Editor’s note: Since 2020, First Balfour has been celebrating National Women’s Month by sharing the inspiring stories of the women of First Balfour through our #WomenWednesdays series. This year, we continue the tradition with a four-part feature highlighting their leadership, resilience, and impact.
Kicking off this year’s series is Engr. Anna Romelyn “Lyn” Almario, one of our leads in the Strategic Investments Division (SID), whose journey and insights continue to inspire.
Tell us more about your role. The Strategic Investments Division (SID) is a fairly new division established in December 2022. Our division focuses on bringing First Balfour up the value chain. In a nutshell, we work on investment opportunities, primarily public-private partnerships (PPPs). I look after investments in the water sector. In nature, I oversee a project from inception to execution, including operations and maintenance. These would be multi-decade investment projects, when implemented.
What’s a typical work day like for you? I would never say it’s “typical”. I think atypical is our typical. Generally, I deal with stakeholders, visit sites, gather data, prepare project design and proposals, and be familiar with developments in the industry. A huge part is building and leading the project team. Since it’s a womb-to-tomb initiative, I work with multidisciplinary experts both from First Balfour and external partners.
Lyn (second from left) with her teammates in SID: Division Head and CFO Butch Tansengco (leftmost) and Investment Officer and Treasury Head Ruth Co (rightmost). Also in photo is Deputy CFO Tessa Villanueva (second from right).
What excites and motivates you about work? I’m a veteran water practitioner. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the whole cycle of the water business and to this day, the most fulfilling part about being in this sector is seeing the impact of what we do to the communities we serve. Water is a basic need, but so many people still struggle to get clean, safe water. It’s a global issue and is also part of the Sustainable Development Goals. So when we talk about water, we talk about changing lives. We bring clean, potable water to areas who have a hard time getting access to it. At the same time, we want to make sure that used water is properly treated before being discharged to our water bodies to help protect our environment. I love being able to contribute to society through my chosen profession.
Lyn (rightmost) with Energy Sector Head Benjie Dublin and Head of Estimating Arlene Diaz during First Balfour’s 55th Anniversary VIP Night
What challenges (personal or professional) have you overcome that made you stronger as a professional? Being in a male-dominated industry, I think the challenge is knowing how to maneuver specific spaces and knowing how to carry specific conversations. There will always be moments when the difference between males and females will be highlighted, but it should always be taken as an opportunity to show that women belong here just as much as anyone else.
On a personal note, I’ve had my share of challenges including three difficult pregnancies and the death of a baby. I try to be hopeful and always focus on the positive and with a lot of faith and the right support system, I was able to hurdle those.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a woman in your career? I think the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is knowing your value and trusting your capabilities. I feel that if you conduct yourself in a professional manner and demonstrate what your competencies are, everyone will appreciate you and respect what you do, whether or not you’re a woman.
What vision do you have for women at First Balfour? My vision is for women to have more seats at the table, to take on more leadership roles. It’s very important for women to represent and be represented in the higher levels of decision-making in the company.
Lyn graduated with a degree in BS Civil Engineering from the University of the Philippines. Before joining First Balfour, she spent more than two decades working with various companies in the water sector, gaining extensive experience in the field. She has over 20 years of senior management and consulting experience in water supply, sanitation, and septage treatment plant projects in the Philippines and throughout Asia and the Pacific.
Lyn (third from the right) celebrating the 42K TBR Dream Marathon with the newest members of the First Balfour Marathon Club
In her free time, she loves to watch series and movies, read books or listen to audiobooks, and do sports like badminton and running. In fact, she recently completed the TBR Dream Marathon. “One recent challenge I overcame was running the TBR Dream Marathon. Something I never imagined I will ever take on. After completing it, I proved that there’s still much more I can do with the right mindset and the right support group; First Balfour’s support was amazing!”
She enjoys spending time with her family—her husband Ones, who is also a fellow water practitioner, their two boys, Lex and Fifu, her mom, Emma, and their two beloved fur babies, Quincy and Ozzy
She enjoys spending time with her family—her husband Ones who is also a fellow water practitioner, their two boys, Lex and Fifu, and their two beloved fur babies, Quincy and Ozzy.
