TheZubin Foundation
TheZubinFoundationisathinktankandcharityinHongKong,namedafterZubin MahtaniGidumalthatworks toimprovethelivesofHongKong’s marginalisedethnicminoritiesbyprovidingopportunitiesandreducing suffering.
WeimprovethelivesofHongKongethnicminoritiesbyalleviatingpovertyandenhancingsocialinclusion.We engagewithstakeholderstoshapeeffectivesolutions–boththroughpolicyrecommendationsanddirect empowermentprojects.Ourworkiscenteredaroundaspiritofcollaborationandarigorouscommitmentto positive,lastingoutcomes.
AsaregisteredcharityinHongKong(IR91/12344),werelyondonationsfromindividuals,corporationsand foundationstofundourwork.
Formoreinformation
Pleasevisit: www.zubinfoundation.org
Emailusat: info@zubinfoundation.org
Followuson:Facebook: zubinfoundation Instagram: zubinfoundation LinkedIn: TheZubinFoundation
Acknowledgement
Wewouldliketothankthefollowingcompanies,organisationsandindividuals.
OurPartner
AbigthankyoutoSpencerStuartHongKongfortheirinvaluablepartnershipsince2016inhelpingtointerview, shortlistandselecttheCandidates.ThankyouinparticulartoMs.AliceAu,Ms.KatherineLiu-Bevan,Mr.Marc Baloch,Mr.PatrickChamot,Ms.AmyCheng,Ms.DingDing,Mr.JustinFung,Ms.SarnaYeungandMs.Jessie ZhangatSpencerStuartHongKongfortheirtime,expertise,andinsight.
OurSponsors
Allen&Overy,TheCaravelFoundation,KPMG,TheSwireGroupCharitableTrust,andTownHouseasPlatinum Sponsor.ThankstootoLinklaters,ourSilverSponsor.
OutreachPartnersandIndividuals
Thankyoutoallthecompaniesandorganisationsthathelpedwithoutreachingtopotentialcandidatesfor DiversityList2020.Theseare:
1.TheResourceGuideMagazine
2.TheZubinFoundationdatabase
3.AllCandidatesinDiversityLists2016–2019
Thankyoualsotothefollowingindividualsforoutreachingassistance:Dr.RenuBhatia,Ms.MeenaDatwani,Ms. AliaElizabethEyres,Ms.AnitaGidumal,Ms.VineeKapoor,Mr.TayeebMohamed,Ms.SabitaPrakash,Ms. SalmaFariyaDeiya,Ms.KarishmaSamtani,Ms.LamiaSreyaRahman,Ms.ShaliniSujananiandMs.Huseina Tyebkhan.
TheZubinFoundationTeam
RavinaLalvaniandShaliniMahtaniasauthors,VinniRelwaniaseditor,SandyChanasProjectDirector,Matthew Yuforsocialmediaandsummer2020internSheilaYuforthecoverandlayoutdesign.
Disclaimer
Theinformationandideashereinaretheconfidential,proprietary,sole,andexclusivepropertyofTheZubinMahtaniGidumalFoundation Limited.Allinformationprovidedinthisdocumentisintendedfordiscussionpurposesonly,andisnotinthenatureofadvice.TheZubin MahtaniGidumalFoundationLimitedreservestherighttomakealterationstoanyofitsdocumentswithoutnotice.
FOREWORD BY THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION
Diversity List (DL) is a groundbreaking and flagship initiative of The Zubin Foundation established in 2016. DL was created to increase the representation of underrepresented ethnic minorities on HKSAR government Advisory and Statutory Bodies (ASBs). The basic premise behind the establishment of DL was to address the stark systemic barriers that exist for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, which has resulted in a high prevalence of poverty and a disproportionate percentage of ethnic minorities who end up in elementary occupations. This has been amplified over the last fifteen months in Hong Kong.
The Government’s willingness to engage in increasing the representation of ethnic minorities has been impressive. Since 2016, The Zubin Foundation has put forward a total of 98 individuals on Diversity Lists. From this, the Government has appointed twenty-three candidates to serve on thirty-six government advisory committees. Of these, the majority have been women candidates, and there has been a diverse range of ethnicities appointed.
Besides boosting minority representation, Hong Kong’s ethnic minority youth now have inspiring leader role models in the community. Last year the HKSAR government increased youth representation on all government advisory committees by 15 percent, to include Hong Kong’s youth in policy-making. What is commendable is that four youth from the list of Diversity List 2019: Youth To Watch are currently serving on HKSAR government advisory committees.
This year, we launch Diversity List 2020: Women’s Voices, a list of smart, talented, passionate women who have the necessary professional skills and knowledge to serve on Hong Kong Government and Advisory and Statutory Boards. DL 2020 will support the HKSAR government initiative to increase the number of women representation on all ASBs from 34% to 35%.
