Empowering Society: Women Leaders in Business School Alumni

Women have never been the weaker sex. At the CUHK Business School, the alumni community numbers among its members a remarkable group of women leaders who strive to make a difference in their respective fields. Coming from different vocational, geographical, and even generational backgrounds, they share the same passion for promoting positive changes in their own professional capacities. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, we have the pleasure to talk with three of them. Their personal experiences will inspire us with the much-needed resolution and creativity as we continue our own pursuits in times of adversity.

 

Queenie So (IBBA 2018)

Founder and CEO of SyZyGy

 

 

Q1. Can you briefly describe your current work scope?

SyZyGy is a start-up originated from the “Cyberport Incubation Programme”. The team specialises in “Metaverse” solution with a technological focus on hologram and extended reality. As the founder, I am responsible for the company’s overall strategic planning, alongside product team management and internal coordination across different offices. At present, I focus on developing our NFT business, acquiring global talents with a focus in China and Nordic, as well as setting up joint ventures in the Greater China region.

 

Q2. How long have you been in the technology industry? What brings you into this field?

I began to commit myself in the field of innovation and technology when I joined the Cyberport Incubation Programme back in 2019, and it has been around three years. Spurred by curiosity over the future and a multi-disciplinary background, it was natural for me to have aspirations to become a change-maker in technological field and dive into realm of human experience and “Metaverse”. With a social entrepreneurship background, entrepreneurship happens to be my business calling and it drove me to establish my own tech start-up.

 

“To successfully reap the benefits of time capital investment, Henry claimed that one must remain perceptive of the macro environment. A forward-facing strategy to earn the respect of teammates and win them over is also important. Thus, when he formulates his work plans, he always ensures that he factors in some potential bottlenecks: “I only want my team to spend 80 percent of their capacities in daily work, so that they can conserve spare resources to deal with unforeseen problems.” For example, during his time at the CUHK Faculty of Medicine, the hospital introduced a device to measure liver fat, attracting a significant and unexpected amount of interest from the public. His team therefore used the 20 percent of time they spared to establish a hotline to handle the influx of enquiries they received. In the eyes of his subordinates, he is an agile and loving supervisor, and his management style was indeed evolved from his experience.Queenie (second from left) and Peter Yan (BBA 1985) (third from left), CEO of Cyberport, met during an earlier interview. Recognised for her motivational and revolutionary spirit, Queenie was among the 12 young trailblazing entrepreneurs from Cyberport start-ups featured in Tatler Gen.T List 2021

 

Q3. What is your vision for the development of the industry and where do you see yourself in the next five years? What impact will female leadership have on the industry?

The industry is heading towards “Metaverse” and, specifically to Hong Kong, the “Art Tech”. I think the rise of “Metaverse” can be instrumental to the advancement of “Art Tech” in Hong Kong since both are emphasising on defining new experiences. With Web3 opening up a new era, I believe later in this decade there will be new forms of human interaction with a much better blend of virtuality and reality, or “interoperability” if we put it in technical terms. Hopefully there will be great “Art Tech” use cases in Hong Kong to drive the local industry growth and talent development, and I look forward to contributing to the evolution of lifestyle and communication arisen from “Metaverse”.

Given that “Metaverse” is about redefining human experience, the sensitivity and empathy women naturally possess may add a human touch to the development of relevant applications. Simply identify a competitive position that allows us to do what we are best at, and I believe we as women will thrive in the industry.

 

Q4. How would you encourage women in the industry/profession to strive for success and make a difference?

Don’t even give the notion of female inferiority the slightest thought, and never submit ourselves to any stereotypes. Capability and not gender is all that matters. Although in tech industry male dominance is a norm, women can still identify and utilise our unique ability to bring in fresh perspectives to the company and the industry. A good example is that women can help facilitate teamwork and alignment in a team with their communication abilities. As a universal rule applicable to both genders, we should always have a vision and planning for our career development. Success will always come for those with life-long persistence in doing the right things.

 

Candy Leung (MBA 2014)

Lead Engineer, Aurecon

 

Q1. Can you briefly describe your current work scope?

I am working at the Australian branch of a global engineering consultancy firm which provides technical advisory services. We do not only provide technical support on project delivery and engineering solutions to improve our clients’ operation performance, but also develop strategies for asset management and maintenance.

