Sometimes the most impactful and authentic leaders are those working diligently behind the scenes. Desiree Sumalinog-Fantanalgo (or Des, as people call her) oversees and monitors the implementation of the 5-year National Strategic Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons of the Philippines, but in her humble opinion she is not a typical leader.
“I didn’t consider myself as a leader at first, but I realised that I’m already doing my part as a leader in just a small unit,” she explains.
Growing up in Bacolod ‘the city of smiles’ and famous for its colourful masks in the Philippines, Des was part of a large family with six siblings, which instilled in her strong family values and a sense of resilience. These values guided her as she pursued a law degree, which provided a strong foundation for her career with the Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and in her current role as the Project Development Officer at IACAT.
Des credits the field work that she experienced in her administration roles with IACAT in shaping her leadership journey, recalling that: "I really started in a small position, doing the monitoring work at the field. It made me aware of how difficult it is to secure information and how crucial each piece of data is."
Over the years, Des took on more responsibilities, supervising the case monitoring and task force section, and coordinating efforts among 28 member agencies to ensure the effective implementation of anti-trafficking initiatives.
In 2016, she was tasked with drafting the annual trafficking in persons report for the US Department of State, a critical document that influences the Philippine’s tier ranking. Her first report contributed to the country achieving the top Tier 1 ranking, a status it has maintained for nine consecutive years.
"That was the first time I drafted the report, and it was also the first time that the Philippines was ranked Tier 1. I'm very happy about that, it was a big milestone for me," she said proudly.
Despite the challenges of handling sensitive and often traumatic case information, Des finds fulfillment in knowing that her work helps protect and support victims and prevent future trafficking. She vividly remembers reading case details that described the agony and abuse suffered by victims, which often left her emotionally weighed down. "Just by reading it, you really feel their trauma and experience. But it also makes you aware of the value of your work," she explained.
Juggling the demanding work and personal responsibilities - including as a mother to a two-year-old daughter – Des has learned to manage her ‘over enthusiastic’ work ethic. She recounts with a smile how she worked up until the week before her giving birth, facilitating a workshop for the validation of the national action plan and sending emails on the way to the hospital.
On work-life balance, Des believes the key is discipline and supporting women in leadership roles. "You should have the heart for this work, because everything else will follow," she advises.
Looking ahead, Des is excited about the continued learning and growth opportunities she has access to through the Leadership Excellence in ASEAN Program course run by the Australian Government funded ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking program. She is committed to applying the insights gained to further enhance her work and contribute to the broader efforts of counter-trafficking in the region.
Following the first workshop in January this year held in Bangkok, Des and the 19 other leaders from the region, were introduced to their leadership styles. For many, it was the first time to receive constructive feedback from others through a 360-degree evaluation process which Des said she is encouraged to adopt within her own agency.
"I'm excited about what else we can learn from this journey," she says. "It's all about realisation and continuous improvement.”
Des is a shining example of an authentic leader, working diligently with the data and supporting others to sustain the Philippines as a regional and global leader in the fight against human trafficking.
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Learn more about the Counter Trafficking in Persons Leadership Excellence in ASEAN Program (LEAP): Taking a leadership LEAP - ASEAN–Australia Counter Trafficking