October 10, 2024 – True Corporation has achieved another international milestone as Yupa Leewongcharoen, Chief Financial Officer (Co), has been honored with the prestigious “Best Women Chief Financial Officer – Telecom” recognition at the 2024 Women’s Tabloid Awards. This global platform celebrates the accomplishments of women across various professions, recognizing not only the excellence in financial management demonstrated by a strong female leader but also emphasizing the vital role of women in driving the global telecommunications industry. Additionally, it underscores True Corporation’s commitment to promoting gender equality within the organization.
With over 16 years of experience as a senior executive, Yupa has built a remarkable career, starting as a senior finance executive in both the banking industry and a state-owned enterprise. She later joined UTV, a subscription television business (now TrueVisions), during the “Tom Yum Goong Crisis” in 1997, when the Thai baht was floated, causing content costs from abroad to double. Through her dedication, she navigated these difficult times and was appointed Deputy CFO, overseeing all True Group businesses, before ultimately serving as CFO of True Group prior to its merger between True and dtac in March 2023. She currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer (Co) at True Corporation.
Ms. Yupa Leewongcharoen, Chief Financial Officer (Co) of True Corporation Plc. said that “This prestigious award is not only a personal honor but also reflects True Corporation’s vision and commitment to promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for women at all levels of the organization. This success stems from a combination of emotional agility, innovative thinking, and adaptive attitudes, which are essential qualities for leaders in the digital age.”
Throughout her tenure at True Corporation, Ms. Yupa has demonstrated the ability to guide the organization through periods of transformation and various challenges, particularly during the significant merger between True and dtac in 2023, which was the largest telecommunications merger in Southeast Asia. This merger is expected to deliver synergies amounting to THB 250 billion in Net Present Value (NPV).
Recently, Ms. Yupa played a key role in driving True Corporation’s sustainability policy, making the company be the first leading telecom-tech company in Thailand to secure a “Sustainability-Linked Syndicated Loan” totaling 141 billion yen (approximately 33 billion baht) to refinance its USD debt. This achievement marks a significant step toward the company’s sustainability goals, supporting both its sustainability objectives and financial management strategies, including cost reduction initiatives. By securing funding from the Japanese Yen market, the company has enhanced its financial resilience, providing greater flexibility and reducing risks associated with relying solely on financing in single source of fund in Thai baht or U.S. dollars.
This loan was backed by Japanese banks and leading international financial institutions, marking the largest amount ever obtained by a Thai company. This reflects the confidence from global financial institutions in True Corporation’s potential and business operations.
Ms. Yupa also emphasizes fostering an equitable and inclusive organizational culture by strategically managing financial resources to ensure diverse benefits for all genders of employees, including men, women, and the LGBTQI+ community.
“As a woman, I take pride in witnessing greater openness in society and equal opportunities in the business world,” Yupa remarked. “Women bring a unique combination of strengths to leadership, including the ability to think systemically and envision the big picture. Our sensitivity and attention to detail, when paired with a strategic vision, empower us to navigate complex challenges with confidence. These qualities make women particularly effective in financial leadership roles, driving impactful decisions for the organization.”
The Women’s Tabloid Awards is an international platform that recognizes the achievements of women across various professions, particularly in leadership and senior executive roles. Receiving this award not only honors personal accomplishments but also reflects progress in gender equality and highlights the value of diversity in global corporate governance.
Ms. Yupa’s success and this award serve as an inspiration for the next generation of women aspiring to leadership roles in business, reaffirming the critical role of female leaders in driving organizations toward success in the digital era.
