ABU DHABI // The past year has been eventful and rewarding for Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, who supported the UAE’s bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
She was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World, and accepted the award in California on October 26.
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi, 43, chief executive of Geoscience Testing Laboratory, was the only Filipina in the UAE to win a place on the prestigious list compiled by the Filipina Women’s Network in the US.
In the same month she won in the Visionaries category of the Emirates Woman of the Year, which recognises women who “have challenged the norm and became trailbrazers in their chosen field”.
“My life story here in the UAE has been an inspiration for every Filipino who believes in striving to reach their goal,” says Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi.
“With all the awards I received in the past few years, I realised that God never left me alone as I encountered challenges along the way.”
In 2008, she was runner-up in the professional category at the Emirates Businesswoman awards.
The next year she was honoured as one of the Women of Substance by Illustrado magazine in Dubai.
The same year she also won the Bagong Bayani (New Heroes) Award for most outstanding employee and the Blas F Ople Award for Natatanging Bagong Bayani, known as the highest and most coveted recognition given to exemplary overseas Filipinos.
And in December 2012 she received the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award from Benigno Aquino, the Philippine president.
“Winning all these awards has opened me more doors for exciting prospects, and added more value to my name and social reputation,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
“My life has been more rewarding because I’ve created opportunities for others as well.
She now looks forward to opportunities for growth after Dubai's successful Expo 2020 bid.
“Our company supported the bid for Expo 2020, which we consider an important equation in our business strategy for the next three to six years,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
“We’ve forecast the growth of our business within the six-year preparation in the run up to Expo 2020. I can visualise a lot of roads and other infrastructure rising at Dubai Industrial City, where our central laboratory is located.
“And if this is the case, we can serve our customers better, without delay, because our laboratory is just within the Expo 2020 site.”
On the personal front, she is keen on continuing her doctorate degree in business administration this year, and establishing a foundation for homeless children in the Philippines and providing them with proper education.
“After Typhoon Yolanda, I realised that it’s time to give back to my country,” she says. “I would like to be involved in re-structuring the risk and disaster control plan of the Philippines.”
Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, swept across central Philippines on November 8. It was the most destructive on record, with at least 5,796 people killed and another 1,779 missing.
“I am willing to share my expertise as an engineer and share the knowledge I acquired from my experience here in the UAE,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
rruiz@thenational.ae
