In the male dominated Philippine logistics industry,
there is a company headed by a mother of four and has been successfully
thriving and slugging it out with the “Big Boys” for more than 30 years.
Airspeed is an end-to-end logistics solutions and express courier company
founded in 1985 by Chairman and President Rosemarie P. Rafael. Through the
leadership and vision of Mrs. Rafael, Airspeed has become one of the most
trusted and fastest-growing logistics companies in the country today.
A closer look at Airspeed reveals why it stands out in
the cargo and logistics industry and exposes the most probable reason why it
continues to grow and prosper. Although it is unusual, it is not unlikely that
a woman holds the top position in a highly successful logistics company. What
is certainly extraordinary and significant, is that 80% of Airspeed’s top
executives and 45% of Airspeed’s middle tier managers, the people responsible
for Airspeed’s achievements, are WOMEN!
Airspeed is proof that in an industry where men make most
of the deals and decisions, women’s visions and perspectives are just as
valued, judging by their rapid rise. Rafael has chosen to empower women at
Airspeed because women are naturally nurturing, and she believes that when
people are supported and enabled, they do great and impossible things. Rafael
also believes that her greatest competitive edge as a leader is being able to
care deeply about her team, in fact she considers her people as Airspeed’s
biggest success.
Some of the women working under the wings of Rafael are
General Manager and Senior Vice President Mariz Regis who takes care of the
International team and E-Commerce Pick-Up and Delivery department; Assistant
General Manager (for International) Maritoni Rey; Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer Eliza Nieveras who heads the Finance and Administration;
Chief Commercial Officer Grace Pascual who handles and trains the Corporate
Sales team, Chief Information Technology Officer Liza Marquez who heads the
Management Information System department; Chief Human Resources Officer Emilee
Alfonso who handles the whole people management division; Vice President for
Seafreight Thelma Manila, and Vice President for Pick-up and Delivery Josefa
Susbilla.
Having a majority of women leaders makes a difference in
the way Airspeed does its business. The motherly instincts that women possess
transcends work at Airspeed to a personal level. Management treats employees
like family, which is why employee turnover is very minimal. When the management
team handles clients, they also make sure they do not focus simply on making a
sale but ensure that they feel cared for by Airspeed.
Airspeed’s women leaders are not only experts in their
respective fields but visionaries as well. They are determined individuals who
are devoted to make things happen and are committed to foster work-life
integration. Because they see the bigger picture, the women of Airspeed know
that Airspeed employees must be able to adapt to the fast-changing landscape of
logistics. Airspeed continuously trains and educates employees through
seminars, conferences, and like activities to remain up to date and stay
competitive. To find ways and means of improving existing systems and
technologies, employees, especially women, with the ability to innovate and the
talent for disruption are stimulated, encouraged, and rewarded at Airspeed.
Airspeed aims to be a company that is highly respected by
its peers and clients, a brand which is synonymous with reliability and
integrity, and the preferred corporate logistics provider in the country. In
the male dominated logistics industry, the women of Airspeed are doing their
best to make it happen.
