Growing Through Trust: When Leadership Creates Opportunities

Isa Nebres, department manager, testimony:

What is your background at decathlon (how long have you been leader/whether you have taken on other missions or roles before…)?

I began my journey with Decathlon as a working student, starting part-time while preparing for college. What was initially meant to be a two-month job for me evolved into a seven-year journey of growth and now 3 years in leadership. I was 19 when I was first entrusted to become one of the Layout Referents for Decathlon Alabang store. I’ve worked 4 years as a part-time working student, then as soon as I graduated, I applied full time as an Omni Sports Leader, 2 months into that role, I was offered to become part of Decathlon Fairview’s Leading Team as Team Sport Leader then later joined Decathlon Santa Rosa as Department Manager. In 2024, I was also entrusted to work alongside our Country Sport Leader as the Commercial Dynamism Referent for our Department’s ecosystem.

What is the main thing you’d like Lowla and Reynan to remember their experience in your team and from the knowledge you are sharing with them ? 

I want them to remember how Decathlon - people are always the heart of every project. No matter their background or experience, they carry potential waiting to be cultivated. Everybody can make difference, no mater where they start. Everyone begins somewhere, and there is always a « first time » for everything. What matters most is having the courage to believe in themselves  and to see a vision of where they want to go. Dare to make mistakes and learn. Being as you truly are: growth becomes not only possible but inevitable. I want Lowell and Reynan to remember that leadership begins with trust, trust in themselves, in others, and in the vision they carry forward. From 2, 5, 10 or even 20 years from today. I hope they leave knowing that their growth matters as much as the results they bring. If they ever become the leader they wish to become someday, (as they’ve written when I asked them « how do you want to be remembered? » or « visions of themselves ») I hope they pay forward the same trust and really invest in the people they’ll be entrusted to journey with.

What did they teach you in return?

They did remind me that when I was 18, like both of them, I was young, inexperienced, a working student, but given a chance. My leaders at Decathlon believed in me before I fully believed in myself. They entrusted me with opportunities that taught me vision, resilience, and the importance of people-centered leadership. That experience shaped the way I lead today. I believe people are always at the heart of every project. Skills can be learned, but trust and belief ignite real growth. This is what I wanted Lowela and Reynan to experience in our time together-that feeling of being seen, believed in, and guided with care. In return, they taught me to slow down, to value the process of growth, and to put others forward just as I was once lifted by someone else's belief. Their strengths-resilience, humility, teachability, are the same qualities that once helped me grow. It is inspiring to see these values carried forward by the next generation of leaders. In fact, when Lowela and Reynan onboarded. | journeyed with my two teammates' development by letting them lead with me for the journey of Lowela and Reynan.

Statement shared by Reeve Noriega:

Both of them have shown heart and determination during the months I’ve worked with them. The main thing I want them to remember is to always give your all, your potential is limitless, get out of your comfort zone, explore things, ask questions and always remember don’t lose the attitude of being a student of the game. They reminded me how important perseverance is. Despite having a hard time at the start, they never stopped learning what they needed to know even when things got challenging. With that lesson I’ve learned from them, I will not back down even if the progress is slow, try and try until you succeed. 

Statement shared by Karen Arguelles:

In the past three months with Lowela and Reynan, I’ve learned to be more patient with myself and intentional as a leader. Guiding them on the foundations, like layout and customer service, not only made our work lighter but also helped us create more and share best practices as a collective. For me, it was like being an ate, a bigger sister, making sure they stayed focused while also growing myself as a mentor together with our Department Manager, Denise and Reeve. This experience shower me that mentorship is both a responsibility and a gift, and together we exceed our commitments, with the ambition we carried in our hearts. 

According to you, what are the strengths of Lowela and Reynan / the Youth that have been followed the LP4Y program? 

Their biggest strengths are resilience, humility, and a willingness to learn. They are people-oriented and collaborative , with a natural ability to adapt to challenges. Like many Youth from the LP4Y program, they show a determination to grow, and not only in skills but also in character, and an inspiring capacity to embrace feedback and move forward. I love their genuine eagerness to grow, not just as individuals, but as contributors to a shared purpose. 

Are Lowela and Reynan the first LP4Y graduates that you are working with? And would you like to recruit other Youths who followed LP4Y training ? Why ? 

