Navigating Change: DEI Developments Across Borders

Eleanor Coleman is the Founder of the Financial Empowerment Group and creator of the “Man is Not a Plan” series. Her mission is to help women take control of their finances and feel confident in their investments.
As Co-Vice Chair of the Women in Business Group for Brit Cham, Eleanor is involved in DEIB initiatives to empower women and girls in Hong Kong. With 18 years of experience, she looks forward to connecting with fellow women leaders shaping the future.
Eleanor is also a mother of two young boys, currently writing a financial book for women and children’s books to help parents teach kids about money.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025: 

1. Strengthen governance and diversity on boards and bring in more ESG requirements for boards to commit to clear and transparent goals and policies on DEI and ESG.
2. Promote HK as a sustainable business environment.

Joanne Hon joined Equinix in 2024 as Managing Director of Equinix Hong Kong, leading the company’s business strategy in the market. She focuses on expanding the company’s capacity and digital services to accelerate customers’ digital transformation.

Ms. Hon brings to Equinix more than 25 years of extensive financial technology, investment, insurance, legal and professional services experience in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to her role at Equinix, she has held leadership positions at several publicly listed multinational companies and private equity-backed technology firms, including Thomson Reuters, Mercer, Dealogic,CPA Global and Broadridge.

Ms. Hon holds a master’s degree in Financial Management from the University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia. She also serves on the boards of several NGOs, including The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association and Child Development Centre.

Ms Jasmine Lee is the Managing Partner for EY Hong Kong and Macau, leading a professional team of 3,500 people and overseeing all aspects of business operations in these locations. Prior to this position, Jasmine led EY Financial Services practice in Hong Kong and managed numerous significant business development initiatives for financial institutions in Hong Kong and Macau with substantial exposure to the Mainland China market.

With over 30 years of professional experience including 12 years working in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Ms Lee has developed extensive expertise in working with Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau financial institutions across a broad spectrum of assurance, strategy and consulting services. She also advises senior management executives of leading multinational and Chinese organisations as well as local Hong Kong companies on their business growth and innovation strategies, offering advice on topics such as strategy formulation, risk assessment, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and operational transformation.

Ms Lee actively participates in public service through various roles. Currently, she is the Executive Committee Member of the Guangdong Provincial Women’s Federation. Ms Lee also serves as an appointed member of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Securities and Futures Commission Process Review Panel; the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority Process Review Panel; the Air Transport Licensing Authority; the Resolution Compensation Tribunal; and the Investment Task Force of the Construction Industry Council. She is also the Chairman of the Accountancy Training Board of the Vocational Training Council.

Ms Lee is the Vice President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the President of the Association of Women Accountants (Hong Kong). Additionally, Ms Lee is the Chair of the Professional Accounting Sector of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area Economic and Trade Association and the Chair of the Finance Task Force at the Golden Age Foundation. She also holds council member positions at the Hong Kong Association of Registered Public Interest Entity Auditors, and the Hong Kong Management Association.

Kelly Libarios is a Senior Vice-President in the Corporate division of Jefferies based in Hong Kong. She started her gender transition journey in early 2023 and has since been a visible trans senior business leader. With her lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is active in promoting inclusion and workplace equality. In the last two years, she has spoken in more than a dozen business forums including the SCMP DEI 2025 Summit and The British Chamber of Commerce DEIB 2025 Symposium. She is the co-chair of Jefferies APAC LGBTQ+ employee network, and was a member of the Advisory Board of Hong Kong Interbank until early 2025. She mentors young LGBTQ+ talents and works with community groups to promote broader trans-inclusion. She has over 15 years of experience working in Finance both in London and Hong Kong. She is from the Philippines.