Future Leaders Stage

With a multi-dimensional background and experience in emerging technology, social innovation and arts in New York City, Hong Kong, Berlin & Abu Dhabi, she integrates various disciplines of wellness, resilience and innovation of how businesses can integrate community-driven and human-centric solutions to solve today’s pressing social issues. Having successfully built a network of 160+ social startups, NGOs, universities, impact investors and corporates to work on cross-sector collaborations, Dream Impact is the leading impact ecosystem builder in Hong Kong.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

For 2022, I’d like to see more people practicing mindfulness in their everyday living, can be yoga & meditation, or mindful eating or simply being conscious of their choices such as sleeping patterns, speaking and listening intentionally or practicing compassionate leadership etc.

Dr. Hui teaches public policy, social entrepreneurship and smart city in the higher education. He also joins the purpose-driven movement and Creating Shared Value (CSV) in the non-profit and business sectors by promoting the social impact assessment (SIA) with the applications of data mining and data analytics.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”

Michael is a passionate change-maker working in social innovation scene.

He co-founded two social business entities specialised in youth topics; With his day-time job in Dream Impact, he connected with experts across sectors such as NGO operation teams, corporate managers, and social enterprise founders; Through nurturing successful working relationships, he supported over 100+ clients in executing business and impact strategy; He himself is also certified coach of Designing Your Life and has a rich experience in companioning with youngster and future talents.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

More talents are jumping into impact scene while they can see the beauty of being an “impactful” individual.

Grace is the Lead Instructor of many of the extremely popular career development programs in HKUST. As a professional trainer specializing in personal growth and a youth empowerment specialist, she promotes commitment, excellence and integrity. Prior joining HKUST, she held senior positions in HR and container terminal operations management.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

I hope to see the improvement in quality education from kindergarten to university. I also care about all Hongkongers’ health and well-being – a higher quality of life we all deserve.

Tom Chan is a Chief Operating Officer, co-founder in Bling International Ltd. His team presented a cross border virtual summit and career expo during Easter 2022 called Future In YOU. His business is doing the Talents Accelerator Programs with Training and Recruitment. His works were reported recently by EDigest in May 2022.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

How might we create an impact on society in a sustainable way? Let’s Be Collaborative! Be Resilient!! Be Entrepreneurial!! We nurture the future talents!

Jason is a passionate young entrepreneur who strives to create positive impact through innovation. He is awarded as a Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Student in Hong Kong 2022 for his effort in entrepreneurship and supporting youth development. Aspiring to revolutionise education, he founded QualiFly Education with a view to improve the effectiveness of how students learn traditionally.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

“Quality Education” is often not being prioritised, but it is in fact a key issue that impacts how our next generation equips themselves and tackle novel challenges in society. I hope to see more high-quality education and upskilling efforts in Hong Kong to prepare the future of our workforce.

Originally a consumer knowing nothing about who made her clothes, Marianne is a thought leader (Forbes 30 under 30) with a vision to humanise the supply chain. Working at a factory in China, she built KNO to address the real needs of workers and link ‘S’ of ESG to profits.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Hong Kong needs to shift to a human first mindset and listen to the needs of their people. Listening is the first step to understanding, and we believe this approach should apply to supply chains too. Our goal is to listen to 1 million workers in the supply chain in 2022 – with your help!

David Mui, Ph.D., is the Practice Lead at the Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Asia.

He is also the Regional Lead for InfoWorks Asia, a consulting firm focusing on Agile HR (PeopleOps) and Business Agility.

He has more than 30 years of business, consulting, human capital, and DEI experience gained from global companies and international consulting firms. He was also a CEO of an NGO before rejoin the business sector.

Julio Orr is an Australian entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in the Human Capital, HRTech and EdTech space.

He is the Founder & CEO of Happyer.io, the fastest growing next-gen career platform that is reimagining how companies and candidates connect in the new “future of work” world.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

I would like to see more initiatives around reducing use of plastics in Hong Kong.

With a multi-dimensional background and experience in emerging technology, social innovation and arts in New York City, Hong Kong, Berlin & Abu Dhabi, she integrates various disciplines of wellness, resilience and innovation of how businesses can integrate community-driven and human-centric solutions to solve today’s pressing social issues. Having successfully built a network of 160+ social startups, NGOs, universities, impact investors and corporates to work on cross-sector collaborations, Dream Impact is the leading impact ecosystem builder in Hong Kong.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

For 2022, I’d like to see more people practicing mindfulness in their everyday living, can be yoga & meditation, or mindful eating or simply being conscious of their choices such as sleeping patterns, speaking and listening intentionally or practicing compassionate leadership etc.

