10/03/2026
The Great! Glenda Hufano.
Glenda V. Hufano: Leading with Light, Serving with Heart
By Grace Bondad Nicolas
A Woman of Vision and Service
In civic leadership where passion meets purpose, Glenda V. Hufano shines as a name synonymous with service, integrity, and dedication. Her rise in Kiwanis International, one of the world’s most respected service organizations, is not just a tale of leadership, it is a story of compassion, resilience, and the unyielding drive to make a difference.
As the Past District Governor (PDG) of the Philippine Luzon District, Glenda has set new benchmarks in what it means to lead with both vision and heart. At the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention (ICON) in Pittsburgh, USA, she was honored as a Distinguished District Governor, while the district itself was recognized as a Distinguished District under her stewardship. It was a moment of pride not only for Kiwanis members but for the entire Philippines, a testament that Filipino leaders can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest.
For Glenda, however, recognition has never been the goal. As she has often reminded her peers, “Leadership is not about titles. It’s about leaving a legacy of service that inspires others to do the same.”
The Spirit of Kiwanis: Serving the Children of the World
To fully appreciate Glenda’s journey, one must understand the mission of Kiwanis International, the platform where she has flourished as a servant-leader.
Founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers committed to serving the children of the world. With over 600,000 members in more than 80 countries, Kiwanians dedicate their time, resources, and expertise to projects ranging from feeding programs and health initiatives to literacy campaigns and playground construction.
The philosophy is simple yet profound: improving the world one child and one community at a time.
In the Philippines, particularly in Luzon, Kiwanis has played a vital role in addressing child welfare, education, and community development. And at the heart of many of these efforts stands Glenda Hufano, whose leadership has not only strengthened the organization but has also brought renewed vigor to its mission.
From Pasay to the World: Glenda’s Rise in Leadership
Glenda’s journey in Kiwanis began in 2015 when she joined the Kiwanis Club of Pasay. What started as volunteerism soon grew into a lifelong commitment to service. She was not just a member who showed up—she was a leader who delivered results.
Her dedication was evident early on as she served as Club President for four consecutive years (2015–2018). Under her leadership, the club flourished, expanding its reach and strengthening its impact in Pasay City communities.
From there, her rise was steady and remarkable:
• Lieutenant Governor of Division 3A (2019–2020) – overseeing multiple clubs and ensuring collaboration and support among leaders.
• District Treasurer (2020–2021) – ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability in district finances.
• District Governor (2023–2024) – overseeing more than 4,000 members across Luzon and guiding the district into global recognition.
Glenda’s ascension was not about ambition but about trust. Her peers recognized her as someone who could make tough decisions with fairness, inspire through action, and lead with humility.
“Light Up Kiwanis”: Her Defining Theme
Every Kiwanis District Governor sets a theme, a guiding principle for their leadership year. For Glenda, it was “Light Up Kiwanis.”
It represented her belief that every Kiwanian had the power to illuminate lives through service, compassion, and dedication.
Under her leadership, the Philippine Luzon District embraced this vision and achieved historic milestones:
• Child-Centered Programs – spearheading initiatives for health, education, and mental wellness, ensuring that children remained the core of Kiwanis service.
• Strengthened Partnerships – collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and private organizations to maximize impact.
• Leadership Development – mentoring and training leaders to ensure continuity, accountability, and strong governance.
• Inclusivity and Empowerment – welcoming diversity in leadership roles and encouraging younger members to take on key responsibilities.
Her ICON 2025 speech captured the spirit of her theme:
“We did not just lead programs; we led with our hearts. This honor belongs to every Kiwanian who chose to serve with humility, light, and love.”
Achievements Beyond Kiwanis
Glenda’s influence is not confined within Kiwanis International. Her work as a civic leader has also earned her recognition from prestigious organizations in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
• Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) – where she was honored as one of the region’s most outstanding leaders, recognized for her integrity, vision, and impact on communities.
• Rising Tigers Magazine – where she was featured as one of the “People to Watch,” celebrating her as an influential woman leader who transforms advocacy into tangible change.
Her recognition on both local and international stages underscores her ability to bridge grassroots service with global influence.
Not Just a Leader, but a Servant
What makes Glenda’s story remarkable is not just her list of accomplishments but the heart behind them. Among her peers, she is known as “The Woman of Many Firsts.”
She was the first to rise through Kiwanis leadership positions—Club President, Lieutenant Governor, District Treasurer, and District Governor—all in one continuous journey. Each role she embraced with passion, leaving a trail of excellence and innovation.
Her projects also speak volumes about her values:
• She made sure the 109th Kiwanis International Anniversary in January 2024 was a celebration of unity and service, remembered as one of the most impactful gatherings in district history.
• She personally supported initiatives like the turnover of rescue boats to coastal towns in Bicol, ensuring communities had resources for disaster response.
• She championed the Rice SPARK project in partnership with PhilRice, making agriculture appealing to the youth while addressing food security.
As she once shared:
“My life is about service. I grew up seeing unfortunate kids around me, and now that I have the capacity to give, I want to make sure I leave an impact. It is human nature to give—and in this lifetime, I want to leave a legacy.”
Leadership Anchored in Faith and Family
Glenda’s strength as a leader is deeply rooted in her faith. Guided by Isaiah 49:23—“She who trusts in the Lord will never be disappointed”—she has always believed that true leadership is about surrendering everything to God’s guidance.
She is also a devoted mother of four accomplished young professionals, all graduates of respected institutions in Canada and Philippines. Her children remain one of her greatest sources of pride, proof that her values of hard work, education, and faith have flourished in the next generation.
Professionally, Glenda is a licensed customs broker with a degree in Customs Administration, balancing her entrepreneurial spirit with her civic responsibilities. Her background in business has equipped her with the skills to manage organizations, handle finances responsibly, and build partnerships—all of which strengthened her leadership in Kiwanis.
A Legacy of Unity, Transparency, and Integrity
Throughout her leadership, Glenda has stood firmly by three guiding values: unity, transparency, and integrity.
• Unity – ensuring that every Kiwanis club in Luzon felt included and empowered.
• Transparency – leading with openness and accountability in decision-making.
• Integrity – making sure every action reflected honesty and the best interest of the community.
These values were not just words but principles she lived by, inspiring both peers and the next generation of leaders.
Inspiring the Future
Glenda’s legacy is more than the projects completed or awards received, it is about the inspiration she continues to spark in others. Her leadership has shown that one person, guided by faith and fueled by compassion, can ignite a movement that transforms lives.
She remains a role model for young leaders, proving that success is not about personal gain but about service to others. Her journey from a local club member in Pasay to a globally recognized leader in Pittsburgh is proof that Filipino leaders can shape the world stage.
Conclusion: Leading with Light, Serving with Heart
Glenda V. Hufano is more than a Distinguished District Governor. She is a trailblazer, a mentor, a mother, and above all, a servant-leader whose life embodies the very spirit of Kiwanis: Serving the Children of the World.
Her story is not just one of recognition but of responsibility, of lighting the path for others to follow. Whether in a small barangay in Pasay, in the halls of PhilRice, or on the grand stage of the Kiwanis ICON, Glenda leads with the same unwavering principle: service with humility, compassion, and heart.
As she continues her journey, one thing is certain: the light she has kindled will not fade. It will continue to shine, guiding future generations of leaders to serve with love, lead with integrity, and dream with purpose.
