Ayla Reyes

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di12aWV3LW91dHB1dFtkYXRhLXRvb2xzZXQtdmlld3Mtdmlldy1lZGl0b3I9Ijc3ZDVmNmI5MGMzNGIzMWJjMmUwN2I5OWUyM2QwMGE2Il0gID4gLnRiLWdyaWQtY29sdW1uOm50aC1vZi10eXBlKDFuKzEpIHsgZ3JpZC1jb2x1bW46IDEgfSAud3B2LXZpZXctb3V0cHV0W2RhdGEtdG9vbHNldC12aWV3cy12aWV3LWVkaXRvcj0iNzdkNWY2YjkwYzM0YjMxYmMyZTA3Yjk5ZTIzZDAwYTYiXSAuanMtd3B2LWxvb3Atd3JhcHBlciA+IC50Yi1ncmlkIHsgZ3JpZC10ZW1wbGF0ZS1jb2x1bW5zOiBtaW5tYXgoMCwgMWZyKTtncmlkLWF1dG8tZmxvdzogcm93IH0gIH0g

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Philippines, Full-time MBA (Class of 2023)

New Business, Innovation and Sustainability Manager

Amaia Land

Pre-MBA: Project Development Manager

Amaia Land

Leading Innovation and Empowerment in Real Estate

This March, we celebrate International Women’s Day by spotlighting some of our most inspiring alumni from the NUS MBA program. With this series featuring five remarkable women, we celebrate their achievements and hope to inspire a dialogue on female empowerment. Each story showcases the resilience, determination, and innovation of women who have navigated the challenges and opportunities of business and beyond.

Alumni spotlight: Ayla Reyes

In our celebration of International Women’s Day this March, we spotlight Ayla Reyes (NUS MBA Class of 2023), who has made significant strides in innovation, sustainability, and community engagement within the real estate sector. After rejoining Amaia Land, an Ayala Land subsidiary, as the New Business, Innovation, and Sustainability Manager last year, she has recently been tasked to oversee a larger scope and is currently thriving as a Corporate Strategy Manager at Ayala Land. Ayla’s story is a profound example of how education and dedication can drive societal progress. We speak to Ayla to learn more about her thoughts on empowerment, her approach to integrating innovation and sustainability in real estate, and her strategies to balance her demanding career with personal growth.

The Intersection of Passion and Professional Growth

Understanding Ayla’s commitment to sustainability is first understanding her work ethic. Her strong belief is that passion is the linchpin of personal and professional growth. “I found that passion is key to one’s personal and professional growth,” she avows, attributing her success to aligning her career with her aspirations. This alignment has fueled her perseverance and led her to seek out communities and organisations that share her vision, such as the Urban Land Institute. “Connecting with this group allowed me to gain fresh ideas and find mentors,” she recounts, emphasising how much community engagement supports individual growth.

She advises surrounding oneself with people who share common goals and can provide support during challenging times. “Finding a group of people that you trust, that can hold you accountable, and that you can turn to, especially when times get tough, are the best reminders that there is more to life than the stress of school and work,” she urges. Her approach highlights the importance of community and mentorship in personal and professional development, offering a blueprint for aspiring leaders navigating similar paths.

A Vision for Sustainable Innovation

Another essential factor for Ayla’s transformative approach to sustainability and innovation in the Philippines is her educational journey. With an initial curiosity sparked by seminars and conferences, her NUS MBA experience provided a structured depth to her understanding. “Prior to my MBA, I had a basic understanding of sustainability and innovation…during my MBA, I decided to take up electives that would deepen my understanding of innovation and sustainability,” Ayla explains. This deliberate academic pursuit laid the groundwork for her subsequent role in Amaia Land, enabling her to navigate and lead the company’s sustainability initiatives with confidence and vision.

Her semester exchange at IESE Business School further enriched her perspective, offering her a global lens through which to view her work. “The courses from NUS and IESE provided me with frameworks and knowledge that I needed,” she states, underlining the key role of her education in shaping her approach to innovation and sustainability within the local context of the Philippine real estate industry.