We are delighted to be celebrating our fifth year with DL and we are grateful to Spencer Stuart for partnering with us since our start. We are grateful to the hundreds of people of ethnic minority over the past 5 years who have nominated themselves to be considered as DL candidates and to serve Hong Kong.
We commend the HKSAR government for enhancing the representation of ethnic minorities in ASBs and we encourage them to make use of this talented population, all Hongkongers, who wish to serve and build Hong Kong.
And lastly to our 24 candidates selected on Diversity List 2020: Women’s Voices, many congratulations. It is you who we celebrate today.
Warmly, ShaliniMahtani
www.zubinfoundation.org
SPENCERSTUARTHONGKONG
‘Discoveranddevelopleadershipforabetterfuture” isourpurposeasafirm.
We discover leadershipwhenwelookbroadlyfordiversetalent,engagetheindividuals bestabletotakeoncriticalleadershipchallengesandofferdeepinsightaboutemerging leadershippriorities.We develop leadershipwhenwehelpindividuals,teams,and organizationsrealizetheirpotential,multiplytheirimpactandachieveenduring performanceandvitality.
TherecenteventsintheUnitedStatesandthepandemichaveheightenedtheawareness oftheimportanceofdiversityandinclusionwithinbusinessesandcommunitiesfora betterfuture.WeareproudtohavepartneredwiththeZubinFoundationasthe knowledgepartneroftheDiversityListsinceitsinaugurationfiveyearsago.Weareproud tohavebeenabletodiscover98talentfortheDiversityListsinthelastfiveyears.Weare excitedtoseethattwenty-threeofthemhavebeenappointedbytheHongKong governmenttoserveonthirty-sixgovernmentadvisorycommittees,givingtheman opportunitytocontributetoHongKong,butatthesametimetheexposuretodeveloped furtherasleadersandindividuals.
Thisyear,weareexcitedtohavecontinuedtoplayaroleinselecting24candidatesfor DiversityList2020:Women’sVoices.Congratulationstothemall!
Best, AliceAu
INTRODUCTION
AccordingtotheHongKongPovertySituationReportonEthnicMinorities2016,almost oneinfourpeoplefromtheethnicminoritypopulationinHongKongarelivingbelowthe povertyline.AsperHongKongPovertySituationReportonEthnicMinorities2016,the povertyratesforSouthAsianfamilieswithchildrenaretwo-and-a-halftimes(29.1%)as muchasthatoffamilieswithoutchildren(12.1%).Thepovertyrateremainshighestamong Pakistanis(56.5%),followedbyIndonesians(23.0%),Thais(21.14%),Nepalese(13.6%) andIndians(9.7%).
AccordingtotheworkofTheZubinFoundation,womenandgirlsinthecommunityface additionalchallenges.Manyoftheseareculturalandincludeexcludinggirlsfrom educationopportunities,prioritisingthewantsofboysovergirlsandforcingmarriageon girls.Therearealsoexternalfactorssuchasdiscriminationandexclusionbasedonthe waywomendress,forexample,thewearingofthehijab,aswellasskincolour.Allthese factorsputfamiliesatriskoffeedingthecycleofpoverty.Weknowfrominternational researchthatbyeducatinggirls,weeducateafamily.Educatedgirlsmeaneducated motherswhichmeanbettereducatedandhealthierHongKongchildren.
DiversityList2020isfocusedentirelyonethnicminoritywomen.Manyofthesewomen haveexcelled,despitediscriminationandbarriersimposedonthem.Theyarewomen leadersandtheyhavethetripleadvantageofbeingHongKongers,womenandethnic minorities.
CRITERIA
TheZubinFoundationsetforthcriteriaforindividualsintheself-nominationprocess. Nomineeswereaskedtomeetthefollowingcriteriabeforenominatingthemselves.
Criteriaincludedthefollowing:
•Individualsmusthavesignificantexperienceintheareaoftheirwork
•Individualsmusthaveachievedacertainstandingintheirprofession
•IndividualsmustdemonstratecommittedtoservingHongKong
•Individualsmustbepreparedtoserveoncommitteesandbeprepared toengageinmeetings
•Individualsmustbeovertheageof18andmustbepermanentresidentsofHongKong
•Individualsmustbewomenofnon-Chineseethnicityorwomenofmixedrace.
www.zubinfoundation.org
METHODOLOGY
ToraiseawarenessaboutDiversityList2020:Women’sVoices.TheZubinFoundation participatedinoutreachbyworkingwithoutreachorganisationsandindividuals.
