Daianne Moreno-Mempin’s background in education, business, and the corporate world is extensive. She has also built quite the portfolio in arts management, drawing much of her skill from her own experiences as a performing artist. In 2016, she founded Katha Pilipinas, an arts management initiative and creative social enterprise. More than an endeavor it was Daianne’s answer to a calling. She intimates, “Anchor yourself on purpose…Everytime an artist or artisan from our community breaks through, whether it’s at a major festival, launching their own project, or gaining international recognition, I see that as a milestone for Katha too.”
The goal, says Daianne, is to re-imagine creative success through co-creation and collaboration. Her work emphasizes the role of grassroots work in shaping culture and society. Katha also focuses on policy and advocacy. “It’s about bridging the gaps so more of us can thrive together,” she explains. Work is deeply personal for this passionate founder and cultural advocate. To nurture mind, body, and spirit, Daianne carves out time for family, movement, travel, and downtime. Her style go-to as she navigates, work, play, and leisure? A pair of pearl earrings. “They remind me that strength and softness can co-exist, and that duality is part of being a woman. It is also part of being creative.”
1. What keeps you busy these days?
These days, I’m balancing my time between leading Katha Pilipinas, an arts management initiative and creative social enterprise, and currently taking my Masters in Arts Management in the UK. In between, I carve out space for wellness, family, my creative pursuits, and my furbabies.
2. How did you come to find your current career or life’s work?
I’ve always believed in the power of creativity to build fairer futures. Conversely, I have always believed in the notion of eliminating (the concept of) starving artists and cultivating thriving artists.
Founding Katha Pilipinas in 2016 felt like a natural extension of my values, as well as my previous careers in arts management, corporate, education and business. As an artist myself, rooted in the performing arts, it's become my life’s work to open doors for Filipino artists and artisans, especially independent creatives who are trying to find their footing in their respective industries.
3. What is it about your work or career that you enjoy most?
The people. Every day I get to work with artists, artisans, and partners who believe in the same vision. There is always something new to learn through the stories of everyone we meet. I also enjoy the creations I get to see first-hand whether within Katha or from other local brands. I’m always in awe of the talent the Philippines carries. It just makes me so proud to be Filipino. I also love that the work is never static. It requires agility, creativity, empathy, and strategy in equal measure. It’s shaping me as an individual, not just in personal but in life as a whole.
4. What do you consider to be “hazards of the job?”
There’s always the risk of burnout when your work is deeply personal. At this juncture between founding and scaling, you can easily be pulled in many directions, and it takes discernment and wisdom to choose where to take your initiative.
In the creative industries, there’s also the challenge of pushing against old systems while creating new spaces. We’re often misunderstood, because what we do doesn’t fit into existing definitions. People may capture fragments of it, but never the whole. That’s the risk of innovation—and it comes with the territory.
5. For people who aspire for similar careers, what would be your advice?
Anchor yourself on purpose. This kind of work requires resilience, so it helps to always return to why you started. And invest in both creative and business skills, they go hand in hand if you want to sustain your vision. And surround yourself with mentors and peers who truly root for you. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely path, but when you find those who offer sound advice and constructive feedback, keep them close.
6. What are the career milestones that inspire you to break the glass or mold?
Every time an artist or artisan from our community breaks through, whether it’s at a major festival, launching their own project, or gaining international recognition, I see that as a milestone for Katha too. It proves we can re-shape what success looks like for Filipino creatives by supporting one another as co-creation and collaboration are intrinsic to all our partnerships. When we see the fruits of our meaningful and authentic collaborations, it makes me more inspired to show how grassroots work really shapes culture and society. Thinking big, the work we do in policy and advocacy is just as powerful. It’s not only about breaking the glass, but it’s also about bridging the gaps so more of us can thrive together.
7. How do you balance work and family life? What are activities that enable you to bond with family?
Family time is rest. I keep it simple by sharing meals, working out, lounging around, travelling when we can. It’s not always about big gestures, but about showing up consistently.
8. How do you unwind or rewind? Any favorite spots in your current city that you as your me-time haven?consider
Movement keeps me grounded. Pilates and dance are my go-to resets. For quiet time, I gravitate toward places near the water. It helps me slow down, recharge, and think more clearly.
9. How would you describe your personal style? What are three wardrobe essentials?
I’d say my style is classic with a touch of play. Comfort and elegance matter equally to me. Three essentials include: lipstick, crisp white button-down, and a pair of pearl earrings that instantly pull everything together.
Once in a while, for work, I would need to amp it up a bit and wear modern Filipiniana. I love supporting other Filipino brands and designers as well.
10. What makes for a good investment piece? Kindly cite examples of pieces in your current wardrobe.
A good investment piece is timeless, versatile, and tells a story. Investment pieces for me are: artisan-made jewelry, a modern Filipiniana ensemble, and a nice and comfortable pair of shoes.
11. What do pearls mean to you?
Pearls remind me that strength and softness can exist together, that duality is part of being a woman, and part of being creative too. I have worn pearls almost everyday since I was younger, and it just adds the right amount of elegance and polish to the whole look.
12. What is everyday luxury for you?
Everyday luxury is the freedom to choose your own rhythm. In a world where war and violence strip people of choice, having the power to design your day feels like a privilege. For me, it’s in the simple but profound acts like starting with movement, pausing for reflection, or being surrounded by people and things that bring joy. In a culture obsessed with speed, choosing a slower, conscious, unhurried life is the truest form of luxury.
