Ayhee Campos is often seen speaking on stages and featured in articles as a trailblazing female leader in a male-dominated IT industry, but she is the first to acknowledge that one, she did not do it alone, and two, she dreams of more women being given the same opportunities as her. Beyond her leadership roles, she is a devoted mother, student of life, and as she puts it, “a walking miracle.” She Talks Asia chats with Ayhee about the most important life lessons she’s learned both at work and at home:
What do you do for a living, and what are the things that make you feel more alive?
I am Ayhee Campos and I am the Business Unit Head and Country and Sr Regional DC Head of Infosys BPM Philippines and Malaysia. I am responsible for overall operations, transformation initiatives, and increasing the Infosys BPM footprint for both geographies.
I feel most alive when I engage in conversations with people from different generations or a diverse set of individuals. It amazes me that while people come from different generations, backgrounds, we all have different perspectives, and conversations always find commonalities at the core, which is values.
How old are you?
I am 57 years old.
“I am most known for…”
…my thirteen-word life lesson: With courage, grit, and purpose, one can do what others say you can’t. This was so hard to answer so I had to ask friends and colleagues!
“I am most proud of …”
being a mother to my two amazing children Luis and Patricia, and being a mother-figure to the #KaInfoscions of Infosys BPM Philippines.
What do you think is the biggest challenge, and the best thing, about being your age?
The biggest challenge is trying to complete too many things while having so little time. But the best thing is you embrace new experiences, learn from past mistakes, and develop a deeper appreciation for life. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, "As we grow old [-er and wiser], the beauty steals inward." I became more appreciative of the value of wisdom, kindness, and compassion, and not just mine, but of others whom I care about. Those intangible traits make us unique and special. When you reach a certain age, your experiences have molded you to be more confident, secure, authentic, and gracefully wiser.
How have you grown wiser in the past few years?
For me, wisdom doesn't always come with age. My wisdom inherently comes with life and professional experiences, it comes from the depth and breadth of my experiences and learnings over time. My formula is – learn from life. Be intentional in using your wisdom as your moral compass and always make an effort to strive to have a balance between the head and heart in every decision that you make and in building the legacy you want to leave behind.
What are the best pieces of life advice you have ever received?
It's about always balancing the head and heart. I am the eldest of two siblings. My mother is a dedicated homemaker, and my father is an accountant. My father exuded the "head" component in the family; he always taught us basic work ethics, discipline, and the drive to keep moving forward. He taught me to focus on building my knowledge if I want to change or improve my life. While my mother is the "heart" component; she instilled in us the basic fundamental values and how to be human for other people. She always reminded us that while we follow dad’s advice, we should not forget how to be kind.
Who are the women who have played a pivotal role in your growth and what kind of support did that look like?
The people who were pivotal in my career growth are men: Chito Franco and Benedict Hernandez. I am a product of men supporting and sponsoring women in corporate. These male leaders were my sponsors and ally. They challenged stereotypes, addressed bias, bet on me and coached and mentored me—and I am personally very grateful to both of them.
However, there is one woman who served as my role model throughout my life and career journey: my mother.
What have been the most defining decades of your life (or the most defining decade) that have made an impact on the woman you are today?
There are three pivotal moments in my life. Firstly, when I saw my mother pivot from being a housewife to becoming the family provider because my father fell ill. I saw how a fragile woman transformed into someone strong and carried the weight of the responsibility to support the family.
Secondly, when I joined Smart Telecommunications, and learned things that I had zero knowledge of. Take for example using a computer, learning how to complete different office tasks, project management, and understanding financials. The experience taught me the value of being a lifelong learner.
Thirdly, my gift of a second life. I almost died immediately after giving birth to our second child. My faith and belief deepened. Through the fervent prayers of my family and friends, I lived. I am a walking miracle.
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