Tom is a “People & Purpose Driven” professional with international leadership, people management, innovation, training and development expertise. He founded Inclusive Impact Ltd, which creates consumable, people-centred training for young corporate employees—developing a sustainable future through innovation’s influence and application in corporate and community settings.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Developing and Mentoring the next generation from knowledge to application with an entrepreneur mindset and attitude.

Miffy serves as a community impact specialist in an international bank, who works with local communities and drives social impact through cross-sector collaboration, employee volunteering engagement and strategic grant-making. Prior to that, Miffy coordinated an NGO leadership programme that fostered professional growth and synergy building among 150+ emerging leaders.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Removing barriers for all by wise leverage of resources, strengthened partnerships and commitment.

Angela is the General Manager of Corporate Communications & Administration, and the head of the Chairman’s Office, at Jebsen Group. Prior to that, she was a FX structurer at Citibank. She founded the Gold Team basketball scholarship programme with her husband in 2020 to help young people reach their highest potential.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

This city has lots of resources as well as great ideas, I hope we find a more efficient way to match the two sides to reach bigger, more ambitions sustainability goals.

Johanna envisions a world with empowered women and purpose-driven businesses. At Dream Impact, Johanna is leading the ESG Advisory team and matching corporate social partnerships for 100+ social ventures, strategically implementing social innovations and environmental impact solutions from grassroot projects to corporations. She co-founded ethical brand RIL CREED under social venture LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability).

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

My sustainability goals for this year is to implement sustainable development goals at SMEs and corporates through ESG and social venture solutions (SDG 8, 12) and hope to see an uptake on individual climate actions in Hong Kong.

Jessica works at her family’s charitable foundation that promotes sustainable development and improving the welfare of people, through an international prize Lui Che Woo Prize for World Civilisation, university advancements and community programs. Jessica serves on the board of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and Enable Foundation, a social design collective.

Currently working as the Director of Enactus Hong Kong, Kelvin has helped different youth social entrepreneur develop into successful projects. Having been part of Swire Placemaking Academy, he has realised the importance of stakeholder engagement and joined Enactus as a full-time staff immediately after undergraduate graduation. He will take his passion for social innovation to the next level with a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

• Look forward to more fruitful collaborations with different stakeholders to create more synergies.

Keilem Ng mixes an international career working in real estate finance and investment with a passionate commitment to sustainability and the environment. Keilem is currently General Manager – Sustainability at Link REIT, Asia’s largest real estate investment trust. She is also the founder of the non profit organisations Eco Marine and Exchange and Empower.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

To take action for integrating sustainability into business and all aspects of daily life.

Professor Guohua CHEN obtained his BEng from Dalian University of Technology in 1984, MEng and PhD from McGill University respectively in 1989 and 1994. He joined the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 1994. He worked as the Head of Department, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering during 2012 and 2016. He moved to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as Chair Professor of Energy Conversion and Storage in 2017 and served concurrently as an Associate Vice President (Research Support) during 2017-2021. He is now the Dean, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong. He is also the Chairperson, World Chemical Engineering Council.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

The solid waste in Hong Kong can be sorted, reused or reprocessed as resources; More sustainable energy can be generated in Hong Kong; More electric vehicles run on Hong Kong’s road.

Susannah was appointed Director of the British Council Hong Kong in August 2022. Since joining the British Council in 2014, she has worked across East Asia overseeing the development of arts and education programmes and strategic partnerships. In 2021, as part of The Climate Connection, the British Council’s global programme to mark the UK’s presidency of COP, Susannah led a series of high-level roundtables exploring the role of the Higher Education Sector in the climate Crisis. Prior to joining the British Council Susannah had a career in Higher Education in the UK and Australia.

Hermia is a Global Studies student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Noticing the absence of climate education in Hong Kong, she co-founded the Network of Environmental Student Societies in 2021, with an aim to provide a one-stop platform for awareness raising, capacity building and driving climate actions with a focus in the interdisciplinary nature of climate change. Hermia attended COP26 in Glasgow, the UK and SB56 in Bonn, Germany advocating for Action for Climate Empowerment internationally.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

I hope to see climate change being mainstreamed in education in Hong Kong and to have more discussion and opportunities in green career.

