EMPOWERING WOMEN. She Leads 2026: Women Powering AI, Cyber, and Governance is a virtual leadership forum held
last March 11 was attended by 761 online participants across Asia-Pacific. Seen in the photo are the guest speakers (top
to bottom) DENR Chief Information Officer Arlene A. Romasanta, Asia Pacific College Executive Director Rhea-Luz R.
Valbuena, Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation Chief Audit Executive Zaida Angelita P. Lazaro and Meralco Group Chief
Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza.
Meralco reinforced its push for women’s empowerment and ethical digital leadership as it gathered more than 700 participants from across the Asia-Pacific for She Leads 2026: Women Powering AI, Cyber, and Governance, a virtual leadership forum held in celebration of International Women’s Month.
Led by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the initiative brought together women leaders from the private sector, government, regional industry groups, and academe, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and governance in an increasingly digital world.
The event drew strong regional participation, including delegates from the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities, Sarawak Energy of Malaysia, and PacificLight of Singapore, reflecting the forum’s expanding relevance across the region.
Organized by Meralco’s Internal Audit Office, the forum featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Department of Environment and Natural Resources Chief Information Officer Arlene A. Romasanta, Asia Pacific College Executive Director Rhea-Luz R. Valbuena, and Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation Chief Audit Executive Zaida Angelita P. Lazaro. They shared insights on building an ethical digital culture and highlighted how inclusive leadership helps strengthen governance, reduce organizational risk, and create more resilient digital ecosystems.
In her keynote message, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza emphasized that leadership today is no longer defined by position, age, or sector, but by purpose, courage, and the impact leaders choose to make.
“Leadership is not defined by age, title, or sector, but by purpose, courage, and the impact we choose to make,” Oteyza said. “Across Asia-Pacific, we are living through profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and governance. These forces are reshaping how we learn, how we work, how governments serve, and how trust is built across borders. Across these frontiers, women are not merely adapting to change. Women are leading it.”
She also stressed that building a trustworthy and inclusive digital future requires collective action and shared accountability.
“Progress is not achieved by women alone. It is accelerated when leaders of all genders, including our male allies, commit to inclusive leadership, shared accountability, and mutual respect,” she said.
Oteyza added that the responsibility of shaping a digital future rooted in trust extends to everyone, regardless of role or geography, making collaboration essential as institutions and industries navigate rapid technological change.
The forum forms part of Meralco’s broader commitment to developing future-ready leaders and advancing responsible digital transformation. Last year, the company also launched an audit awareness program for students to help bridge the gap between academe and industry while promoting greater understanding of the profession.
Through initiatives such as She Leads 2026, Meralco continues to champion women’s leadership, ethical innovation, and inclusive governance, while helping shape a safer and more accountable digital future across Asia-Pacific.