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  Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi
Global Head of Diversity
Unilever



Rhodora calls herself a hyphenated person, referring not only to her name but to the connections in her life.

 

Her career is marked by several firsts.  She became the first Filipina board member of Unilever Philippines when she became HR Director, and the first woman to head the London office of Unilever's East Asia Pacific and China business groups. Thereafter, she continued to work in the Corporate Centre in varied global roles, which included, VP Management Development and as the first Global Vice President for Diversity.  In the latter role, she was the first and the most senior Asian woman in Unilever working with the Board and the Executive Committee.  For all these, she was externally recognized as one of the top Asian Women of Achievement in the UK in 2005.

 

Her life and career are diversity personified.  She has lived and worked in Asia, North America and Europe. Her educational background started with a Bachelor degree in Mass Communications, Magna Cum Laude, and a Master in Management Degree, with Distinction, from the Asian Institute of Management.  These were complemented by graduate courses in linguistics, communications research, accounting and finance.

 

Rhodoras passion and commitment is in the development of people and communities.  She sees herself now as moving from hyphenated to synergized, combining all her past experience, skills and capabilities to help people and communities find their own voice, and thus create possibilities for themselves and others.  This she does as an international business leader and executive coach.