Accenture International Women’s Day 2010

Now in its sixth year, Accenture’s annual celebration of International Women’s Day has become an important and recognized part of our commitment to building a diverse workforce and helping clients achieve high performance. A record number of Accenture people, locations and clients participated last year.

Leadership, confidence and decisiveness are all essential to high performance and to navigating change. They also are key characteristics of resilient leaders. Our 2010 International Women’s Day celebration will explore the important and timely concept of resilience—the ability to rebound and turn challenges into opportunities—with a variety of speakers, workshops and other events based on the theme, "Resilience in the Face of Change."

Highlights of our local agenda include:

• An up close and personal session with two members of the Singapore Everest team: Sim Yi Hui and Joanne Soo.
  
  
• Insights from a corporate warrior: Rhodora Paloma-Fresnedi, founder and managing director of Except One, Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based global management consultancy firm, likens corporate life to climbing your own Mt Everest. In a talk peppered with vignettes from her experience, Rhodora will share her perspective on what women in their pursuit should look out for and consider.
  
  
• Doing our bit for charity: This year, we’ve invited the following charitable organizations to join us at our Singapore International Women’s Day celebrations:
  
  
  • AIDHA
  • Assisi Hospice
  • Breast Cancer Foundation
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • St. Andrew’s Autism Center

For event enquiries, please contact:
Adeline Tan
Tel: +65 6410 8216

Chow Yi Tel:
+65 6410 6701

Formed in 2004, they have proven their mettle as one of the toughest climbing teams in the city-state: climbing at least a mountain every year and successfully scaling the world's highest mountain in 2009. Everest, symbolically, embodies values of passionate pursuit, resilience, tenacity and a sense of enterprising adventure—and the Singapore Women’s Everest Team encapsulates their firm belief that passion and conviction can bring dreams into reality.

In spirit, this expedition extends beyond mountaineering. Through their journey, these women have provided a platform to attempt the seemingly impossible, and hope to inspire others to do likewise in other areas of life.

Sim Yi Hui
“The Joker got it right … at least he died laughing.”

Joy and laughter are never far away from Yi Hui. As a training facilitator with Raffles Junior College, bringing fun into the lives of other people is an everyday affair for the Yi Hui. As teammate Joanne Soo says, “Talking with Yi Hui is a laugh-a-minute affair.”

Climbing, though, is no joke. Having summitted Mera Peak (Nepal), "Er Feng" in the Siguniang mountain range (China) and Mustagh Ata (Pakistan-China), Yi Hui would be the first to tell you that climbing is serious business: there is no room for error when life and limb are at stake.

However, in such an environment when one has to constantly be on the edge, Yi Hui's bubbly personality is appreciated even more: Peh Gee notes, “Without her, life on the mountains would be so much harder; no one keeps your spirits up like Yi Hui.”

Joanne Soo: The Mentor
“One of the great women of our time.”—Women’s Weekly, Singapore

It is difficult to get Joanne to talk about herself. But it certainly isn’t hard to get others to talk about her. Teammate Jane gushes: “She is one of the best teachers you can ever find.” This is almost immediately echoed by Sim Yi Hui, who exclaims, “There is almost nothing that Joanne doesn’t know. More importantly, there is nothing that she won’t share with you.”

This is hardly surprising considering that Soo runs her own outdoor adventure training company. A veteran leader of trekking and mountaineering expeditions, she has led teams to Mount Damavand in Iran, Mount Halla and DeChongBong in Korea, and Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal. A sports climbing instructor for the Singapore Mountaineering Federation along with certified proficiency at Abseiling Level III, Soo has somehow found the time to summit Mera Peak (Nepal) and "Er Feng" in the Siguniang mountain range (China) as well.

The only thing that Soo was willing to say about herself was that, “teaching someone something you know is always a joy … people only can do because someone taught them how to do it first.”

Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi

Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi is founder and managing director of Except One, Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based, global management consultancy firm. The mission of Except One is to harness the uniqueness of individuals, teams and organizations in driving results that exceed expectations. In specific terms, Except One enables business leaders and their employees to perform at their best through leadership development, employee engagement and global diversity. Palomar-Fresnedi’s passion and commitment is in the development of people and communities. She sees her own company as the combination of all her past experience, skills and capabilities “to help people and communities find their own voice, and thus create possibilities for themselves and others.” This she does as an international business leader, a global diversity practitioner, a business consultant and executive coach.

Palomar-Fresnedi has called herself a hyphenated person, referring not only to her name but to the connections in her life. Her life and career are diversity personified. She has lived and worked in Asia, North America and Europe. She has a BA in mass communications, magna cum laude; a master's in management with distinction from the Asian Institute of Management; has completed graduate courses in linguistics, communications research, accounting and finance; and various executive education courses in her career that range from strategic finance to women leading change in global environments.

