From Marikina to making a difference: Danielle Cada

From Marikina to making a difference: Dane’s journey with ZFF

Danielle Cada grew up in Marikina, a daughter of factory workers. When her dad passed away in 2015, her family moved to Muntinlupa. From a young age, she was driven by a desire to improve her family’s situation. When her dad suffered from kidney failure and needed dialysis, her family would often reach out to politicians to help subsidize the cost, which sparked her interest in health equity and access to medical services.

Initially unsure of what career to pursue, Dane followed in her sister’s footsteps in human resources. “Undecided talaga ako kung anong course, gusto ko lang ng trabaho na makikipagbigay sa’kin ng ‘okay’ na kita,” Dane said. But her first job, where she handled recruitment, did not sit well with her values—especially when asked to prioritize clients’ demands over labor laws. She stayed for nine months before seeking out something more meaningful.

Growing with the Zuellig Family Foundation

In 2019, she stumbled upon a job opening at Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) through JobStreet. Though she was not familiar with the Foundation at the time, the application process went smoothly, and she soon joined as an HR assistant. Early on, Dane found herself struggling to understand what ZFF did, but through the help of her supervisors and training, she learned the ropes and saw the larger purpose behind their work. 

Dane’s time at ZFF has been a journey of growth, both personally and professionally. She moved from HR Assistant to Associate and eventually became an HR Expert. “Hindi lang s’ya business as usual, may business unusual.” ZFF even supported her in pursuing a second degree. 

But it was not just about the career milestones—ZFF opened her eyes to the complexities of healthcare in the Philippines. She vividly remembers a project in Sultan Kudarat, interviewing teenage mothers, which completely changed her perspective on adolescent pregnancy. What once seemed like a simple issue revealed deeper societal and economic roots.

Overcoming challenges and future aspirations

Working at ZFF also came with challenges. As part of the HR team, she had to handle all sorts of emotions from staff, from anger to calmness. There were tough moments, like when her colleague resigned in 2020, leaving Dane to shoulder more responsibilities. But instead of giving up, she pushed through, driven by her hunger to learn and grow. “If hindi ka committed to learn, mapapagod ka talaga. Kung gusto mo namang matuto, at willing ka mag-sacrifice, matututo ka talaga.” She credits her supervisors for guiding and challenging her, which ultimately helped her thrive in the demanding environment. 

Looking ahead, Dane plans to pursue a Master’s degree and continue working in the development sector. For her, ZFF is more than just a job. It’s a place that has shaped her, both professionally and personally, and allowed her to contribute to something bigger than herself. 

She dreams of a future where all Filipinos can access health services easily, something her own family struggled with. “Just thinking na wala nang family ang makaka-experience ng gano’nnamomroblema kung paano, mangungulit sa politikoiba yung kasiyahan na mabibigay n’ya sa’kin.” Knowing that she’s helping build that future is what keeps her going every day. 

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