A University of the Philippines alumna is now the highest-ranked and first Asian female president at American manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble Co. based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ma. Fatima De Vera Francisco, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1989, joined P&G Philippines after college as the first female sales manager in over 50 years. She has lived and worked in the Philippines, Japan and the US.
On Nov. 14, 2015, she was appointed president for global feminine care at P&G, responsible for over $4 billion in sales in 115 countries. She leads operations, innovation and brand building for a portfolio of iconic brands such as Always/Whisper, Always Discreet, Tampax and Naturella.
Francisco has been recently recognized as one of the top ethnic-minority role models worldwide in the inaugural UPstanding 100 Executive Power List by the Financial Times. She was ranked No. 25 in the list.
Francisco was cited for her individual business and professional achievements, community involvement, commitment to diversity and influence within P&G.
Among these, Francisco was recognized for developing structural interventions to enable more opportunities for success for Asians and Asian-Americans within the company.
Upon her citation, Francisco joins the ranks of fellow P&G executive and chief information officer Linda Clement-Holmes, The Coca-Cola Company chairman and chief executive Muhtar Kent and MasterCard president and chief executive Ajay Banga.
As the first Filipino female president in P&G, Francisco has led successful businesses across developed and developing markets, brand-building, innovation and operation for over 20 years.
Her selection as one of the top 100 ethnic-minority role models demonstrates how her success at work and in the community highlights P&G’s continuous commitment towards diversity and inclusion.
Published by the Financial Times, the UPstanding 100 Executive Power List recognizes the top executive Black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals working in the US, the UK and Ireland. Nominees were judged based on the individual’s professional and business achievements, how they have driven the ethnic-minority agenda within their community and workplace, and their influence within their organization.
The list is a groundbreaking reflection and celebration of the work carried out by such professionals for a more inclusive business community.