At the heart of every fearless Filipina is a story of courage, one that begins in uncertainty but grows through persistence and purpose. The FoundHer Summit 2025, held in Makati, celebrated exactly that: women who dare to dream, build, and lead even when the path ahead is unpaved.
The summit gathered women founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a full day of connection, mentorship, and empowerment. From the first talk to the last session, the message was clear: you don’t have to do this alone.
A Call for Collective Empowerment
Opening the event, Senator Bam Aquino issued a challenge that resonated throughout the day:
“If we’re fighting for space, then who are we fighting for? Who are we fighting with?”
His words captured the spirit of FoundHer, that gender equity in entrepreneurship is not a solo pursuit but a shared mission. He reminded the audience that the goal is not to take space from others, but to create more space for everyone.
Jojo Malolos, CEO of PayMongo, followed with an investor keynote highlighting how inclusivity fuels innovation. He emphasized the vital role women play in driving organizational strength and resilience:
“Just as a wife anchors a family, the female founder anchors the enterprise.”
His words served as a powerful reminder that women-led businesses build the foundation of thriving, values-driven enterprises.
Reimagining Investment and Allyship
The morning’s first major panel, the Investor Allyship Panel, was moderated by Candice Quimpo, Co-Founder and COO of FoundHer by Imaginable Impact. It brought together ecosystem leaders and advocates who discussed how to close the investment literacy gap, promote gender-lens investing, and cultivate a culture of support.
“Allyship is a daily habit,” one panelist said, emphasizing the need for intentional mentorship and inclusive decision-making in venture capital.
Following that was the Women Investors Panel, moderated by Niña Terol, Co-Founder and CEO of FoundHer by Imaginable Impact, featuring some of the region’s most active women investors. The discussion focused on how more women are stepping into the investor space, and how collaboration between men and women can accelerate women’s economic empowerment.
As one panelist shared,
“We need more men involved in women’s economic empowerment, not as bystanders, but as active allies.”
Together, these sessions offered a clear picture of what inclusive investing can look like: strategic, sustainable, and built on genuine allyship.
Lead Like a Girl: Lessons from the Trenches
The Lead Like a Girl segment captured the heart of FoundHer — giving women the space to lead with courage, authenticity, and conviction.
The first talk featured Ina Flores, founder of Hey Roomie, who spoke about “Pivots, Proof, and Progress: A Female Founder’s Lessons from the Trenches.” She shared how constant adaptation is a founder’s greatest asset. “Being a founder means constantly rewriting your playbook,” she said. “The goal is not to have it all figured out, but to keep moving forward with courage.”
Next, Ceej Tantengco-Malolos of Go Hard Girls led an empowerment workshop on the power of storytelling. She shared why founders’ stories matter and how they shape the narrative of women in leadership. During the session, one attendee shared her own vulnerable story of coming out of an abusive relationship and finally finding her footing as a business owner. The room fell silent, then filled with quiet applause and empathy. It was a moment of collective strength, reminding everyone that entrepreneurship is not only about business success but also about reclaiming one’s voice.
Claire Ongcangco, founder of Parlon, followed with a masterclass on understanding the women’s market. She spoke about building businesses with empathy and awareness. “Women know what women need,” she said. “When we listen deeply to our customers, we don’t just find a market; we build a movement.”
Finally, Jessica de Mesa, co-founder and CEO of Kindred, was joined by her fellow co-founders and in-house doctors for a workshop on Periods and Productivity. Together, they reminded participants that women’s health and leadership go hand in hand. Their session encouraged founders to view well-being not as a limitation, but as a strategic advantage in building sustainable success, proving that self-care and ambition can coexist at the highest levels of leadership.
Mentorship, Connection, and Community
The afternoon focused on mentorship and collaboration. Founders joined small, interactive sessions with leading investors, asking candid questions and exchanging real-world insights about fundraising, growth, and leadership.
In these open discussions, participants were encouraged to align purpose with profit and to build with both intention and impact. Conversations flowed naturally, and founders shared not only their business challenges but also their personal stories of persistence.
The recurring theme was clear: mentorship is not about hierarchy or transaction. It is about connection, trust, and shared growth.
Finding Her Community
For many attendees, the biggest takeaway from the FoundHer Summit was not a new pitch deck or investor contact. It was the realization that they are part of something much bigger, a movement built on connection, authenticity, and courage.
FoundHer’s mission is clear: to create spaces where women founders can make meaningful connections, lead with confidence, and find solidarity in their journeys.
As Bookshelf PH left the summit, one truth stood out. Fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It is the decision to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
That is what makes a true Fearless Filipina.