 

Q2. How long have you been in the engineering industry? What brings you into this field?

I have been working in the engineering industry since my graduation, and it has been over 13 years. Over the years, my passion for this industry stays high with the achievements I accomplished.

I am a person who enjoys co-creation and embraces divergent thinking. I am also capable of creating a shared purpose and facilitating the invention of new values. Teamwork is important to delivery projects especially since you can’t finish all the tasks by yourself when the scale is large. My personality enables me to communicate and build trust with stakeholders easily.

Candy (back row, second from right) joined the annual symposium of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers in 2019 to discuss innovation alongside other industry practitioners

 

Q3. What is your vision for the development of the industry and where do you see yourself in the next five years? What impact will female leadership have on the industry?

With the rapid development of technologies, fully automated metro network is the trend all over the world. I wish to contribute more to the industry here in Australia with my experience in Hong Kong. Many new and upgraded infrastructure projects are in progress in Australian cities. For instance, the first fully automated rail system was in service in 2019 in Sydney and its extension will be put into service in 2024. The study of high-speed rail to connect Queensland with New South Wales and Victoria was also commenced. There will particularly be huge opportunities before the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.

I am also pleased to see that more and more senior roles in my company and other big firms in the industry are taken up by female leaders, who are treated equally as their male counterparts.

Candy (holding a plate) worked on the extension of the first fully automated metro in Australia and her team gave her a warm farewell before she left the company.

 

Q4. How would you encourage women in the industry/profession to strive for success and make a difference?

I don’t see any limitation that stops female engineers from taking leadership roles in the engineering industry – we are competent both mentally and physically! Just believe in your own ability and pursue your goals!

 

Coty Yip (EMBA 2019)

Managing Director, Oceana International Co Ltd.

 

Q1. Can you briefly describe your current work scope?

My company is the sole agent of several Japanese bakeries in Hong Kong. In addition to an e-commerce platform where customers can order quality ingredients and bakery equipment, we also founded a chocolate brand called ChocoNext with a self-owned chocolate production line that allows the development of custom flavours and designs. The products are available in our online and brick-and-mortar stores.

Coty was awarded the GBA Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Awards in 2018 for her entrepreneurial achievement

 

Q2. What brings you into the food retail industry as an entrepreneur?

My family runs a plastic toy factory. After I returned to Hong Kong from Australia in 2003, I worked in Mainland China to equip myself with knowledge of industrial development. In 2010, I came across confectioners’ sugar by chance, which resulted in the birth of the brand Twinkle Baker Decor. Using sugar and plastic utensils of our own production, our products are mainly sold to Europe and America. In 2020, I moved on to set up a new company and the chocolate brand.

 

Q3. What is your vision for the development of the industry and where do you see yourself in the next five years? What impact will female leadership have on the industry?

The pandemic has brought significant challenges to the industry in local and overseas markets, but I remain confident because there is always a demand for food regardless of the economic environment. With effective cost control and business development plans in place, I am optimistic about the industry prospect.

My advice to aspirant entrepreneurs is to find out if there are compatible ingredients in one’s personality. I consider myself a challenger who will rise to the occasion and take over the baton. A crisis often comes with the opportunity for young aspirants to shine. That said, if you are more prudent than intrepid, I would not encourage you to go on with your enterprise considering the unknowns ahead.

I think women in Hong Kong are capable; they are tough but sensitive, detail-minded with the ability to think and communicate in different directions. I am, therefore, positive about female entrepreneurs. Statistically, female entrepreneurs are on the rise. With the voice of female leaders increasingly being heard in the business world, women at work enjoy more and more opportunities.

 

Q4. How would you encourage women in the industry/profession to strive for success and make a difference?

I believe that women are capable of juggling work and family as long as they open up and share their ups and downs with their beloved. Family support is important in their pursuit of dreams. My children are proud of my professional achievements; the idea of me being their role model gives me fresh impetus as I strive to excel myself.

I also encourage women to equip themselves with knowledge and skills. My experience in CUHK Business School has proved to be pivotal in my life. During the two-year period, I have met friends who have inspired me in many ways. We are living in an era where work, family and learning can be complementary. With a positive mentality, success is sure to come.

Coty thinks that her study at the CUHK Business School had enormous positive impacts on her career development and she encourages all female changemakers to continue to learn and upgrade themselves.