Dr. Shauhrat S. Chopra received his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, in 2015. His data-driven research is focused on guiding the sustainable design of future transformative emerging technologies. Dr. Chopra’s transdisciplinary collaborations with industrial partners enable actionable research toward sustainability and resilience of critical sectors, including energy, transportation, finance, textile, and food systems.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Adoption of systematic, science-based quantitative assessments to inform sustainability decisions of the public and private sector to avoid unintended consequences.

Natalie serves as a sustainability associate at DFI Retail Group. As part of the founding team of sustainability practices, Natalie formulated the overarching sustainability and ESG framework for the leading pan-Asia retail group, covering brands such as Wellcome, Mannings, 7-Eleven, Guardian.

Natalie coordinated to publish the group’s first Sustainability Report in 2022, showcasing multi-faceted sustainability initiatives across different geographies and businesses. There is continuous engagement and progress tracking with business units across North and Southeast Asia to steer positive action towards serving our communities, sustaining the planet and sourcing responsibly.

Outside of the day job, Natalie is a co-founder of environmental education organisation V’air Hong Kong, and serves as a member at the Council for Sustainable Development and the Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee of the HKSAR Government.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

My sustainability goal is to stimulate green recovery post COVID-19, ensuring that resources are dedicated to building more resilient socioeconomic systems that are equitable and stay within environmental thresholds. I also wish to contribute in constructing urban circular bioeconomy and enhancing climate adaptation plans for vulnerable communities.

Marina designs and leads learning experiences on innovation and entrepreneurship for Fortune 500 company executives, university students and high schools, with a focus on integrating SDGs in the venture creation process. Her career background spans banking, telecoms, and social entrepreneurship. She holds a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Make more sustainable choices by changing values and attitudes, expand our circle of concern and consider the full value chain.

Deevansh is the Co-Founder of food-tech startup – Breer. Recently graduated from HKUST, he has a keen interest in brand strategy and social entrepreneurship, which is what drives his efforts at his company. He is passionate about making a difference in the world, and is using his skills to work for projects that focus on sustainability.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Over 2022, I hope to see a Hong Kong that has a greater understanding of the environmental problems that plague the world, and a community that is more conscious about their consumption and production choices.

Sharon is a Biological Science class of 2022 graduate from HKUST. She has always loved nature and her environmental awareness amplified when she took up the Environmental Science course where she gained knowledge about different types of environmental pollution which made her realise the severity of harm that Earth was facing. Therefore, she hopes to remedy it by cleaning up the waste that people has left behind, and to take a step further, transforming them into useful products.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

In 2020, only 28% of HK’s fuel mix for electricity generation was from renewables or nuclear. We need to speed up the transition from non-renewables to renewables in order to reduce pollution and most importantly, greenhouse gas emission which leads to global warming.

Hayley drives the sustainability strategies at the recently named Forbes Asia 100 to Watch green tech company archiREEF, which created the world’s first 3D-printed coral reef tiles. Coming from a mixed background of science and communications, she is passionate about translating science-based methodologies into easily comprehensible and actionable ways of ecosystem restoration.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

The United Nations have declared 2021–2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration – I’d really like to see the city being part of this global effort, especially through innovation and technology, which Hong Kong has always been great at!

Whitney joined Project Melo as a Class of 2021 Fellow. During the project, she and her team collaborated with the CEOs of Shui On and Hang Lung by organising a Sustainable Food Competition during XinTianDi Restaurant Week, with the aim of promoting awareness towards sustainable food through engaging internal F&B tenants and external customers.

Currently, Whitney is a final year undergraduate student studying Environmental Management and Technology.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

During this year, I hope to see the Hong Kong community push ahead on Hong Kong’s limited climate ambitions – to “walk the talk” on our Climate Action Plan 2050!

