Megaworld’s Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso only Filipino in Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list

MANILA, Philippines – Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, the newly appointed president of Megaworld Corporation, has been recognized in Forbes’ prestigious 50 Over 50 list, which honors women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields beyond the age of 50. She is the only Filipino included in the 2024 list, standing among global leaders who continue to break barriers and redefine success.

A Historic Leadership Transition
Gutierrez-Alfonso, 61, took over as Megaworld’s president in mid-2024, succeeding billionaire founder Andrew Tan. Her appointment marks a historic leadership transition in one of the country’s largest real estate developers.

Having been with Megaworld since 1990, Gutierrez-Alfonso has spent more than three decades holding various executive roles across Tan-led companies. Her extensive background in real estate, finance, and marketing has been widely recognized, particularly by MREIT, Megaworld’s real estate investment trust, which has cited her deep industry expertise as instrumental in the company’s continued growth.

Challenges in a Competitive Market
Forbes acknowledged the challenges that come with Gutierrez-Alfonso’s new role, highlighting the current economic landscape where borrowing costs remain high and competition in the hospitality sector is intensifying.

“Gutierrez-Alfonso’s new role will be a challenge: borrowing costs remain high while rivals are aggressively constructing hotels in anticipation of a tourism rally,” Forbes wrote.

Despite these challenges, Megaworld remains committed to ambitious growth plans under her leadership.

Overseeing a Multi-Billion-Dollar Expansion
As Megaworld’s new leader, Gutierrez-Alfonso is responsible for overseeing the company’s $6.1-billion expansion plan over the next five years, a major investment aimed at strengthening its position in the real estate market.

The company plans to increase its township developments by 13%, from 35 to 40 locations, with a majority of these expansions focusing on areas outside Metro Manila. Additionally, Megaworld is set to significantly grow its hospitality portfolio by expanding its hotel network from 8,000 rooms in 18 properties to 12,000 rooms across 27 properties.

Two new township projects are expected to launch in 2025, reinforcing Megaworld’s commitment to nationwide development.

Recognizing Women Who Redefine Success
Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list celebrates women who are excelling in their respective industries, proving that age is no barrier to making a lasting impact. The recognition of Gutierrez-Alfonso underscores her leadership, resilience, and contributions to the Philippine real estate sector.

Her inclusion in the list places her among a distinguished group of global women leaders who continue to inspire through innovation and perseverance, further cementing her legacy in the business world.



Source: https://www.rappler.com/business/megaworld-lourdes-gutierrez-alfonso-only-filipino-forbes-list-january-2025/