when she ventured into philanthropy. Now, she is more renowned for founding HOPE and Plastic Credit Exchange organisations.
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honouree Nanette Medved-Po has dedicated her life to advocacy work driven by her passion for the environment, youth, and indigenous people. In 2012, she founded Generation HOPE, which later became known as HOPE, the country’s first certified B corporation that has impacted a lot in the improvement of public school infrastructure, livelihood, and environment conservation.
In the pursuit of building businesses for the common good, Medved-Po founded Plastic Credit Exchange in 2019, a plastic offset programme that takes plastic pledges from businesses worldwide and provides solutions to offset their plastic footprint responsibly.
For her invaluable contribution, Medved-Po received the coveted Asia Game Changer Award from Asia Society last year. She continues to make a difference by thinking of ways to address relevant social and environmental problems.
Above Nanette Medved-Po
Nanette Medved-Po
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What projects in the last two years are you most proud of? Why?
Nanette Medved-Po (NMP): I am very proud that even after HOPE lost 92 per cent of its revenue during the pandemic, we found creative ways not to sacrifice any staff. I was also inspired by the PCX team's determination to roll out plastic clean-up operations in the poorest communities. Despite very strict lockdowns, they ended 2021 with over 32 million kilos diverted away from polluting nature and into the circular economy.
Read also: HOPE Founder Nanette Medved-Po Receives the Coveted Asia Game Changer Award
Above With schoolchildren from the B’laan tribe. Nanette wears a white dress from Michael Kors (Photo: Xyza Cruz Bacani / Tatler Philippines December 2019 issue)
With schoolchildren from the B’laan tribe. Nanette wears a white dress from Michael Kors (Photo: Xyza Cruz Bacani / Tatler Philippines December 2019 issue)
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What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?
NMP: I think a big challenge, across businesses in general, is moving away from the traditional definition of success as being purely profit-driven. Ideally, we redefine performance to include value creation beyond just shareholders. We witnessed during this pandemic what an incredible force good businesses can be. Ideally, this becomes part of our new normal—a better way to do business—because “business as usual” has failed so many.
What can you say to those who want to follow in your footsteps?
NMP: I think anyone can find their own unique way to contribute to the world. Find your passion. Explore where you might have some influence. Don’t be afraid.
Above Nanette Medved-Po with her husband Chris at the Asia Society’s Asia Game Changer Awards in 2022 (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
Nanette Medved-Po with her husband Chris at the Asia Society’s Asia Game Changer Awards in 2022 (Photo: Tatler Philippines)
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What are your plans for the coming years and what keeps you going?
NMP: There is so much work to be done in the areas of impact that we operate in. The idea that we might make even a little bit of progress, in any one of these, is enough to keep everyone on the team fired up and ready to go.
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