International Women’s Day (IWD) is an occasion for us to join voices with people around the world to celebrate the achievements of women and promote equal opportunities.
Advocates of Gender Equity
With the IWD’s theme this year being “Inspire inclusion”, we showcase female leaders closely associated with our Business School who are staunch advocates of gender equity.
China Chairman of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Teresa KO (middle) is an HKUST Business School Advisory Council Member. She is the first female to chair the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s Listing Committee, initiating disclosure of gender diversity for Hong Kong listed companies.
Also, an HKUST Business School Advisory Council Member, Jennifer YU CHENG (right), the Group President and Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group founded the JYC Girls Impact Foundation, a charitable initiative empowering teenage girls to unleash their potential through education to become future-ready leaders.
Our HKUST EMBA alumna, GAO Jing (left), is the Co-founder of Joiest Group and the Honorary President of the Federation of Representatives, Women’s Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association Limited. Jing has established a comprehensive mechanism in her company to recognize female talent and support their career development, resulting in 59% of women being represented in top management positions.
A Panel of Inspiration
In the first week of March, Kellogg-HKUST EMBA had the privilege of creating an evening of inspiration and wisdom, surrounded by a gathering of exceptional female senior executives. The panel discussion, featuring Prof. Caroline WANG, HKUST Adjunct Professor of Management, and our two alumnae, Anne CHAN (Class of 2022) and Kate CHEN (Class of 2024), shed light on the challenges faced by women in leadership positions.
(From left) Judy AU, Program Director of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA Program; Anne CHAN, CEO of AR Asia Productions; Prof. Caroline WANG, HKUST Adjunct Professor of Management; Kate CHEN, Director of Design & Planning, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Throughout the discussion, the panel explored the many facets of female leadership, uncovering strategies and mindsets that enable women to flourish both in their professional pursuits and personal journeys. From embracing diverse leadership styles to finding harmony in work-life balance, the speakers shared their personal experiences and offered valuable insights.
As Prof. Caroline Wang aptly stated, “Humility and assertiveness can co-exist.” This powerful quote resonated with everyone in the room, highlighting the importance of leading with grace and confidence, while also valuing the perspectives and contributions of others.
As we celebrate the achievements of women on this special day, let us continue to uplift, support, and empower women in all walks of life, and paint a future where the aspirations of women are nurtured and realized. Together, we can create a world where every woman has equal opportunities to excel and lead.