SM Investments Corporation said it has marked important milestones in upholding inclusion and diversity in the organization.
Diversity recognizes the uniqueness and variety of the groups and societies that make up humankind.
This can include differences in age, gender, sexuality, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, and economic or social status.
Social inclusion is the process by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities for all — that everyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their full potential in life.
As an important milestone towards these, SM Investments signed on as a supporter of the United Nations Global Compact Women Empowerment Principles, joining over 3,000 other business leaders around the world.
Established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are a set of principles offering guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.
This followed SM Supermalls signing on as a supporter in March 2021, marking National Women’s Month.
Unique SMIC post
SM Investments has appointed Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne” Uychaco as its first Group Diversity Officer.
As Group Diversity Officer, Uychaco will work with different companies of the SM Group in advancing gender equality and championing inclusion.
“We celebrate diversity and inclusion in SM Group as it reflects the broad individualities in the communities we serve. Moreover, diversity and inclusion ensure innovation in our businesses. When we recognize that people are unique individuals, we explore more options, generating a wider range of user-centric services and offers,” Uychaco said.
Uychaco previously signed on as an individual supporter of the UN WEP in 2021. She is currently the senior vice president for Corporate Services at SM Investments and sits as director in various companies of SM such as Belle Corporation, NEO, Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc., Brownies Unlimited Inc. ACE Hardware Philippines Inc., Philippines Urban Living Solutions to name a few.