Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President-CEO is Ernst & Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), was named the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2011 (EOYP) awards banquet held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel recently. Agudo was hailed among the final six from 17 outstanding entrepreneurs representing 16 diverse established and emerging businesses.

According to the SGV Foundation organizing committee of the EOYP, headed by SGV & Co. Chairman and Managing Partner and SGV Foundation, Inc. Chairman and President Cirilo P. Noel, “The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to the woman entrepreneur who excelled in entrepreneurship, leadership and community development – making her a trailblazer in the industry. The award is meant to promote the involvement of the rising number of women taking advantage of business opportunities within and outside the country.”

Agudo, who finished a BS in Commerce (Major in Accounting) degree under a full college scholarship from St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, and who completed a Leadership Development Program at the Wharton School of Business of University of Pennsylvania, was cited by the awards body for “blazing a trail in entrepreneurship, leadership and community development. Her marketing insights and strategic initiatives lifted Hyundai to become the third top-ranked automotive brand in the country in a span of less than 10 years.”

“This recognition caps our 10th anniversary as a corporate citizen of the Philippines,” said Agudo. “We could not have flown to such heights of success without our loyal, dynamic, performance-oriented employees and dealership network that are committed to living HARI’s core values: Customer Focus; Teamwork; Passion; Integrity; Results-Oriented. These are the same values that I believe are behind the success of a Filipino entrepreneur. With this recognition, we are inspired to work even harder to become a trusted lifetime partner of Filipinos.”

“This year’s finalists represent 16 organizations that have been instrumental in driving economic progress, sustaining the community and inspiring possibilities,” said SGV & Co. Chairman and Managing Partner and SGV Foundation, Inc. Chairman and President Cirilo P. Noel. The eight-man panel of judges this year, from respected Government, education and private establishments was chaired by former Philippine Prime Minister and Finance Secretary and now Chairman and President of C. Virata and Associates, Inc. Management Consultants, Cesar E. A. Virata.

The Entrepreneur of the Year program is the world’s most distinguished business award established by leading professional services firm Ernst & Young in the USA in 1986. SGV Foundation, Inc. started the program in the Philippines in 2003. The award is the first and only truly global award that celebrates individuals who build and lead successful, growing, and dynamic businesses through the bestowing of regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in over 50 countries.