Nomineeswereonself-nominationbasisandwerereceivedbetweenJulyandDecember 2019.AllapplicationsforDiversityList2020weresubmittedtoSpencerStuartfor shortlisting,interviewingandselectingcandidates.Atotalof52nominationswere received,allwereinvitedtobeinterviewedbuyonly45agreed,andfromthese,Spencer Stuartselected24candidates.
1.Conductedindividualoutreachtovariousorganisations/magazines. Forfulllist,seeAppendix2
2.ContactedpreviousDiversityList2016–2019Candidatesto nominateindividuals
3.Invitedindividualstonominateviaemailoutreach
4.Invitedindividualstonominateviaphonecalls
1.OnlinenominationsreceivedfromJuly2019–December2019
2.Received52nominations
3.NominationformsandCVswerereviewedbySpencerStuart
1.InterviewpanelswereformedbyrepresentativesfromSpencer StuartandTheZubinFoundation
2.All52nomineeswereinvitedtointerview,45wereinterviewed.
Shortlisting
3.Candidates,shortlistedbySpencerStuartwereselectedonthe basisofmerit,notethnicity,orage.
4.AllshortlistedcandidateswerenotifiedbyTheZubinFoundation
1.CelebrationandannouncementofcandidatesonDiversityList 2020:Women’sVoices
DIVERSITYOFNOMINEES
AsperFigure1,thelargestnumberofnominees’ withinanEthnicgroup,wereIndians(75%) followedbyPakistanis(13%)Indonesians(4%), MixedAsian(4%)andNepalese(4%).
Figure2,representsnominees’professionswith themajorityinMentalHealth(18%),Education (15%),HealthSciences(15%),Charity&NonGovernmentServices(15%),Law,PublicSafety& Corrections&Security(10%),andFinance(7%). OtherprofessionalfieldssuchasMarketing, BusinessManagement,CoachingandWriting werelistedat5%each.
Figure3,illustratesthenumberofyearsnominees havelivedinHongKong.Mostofthenominees (30%)havelivedinHongKongforoverthirty years,while(14%)ofthenomineeshavelivedin HongKongbetweentwentyfivetothirtyyears. Others(22%)havelivedinHongKongbetween fifteentotwenty-fiveyearsandfinally,amongst 34%ofthenomineeshavelivedinHongKongfor seventofifteenyears.
www.zubinfoundation.org
DIVERSITYOF 2020CANDIDATES
TheCandidatesselectedforDiversityList2020comprisedIndians (67%),Pakistanis(17%),Nepalese(8%),MixedAsians(4%)and Indonesians(4%),asshowninFigure4.
Figure5describesthebreakdownofshortlistedCandidatesbyage groups.Mostofthecandidates(44%)arebetweentheagesofforty tofifty,24%ofthecandidatesarebetweenthirtytofortyyears,20% ofthecandidatesareagedbetweentwentytothirty.While,8%ofthe candidatesareabovesixty,and4%ofthecandidatesareinthefiftyto-sixtyagegroup.
ThecatagoriesofProfessionalexpertiseoftheDiversityList2020 CandidatesareshowninFigure6.Amongstthemostpopularwere professionsincludingCharityandNon-GovernmentServices(21%), Education(17%),,Finance(17%),HealthSciences(13%),Authors (8%)andHumanResources(8%).Othercandidateshadprofessional backgroundsinDiversityEquity&Inclusion(4%),MarketingandSales (4%),MediaandCommunications(4%),andRegulatoryAffiars(4%).
ThehighestnumberofyearsCandidateshavelivedinHongKong rangedbetweenseventomorethanthirtyyears.Majorityofthe Candidates(27%)havelivedinHongKongforseventotenyears, 19%ofthecandidateshavelivedinHongKongforoverthirtyplus years,23%ofthecandidateshavelivedinHongKongfortwentyto twentyfiveyears,12%ofthecandidateshavelivedinHongKongfor fifteentotwentyyears,11%ofthecandidateshavelivedinHong Kongfortentofifteenyears,and8%ofthecandidateshavelivedin HongKongfortwentyfivetothirtyyears.
AsdepictedinFigure8,65%ofthecandidatescan speakbasicwordssuchastaxidirections,13%ofthe candidatesspeaksocialCantonese,13%ofthe candidatesdonotspeakCantoneseatall,and9%of thecandidatesspeakCantonesefluently.
