As a young child in Batangas City, Aurora Claudia Mandanas Gaston—fondly called Duday—once asked, “What’s a mayor?” Her grandfather held the position, but her understanding of leadership came not from titles, but from the gratitude of the people around her. She saw neighbors offering portions of their harvest to her family and free jeepney rides given in appreciation. That’s when she realized her grandfather was a leader people respected.
Coming from a family of eight, Gaston grew up with strong influences shaping her leadership style. Her grandfather, despite being a city mayor, treated everyone with the same respect—including household helpers. Her father, a corporate executive, instilled in her the importance of listening to others, while her mother, a businesswoman, taught her the value of hard work, financial prudence, and gratitude. These early lessons formed the foundation of her leadership philosophy: work smart, leverage efforts, and ensure every endeavor yields meaningful results.
Building USANA Philippines from the Ground Up
USANA, a global leader in cellular nutrition, entered the Philippine market in 2009, and Gaston was there from the very beginning. She played a key role in setting up the company’s first office at The Enterprise Centre. That year alone, USANA Philippines achieved PHP 300 million (approximately USD 6 million) in sales.
Founded by microbiologist and immunologist Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA focuses on combating degenerative diseases through science-backed dietary supplements. The company operates under a network marketing model, with many top athletes endorsing its products. Recognized as the number one dietary supplement brand in the Philippines by Euromonitor, USANA also earned global recognition for Best Customer Service in 2017.
Beyond business success, USANA is deeply committed to its employees and communities. The company sponsors further education and training for employees, ensuring continuous professional growth. Through the USANA Foundation, it supports nutrition and education initiatives. Key partnerships include ANCOP-Cornerstone, which helps children aged 10 to 12 who have fallen behind in literacy, and Project PEARLS (Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smiles), which uplifts the lives of impoverished children.
A Leadership Style Defined by Empathy and Influence
Gaston’s leadership journey has not been without challenges. At one point, some of the organization’s top leaders questioned her leadership style, finding it different from her peers. Instead of reacting defensively, she chose to listen first, understand their concerns, and then present solutions. This approach, rooted in professionalism and respect, ultimately won her their trust.
Known affectionately as “Mader” (mother) by those who work closely with her, Gaston balances a nurturing leadership style with directness. She cares deeply about her team’s well-being but is unafraid to give candid feedback. Unlike some leaders who focus solely on directives, Gaston believes in influencing decision-makers to ensure her ideas are heard and implemented.
To her, true success isn’t just about personal achievements—it’s about empowering others. She takes pride in seeing former employees rise in their careers, carrying forward the values and principles she instilled in them.
A Leader Who Listens
Listening is often an underrated leadership skill, yet it is one of Gaston’s greatest strengths.
The ability to listen is one of the most underrated leadership skills, and one which Gaston has in admirable amounts. — Shanggari Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, MORS Group.
