The month that has long been identified with women, which is March, has just concluded, but issues and concens about women know no time and distance, albeit they are limitless. Women initiate many things and these are not limited to celebrations lumped in a month. These could take years, and even, forever.
When a woman rises into clarity about who she is and what she is capable of, the impact rarely stops with her. Families feel the shift. Children observe new standards. Relationships recalibrate. Communities respond.
This ripple effect forms the philosophical backbone of a women’s leadership and empowerment movement that has taken root in Dumaguete City and is steadily expanding beyond it. Its vision has been made manifest through GWISE (Global Women of Impact, Stewardship, and Enterprise) that operates under the broader framework of Growthinity, a global leadership ecosystem designed to equip and unite leaders for intergenerational impact.
At the helm of this movement is its founder, Donessa Arbas-King, a homegrown Dumaguetena and a former English teacher in one of the public schools in Dumaguete. A leadership architect and social impact strategist, she established Growthinity as a platform for values-driven collaboration and sustainable development. Known for integrating leadership formation with practical enterprise systems, King has positioned Dumaguete as both a beneficiary and a launchpad for global initiatives. Her work centers on cultivating leaders who think beyond personal success and consider the generational consequences of their decisions.
Growthinity integrates leadership formation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and cross-sector collaboration into a structured system focused on long-term cultural change.
“Rather than treating empowerment as a trend, the organization promotes responsibility, stewardship, and strategic action across humanitarian, business, and public sectors,” intones Arbas-King.
As an offshoot to Growthinity’s initiatives, GWISE, which was co-founded by Springzeal Bacarro-Lee and Zipporah Shekinah Arbas Labang, seeks to empower women to rise as purposeful and capable leaders through connection, education, and enterprise development.
As Arbas-King expounds, “The movement emphasizes dignity, structure, and sustainable access over symbolic recognition, grounding empowerment in systems that lead to measurable results.”
The credentials of these women, aside from Arbas-King, speak for themselves. Bacarro- Lee is an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate for women’s financial empowerment. As Chief People Officer of OceanClick Virtual Solutions and Chief Executive Officer of Springzeal Cosmetics, she brings practical business leadership and a strong commitment to helping women achieve economic independence. On the other hand, Labang, concurrently Chief Operations Officer of Growthinity, Inc., is a dynamic young professional and former university student leader whose passion for philanthropy and community transformation strengthens the movement’s grassroots execution.
The lineup of activities of GWISE reflects a multi-dimensional approach to empowerment. The movement conducts monthly “Table Talks” tackling relevant themes that range from leadership and entrepreneurship to relationships, wellness, and personal development. Starting this year in January, “Reset and Rise” focused on business formation, compliance, and technical foundations, emphasizing education over motivation. February’s “Love, Sex, and Marriage” forum explored relational dynamics and gender psychology, addressing emotional, psychological, and communication frameworks essential for healthy families. Upcoming gatherings will continue to address women’s health, wellness, and leadership embodiment, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to holistic growth.
A key highlight of the year is the GWISE charity gala dinner in May, which introduces a grassroots economic empowerment model centered on a zero-interest seed fund for women, particularly single mothers, with viable business ideas, but limited capital access. Unlike traditional lending systems, the model prioritizes structure and mentorship, with repayment beginning only after profitability is achieved. By combining financial access with coaching and peer support, the initiative aims to restore dignity while building sustainable livelihoods.
The movement will culminate in the GWISE international conference scheduled in November, opening doors for global networking, learning, speakership, and international exposure. As Growthinity provides the framework and GWISE brings the vision to life for women, the invitation is clear: women, leaders, mentors, and partners are encouraged to take part in this growing movement.
“Those interested may join upcoming gatherings and follow GWISE and Growthinity’s official social media platforms for updates and announcements as the journey of empowerment and intergenerational impact continues,” Arbas-King extends the invitation. | NWI
