SUSTAINABILITY, diversity and digitalization have been "incredible catalysts" for the Ayala Group's transformational growth, a senior executive of the country's oldest conglomerate said on Wednesday.

"A focus on these areas ... continue to shape the way we look at the business today," Ayala Corp. Executive Director Mariana Zobel de Ayala said at a meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex).

Ayala Corp. Executive Director Mariana Zobel de Ayala speaks at a meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by J. GERARD SEGUIA

She highlighted the importance of upholding sustainability in the current business environment, which comes with various challenges such as climate change, rising inequality, and geopolitical tensions.

Business leaders play a crucial role in offering innovative solutions in addressing these challenges, she emphasized, adding that the role of business in climate initiatives "cannot be understated."

"At [subsidiary] Ayala Land, we have taken significant steps to embed environmental sustainability as a fundamental part of how we operate, with a focus on efficient land use and eco-efficiency," she continued.

Zobel de Ayala said that their initiatives were aligned with a goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

"Our commitment to sustainability stems from our belief that we have a responsibility to our stakeholders for the environmental impacts of our business activities," she added.

Furthermore, creating a diverse and inclusive working environment also helped the group adapt and evolve in the last 190 years.

"This commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is about building an empowered and productive workforce, to be able to maximize on the promise of the country as a whole," she said.

Zobel de Ayala, however, admitted that a lot still needed to be done to even the playing field for men and women and in fostering a culture of inclusion and belongingness.

"The different facets of what makes us unique — our age, gender identity, upbringing, and life experience — contribute so much to the social fabric of our organizations and country at large," she said.

With regard to digitalization, the Ayala executive detailed how the conglomerate, through the Bank of the Philippine Islands, helped in expanding financial inclusion across the Philippines.

"I believe in the transformative power that access to financial services has on a population and the lasting impact it can have on generations of families and continue to believe that technology will play an important role in making this a reality," she said.

Transformational growth should always be rooted in one's purpose and meaning, Zobel de Ayala said, highlighting the essence of imagining how this growth could improve the world and people's lives.

For newly-inducted Finex President Augusto Bengzon, promoting sustainability, diversity and digitalization can lead to transformational growth, as these are "interwoven threads shaping the fabric of a future-ready organization."

"Sustainability guarantees our longevity and adaptability. Diversity brings depth to our perspectives, fostering innovation and resilience. Digitalization ... allows us to efficiently deliver new products and services," he added.

"It is incumbent that we collectively harness the power of sustainability, diversity, and digitalization to chart a course toward a future marked by growth and collective prosperity."