Karen Khaw

Karen Khaw is the Founder and CEO of V-Engage, a forward-thinking virtual business consultancy specializing in guiding organizations through digital-to-virtual transformations. With over 20 years of expertise in strategic marketing and communications—14 of which based in Hong Kong covering the Asia Pacific region —Karen has a distinguished track record advising global leaders on reputation management, brand development, and digital-to-virtual media strategies. Her extensive experience includes leading communications and marketing initiatives for prominent international banks such as Barclays Investment Bank, BNY Mellon, Société Générale, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and the global law firm Baker McKenzie.

In early 2020, Karen embarked on a portfolio career, founding V-Engage to focus on the strategic integration of immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality, the Metaverse, AI, and Robotics, while continuing to advice on strategic communications matters. Under her leadership, V-Engage has become a key partner for Meta’s Reality Labs within the financial services sector, leveraging these technologies in learning, communicating and connecting, to drive innovation and growth.

Karen is the co-founder of the Asia Pacific Association of Communication Directors (APACD) Sustainable Communications Program. Launched in 2020, this initiative bridges students with seasoned communicators to support charities and social enterprises, fostering a network that has assisted 12 non-profits in Hong Kong and 5 social enterprises in Singapore. This program has grown to include over 100 alumni, creating a robust network dedicated to sustainable communication practices.

Additionally, Karen is a founding member of the Global Commtrepreneurs Network (GCN), a unique community of independent consultancies worldwide. As an International Coaching Federation accredited Coach, she is committed to developing emerging talent and also teaches Kids Robotics to inspire early-age STEM engagement.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

I envision Hong Kong becoming a global leader in integrating sustainability with technological innovation. I hope to see a significant shift towards the adoption of green technologies and digital solutions that promote environmental stewardship. This includes broader implementation of virtual and augmented reality solutions to reduce the need for physical travel and resource consumption, as well as more immersive experiences to bring sustainability-leading Hong Kong to the rest of the world.

Additionally, I am keen to see more emphasis on educational programs that prepare young people for careers in sustainability and technology. By prioritizing STEM education and sustainable practices in school curricula, we can empower students to become proactive leaders in the green economy.

This includes expanding initiatives that connect students from early stages with industry professionals and real-world projects, similar to what we’ve achieved with the APACD Sustainable Communications Program.

Hong Kong is well-placed to be the hub where sustainability and technological advancement go hand-in-hand, creating a resilient and forward-thinking community that can inspire global change.