Karen Finnerty

With a career in hospitality spanning 15 years across Ireland, the UK and now eight years in Hong Kong, Karen’s background and experience is grounded in marketing, communications, partnerships and business development. Before joining The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA) Karen worked with globally renowned hospitality and travel brands, guiding brand positioning, market entry into Asia, as well as marketing and growth strategies. When Karen welcomed her daughter to the world in 2020, the strong need to do more purpose-led work for the hospitality industry became her professional purpose. In 2023, she began her role with The SRA and is now the APAC Growth & Partnerships Director.

As the lead representative for The SRA and the Food Made Good Standard in APAC, Karen leads the growth and awareness building of The Sustainable Restaurant Association across the region. Karen is focused on growing the understanding and participation in the world’s most in-depth accreditation for the hospitality industry, the Food Made Good Standard from The SRA.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

1. Regulation around food waste – people and businesses being charged for food waste
2. More education around how food systems are impacting climate change.
3.  Change on a micro level in Hong Kong in terms of acceptance of local food
4. More regulation locally to ensure fair fishing and farming practices