IntermsoftheCandidates’comprehensionofthe Cantoneselanguage,50%ofthecandidates understandafewwords,21%ofthecandidatesare unfamiliarwithCantonese,17%ofthecandidates understandmostoftheconversation,and12%ofthe candidateshaveageneralunderstandingofthe Cantoneselanguage.
www.zubinfoundation.org
CANDIDATESPROFILES
Key
Ethnicity:
Indian Indonesia Malaysian Nepalese Pakistani
LanguageAbility: (Self-determinedbycandidate)
CantoneseSpeaking
NONE BASIC WORDS SOCIAL NEEDS FLUENT
CantoneseComprehension NONE
CandidatesProfiles
MEHVESHMUMTAZ AHMED
DirectorofResearch
CentreforAsianPhilanthropyandSociety
ProfessionalExperience
10-15 Years inHK
MehveshistheDirectorofResearchatCentreforAsianPhilanthropyandSociety(CAPS).Sheleadsthe productionofevidence-basedinsightstomaximizeprivatesocialinvestmentacross18Asiancountriesand territories.MehveshisthedrivingforcebehindinnovativeprojectsliketheDoingGoodIndex.Includingher extensiveexperienceinresearchanalysis,impactmeasurementandstakeholderengagementacrossthe public,corporateandnon-profitsectors.
Inthepast,MehveshworkedfortheNewYorkCityMayor’sOfficeofManagementandBudgetunderMayor Bloomberg,theWorldBankandtheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP).PriortojoiningCAPS, Mehveshworkedinthestrategyconsultingandstart-upspaceinHongKong.
MehveshholdsaPhDinPoliticalEconomyfromPrincetonUniversity,aMasterinPublicAffairsinEconomic PolicyfromPrincetonUniversity,andaBachelorofScience(Hons.)degreeinPhilosophyandEconomics fromtheLondonSchoolofEconomics.
MehveshisfluentinEnglish,HindiandUrdu.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•ImpactMeasurementAdvisor.ZubinFoundation.2019-Present.
•VicePresident.PrincetonClubofHongKong.2018-Present.
•Foster.Kirsten’sZoo.2016-Present.
•Co-Chair.PrincetonWomen’sNetwork,HongKong.2016-2019.
•GoverningCouncilmember.HongKongSchoolsDebateandPublicSpeakingCommunity.2015-2017.
•Interpreter.JusticeCentre(formerlyHongKongRefugeeAdviceCenter).2010-2014.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
MehveshisoriginallyfromPakistanandnowcallsHongKonghome.Mehveshisoneofthemost skilledresearchanalystswehavemet.Mehvesh’sbackgroundintheprivateandnon-profitsectors, bilingualskills,anddrivetoservethecommunityistremendouslyinspiring.
www.zubinfoundation.org
SANGEETHAIYAPPA
Director,InternationalTax& TransactionServices–TransferPricing
Ernest&YoungTaxServices
ProfessionalExperience
7-10 Years inHK
SangeethistheDirectoratErnst&Young’smarket-leadingtransferpricingpracticebasedinHongKong. Sangeethleadsateamofover30professionalsworksacrossmultinationalcorporationstomanagetransfer pricingandinternationaltaxissuesinHongKongandacrossAPAC.
Sangeethbringsforthsignificantknowledge,experienceandrelevantskill-sets,of13yearscoveringtax policy,planning,implementationandcontroversyforabroadspectrumofclientsacrossindustries.
PriortoHongKong,sheworkedinTaiwanandinIndia,bothinvolvingafocusoninternationaltaxroles. Sangeeth,alsoworkedasaResearchOfficerwithOxfamIndia/SvarajIndia,withafocusonwaterand livelihoods,withtheobjectiveofdevelopingsolutionstoaddressthem.
SangeethstudiedMasterofArtsinEconomicsfromGokhaleInstituteofpolitics&Economics,India.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•MemberofErnst&YoungWomen.FastForwardgroup,Present.
•Volunteer,LifeBuddiesprogram2019–Present.
•Volunteer,AsianCharityServices,2011–Present
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
SangeethisoriginallyfromIndiawhereshestartedhercareerworkingwithOxfam.Sangeethis exceptionallypassionateaboutgivingbacktothecommunityandvolunteershertimementoring youthfromunderprivilegedbackgrounds.
14
AMRITAANAND
BankofAmericaMerrillLynch,HongKong
CantoneseSpeaking NONE Cantonese Comprehension NONE
ProfessionalExperience
Amritaisawell-seasonedinternationalHumanResources(HR)professional.ShespecialisesinRecruitment, Diversity&InclusionandLeadershipDevelopment.
AmritaiscurrentlyanAPACHRBusinessPartnerforBankofAmerica,whereshefocusesonbusiness strategiesandcollaboratingwithseniorleaderstointegrateHRpriorities.Amritaiscurrentlypursuingher DiplomainOntologicalCoachingtocertifyasalifecoach.
Amrita,holdanEconomicsHonoursGraduatedegreeandanMBAinHumanResourcesfromCardiff BusinessSchool,Wales.
AmritaisoriginallyfromMumbai,India.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
•MentoratTheZubinFoundation,DesiGirlsProgramme,2019-Present.