My career combines commercial with sustainability policies. I worked for the ILO in Nigeria; the Dutch MFA and for the EU on nuclear fusion, humanitarian aid and health policies. Recent postings include Indonesia and the Philippines, where I served as head of the trade section of the EU Delegation, following which I was responsible for leveraging EU’s trade (preferences) for improving labour, human rights and environmental standards. In January 2021, I was appointed head of the trade section of the EU office to Hong Kong and Macao.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Awareness, ambition, cooperation

Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi started his assignment as Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao on 1st September 2020. Prior to that, he was Deputy Head of Division for Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific and Deputy Head of Division for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the European External Action Service in Brussels. He served as Deputy Head of Office and Head of the Political, Economic and European Integration Section at the EU Office in Kosovo between 2012 and 2017 and as Head of the Political and Information Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia between 2008 and 2012. Between 2003 and 2008, he worked at the European Commission in Brussels as desk officer for a number of Asian countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. From 1994 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2003 he was posted in Beijing, P.R. China and between 1996 and 2000 he served in the Delegation of the European Commission to Vietnam. Ambassador Gnocchi was educated at the London School of Economics, Yale University and Tianjin University, P.R. China. His native languages are Italian and English and he also speaks French, Chinese and some Serbian.

As someone with a focus on environmental engineering, science, and comparative literature at HKU, Adella enjoys analysing problems through an interdisciplinary lens. Through her university experience, she has dabbled in environmental consulting, auditing, and fieldwork, and she firmly believes in creating harmony between humanity and the environment.

Felix is a third-year student at CUHK majoring in geography and resources management. He believes strongly that the public plays a vital role in climate action and thus aspires to empower the general public to do their part by considering both the rational and moral implications of climate change.

Hermia is a Global Studies student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Noticing the absence of climate education in Hong Kong, she co-founded the Network of Environmental Student Societies in 2021, with an aim to provide a one-stop platform for awareness raising, capacity building and driving climate actions with a focus in the interdisciplinary nature of climate change. Hermia attended COP26 in Glasgow, the UK and SB56 in Bonn, Germany advocating for Action for Climate Empowerment internationally.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

I hope to see climate change being mainstreamed in education in Hong Kong and to have more discussion and opportunities in green career.

Christie is an ecology & biodiversity student at HKU with a focus on marine biology. She has led several environmental initiatives and marine conservation projects, and recently participated in the 2041 Climateforce Antarctic Expedition. Centering nature at heart, she believes strongly in nature-based solutions and restoring biodiversity as a core effort in climate action.

Hi! My name’s Leo. An Electronic and Information Engineering student that has a big interest in sustainability topics and I have attended international sustainable conferences like over the years, it is my utmost pleasure to be here!

Shruthe is an Environmental Science and Engineering Graduate and a Founding Member in the Network of Environmental Student Societies (NESS). With her passion for climate change awareness and action, she has worked on a number of projects focusing on ESG and circular economy. She believes that responsible consumption and production is the key to a more sustainable future.

Hey all, David here! I’m from the Department of Computing.

Prof. Virginia Harper Ho is a Professor of Law at City University of Hong Kong and a former international M&A lawyer. Her research focuses on corporate and securities law aspects of sustainable finance. She has experience integrating sustainability concepts into the business law curriculum, including interdisciplinary sustainability courses at City University.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Help all professionals understand how their clients’ work and their own expertise can create positive change for society and for the planet.

Bon Cheung is a Research Assistant at Civic Exchange, focusing on transition finance development in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Concurrently, Bon is researching GBA’s sustainable finance development with academia in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Though he is just a final year student in HKUST, he has developed profound experience on ESG investing, reporting and researching by working in an ESG consulting firm, investment bank, research institute etc.. He was the first batch of candidates who obtained the designation of Green and Sustainable Finance Professional ™ from the Chartered Banker Institute. Since then, Bon has been publishing sustainable finance blogs on LinkedIn and major newspapers in Hong Kong.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Collective action is essential to drive impactful changes. I have always had the vision that Hong Kong should utilize its role as the center of sustainable finance to accelerate the decarbonizing work in the GBA and Greater China. This year, I will jointly publish a couple of papers with professionals in different domains to facilitate the collaboration between Hong Kong and other GBA cities, in terms of sustainable policy developments and taxonomy building.

Yasmine has more than 17 years of international banking experience in structured finance and advisory. Her team focuses on origination and structuring of sustainable financing solutions, as well as on supporting its clients to accelerate the development of innovative solutions and new business models that deliver positive impact.

