Leaving something stable for the unknown is a gamble many young professionals quietly wrestle with. For some, it becomes the moment everything begins to shift.
At 28, Lizbeth Kate Raegan Domingo Doromal chose to take that leap—and found herself building a career far beyond what she once imagined.
A leap that changed direction
Doromal’s story begins in Sampaloc, Manila, with childhood shaped by distance and responsibility. Raised by her grandparents while her parents worked overseas, she grew up early, learning independence and resilience long before adulthood formally arrived.
“I was raised by my grandparents… teaching me independence, resilience and the importance of family from an early age,” she shares.
Her path seemed clear at first. She had a stable job in the Philippines, one where her potential was already being recognized. But on December 31, 2019, she boarded a flight to the UAE—leaving behind certainty for something she couldn’t fully define.
“I had so many thoughts running through my mind… Was making the right choice?” she recalls. Still, the presence of her parents abroad gave her reassurance. “I chose to believe that it was the start of a new chapter that would help me grow.”
Learning to hold her ground
The transition was far from easy. Entering the maritime and energy sector meant stepping into an environment where she often stood out as one of the few women in the room.
“When I first started… around 98% of my team was male,” she says. The work itself was relentless, operating beyond typical office hours, demanding flexibility and constant readiness.
There were moments of doubt, but stopping was never an option. “Even at times when I doubted myself, I persevered,” she says.
Instead of resisting the pressure, Doromal adapted to it. Each company she joined sharpened her discipline and strengthened her ability to navigate challenges. By the time she reached GAC Marine, she found herself stepping into a bigger space—one that required more trust, responsibility, and leadership.
“Growth doesn’t come from comfort. You have to keep showing up until you become stronger,” she adds, a line that feels less like advice and more like lived experience.
Stepping into leadership early
Six months into her role, an unexpected opportunity arrived. Her Commercial Director approached her about becoming a Business Development Manager—a promotion that could easily intimidate someone at her age.
Instead of rushing into it, she paused. “I took a few days to really think it through,” she says. The decision wasn’t about speed, but direction.
What convinced her was simple: belief. “I realized I would not have been given this opportunity if they didn’t see my potential.”
Saying yes came with a mix of emotions, but one stood out. “Above all, I felt grateful… and motivated to keep growing and proving myself.”
Staying grounded while moving forward
Despite the milestones, Doromal keeps her perspective anchored in where she began. Her ambitions, she explains, have never been just about personal success.
“My ambition is not just for myself; I want to give something back,” she says, pointing to her parents’ sacrifices and the people who supported her journey.
That sense of purpose keeps her steady, even as her career accelerates. “No matter how much I achieve, I always remind myself where I came from and why I started.”
Advice shaped by experience
For young Filipinas hoping to follow a similar path, her message is both practical and honest.
“Stay open to opportunities but be intentional with your choices,” she says. Not every door needs to be opened—but fear shouldn’t be the reason to walk away.
“Growth comes from taking risks and stepping into the unknown. Be brave enough to move when it matters.”
It’s advice rooted in her own journey—one that began with uncertainty but continues to unfold with purpose, discipline, and quiet confidence.
