Marife B. Zamora was appointed as an independent director of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) during the company’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 30, 2025. This appointment reflects SMIC’s dedication to leadership grounded in integrity, independence, and innovation.
Zamora, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in telecommunications, insurance, and business process outsourcing, succeeds Tomasa “Tammy” H. Lipana, who completed her term. As the second female independent director on the board, Zamora’s election reinforces SMIC’s commitment to strong corporate governance and gender diversity, aiming to guide the company’s continued growth and uphold high standards of responsible leadership.
Zamora joins the board in an effort to improve SMIC’s standing as a company with sound corporate governance. By exceeding regulatory requirements and reinforcing the company’s dedication to strong, accountable leadership, her election guarantees the company will continue to have a majority of independent directors.
“I’m truly honored to join SM’s Board,” Zamora said. “SM mirrors the energy and growth journey of the Philippine economy. I look forward to contributing to a growing company deeply committed to independence and strong corporate governance.”
Zamora is a leader in business process outsourcing, insurance, and telecommunications. She has established a solid reputation for strategic acumen, forward-thinking leadership, and a strong commitment to moral business practices throughout these industries.
In addition to her leadership background, Zamora is a strong supporter of women in technology and business. She is a member of the FTW (For The Women) Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which supports women’s professional advancement and data science education.
In the Philippines, Zamora was instrumental in driving the expansion of the massive customer management company Convergys. Beginning in 2003, she was Convergys Philippines’ first country manager. By 2011, the company had grown from its first contact centre to 17 centres employing 25,000 people, making it the largest private employer in the nation.
She became managing director for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for Convergys’ customer management division in 2011, where she was in charge of 37,000 workers in contact centres located in the Philippines, India, and the United Kingdom. Later on, she was appointed chairperson of Convergys Philippines, a role she maintained until December 2018.
Strong background in BPO and IT sectors
Marife B. Zamora has a solid background in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology (IT) sectors, with extensive leadership experience spanning several decades. Before joining SM Investments Corporation as an independent director, she was the managing director of Headstrong Philippines, a global provider of integrated solutions and digital technologies.
She later became the first country manager and then managing director for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Convergys Philippines, leading it to become the country’s largest private employer. Her leadership and contributions have been widely recognized, including awards such as the Asia CEO Awards Global Filipino Executive of the Year (2011) and the Go Negosyo Woman STARpreneur Award (2012). Zamora’s appointment to SMIC’s board reflects the company’s commitment to integrity, independence, innovation, and inclusive governance.