Yasmine actively participates in a number of regional sustainability initiatives and working groups. She is Co-Chair of the Sustainable Finance Working Group of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong as well as Co-Chair of the Green & Sustainable Loan Committee of Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA).

Yasmine holds a Masters Degree in Management from the Institut des Mines – Telecom Business School, Paris. She is certified by the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS) with the CESGA certification (Certified Environmental Social Governance Analyst).

Ms. Veronique Lafon-Vinais is a seasoned financial market professional with over 20 years of banking and capital markets experience. She has worked in all the major financial markets and has extensive experience in all the major debt markets. She is now dedicating herself full time to education and teaching as Associate Professor of Business Education, Department of Finance, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where she teaches in the MBA/MSc programs as well as in the Undergraduate Programs, and professional training and consulting for the finance industry. She is the Executive Director, Career Development & Corporate Outreach for the School of Business and Management at HKUST, Associate Director for the UG programs, Co-Director of the BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance, Associate Director of the tri-degree World Bachelor in Business Program, and Project Director for the HKUST-NYU Stern MSc in Global Finance.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

There are numerous issues that need urgent attention, such as the enormous waste management problem and urgent housing problem, that will necessitate strategic intervention by the government. Younger generations are rightfully worried and anxious about the increasing negative impacts of pollution and climate change, in addition to the rising costs of goods and services. With collaborative efforts and leadership from government, industry, education and the community, these problems can be effectively addressed.

Upon graduation from the University of Hong Kong in 2005, Mr Wan worked for the Thames Water Utilities Limited in the UK during the period between 2005 and 2012. He returned to Hong Kong in 2012 and delivered several projects in the environmental management sector. Mr Wan joined ICE HK as the Regional Director in January 2021.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Engineers can contribute the fight to climate change by improving the industry’s productivity and efficiency in a relentless manner

Ms Athena Chan is graduate engineer of Dragages Hong Kong Limited, and also the current Immediate Past Chairman of ICE HKA G&S. She has been leading the organization for students and graduates’ development for more than 4 years. She has been actively promoting civil engineering to members and the public by organising various events, such as Shaping Our Future City, Communications Competition, University Introductory Talk, site visits and seminars.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Reduce the use of energy

Karina Chow is a Research Analyst at Civic Exchange, focusing on the decarbonization of the building sector and the Greater Bay Area. Her interest lies in public policy and hopes to address Hong Kong’s environmental problems through research-based, impactful policies. Karina holds a BSc in Environmental Management and Technology from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Dr. William Lee is Co-founder of i2Cool Limited whose vision is to achieve zero-carbon emission. He spares no effort to develop novel technologies for sustainability and carbon neutrality where the technologies include the electricity-free cooling paint and thermochromic smart windows. The signature electricity-free cooling paint can effectively reduce electricity consumption.

Prof K. K. Ling is the Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

He also serves the community as the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Director of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, and the Chairman of the Country and Marine Parks Board.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Advance towards the low carbon goals and achieve high equity on housing.

Patricia Slawinska is the Head of ESG with Andrews Partnership. With over a decade of experience in executive corporate strategy in Asia Pacific and Europe, Patricia is passionate about driving results around ESG, SDGs and integrating CSR strategies. She has led innovative climate projects, promoted renewable energy and invested in sustainable global environmental protection.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

• SDG 3 – especially the well-being part for HK society
• SDG 8 – mainly youth employment strategy
• SDG 17 – society partnerships

Nixon Cheung currently works as the Head of Commercial and Brand at Hong Kong Tramways, while he also works as the General Manager of Tramplus. He is the awardee of “40 under 40” for marcom, media and marketing industries, and was elected as one of the “future leaders” by the American Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

Better green energy adoption, and more use of green public transportation

Hospitality professional with an international background and multilingual capabilities, having lived mostly in Asia Pacific and grown up surrounded by the hotel environment. Passionate and dedicated to leading the hospitality industry into the adoption of long-term solutions regarding climate change and all things Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance.

My Sustainability Goals for 2022:

More awareness about Sustainability in business. Policy implementation across Government and Industry to eliminate waste, enable a circular economy and ensure sustainable progress.

Christy is a recent university student with experience in climate resilience planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement in municipal, NGO, and academic settings. As a community liaison, she commit to create space for dialogue and action-taking to bring about principles of envision, enlightenment, and empowerment while expressing the importance of promoting mutual understanding to work towards societal betterment.