CCPH CEO & Principal, NaFeCOOP CEO, and NaFeCOOP Chairperson joins ICA-AP: Asia Pacific Women CEOs in Cooperatives

The Co-operative College of the Philippines, represented by its CEO and Principal Miss Donna C. Dizon, together with Miss Rowena R. Abella, CEO of the National Federation of Cooperative Primaries in the Philippines (NAFECOOP), and its Chairperson Miss Marlene D. Sindayen, actively participated in the prestigious four-day *Asia Pacific Women CEOs in Cooperatives Summit.* Hosted by the International Cooperative Alliance – Asia Pacific (ICA-AP) and the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, the summit was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, with the theme *Empowering Leadership: Navigating the Future of Cooperatives with Women at the Helm.* The event opened with a keynote address by ICA-AP Regional Director, Mr. Balasubramanian (‘Balu’) Iyer.

Miss Donna Dizon played a key role in the summit as a Session Chair during *Thematic Session I: Building Cooperative Resilience and Adaptability in a Changing World.* She moderated the plenary with distinguished speakers, including Ms. Elenita V. San Roque, CEO of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU); Ms. Ruchi Agarwal, CEO of India’s National Insurance VimoSEWA Cooperative Ltd.; and Ms. Helma Vermuë, Chairwoman of the Committee of Women and Business of LTO, Netherlands. The session underscored the necessity of innovative leadership, collaborative strategies, and adaptability to address the ever-evolving challenges faced by cooperatives worldwide.

The summit provided a unique platform for women CEOs and executive leaders from cooperatives and federations across the region to connect, exchange insights, and learn from one another. It aimed to dismantle persistent stereotypes surrounding women in leadership, spotlight their contributions to cooperative resilience, and inspire collective progress. By fostering networking opportunities and promoting shared success stories, the event encouraged the development of strategies to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities, all while celebrating the transformative power of women in leadership roles.

The participation of the Co-operative College of the Philippines and NAFECOOP in this noble occasion reflects their unwavering commitment to empowering women leaders within the cooperative movement. Their presence highlighted the importance of addressing current challenges, fostering inclusivity, and building a resilient future for cooperatives, driven by the collaboration of empowered women from diverse backgrounds and industries.