No, they weren’t the first, I’ve had many teammates like MJ, Neverlie, JC, Cecil, Lendy, Cielo and many more. But, they weren’t my first LP4Y graduates I have worked with since I became a Department Manager, and the experience has been both inspiring and fulfilling.

I would absolutely like to recruit more Youth from the program because they bring unique strengths, resilience, openness and a deep sense of purpose, that enrich any team they join. Their growth mindset and eagerness to contribute make them strong assets in a people-centered, vision-driven culture like Decathlon’s.

Lowelas’s testimonial

“ My name is Lowela Moreal, and my story is one of growth, resilience, and a firm belief in my own potential. At 19 years old, as a young mother originally from Calauan, Laguna, I've already learned that success isn't defined by a straight, predictable path, but by the courage to face challenges head-on. My journey truly began when I decided to move to Santa Rosa to be closer to new opportunities, a decision that led me to two experiences that have shaped me profoundly: my time at LP4Y and my current role at Decathlon.

​My path of self-discovery started on September 12, 2024, when I joined LP4Y. It was there, particularly in the Learning and Development (LD) team, that I discovered my inner strength and began to understand what it means to be a professional. I still vividly remember my first week. As the only person from my department, I felt challenged by an upcoming event. I could have waited for someone to guide me, but instead, I took the initiative. I created a group chat and led the conversation with my teammates, coordinating our tasks and planning the event. It was a simple event, but the sense of accomplishment and shared joy we felt was unforgettable. This experience taught me a powerful lesson: to always remain positive and confident, no matter how difficult a situation may seem. It was a turning point that taught me to trust in myself and believe that I could handle any challenge.

​That lesson became invaluable as I took the next big step in my career. On May 5, 2025, I started my first day as an Omni Sales Assistant (OSA) at Decathlon. Initially, I knew nothing about the company, but as I researched it, I became captivated by its international scope and the opportunity it represented. I saw it as a chance to prove my capabilities and challenge the preconceived notions that often follow a young, unmarried mother who hasn't graduated from college. I was nervous on my first day, but that quickly faded as I was welcomed into a friendly, energetic, and dynamic environment. Everyone was so welcoming that I soon felt motivated and eager to learn everything I could. My role is to assist customers, and I strive to make every single one, especially first-time visitors, feel satisfied with our service. It's a job I truly love.

​At Decathlon, I am continuously developing my communication skills, which are crucial for ensuring customer satisfaction and building strong relationships with my teammates. But beyond the practical skills, the most important lesson I’ve learned from my mentors and colleagues is to be honest with myself. They’ve taught me that true success comes from authenticity, not from pretending to be someone you're not. This is a lesson that resonates deeply with me. My journey, from an LP4Y Youth to a Decathlon employee, has shown me that my past does not define me. I am determined to improve my skills and show everyone who I truly am, a person who is confident, resilient, and ready to achieve her goals. I am convinced that by staying true to myself and embracing every challenge, I will succeed."

Reynan’s testimony:

“ Hello! My name is Reynan Catarroja, and I’m 20 years old. I’m originally from Quezon Province but currently live alone in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where I work at Decathlon. I’m the second youngest among my siblings. In my free time, I enjoy attending church, swimming, and playing volleyball.

After graduating from senior high school, I decided to move to Laguna to find work. That’s when I discovered LP4Y, a professional training program for excluded Youth, and I joined it in September 2024. I spent six months as part of the event organizing team, handling responsibilities across three departments. From this experience, I gained valuable skills, such as computer literacy and event management.

Following my time at LP4Y, I was hired by Decathlon as an OSA on May 5, 2025. While completing my last month at LP4Y, I actively searched for jobs and was invited to an interview at Decathlon Santa Rosa. Although I received several job offers from different companies, I chose Decathlon because it was my dream job. I wanted to take on new challenges, learn more, and grow in an environment where I knew I would be a great fit.

On my first day at Decathlon, I felt a mix of gratitude, excitement, and nervousness. Now, I’m focused on improving my layout skills and delivering world-class customer service.

As an OSA, I always remember the most valuable advice my leader gave me: “Put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Be excellent at customer service, and remember, whatever you’re doing, the user is always your priority.” ““

LP4Y word:

Every Youth who succeeds is proof that inclusion works. Through the LP4Y training and the support of partners like Décathlon, who believe in their potential, more young lives can be transformed.

Let’s continue working together to create opportunities, break barriers, and build a future where every Youth has a place in the professional world.