In a world where opportunity is often shaped by circumstance, Paulette Deduque Liu has made it her mission to dismantle barriers. For her, leadership is not defined by titles, but by the responsibility to open doors for those who have long stood waiting outside.
“For me, one way to live a meaningful life is to help create opportunities for others,” Liu reflects..
As president and chief operating officer of the Primary Structures Educational Foundation Inc. — School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service (PSEFI-SKILLS), Liu has turned education into a powerful vehicle for empowerment. She also serves as senior vice president for human resources and administration at the Primary Group of Builders, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning construction, real estate, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, health, and human capital development.
Yet beyond corporate roles and institutional milestones, Liu’s true legacy is measured in the thousands of lives transformed through education and opportunity.
Transforming lives through education
Each day, PSEFI reshapes what is possible for underserved youth, unemployed adults, and persons with disabilities. Through market-driven skills training, relevant education, sustainable employment programs, and community development initiatives, the foundation turns potential into real-world success.
At the center of this mission is SKILLS, a technical-vocational institute that equips learners with practical expertise for high-demand industries. What began as a modest internal training initiative for company workers has evolved into a national model for workforce development.
Under Liu’s leadership — and with the encouragement of her husband, engineer William Christopher Liu Jr., chairman of the Primary Group — the program now produces graduates prepared to excel both locally and abroad.
Breaking Barriers for Women
Liu has also championed greater inclusion in traditionally male-dominated industries. Under her stewardship, women have been trained as welders, heavy equipment operators, masons, and carpenters.
“Opportunity should never be limited by gender. When women are given the chance to learn and lead, they prove they can excel,” Liu says.
The initiative reflects her broader commitment to ensuring empowerment reaches those historically overlooked.
Expanding Impact
To date, SKILLS has reached more than 40,000 individuals, creating pathways to employment that uplift families and strengthen communities. For many participants, the program offers a practical alternative to traditional college education, providing hands-on training that leads directly to meaningful work.
Liu has also built strategic partnerships linking education with industry demand. SKILLS collaborates with government agencies, private firms, and international organizations to ensure its programs remain aligned with market realities.
In 2024, the institute launched a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology and introduced an Industry Certification in the Construction Sector program in collaboration with USAID and leading industry associations. Graduates receive multi-skilled certification, expanding their opportunities beyond conventional construction roles.
The school’s success has earned recognition from USAID for exemplary program management, while also opening pathways to overseas employment through Primary Skills Inc., the group’s human capital development arm.
“We want SKILLS to become the region’s most trusted training and assessment center — a place where learning leads to real growth and opens doors to new possibilities,” Liu explains.
Leadership Rooted in Purpose
Across a three-decade career in corporate and consulting roles, Liu has remained deeply committed to people development. She holds a degree in psychology and a postgraduate diploma in human resource management. Her work has earned both international recognition — including being named among the 100 Most Influential Global HR Professionals — and local honors as a Socially Responsible Entrepreneur.
For Liu, success is ultimately defined by witnessing individuals reclaim dignity and hope through meaningful employment.
Building Better Tomorrows
Beyond her influence in education, Liu continues to shape the culture and strategic direction of the Primary Group of Builders. As the organization marks its 75th anniversary in 2026, the milestone reflects a longstanding vision: building better tomorrows.
That philosophy mirrors Liu’s personal mission. She leads with quiet resolve and compassion, strengthening the workforce while advocating for women, persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities. Her work embodies the courage to challenge the status quo and create pathways for those who follow.
Liu’s leadership goes beyond guidance. It redefines boundaries, pushes frontiers, and inspires others to unlock potential they never imagined.
Her advice to aspiring women leaders is both simple and profound:
“Find the purpose that moves your heart and commit to it fully. Be brave enough to take paths others might hesitate to walk. Challenges will come, and sometimes you will fail. Every setback carries a lesson that makes you stronger.”
Paulette Deduque Liu’s journey underscores the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. This Women’s Month, her story serves as a reminder that leadership rooted in service does more than transform industries — it reshapes lives, uplifts communities, and inspires generations.
