When Women Lead: These Trailblazing Women Are Shaping the Future of Property Development

As we celebrate National Women’s Month, we honor the remarkable women who have reached the pinnacle of their careers in their chosen fields. In this article, we shine the spotlight on those who have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of property development–a field once dominated by men–building empires and establishing themselves as respected leaders in the industry.

Property development in the Philippines has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past few decades, making it one of the most dynamic sectors of the country’s economy. Driven by both local demand and foreign investment, the industry covers a wide range of real estate projects, from residential and commercial properties to mixed-use developments, resorts, and industrial spaces. 

Through their unwavering leadership, these powerful and influential women have been instrumental in the growth and success of some of the country’s most prominent property development companies.

Anna Maria Margarita Bautista Dy is the President and CEO of Ayala Land, the Philippines’ largest land developer. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, Dy held the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and has been part of the company’s management committee since 2008. Throughout her career at Ayala Land, she has led the residential business group and the mall group. 

Ayala Land received the “Best Real Estate Developer in the Philippines” title from Euromoney in 2024. The real estate giant posted a 15-percent rise in earnings to P21.2 billion in the first nine months of the year.

Dy ranked 73rd in last year’s Most Powerful Women Asia List by Forbes. An Economics graduate of Ateneo De Manila University, she also has a Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science UK and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio was appointed as the first female President and CEO of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) on February 1, 2025.  

“Her commitment to synergy, customer-centricity, and operational excellence will undoubtedly strengthen RLC’s leadership in the real estate industry and deliver even greater value to our stakeholders,” RLC said in a press statement last January. 

An accomplished real estate executive with over three decades of industry experience, Aragon-GoBio began her career with RLC in 1993 and rose through the ranks. She held key positions in logistics, residential and office developments, and mixed-use estates. Her strategic vision has been pivotal in driving RLC’s growth over the years. 

As the new President of Megaworld Corporation, Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso has a gargantuan task: to lead the property giant’s $6.1-billion expansion in the next five years. The company plans to increase its townships by 13% to 35% and expand its hotel portfolio by adding up to 12,000 new rooms across 27 properties, from the current 8,000 rooms in 18 properties. 

Gutierrez-Alfonso was appointed in 2024, succeeding Megaworld’s founder, Andrew Tan, after over thirty years in the company. She first joined Megaworld in 1990 and has worked in different roles across the conglomerate. 

Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso is the lone Filipino who made it to Forbes’ latest ‘50 Over 50’ list. She was also recognized as one of Forbes Asia’s Most Powerful Women in Asia in 2024.

Rhoda Huang

Rhoda Huang is currently the President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC). She is the first person outside of the Gotianun family to run FDC. A seasoned business leader, she has over three decades of experience in finance and investment banking. 

Huang was the President of BPI Capital Corporation prior to joining FDC. She spent 19 years at JP Morgan Chase and its former entities, and was the Branch Head of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse Philippines.

Huang ranked 98th  in last year’s Most Powerful Women Asia List by Forbes. At the helm of FDC, she leads the conglomerate and its diverse range of ventures in Banking, Real Estate, Power and Utilities, Hospitality, Sugar, and Infrastructure.