WINNING | Converge grows SME base as women leaders earn honors

Insider Spotlight

• Converge’s SME business grew its subscriber base 21% in the first half of 2026, nearing 80,000 customers
• Employee well-being and DEIB initiatives are reinforcing the company’s talent strategy
• Two Converge executives received separate industry honors for marketing and HR leadership
  
  
  

Converge ICT Solutions is translating its investment in small business connectivity and workplace culture into measurable business momentum, with its SME business expanding its subscriber base by 21 percent in the first half of 2026 to nearly 80,000 customers. 

The growth underscores the broadband provider’s push to strengthen its position among Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while deepening employee engagement initiatives across the organization.

The business gains coincided with industry recognition for two of the company’s female executives. SME group vice president and head of SME Marketing Angela Gutierrez received the Best Chief Marketing Officer Award from Philippines’ Women Leaders, while engagement and internal communications manager Rio Laine Bringuelo was honored with the Human Resources Icon Award by Advantage Club for her contributions to employee engagement and workplace well-being.

Why it matters

The dual recognition highlights how Converge is pairing commercial growth with investments in organizational culture, as companies increasingly compete on both market performance and talent development.

Gutierrez was cited for positioning Converge SME Solutions Group as a customer-focused technology partner for MSMEs while leading marketing campaigns that generated significant commercial leads alongside subscriber growth.

“My role in Converge is ensuring the smallest Philippine businesses get a headstart in their growth journey,” Gutierrez said in a press statement.

 “I am proud that through my work in the company, I am able to be a helping hand to small businesses to scale up and contribute to employment. It all starts with a mindset to lead and commit to a wider goal,” she added. 

Between the lines

Converge is also emphasizing employee experience as a business differentiator.

Bringuelo led a holistic mental health program serving more than 2,000 employees, forged partnerships with mental health providers, institutionalized monthly fitness classes, and spearheaded employee participation in the national Pride March and Festival as part of the company’s diversity, equality, inclusivity and belongingness (DEIB) initiatives.

“I have always loved serving and uplifting people. It is an honor to receive this award as part of Converge, a company that fosters growth and believes in endless possibilities for everyone,” Bringuelo shared. 

“This recognition isn’t just a reflection of my work, but a testament to our collective commitment to develop individuals in the place where they can make the most impact: the workplace,” she said.

The bottom line

Converge is leveraging business expansion and workplace development in tandem, reinforcing its strategy of supporting MSME growth while cultivating an inclusive corporate culture that attracts and retains talent. —Vanessa Hidalgo| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma