Two Filipino-Canadian trailblazers, community pharmacist Annaflor Feliprada-Patrizio and UN advisor Rochelle Atizado, have been honored in the prestigious Women’s Executive Network (WXN) 2023 list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. Their passionate advocacy for their Filipino roots has earned them a place among this year’s “Like A Legend” awardees, a theme celebrating women who make transformational impacts in their fields and champion inclusivity.
Feliprada-Patrizio and Atizado join over 1,500 women recognized by WXN since 2012 for empowering others, influencing change, and standing up for underrepresented voices. The WXN lauds these women as embodiments of true power, not only through their achievements but also in how they inspire and uplift those around them.
“These are women who personify what it means to be powerful through the way they empower and champion others, influence change, and stand up for all of us,” reads the WXN introduction to the A-list released on October 30, 2023.
The Top 100 Awards are presented to 103 remarkable women in 12 categories spanning the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, with the winners selected by WXN’s Diversity Council of Canada.
Rochelle Atizado, Amex Emerging Leaders
Rochelle Atizado, a Senior Advisor for Partnerships & Special Initiatives at the United Nations Foundation, has been spotlighted as an Amex Emerging Leader, aged between 30 to 40 years, for her role as a “master connector” at the UN Foundation, fostering partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Atizado is from Toronto and has worked in Canada, Switzerland, and the United States, and is currently based in New York City.
Her dedication reflects her deep respect for her Filipino heritage, which she credits for her success and resilience.
In a LinkedIn post about the recognition, Rochelle Atizado put the spotlight on her Filipino ancestors, crediting them with how she won the award.
“My parents. My grandparents. My uncle, Bayani, who, by name and way of life, embodied the Bayanihan spirit: community and care for one another. My ancestors brought me to this very moment…I return to a deep knowing that I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors. They were heroes, protectors, community leaders, and more. They taught me what it means to be a legend,” wrote Atizado.
She also issued a shout-out to fellow mixed Filipinos: “To the young women reading this – especially Filipinx, API, and BIPOC folks – stand tall in your power. With or without a title, you alone are enough. You alone are legendary.”
Two Filipina leaders have been named in the Top 100 Award Winners of the @WXN Most Powerful Women in Canada. Rochelle Atizado won the Amex Emerging Leader award for her role as a “master connector” at the @unfoundation The full story on @GoodNewsPinas_ pic.twitter.com/vbBWTBbiWZ
— Angie Quadra Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) November 9, 2023
Annaflor Feliprada-Patrizio, Professionals
Annaflor Feliprada-Patrizio, a community pharmacist-owner at Schomberg Village Pharmacy, is celebrated as a professional leader within her organization. She is known for her influential role during the pandemic and her advocacy for women in agriculture in the Philippines. She champions the growth of high school females in agriculture, combining her expertise as a pharmacist-owner and her Filipino heritage to lead with integrity.
Patrizio is no stranger to awards, having received multiple recognitions including the 2022 “Most Influential Filipina Women in World” for her leadership highlighted during the pandemic. She founded the ”Ang Báye sa Agri (The Woman in Agriculture)” in the Philippines, aiming to foster interest among high school females in agriculture, collaborating with local agriculture entrepreneurs. Through speaking engagements, she continues to amplify her voice and share her journey as a Filipina immigrant and an entrepreneur.
In a post on LinkedIn celebrating her newest award, Patrizio named her Filipino parents as role models, who along with others brought her through challenges and molded her into a leader,
“My life is blessed with parents that are courageous role models, mentors, teachers, friends and organizations that molded me in a leader I am today. This year’s WXN theme is: Like a Legend. I gave myself time to reflect on this powerful word as I hold back all that is of my own self-limiting beliefs. Legends for me stand the tests of time. I look back on my life and yes, I stood up every time I fall. With scrapes and bruises, I choose to fight each time. I picked self-growth over dictation of norms. I paid personal price for challenging status quo,” wrote Patrizio. “Thank you WXN for acknowledging my strength as a Filipina-Canadian health care leader as I humbly serve my community and support the advocacies I believe in.”
Community pharmacist-owner at Schomberg Village Pharmacy, Annaflor Patrizio, won the Professionals Award for leadership in her organization. @WXN @GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/ryKqcpWqFp pic.twitter.com/9JKrafvxaF
— Angie Quadra Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) November 9, 2023
The Top 100 Awards, covering a range of sectors, are determined by the WXN’s Diversity Council of Canada and presented to women in 12 different categories. Both awardees have expressed profound gratitude for their heritage, attributing their success to the support and examples set by their Filipino families.
WXN, as North America’s leading organization for the advancement of professional women, continues to celebrate and support female leaders through its diverse programs. The 2023 honorees will be recognized at the 21st annual Top 100 Awards Gala in Toronto.
Filipinas in Canada making a mark in their communities include the first Filipino woman to serve in the Canadian Cabinet, Rechie Valdez and Immigrant Rights Defender, Gheneva Aleta.
As these inspiring women take their well-deserved spots in WXN’s hall of fame, let their stories motivate us to embrace our heritage and potential. Share this article to celebrate their achievements and to inspire the next generation of powerful women.
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