Her professional career is also multi-faceted. She has been a teacher, accountant, financial controller, independent consultant and director of finance and operations for a training firm before joining Unilever in 1994.

Her 15-year Unilever career was marked by several firsts. She became the first Filipina board member of the then 75-year Unilever Philippines when she became HR director. From her country role, Palomar-Fresnedi steadily rose to senior regional and global positions in Unilever. Among others, she became the first woman to head the London office of Unilever's East Asia Pacific and China business groups and the first global vice president for diversity. In the latter role, she was the first and the most senior Asian woman in Unilever working with the board and the executive committee. For all these, she was externally recognized as one of the top Asian Women of Achievement in the United Kingdom in 2005.

Her Unilever career saw her develop and contribute in functional and leadership fronts, in setting up the strategic direction, and in large-scale change management. Palomar-Fresnedi has set up, led and developed global and regional teams, and held top leadership positions in human resources, corporate communications and corporate social responsibility. She saw the work on diversity in global Unilever through periods of transformation, worked with four chairman/CEOs, and ensured continued steady progress at all levels, including the Unilever board.

Today, Palomar-Fresnedi continues working with Unilever as a consultant. Her contribution in global diversity has expanded to other institutions, including governments. She has shared her experience in the Japan Women’s Innovation Network (J-WIN), written a paper and was a keynote speaker for Korea’s Ministry of Labor and sits on Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower’s National Integration in the Workplace Group. She is also a board member of UK-based BIOSS International; is senior advisor to the New York-based Hidden Brain Drain Task Force, an organization of the 50 Fortune 500 multinationals focused on diversity; and advisor to Singapore-based Women Mean Business Network.

While her professional career and contributions are worth noting, Palomar-Fresnedi takes the most pride in her family: husband and business partner Jojo Fresnedi, two teenage daughters and a son. She says that for her, what counts as her biggest achievement to date is that “my teenage daughters say they like me!”

This year, we’ve invited the following charitable organizations to join us at our Singapore International Women’s Day celebrations:

Aidha
Aidha is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to "enriching lives through financial education." Inspired by UNIFEM’s National Committee, Singapore, Aidha serves women migrant workers.

Our intent is to deliver financial and entrepreneurship education to women migrant workers, primarily domestic helpers, who look to expand their economic opportunities and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

We provide confidence-building, money management and entrepreneurship training, helping our students build strong new futures for themselves and their families. Most importantly, Aidha works to promote savings and positive investments that empower life choices.

Aidha works hard to create a sustainable future—for its students and for itself. Aidha receives no major corporate support or government grants. We rely on the generosity of our Aidha friends and on our own earned-income activity.

Support us by purchasing our heartwarming children’s books along with an array of Aidha collectibles during the event.

Assisi Hospice
Assisi Hospice, an outreach service of Mount Alvernia Hospital, was established in 1969 by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Catholic Sisters.

We dedicate ourselves to the care of patients with life-threatening illnesses. We provide an environment of compassionate and holistic care that understands the challenges faced by such an illness.

We are here for all, regardless of financial status, age, race and religion, respecting their faith, culture and values. We strive to be the leader and centre of excellence for compassionate and personalized palliative care.

Buy a ticket to the Assisi Hospice Charity Fun Day at S$10 each.

The Assisi Hospice Charity Fun Day 2010 takes place on Saturday, 29 May 2010, from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at the St Joseph Institution International, 490 Thomson Road.

Adopt a limited edition teddy bear by donating monthly via GIRO or credit card for a minimum duration of one year. Find out more at the event.

Breast Cancer Foundation
Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) was established in 1997 with the mission to increase the awareness of breast cancer, promote early detection and provide support for breast cancer patients, survivors and their families.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Singaporean women. Every year, about one in five women are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 313 women die from the disease. Breast cancer is curable if detected early. BCF hopes that by raising awareness of breast cancer and encouraging women to go for regular checkups and breast screenings, the chances of surviving the disease will be greatly enhanced.

Habitat for Humanity
Founded by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda in 1976, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) International is a nonprofit Christian housing organisation with a mission to eliminate poverty housing worldwide by building simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families themselves and volunteers.

Habitat for Humanity serves people of all backgrounds, races and religions by providing needy families with a simple and decent place to live.

To date, HFH has built more than 220,000 houses, providing more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and throughout the Asia Pacific region with safe and decent shelters.

Habitat for Humanity Singapore started in 2004 with only one full-time staffer. By the end of 2008, HFH Singapore was fully staffed with a full-time national director and a team of seven persons. Since its inception, HFH Singapore has mobilized various teams of volunteers for building projects and disaster response in China Mongolia, India, Indonesia—Aceh (tsunami), Batam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

St. Andrew’s Autism Center
St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC) is an integrated and comprehensive facility serving people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is housed in the St. Andrew's Autism School that is temporarily located at 15 Guillemard Crescent. It also runs a Day Activity Centre that is temporarily located at Block 33, Bedok South Avenue 2, #01-319.

