Women in industries often dominated by men have been steadily stepping into leadership roles. This is what Rhea Navarro, regional chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power Transition Business Group Visayas, aims to highlight this Women’s Month celebration.
As the first female COO in her business group, Navarro represents a new generation of leadership—one that blends technical expertise, strategic thinking, and inclusive perspectives.
For her, Cebu’s status as one of the country’s economic powerhouses makes the role of energy providers even more critical.
Cebu is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Philippines, driven by expanding foreign investments and thriving local enterprises. With this growth comes an increasing demand for electricity.
“Our role at Aboitiz Power is to power progress by making reliable and accessible energy available both today and in the future.”
Beyond meeting the current demand, Navarro and her team are also focused on ensuring that Cebu’s future development remains supported by stable and dependable energy systems—not only powering today but also supporting the future of Cebu.
Navigating the Energy Transition
The energy sector is rapidly changing. Across the world, industries are shifting toward cleaner technologies and more sustainable systems.
“The biggest shift I would say is still the energy transition and the move towards more carbon neutral technologies. This is a shift that will take several decades and will move at a different pace in every country,” said Navarro.
For Navarro, the transformation of the power industry is shaped by a shared objective: advancing sustainability while ensuring there is enough power to support the country’s development and the welfare of its people.
However, this shift requires careful balance. She describes it as managing the energy trilemma—ensuring sustainability, energy security, and affordability.
Leading with Influence
Working in a traditionally male-dominated field has also forged Navarro’s leadership style.
In such an environment, influence becomes a critical skill—not just authority.
“To lead effectively, influence is important. The ability to influence is rooted on credibility, relationships, and your ability to articulate value to others.”
She emphasizes that credibility stems from expertise and reputation, while strong relationships come from understanding stakeholders and communicating in ways that resonate with them.
“Credibility reflects your expertise and your reputation. While relationships come from understanding your stakeholders–their perspectives and the language that resonates with them. Finally, value articulation regardless of the industry or the personalities that dominate it. Being able to connect with your audience and clearly explaining the value of what you’re doing in a way that matters to them helps you navigate and influence different environments.”
Building a Culture of Stability
Within the organization, Navarro also prioritizes building a workplace culture that sustains strong operations.
She emphasizes cultivating a culture grounded in discipline, psychological safety, and continuous improvement, ensuring that teams remain focused, accountable, and empowered to perform at their best.
Through her leadership in the energy sector and her advocacy for greater representation, Navarro continues to help power more than just cities and industries—she helps inspire the next generation of women to lead, innovate, and build the future.