AmritaisacertifiedOntologicalCoachandarolemodeltoethnicminoritygirlsinHongKong.Amrita hasvastexperienceworkingasanadvisorinHumanResources,diversity&inclusionand recruitment.Amrita’sexposuretodiverseculturesandbackgroundsisfascinating.
www.zubinfoundation.org
ANGELA KAURBAURA
FounderandStoryteller
Inkspirer
ProfessionalExperience
10-15 Years inHK
Angelaisanaward-winningcontentwriter,communicationsstrategist,digitalmarketingconsultantand freelancejournalist.
Withatwo-decadetrackrecordofcraftingcontentanddevisingcommunicationstrategies.Angelahelps individualsandcommunitiestothrive.
InHongKong,Angelaworkswithanumberofhigh-profilepublications,globalbrands,earlygrowth businessesandmission-basedorganisationsinthehealthandwellnessindustries,includingeducationand community-supportfields.
AngelaisaregularcontributortotheSouthChinaMorningPost(SCMP).Onmanyoccassions,shehasbeen summonedtouncoversensitivestoriesthatneedgreaterattentionandawarenesstherebyempoweringthe contributortoreleasetheirstory,inserviceofothers.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Founder,Wobblysteps,2009–Present.
•Founder,Inkspirer,2008–Present.
•Connectingcorporateswithcharitiesinneedofrelevantproductsandservices2009-Present.
•Connectingpeoplewithmentalhealthchallengesandtrauma-relatedemotionswithrelevantsupport networksandpractitioners.2009-Present.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Anempoweringleaderandwriterwhoassistspeoplethroughstorytelling.Angela’sloveforwritingis inserviceofmembersinthecommunity.Angelaiscommittedtoservingherhome,HongKong.
AssistantPanelHead
DeliaGroupofSchools
ProfessionalExperience
30+ Years inHK
Arfeen,isaHongKongPakistanigirlandarecipienttoafullyfundedscholarshipcompletingaDoctorateof EducationatTheUniversityofHongKong.
ArfeenattainsovertenyearsofexperienceinteachingEthnicminoritystudentsinsecondaryschoolsin HongKong.HerareasofexpertiseareintheEnglishLanguageEducationofNon-ChineseSpeaking Students(NCSS).
Currently,astheAssistantHeadoftheEnglishLanguageDepartment,Arfeenisresponsiblefordesigning anddevelopmentoftheEnglishLanguagecurriculumforthepedagogicalneedsofNCSS.Arfeenleads professionalteamengagementsandassessespedagogicalpractices.
AsanactivememberoftheLearningandTeachingDivisionteam,Arfeenconductslanguageand professionaldevelopmentworkshopsfornewteachers.
Arfeenisamentortonewstudentsandsupportsthemduringsecondaryschooltransitions.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•GuestSpeaker,TalksorganizedbyPakistanConsulateofHongKong,2019.
•RecreationOfficer,DeliaAlumniAssociation,2019-2009.
•AcademicAdvisor,HitTopKidsNation,2018-2016.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
ArfeenisaveryimpressiveHongKongPakistanigirl.ArfeenspecializesinEducationforethnic minorityteenagersandyoungadults.Arfeen’sdeep-rooteddesiretoinvestinandmentorHong Kong’sethnicminorityyouthstemsfrompowerfulpersonalencounters.
www.zubinfoundation.org
Human Resources
SYMONEAMEET BUDHRANI
RecruitingManager,Asia
Linklaters
ProfessionalExperience
30+ Years inHK
SymoneisaRecruitmentSpecialistwithover18yearsofexperienceacrosslegal,investmentbankingand executivesearchintheAsiaPacificregion.
Symonehasplayedakeyroleinshapingthewayrecruitmentismanaged.
In2018,Symone,wontheHumanResourcesMagazine‘AsiaHRRecruitmentProfessionaloftheYear’ award.
Shehascontinuouslythrivedintheworkplaceshowcasingtalent,dedicationanddrive.Symoneis committedtohelpingadvancegreaterdiversityintheworkplace.
Symoneco-foundedandcurrentlyco-chairstheLinklatersSocialMobilityRecruitmentCommittee.This Committeerunsthe‘YoungTalentsProgramme’,andhasshownsuccessinhelpingsecondarylevelpublic schoolstudentsinHongKongatimprovingtheirskillsinpreparationforjoiningtheworkforce.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Co-Chair,SocialMobilityRecruitmentCommittee,Linklaters,2017–Present.
•Founder,GLAM,2015–Present.
•Member,GenderEqaulityNetwork,Linklaters,2014–Present.
•BuildingProsethichandsthroughhelplinghandstoassistvictimsworldwidewhohavelosttheirhands, Linklaters,2019.
