In celebration of International Women's Month 2025 last March, EmpowerHer: Women Leading the Digital Revolution, an insightful panel discussion hosted by the Association of Information Management (AIM) and the Student Cybersecurity Organization (Bastion), brought together industry-leading women and aspiring innovators for an afternoon of knowledge-sharing and meaningful connections on March 28 at the Angelo King International Campus.
In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Andrea Ochotorena, Chief Operations Officer of AIM and one of the project leads alongside Bastion President Trisha Advincula, shared the inspiration behind the initiative.
“I want to create a dynamic and inspiring environment where women in technology can share their knowledge, celebrate achievements, and encourage a diverse and inclusive future in the tech industry,” she explained.
In bringing EmpowerHer to life, Ludrein Salvador, an event organizer from Bastion, also shared how working alongside the women in AIM and Bastion gave him a deeper appreciation for their leadership and contributions.
He also recognized that meaningful progress cannot be achieved in isolation, “As an ally for advocating women empowerment, especially in the field of technology, it's really important—the saying na ‘No man is an island.’ This event wouldn’t be successful without the help of the women in our organizations.”
Spotlight on women in tech
Col. Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa kicked off the event, delivering a powerful session on “Cybersecurity for Peace.” As part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the colonel underscored the growing importance of safeguarding cyberspace, especially as digital threats become increasingly complex.
In “Reclaiming Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Your Creative Ally in Design,” Ms. Kir Peñalber, President of the User Experience Society at Ateneo de Manila University, highlighted that in a world where execution is becoming easier due to AI, original and strategic ideas hold the most value. “You’re not competing with AI. You’re conducting it,” she emphasized.
Next, Atty. Laurice Tuason, Senior Vice President and Corporate Compliance and Data Protection Officer at Converge, followed by underscoring the importance of mentorship, partnerships, and initiatives to break barriers during her "Women in Leadership in Tech and Governance" session.
“We, women, really play a lot of different roles and we are expected to balance workplace leadership with our home leadership as if we can be in two places at the same time,” Atty. Tuason said during the panel discussion.
Ms. Carla Nobleza, a neurodivergent IT Project Manager and Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Specialist, closed the event by reflecting on her journey from media to tech in her talk titled “Overcoming Self-Doubt in a Rapidly Changing Industry.”
During the panel discussion, Ms. Nobleza questioned the absence of women in key leadership positions. “Who are the decision makers? Very few are women. What do men know about women?” she asked.
Empowering the future
Mentorship and networking emerged as key themes throughout EmpowerHer, with speakers highlighting the importance of guidance and support systems in helping women reach leadership roles and succeed in the industry.
"I want them to engage with our speakers, ask questions, and even connect to their LinkedIn to show how this event sparked mentorship and opened doors," Ochotorena shared in the interview. "It’s moments like these that help emerging women in tech find their footing and build the support systems they need to thrive."
This year’s EmpowerHer laid the foundation for what organizers hope will become a lasting tradition that continues to champion inclusivity and empowerment.
"I envision EmpowerHer as a legacy event of our [organizations], to be an annual celebration of women’s milestones and journeys in tech since we’re driven on inclusive development and sustainable innovation, ensuring diverse voices continue to shape the industry," Ochotorena revealed.
