Village Connect
Growth in retail is often measured in store counts and sales figures—but for MR.DIY Philippines, success is increasingly defined by how leadership and inclusion move forward together.
This philosophy took center stage in Bangkok as the company earned two distinctions at the Asian Management Excellence Awards, a regional platform recognizing organizations that balance performance with people-centered impact. The twin honors reflect a model of leadership that scales not only operations, but opportunity.
At the heart of the recognition is Roselle Marisol Belleza Andaya, named Philippines Executive of the Year – Retail. Under her stewardship, MR.DIY Philippines evolved from a young retail network in 2018 into a nationwide presence of more than 900 stores. Expansion, however, was never just about footprint. It was driven by a disciplined focus on affordability, ethical governance, and operational consistency—ensuring that rapid growth remained sustainable and accessible to Filipino households.
As the first female CEO within the MR.DIY Group, Andaya also placed inclusion and accountability at the core of business strategy. Governance standards were strengthened, leadership pipelines diversified, and sustainability woven into everyday decision-making. The result is a retail organization that grows fast without losing its sense of responsibility to communities and employees alike.
That commitment was further affirmed when MR.DIY Philippines received the Philippines Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year – Retail for its Store Internship Program for Neurodiverse Learners. Developed with partner learning institutions, the pilot program integrates students on the autism spectrum into real store environments—supported by customized schedules, on-site educators, and inclusion training for store teams.
Unlike traditional CSR projects, the initiative operates within daily retail workflows. Interns gain practical skills and confidence, while store teams develop empathy and stronger collaboration. Early results have shown meaningful benefits for participants and host stores, paving the way for expansion and potential employment pathways.
Together, the two awards underscore a clear message: retail excellence today is not only about scale, but about leadership that opens doors. As MR.DIY Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, it is setting a benchmark for how businesses can grow with purpose—creating value that extends beyond shelves and into lives.
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