Jakarta — Leadership in education becomes truly influential when it shapes institutions, empowers communities, and leaves a lasting impact on future generations. That spirit was honored at Grand Honors 2026, where Star Iconic Media presented Dr. Esther Susan N. Perez-Mari, MSc-FM, MD, Ph.D., President of the University of Cagayan Valley, with the title Most Influential Iconic Women 2026 under the category Women Leadership in Education & Empowerment Iconic Woman on 14 February 2026 at DoubleTree by Hilton Kemayoran, Jakarta. Her name and academic credentials are reflected in the University of Cagayan Valley’s official leadership pages.
This recognition reflects the significance of women’s leadership in education, especially when that leadership extends beyond administration into empowerment, academic vision, and institutional growth. As President of the University of Cagayan Valley, Dr. Perez-Mari represents a model of leadership rooted in academic stewardship and long-term development. The university’s official pages identify her as the institution’s second university president, serving since 2019, a role that places her at the center of one of the Philippines’ established private, non-sectarian higher education institutions.
The award category, Women Leadership in Education & Empowerment Iconic Woman, is especially fitting in light of her broader academic and professional background. The university’s official feature on Dr. Perez-Mari describes her as a physician-scientist and educator who spent more than two decades in oncology clinical research before assuming the presidency, highlighting a leadership journey built on both scientific rigor and educational commitment. This gives the recognition deeper meaning, as it honors a figure whose influence bridges research, medicine, and higher education leadership.
Under her presidency, the University of Cagayan Valley has continued to strengthen its academic and institutional profile. Official university pages present UCV as “the first private non-sectarian university in Cagayan Valley Region,” while recent university news highlights continued engagement in academic development, student achievement, and global initiatives. In October 2024, for example, UCV reported that the university was further strengthening its international engagement under Dr. Perez-Mari’s leadership, reinforcing the outward-looking and development-oriented direction associated with her tenure.
The empowerment dimension of this recognition is equally important. In education, empowerment is expressed not only through policy or title, but through the ability to create opportunities, raise standards, and inspire students and professionals alike. University news and official communications repeatedly place Dr. Perez-Mari at the forefront of messages celebrating student milestones, institutional progress, and academic achievement, reflecting a leadership style that is closely linked to encouragement, visibility, and institutional presence.
Her influence has also been acknowledged beyond campus leadership. Official university news reported that she received a second resolution of commendation from the 9th Tuguegarao City Council in April 2024, underscoring her public standing as an educational leader in the region. In the broader context of this award, that distinction adds weight to the title Most Influential Iconic Women 2026, as it aligns with a leadership profile recognized not only within the university but also in the wider civic and educational landscape.
At Grand Honors 2026, the recognition presented by Star Iconic Media placed Dr. Esther Susan N. Perez-Mari within a wider narrative of women whose leadership is shaping education through vision, empowerment, and institutional commitment. Through the Most Influential Iconic Women 2026 award, her contribution stands as a reflection of the enduring importance of female leadership in advancing higher education and inspiring future generations across borders.