Receiving the ADB-JSP scholarship for her NUS MBA significantly shaped Ayla’s path, allowing her to merge her academic achievements with her professional aspirations. Ayla has been dedicated to substantially impacting how Filipinos live, seeking roles that drive national development. “A goal of mine has always been to change the way people, particularly Filipinos, live,” Ayla states, highlighting her commitment to sectors that influence the country’s progress.

The scholarship provided Ayla with a unique form of freedom, enabling her to pursue her passions without the immediate worry of financial return on investment that many MBA graduates face. “Receiving the ADB-JSP scholarship afforded me the freedom to pursue this right after graduation,” she reflects, acknowledging the financial support that allowed her to concentrate on her goals. With most of her educational expenses covered, Ayla was less pressured by the need to quickly recoup her costs, a liberty she recognises as rare.

Furthermore, the scholarship’s requirement that she stay in the Philippines for two years after graduation aligned perfectly with her aspirations. Ayla chose to return to Amaia Land, focusing on projects aligned with her affordable housing vision. “I was able to return to my old company, Amaia Land, to continue developing affordable homes for the economic market segment,” she explains. This decision underscores her preference for meaningful work over mere financial gain, showcasing her values-driven approach to her career.

Ayla is profoundly aware of her fortunate position, which allowed her to prioritize her passion and values in her work. “I know that I’m at an enviable position and that this is not a luxury that everyone can afford to do,” she acknowledges, expressing her gratitude for the scholarship that made her journey possible.

Her leadership in integrating sustainability into real estate development in the Philippines exemplifies the critical role of education and continuous learning in addressing complex challenges. Ayla goes beyond just following traditional practices; she actively looks for and uses methods that help the environment and the community. Her work in bringing new ideas and focusing on sustainability benefits her company and inspires others in the industry to think about how they can contribute to a greener future.

Empowering Through Mentorship and Community Service

Beyond her career, Ayla is an inspiring example of how one can make a difference in the community. Ayla’s award from the NUS MBA Alumni Association Award for Community Service highlights her profound impact on her professional and academic circles and within her local community. “Receiving the NUS MBA Alumni Association Award for Community Service was reaffirmation that I was doing my part in contributing to the community in my own ways,” Ayla reflects, capturing the essence of her holistic approach to empowerment and mentorship.

Her dedication to mentorship extends beyond guiding Filipina MBA applicants and students through the nuances of career transitions. Ayla actively engages in her local community, supporting youth leaders and participating in various events contributing to societal well-being. “I’ve also been supportive of my town’s youth leaders by volunteering and participating at community events,” she shares. Her involvement ranges from socials to mental health workshops, activities that underscore the importance of comprehensive community engagement beyond conventional areas like sports. Ayla understands the significance of these events in signaling to government officials the community’s valuation of diverse programs for the youth, especially young women who stand to benefit from expanded services and support.

This commitment mirrors her contributions to the NUS MBA community, where she played a vital role in supporting the Executive Committee (ExCo) and Club events. “Volunteering and attending those events during my MBA motivated the ExCo and Club Leaders to continue putting forth their best effort and churning out excellent events that could later be carried on by succeeding cohorts,” Ayla recounts. Her proactive participation enriched her MBA experience and set a precedent for active engagement and leadership within the program, fostering a legacy of involvement and initiative for future students.

Guidance for Future MBA Aspirants

Ayla offers sage advice to future MBA aspirants, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling in the application process. “Everyone has their own story; don’t be afraid to tell yours,” she advises, urging applicants to be genuine in their presentations and to embrace their unique journeys. This counsel is particularly vibrant as we celebrate International Women’s Day, reminding us of the power of individual narratives in inspiring change and fostering diversity in leadership. As we celebrate what Ayla has done and learned, her story shows us how women leaders can help society and the environment. Her success tells us that anything is possible when you mix passion with a goal, learning with doing, and personal growth with helping the community.