Manulife Philippines’ newly appointed chief marketing officer (CMO), Sonali Verma, offers a compelling look into the insurer’s long-term commitment to social responsibility through its global Impact Agenda.
Now entering its third year, the initiative is creating measurable change in communities across the country through financial literacy, environmental sustainability, and inclusive local enterprise.
Global Vision, Local Execution
“The Impact Agenda is a global mandate, but every country localizes its execution based on what creates the most meaningful change,” Verma explained.
While funding and support stem from Manulife’s global headquarters in Canada, each geography is given the autonomy to focus on locally relevant issues.
In the Philippines, this has translated into two flagship programs: Peso Smart and the Forests for Life collaboration with Haribon Foundation
Under the Haribon program, Manulife has planted over 21,000 native trees across 17 hectares in Quezon, Zambales, and Rizal.
These efforts are not only restoring biodiversity but also playing a crucial role in disaster mitigation.
“Zambales was a strategic choice,” Verma noted, “because native trees there help prevent flooding in Metro Manila. We go back every three months to ensure the survival of the seedlings that were planted. This isn’t about symbolic acts, it’s about sustained results.”
The next phase includes a mangrove reforestation initiative, aimed at combating severe coastal erosion. For this initiative, Manulife and Haribon Foundation are organizing a mangrove planting activity in Real, Quezon by end-May 2025.
The program is also supporting rural livelihoods, particularly for women. In areas supported by Haribon, small-scale female entrepreneurs are now producing lemongrass tea, honey, and fruit jams.
Building Financial Confidence Through Peso Smart
The Peso Smart initiative is Manulife’s financial literacy program targeting 8 to 14-year-old students. In partnership with the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF), the program uses comics, role plays, and school projects to teach children the value of saving and responsible spending.
To date, it has supported 2,500 students from 10 schools across nine cities, with plans to scale to 40 schools in the coming years.
The team is now expanding Peso Smart into communities already served by Haribon Foundation, creating a powerful convergence of sustainability and financial education.
Evolving the Agenda with Impact at Heart
Manulife is open to expanding its Impact Agenda to include more focused support for women and children, depending on the strength and alignment of local partners.
“We don’t build isolated projects—we scale what works and keep deepening the impact. Manulife has been in the Philippines for 118 years. Our Impact Agenda is just two years old—but it’s here for the long haul,” Verma noted.
Verma also highlighted Manulife’s continued business success. With over 400,000 customers and a record-breaking Net Promoter Score of 85, the company has achieved both trust and traction.
Henceforth, Manulife is focused on providing “starter-kit” financial products for Gen Zs and millennials.
“We want to help them move from chasing the urgent to securing the important,” Verma explained, noting that education will be key to this shift, especially on the cost benefits of starting protection plans early in life.
Purpose-driven leadership
With a strong foundation in finance and a deep commitment to sustainability, Sonali Verma brings a distinct, future-focused vision to her role at Manulife Philippines. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that businesses have the power—and responsibility—to help build more resilient and inclusive communities.
Before joining Manulife, Verma held senior roles in various international companies, where she gained extensive experience in driving business growth while maintaining a focus on social and environmental responsibility.
Driving the direction of Manulife Philippines, she is leading efforts to embed sustainability into the company’s core strategy—balancing business goals with initiatives that support both people and the planet.
“We are committed to making a positive difference. Our goal is not just to plant trees or teach financial literacy; it’s to create a future where sustainability, empowerment, and financial security are accessible to all,” Verma stressed.
Focusing on both environmental restoration and social empowerment, Manulife Philippines is setting an example of how businesses can contribute to building a more sustainable and inclusive society. With its continued efforts, the company aims to leave a legacy of positive change that will benefit generations to come.