•Volunteer,WordMentalHealthDay,2019.
•Volunteer,KowloonCricketClub,2018.
•Volunteer,CharityHikeforEbenezeers,2017.
•Volunteer,Mother’sDayLunchatoldagedhome,2016.
•Volunteer,ClearWaterBayCountryClub,Christmaspartforrefugeechildren,2015.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
SymoneisaHongKonggirlwhohasspentmanyyearsinrecruitment.Symone’sextremelyhardworkingnatureandperseveranceovertheyearshasresultedinmanyprofessionalaccoladesat Linklaters.Symoneisconstantlyseekingopportunitiestocontribute.
HINABUTT
CurriculumDevelopmentOfficier
CenterforAdvancementofChineseLanguageEducation andResearch(CACLER),TheUniversityofHongKong
ProfessionalExperience
25-30 Years inHK
HinaisaHongKongPakistanigirlandacertifiedChineselanguageteacher.ShecompletedaBachelor’s degreeinTeachingChinesefromBeijingNormalUniversity.
Hinaworksextensivelyinthefieldofeducationandresearchwheresheinspiresnon-Chinese-speaking kindergartenstudentstolearnChinese.HinaiscurrentlyconductingresearchrelatedtotheChinese LanguageEducation,atTheUniversityofHongKong,whereshespendstimeworkingcloselywithpartner schoolteacherstodevelopschool-basedmaterialsaswellaspedagogiesonteachingChinesetononChinese-speakingkindergartenstudents.
Apartfromteaching,Hinaorganisesteacherseminars,trainingprogrammesandconferences,andwrites evidence-basedpedagogicalreportstokeepabreastofnewlearningsinthefieldoflanguageandeducation.
Hina’spastexperiencesinteachingChineseatvariousschoolsandorganisations,includingChungSing BenevolentSociety,IslamicPrimarySchool,andCaritasCommunityCenter,havehelpednurtureherpassion forteaching.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•ChineseLanguageTutor,TheFriendsofScouting,2014–2019.
•Speaker,ProvisionofSupportServicestoSchoolTeachersTeachingChineseLanguagetoNon-ChineseSpeaking (NCS)Workshop9,CenterforAdvancementofChineseLanguageEducationandResearch(CACLER),The UniversityofHongKong,2019.
•SharingSpeaker,ELCHKFaithLoveLutheranSchool,2019.
•WEDO100FUNChineseClassInstructor,WEDOglobal,2018–2019.
•WEDO100FUNChineseClassTutor,WEDOglobal,2018.
•MCof2016/17SecondSSPParentWorkshop,CenterforAdvancementofChineseLanguageEducationand Research(CACLER),TheUniversityofHongKong,2017.
•SharingGuest,SupportingNCSslearningChineseofEducationBureau,2015–2016.
•GuestSpeaker,InternationalDayfortheEliminationofRacialDiscriminationOpenForum,2013.
•ChineseLanguageTutor,StarMakingProjectforEM,KowloonChamberofCommerceandCaritasCommunity Centre,2012–2013.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
HinaisaHongKongPakistanigirlandtrendsetter.HinaissuperblyskilledinteachingChineseto non-Chinesestudents.Sheiswellversedwithissuesintheethnicminoritycommunityandaleading voicerepresentingHongKong’sminoritygirls.
www.zubinfoundation.org
ASHMI GHHONDDEY
President at The Equal Opportunity Student Ambassadors, Vice-President at Musubi HK, Vice President (External) of JUNS HK and Founder/Director at Make A Difference! Summer Conference
ProfessionalExperience
10-15 Years inHK
AshmiisafinalfourthyearstudentstudyingPoliticsandPublicAdministrationandEnglishStudiesatthe UniversityofHongKong.
Inthepast,Ashmiworkedasapublicspeakingcoachinalocalhighschool.PriortothatAshmiwasa researchassistantatTheUniversityofHongKong.
Ashmi’sdutiesentailedconductingresearchonPublicandNon-profitjobanalysis,anddataanalysis regardingclimatechangeadaptionpoliciesinNepal.
Currently,asastudent,AshmiisanactivememberoftheNepalesecommunitywheresheorganisesevents toempowerherfellowyouth,anddedicateshersparetimetohelpingchildrenintheNepalesecommunity whohaveSpecialEducationNeeds(SEN).
AshmisuccessfullyfulfilledtheroleofPresidentofEqualOpportunititesStudentAmbassadorsatThe UniversityofHongKongwheresheledandmentoredteamsofthirteentosixtyindividuals.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•YauTsimMongDistrict,WorkingGrouponYouthandChildren’sAffairs,April2020–Present.
•President,EqualOpportunityStudentAmbassadorsinHKU,2019–Present.
