LCF champions DEI-driven growth among businesses, launches 2025 CSR Conference and Expo

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) encourages the corporate sector to integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) into their business strategies and their social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. To help drive this shift, LCF launches the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, providing a platform for corporate leaders to collaborate, innovate, and advance sustainable growth. 

Left to right, from top to bottom: Perpilili Vivienne Tiongson, Head of Operations, Lopez Group Foundation; Roniño Gibe, Watershed Management Officer, Energy Development Corporation; Sebastian C. Quiniones, League of Corporate Foundations Advisory Council and Executive Director, Pilipinas Shell Foundation; Dr. Lydia Echauz, Executive Director, Henry Sy Foundation, Inc.; Philip Francisco Dy, Trustee, League of Corporate Foundations and Executive Vice President, Metrobank Foundation, Inc.; Melody del Rosario, President, Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc.; Austere Panadero, League of Corporate Foundations Trustee and President and Executive Director, Zuellig Family Foundation, Inc.; Christian Tandoy, Ronald McDonald House of Charities Philippines; Ramon Derige, Treasurer, League of Corporate Foundations, and Executive Director, SEAOIL Foundation; Chito Sobrepeña, League of Corporate Foundations Advisory Council and Executive Director of Metrobank Foundation, Inc.; Carmina Marquez, Executive Director, BPI Foundation; Juvylyn Reniva, Chair of League of Corporate Foundations Enterprise Development Committee and Associate Director, BPI Foundation; Carmen Linda Atayde, Executive Director for Education Programs, SM Foundation; Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Executive Director, Vivant Foundation, Inc.; Jonathan Batangan, Executive Director, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.; and, Edric Calma, Vice Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Vice President, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. Photo from League of Corporate Foundations. 

The Conference will be held from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila, while the Expo will take place from July 1 to 2 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. With the theme, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity,” it highlights the vital role of businesses in embedding DEI into their core strategies, ensuring CSR initiatives are a catalyst for systemic change, sustainability, and shared prosperity. 

“Integrating DEI into business strategies is not only about corporate responsibility,” said Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson of LCF and Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc. “Businesses that prioritize DEI do more than adapt, they lead. By embedding DEI into their core strategies, they unlock new opportunities, drive meaningful change, and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. This includes intentional efforts to ensure the inclusion of under-represented groups, particularly women, persons who are differently abled, senior citizens, and indigenous people and people of various faiths and beliefs, and others.”

McKinsey & Company emphasizes that DEI should go beyond representation and be embedded in a purpose-driven strategy to drive inclusive leadership, innovation, and long-term success. A Boston Consulting Group study found that 43% of Southeast Asian companies, including those in the Philippines, now have diversity programs which shows an increase from 36% in 2020, reflecting growing regional commitment.

Attendees of the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo can look forward to thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable insights on integrating DEI into both CSR initiatives and overall business operations.

Recognizing Outstanding CSR Initiatives

As part of LCF’s commitment to elevating CSR excellence, the 2025 Guild Awards will honor outstanding initiatives of its members that have significantly impacted communities. These awards will be presented during the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, highlighting best practices in corporate social responsibility.

Additionally, the Medal of Recognition will celebrate the impactful interventions of non-LCF members. This special award acknowledges businesses and corporate foundations that have made a difference across seven thematic areas: Arts and Culture, Disaster Resilience, Education, Environment, Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, and Health.

The Expo will showcase CSR innovations that highlight how the tight integration of DEI into core organizational and business strategies has brought about change for the better for the communities they work with, providing a space for businesses, NGOs, academe, youth groups, and government agencies to engage and collaborate. 

LCF will also highlight key milestones of its flagship effort called ”LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment” or LIFE at the Expo. LIFE combines nutrition support, livelihood programs, and local capacity-building to combat child malnutrition. Through targeted interventions, LCF aims to reduce stunting among Filipino children.

In line with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), LIFE takes a province-by-province approach, starting with Basilan, where it is working alongside the provincial government and key stakeholders.

Left to right: Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Executive Director, Vivant Foundation, Inc.; Edric Calma, Vice Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Vice President, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.; and, Jonathan Batangan, Executive Director, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. Photo from League of Corporate Foundations. 

The 2025 CSR Conference and Expo is co-presented by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. and co-organized with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Foundation, Inc., and The SM, Henry Sy, and Felicidad T. Sy Foundations, Inc. It is also made possible through the support of BPI Foundation, Inc., Manila Water Foundation, Inc., Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., and Vivant Foundation, Inc., with special thanks to Energy Development Corporation, Inc., Lopez Group Foundation, Inc., and Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. LCF also thanks BDO Foundation, Inc., and Citizen of the World Philippines Foundation, Inc. and acknowledges Ayala Foundation, Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities, Security Bank Foundation, Inc., Unilab Foundation, Inc., and Zuellig Family Foundation, Inc. for their support. These and other partners help foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on sustainability and inclusivity.

Enhancing CSR Practice for an Equitable Future

Through the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, LCF calls on businesses to take action, rethink their CSR strategies, and champion DEI-driven growth to create lasting impact. “LCF stays committed to promoting responsible CSR, helping members and businesses embrace DEI as a key driver of sustainable development in our country,” added Garcia. 

LCF, composed of operating and grant-making corporate and family foundations, is the Philippines’ leading network for fostering environmental, social and governance driven initiatives.