In 2010, SAAC will move to its permanent home at 1 Elliot Road, which was previously occupied by St. Andrew's Community Hospital. The redevelopment project is partly funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. When completed, SAAC will cater to a comprehensive range of needs of people with autism and their families. Among other services, it will incorporate research and professional training facilities, a medical centre, a family support centre and a volunteer centre. It is hoped that the centre will be a natural setting for parish involvement through its entire range of activities, which are all open to volunteers.

Come purchase craftwork created by the students of St. Andrew’s Autism Center during the event. All proceeds will be donated to the center.

Find out more about how you can pledge your donation to SAAC during the event.

The St. Andrew’s Autism Center will be moving to its permanent home at 1 Elliot Road and has requested for donation of the following items:

• Computer (desktop and laptop)
• Electric oven
• Commercial-size steamer
• Washing machine and dryer
• Pots and pans
• Other kitchen utensils
• Crockery
• Cutlery
• Floor lamps
• Sofa
• Office equipment such as copying machine, shredder, smartboard, etc.

Multiple sets are required.
Kindly contact Li Boey for more information on where the items can be delivered to.

Asian Women’s Welfare Association
The Asian Women's Welfare Association (AWWA) was established in 1970 with a general welfare service that is now the AWWA Family Service Centre. Over the years, AWWA expanded the range of services to include the elderly and disabled.

The mission of AWWA is to empower families, the elderly and children and young people with special needs through programmes to maximise their potential for independence.

While the operating costs of many AWWA services are fully or partially funded by grants from the government and the National Council of Social Service, AWWA is dependent on donations to meet the operating costs of services that are not funded, or only partially funded.

AWWA also raise funds for other non-funded costs such as transport and equipment for its disabled clients, vehicles for its services and subsidies for its lower income clients.

AWWA is seeking volunteers for the following activities:

• Home visits to frail elderly at their homes.
  
  
• Conduct baking sessions for elderly.
  
  
• Assist and motivate the elderly with morning walk.
  
  
• Serve lunch and conduct bingo activities for the elderly.
  
  
• Assist with female elderly in the hydro pool.
  
  
• Supervise and assist the elderly during rehabilitation sessions.
  
  
• Volunteer tutor for low-income children and youth.
  
  
• Youth Soccer Club.
  
  
• Youth Running Club.
  
  
• Homework supervision at Children’s Drop-in center.
  
  
• Reading to children.
  
  
• To assist in the disbursement to low income families and plan activities for the children.
  
  
• Volunteer tutor to assist a child/youth with physical disabilities in their studies at their house.
  
  
• Child minding: To assist children 7-15 with special needs in doing activities at the centre.
  
  
• Sharing of skills with children or youth.
  
  
• Classroom assistant.
  
  
• Hydrotherapy assistant.
  
  
• Toy library assistant.
  
  
• Design/edit.
  
  
• Administration/logistics.

Refer to the document for more details on volunteering opportunities. [PDF, 361KB]

Please contact the following on enquires on volunteering opportunities:

• Janice Lim at 6511 5227
• Girija Nambiar at 65115275
• Janice Lee at 65115214

We are also seeking donations for the following causes:

• Adopt a client (AWWA TEACH ME Services) with disability or multiple disabilities, supporting their transportation to and fro from school @ $300 per month.
  
  
• Groceries for food preparation for students (about 30 children) at SMILES (An after-school care for children with special needs) @ approximately $400 per month.
  
  
• Support a client (AWWA TEACH ME Services) with disability or multiple disabilities. Support their therapy needs @ approximately $240 per month (there are currently about 280 people with disability receiving therapy from AWWA TEACH ME Services).
  
  
• Support a client (AWWA TM Inc) with disability. Support their six-month apprenticeship program. (A job-readiness training program designed for physically challenged youths) at $720 per client.)
  
  
• Make a contribution to support AWWA Family Service Centre Food Ration Program to provide rations to low income and needy families. The Food Ration Program requires about $1,000-$1,500 to support about 50 to 60 low income and needy families.
  
  
• Support AWWA Senior Activity Centre’s twice-weekly lunch program for Senior Activity Centre members who lives in HDB rental flats. An average of 100 residents attend the lunch. Each lunch averages $500 for about 100 elderly folks.

For donations, please make your cheque payable to “AWWA Welfare Fund”, addressed to No 9 Lorong Napiri, Singapore 547531, ATTN: Daniel Chua, Donor Relationship Manager. Or contact Daniel Chua at 65115206 if you wish to have a discussion or enquiry on your donation.

All cash and cheque donations are double tax-deductible. Kindly include your name, NRIC, address and contact details.