•Director,MakeADifferenceSummerConference,2019–Present.
•VicePresident,MusubiHongKong,2018–Present.
•VicePresident(External),JUNSHK,2016–Present.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
AshmiisoriginallyfromNepal.SheisaleadingandbrightYouthAmbassadorwhoworksvigorouslyto empoweryouthfromdiverseethniccommunities.Ashmiisanoutstandingstudent,currentlyserving asthePresidentofTheEqualOpportunityStudentAmbassadorsatTheUniversityofHongKong.
SHANTI GOVINDARAJU
HeadofEthics&RegulatoryCompliance
PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC)HongKong
ProfessionalExperience
20-25 Years inHK
Shantiisaseniorexecutivequalifiedlawyerwithover25yearsoflegalexperienceintheAsiaPacificregion.
SheistheHeadofEthicsandRegulatoryComplianceforPricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC)MainlandChina andHongKongSAR.
Shantiisapassionateanddedicatedregulatorycomplianceleaderinherorganisation,wellrespectedbyher colleaguesandpeersintheprofession.
Intheworkplace,Shantiiswell-knownforsolvingcomplexandoperationalchallenges,whileinspiringteam memberstodelivertheirbest.Shelooksforwardtobringingherglobalexperiencestoservingthe HongKongcommunity.
ShanticompletedaMastersofLaw(MajorinInternationalBusinessLaw)fromtheUniversityofLondon in2005.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•ActiveMembertotheFinancialActionTaskForceMutualEvaluationofHongKongonbehalfoftheHong KongAccountingProfession,2019–Present.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
ShantiisoriginallyfromMalaysia.HavinglivedinAustraliaandtheUK,shefeelsmostathomein HongKong.Shantico-foundedthePricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC)China,HongKongandMacau Complianceoffice.ShantiisanactivememberofvariousorganisationsinHongKongandenjoys spendingsparetimewithherchildren.
www.zubinfoundation.org
Human Resources
JYOTIRMAYEE GUPTA (JYOTI MISHRA)
ProfessionalExperience
JyoticurrentlyservesasaPartner&HeadofClientRelationshipsforLSFGlobalLimited,aHongKong basedResourceConsultingfirmwhichoperatesacrosseightGlobalmarkets.
JyotiisresponsibleforPeopleDevelopmentprojects(includingTraining&Coaching)acrosscorporationsin HongKong.
Inaddition,JyotisupportsSmallBusinessOwnersthroughBusinessCoachingandSalesGrowthinitiatives. PriortojoiningLSFGlobal,Jyotisuccessfullyco-foundedBayExpressLimited,alogisticssolutions companywith750employeesinIndia.
Herexpertisewasbuiltonamultitudeofcorporateexperiences,acquiredbyinvestingover13yearsasan ExecutiveinLogistics,HospitalityandPharmaceuticalindustries,whereshesteeredsteadygrowth.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•OrganisingCommunity“MindfulYoga”ClassesinMongKokandnowinTungChung,2010–Present.
•ConductedSkill-BuildingWorkshopsinHongKongforSecondarySchoolchildren, •April2019–October2019.
•OrganisedtwoExhibitionstoprovidebusinessplatformstosinglemothersandstay-at-homemothers, andtopromotehome-grownproductsandsupportWomenEntrepreneurship,2018–2019.
•OrganisedsevenNetworkingEventsfortheIndianCommunity,tobringeveryonetogetherandsupport growingourcultureawayfromIndia,2016–2019.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
JyotiisoriginallyfromIndiaandwell-recognisedforhercomplementaryskillsasaBusinessCoach, Speaker,EntrepreneurandSalesSpecialist.Jyotiisalsowell-knowninthecommunityfororganising communityeventsforvariousnon-governmentorganisations(NGOs)andotherculturalevents,such asDiwaliexhibitions.
NEELAM ROHITHARJANI
Founder&Director
INSPIREYOGAHongKong
ProfessionalExperience
30+ Years inHK
NeelamisthefounderofInspireYogaHongKongwithavisionofprovidinganantidoteforfastpacedcitylife throughpersonalisedyogaandmindfulnessprograms.
Sheismotivatedbyapassionforpersonaltransformation.Neelamworkswithadedicatedteamofthirty instructorswhoservethosesufferingfromchronicpain,posturalmisalignment,anxiety,fatigueandstressrelatedconditions.
Astheauthorof“SecretstoLiveStressFree”,hervisiontocreateself-awarenessasastartingpointfor balanceisendorsedbybusyexecutivesandhighperformingcorporations.
Previouslyaninvestmentbanker,shestructureshermind-bodyparadigmswithscienceandexperience, integratingmeditation,breathworkandposturetosustainenergylevels.
