Elizabeth Sy: Wealth, Business Empire, and Life Beyond Work

Elizabeth Sy has made a name for herself in the Philippines' travel, entertainment, and hospitality sectors. She has increased the SM Group's hotel and convention investments, including the introduction of multiple Radisson-branded properties. She is the youngest daughter of the late Henry Sy, Sr.

📹 Bloomberg Philippines

Leadership and Legacy

Elizabeth Sy is in charge of the family's hotel holdings as president and chairman of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation. A closer look at her path and accomplishments is provided here.

$1.20 billion (P120.8 billion) is the net worth.
71 years old

Childhood and Education


Elizabeth "Betty" Sy was born in 1952, the youngest of Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad Tan Sy's six children. She grew up learning about the family company from her elder siblings, who occupied various roles in the growing network of enterprises. Sy attended Miriam College, previously Maryknoll College, and earned a degree in business management in 1974. Despite her lack of professional hospitality experience, her father had her start as an assistant at the family's first hotel, the Manila Royal Hotel in Quiapo.

Business Empire

Elizabeth Sy has worked in numerous positions for the SM Group, with a concentration on real estate and hospitality. She worked in SM Prime Holdings' Investor Relations division from 1998 to 2007, where she obtained excellent managerial insights through yearly road shows across the world. She then commanded SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation, which became one of the country's largest hospitality enterprises. The firm has 1,960 rooms and more than 38,000 square meters of leasable conference space spread among ten hotels and six convention facilities.

Expanding Horizons

Using the MOA Complex in Pasay City as a model, Sy entered the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) market in 2007. This facility is now the biggest privately run conference and exposition center in the Philippines, spanning 21,000 square meters across four halls. SMX Convention Centers may currently be found in Olongapo, Bacolod, Davao, Taguig, and Manila.

Within the next five years, Sy wants to expand the company's hotel portfolio. In addition to her position at SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation, she is co-chair of Pico De Loro Beach and Country Club and an adviser to the board of SM Investments Corporation.

The Economic and Social Impact

 

Elizabeth Sy is well-known for her philanthropic efforts, support for the arts, and progressive workplace standards. She organized the founding of Miriam College-Henry Sy Sr. in 2016, which cost P100 million. Innovation Centre. Eduardo Calma designed the facility, which comprises workshop rooms, fabrication laboratories, and exhibition spaces for students studying science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Sy also chairs Nazareth School of the SM Group-owned National University and oversees SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation's corporate social responsibility projects. Under her leadership, hotels and convention centers have decreased greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%, focusing on reduced food waste, efficient energy usage, and recycling. The firm also prioritizes employing women in top roles, with 51% of managers being female. In addition, SM Hotels purchases ingredients and goods from Philippine firms, which helps thousands of micro, small, and medium-sized industries.

Sy has earned many awards for her services to the tourism, leisure, and hospitality business, including the Tourism Personality Award in the hotel category from Skål International in 2019.

Personal Life and Interests

Elizabeth Sy and her siblings, Teresita Sy, Henry Sy Jr., Hans Sy, Herbert Sy, and Harley Sy, control multiple companies within the conglomerate. She maintains a low profile, just like her siblings. Sy is married to Charles Uy, and their son, Eric, works in the family company as vice president of technical services at SM Hotels and Conventions.

Sy is enthusiastic in art and travel. Sy personally chose the pieces in the SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation's art collection. At Conrad Manila, she worked with former Cultural Center of the Philippines president Nestor Jardin to select the hotel's art collection, which featured Filipino painters such as Sam Penaso, Nestor Vinluan, Jonathan Olazo, and Alain Hablo.

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SOURCE/CREDITS: Elizabeth Sy: Wealth, Business Empire, and Life Outside Work (msn.com)

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