The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines has concluded its search for the country’s most visionary leaders who are shaping opportunities and transforming industries. It is a program of the SGV Foundation, Inc., with co-presenters: the Asian Institute of Management, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Rosemarie P. Rafael
Chairman and Chairman
Airspeed group of companies
ROSEMARIE P. RAFAEL is one example of entrepreneurial resilience and innovation. Her remarkable journey, from humble beginnings as a ticket agent to leading one of the top logistics companies in the Philippines, is a story of determination, business acumen and visionary leadership.
After her stint as a ticket agent, Ms. Rafael took a job at a freight agency, but quickly realized the limitations of her role, which pushed her to follow her dreams and forge her own path.
“Even then I wanted to do things that would have an impact on other people,” she recalls.
Despite challenges in a male-dominated industry, her unique blend of determination, motherly care, heart for people and vision sets her apart.
In 1985, Ms. Rafael founded Airspeed International Corp. with six employees and one delivery truck. From the start, she focused on building trust-based relationships rather than purely transactional ones, which attracted a loyal customer base.
Airspeed faced many challenges early on, but within five years it surpassed its former employer and was recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Her vision expanded Airspeed’s offerings, including international and domestic multimodal freight forwarding, customs clearance, specialty logistics, warehousing solutions and e-commerce fulfillment. Today, Airspeed operates in more than 90 countries and serves thousands of stakeholders.
Ms. Rafael is passionate about supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which she calls “the backbone of the Philippine economy.”
“If we want to be truly competitive in the ASEAN region, we really need to help our small and medium-sized enterprises – give them access to tools, resources, access to financing and access to markets,” she said.
Through initiatives such as the PINASPEED SME program, which offers discounted delivery rates, access to training and trade shows, and an online marketplace through the Kahanga-hangang Pilipinas – a digital e-commerce platform that showcases MSME products from different regions of the Philippines – they SMEs grow next to Airspeed.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a crucial test of her leadership as commercial flights were grounded. She made the bold decision to charter flights, allowing services to continue despite global disruptions. “That specific decision allowed us to feed our people,” she says.
Airspeed’s success with major customers prompted Ms. Rafael to strengthen her corporate governance skills, which opened up new growth opportunities. Her problem-solving skills were further highlighted when Airspeed successfully delivered a crucial medical item from Singapore with just hours to spare, saving a life. “So it’s not just about delivery. This is the joy we have in what we do,” she says.
Under her leadership, Airspeed is prioritizing sustainability through Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives such as using e-vehicles, recycling packaging and consolidating travel to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, Airspeed is proud to be female-led: more than 50% of its workforce is female, including LGBTQIA+ employees. Women hold 70% of top managers and 45% of mid-level managers.
“Diversity and inclusion are values that extend beyond the company and to its suppliers and partners,” she said.
As chair of the Women Business Council Philippines and the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network, she is a champion for women’s leadership and economic empowerment. Through public speaking and NGO involvement, she advocates for the success of women in business and inspires future women leaders.
Looking ahead, Ms. Rafael aims to expand Airspeed’s presence beyond the Philippines, standardize logistics processes and upskill the workforce to compete in the ASEAN region. Airspeed’s digital platforms, such as UnboxMe and Pinaspeed, which focus on e-commerce, also demonstrate its commitment to innovation and support for micro-businesses.
Her leadership is an example of the power of resilience and purposeful entrepreneurship. “We want to have an impact not only within our company, among employees and stakeholders, but also in the communities we serve,” she said. “We can make it happen.”
Media sponsors are Business world and the ABS-CBN News Channel. Gold sponsors include SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., Uratex and Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. Silver sponsor is International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Bronze sponsor is Lausgroup Holdings, Inc. Banquet sponsors are Robert Blancaflor & Groups, Inc., Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc., and Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.
The winners will be announced on October 23, 2024. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines will represent the country in the World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 in Monte Carlo, Monaco in June 2025. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program is produced worldwide by Ernst & Young (EY).