Asamotheroftwoyoungchildren,Neelamisdedicatedtosharingthemessagewithineducational institutionstoempowerthenextgenerationwiththesetechniques,andhelpthemnavigatetheinformation agefreefromjudgmentandinsecurity.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Hostedfreemeditationforexecutiveswithanxiety,TheGreatRoomHongKong,2020.
•HostedMovingMeditationatHongKong’slargestWellnessFestival,IRIS,2019.
•HostedprivatefundraiserforAkshara,educationforunderprivilegedgirlsinMumbai,2017.
•HostedprivatefundraiserforDewDropsLittleFlowerorphanageinBeijing,2015.
•VolunteerSocialSciencesteacher,SummerbridgeHongKong,2002.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
NeelamisaHongKonggirlandtheFounderofInspireYoga.Neelamteachesandpracticesyoga, andistheauthorof“SecretstoLiveStressFree.”Sheisaleadingrolemodeltomanyinthe community,andisdedicatedtohelpingindividualsembracehealthierlifestyles.
www.zubinfoundation.org
RITUSUNIL HEMNANI
ProfessionalExperience
Rituisanauthor,teacher,TEDxspeakerandvoiceactorwhopromotesinclusivenessanddiversityinher writingandstory-tellingpresentations.
RituisalsoafreelancejournalistfortheSouthChinaMorningPostandherstoriesarefeaturedintheAsian LiteraryReviewandReader’sDigest.
Ritu’sbookforchildren, GopeandMeera-AMigrationStory,educatesstudentsages5through18onthe challenges,risksandopportunitiesofmigrantsinthehopeofnurturingawarenessandempathyinthe community.
RituachievedherpostgraduatedegreeinTeachingfromExeterUniversityin1996.Priortobecomingafulltimewriter,RituworkedasanEnglishTeacheratKingGeorgeVSchoolinHongKong.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•FormerspeakerandCommitteeMemberTEDxTinHauWomen,2019–Present.
•JudgingPanel,EveningofMusicandDance,KingGeorgeVSchool,2019–Present.
•CoreJudgingCommittee,Kids4KidsCharity,2018–Present.
•WritingAmbassador;HomeofLovingFaithfulness,Charity,2017–Present.
•Member,WomeninPublishingHongKong(WiPS),2017–Present.
•Member,SocietyofChildren’sBookWritersandIllustrators(SCBWI),2014–Present.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
RituisabigfanofHongKong.Ritueducatesyoungpeoplethroughstoriesonthechallengesof migrants,tonurtureawarenessandempathy.RituservesonthejudgingcommitteeforKids4Kids writingcompetition.
MAMTACHANDIRAM HOTCHANDANI
ProfessionalExperience
Mamta’sexperienceinvariousroleshasprovidedherwithasolidunderstandingofoperations,regulatory andauditaffairswithinthebankingandfinancialindustry.
Overtheyears,Mamta’sresponsibilitieshaveincludeddevelopingstrategies,drivinggrowthandimproving operatingeffectivenessofvariousteamswithinbanking.
Morerecently,Mamta’sfocusisonreviewingandensuringcommercialviabilityandsustainabilityaswellas identifyingopportunitiesforthestrategicgrowthoftheCashEquitiesbusinesses.
AsaBusinessManager(APACCOOOffice,UBS),Mamtaengageswithanumberofstakeholdersacross differentbusinessdivisionstosupportOperationalRiskManagementanddeliverstrategicinitiatives,under theAPACGroupRegionalPresident.
MamtaisaHongKongIndiangirlwithaBachelor’sdegreeinBusinessAdministrationfromTheOpen UniversityofHongKong,2014.MamtacompletedherschoolinginPoLeungKukNganPoLingCollege in2011.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Mentoratthe‘EMPOWER:ProgramForEthnicMinorityUniversityWomen’workshopbyTheAmberFoundationHK, Present.
•VolunteerConsultantforNGOsatAsianCharityServicesSprintHackathon,2019.
•VolunteerforOfficeOlympicswithEthnicMinoritystudentsfromPoKokPrimarySchoolbyInspiringHKSports Foundation,2019.
•MentoratCareerworkshopwithArchCommunityOutreachstudents,2019.
•MentorattheHKUST‘WhenSciencemeetsBusiness’Program,2019.
•Volunteerfor‘CambodiaVolunteeringProgram’byMissionePossibile,2019.
•MentorfortheEmployabilityWorkshopco-organisedbyUBSandMacquarieforCentreforRefugees(CFR),2019.
•MentorforNGOsatthe‘VolTraConferenceonEmpoweringYouthLeadershipforGlocalImpact’,2018.
•LeaderoftheHKBreastCancerFoundation’sAwarenessCampaignatUBS,2017.
•MentorattheFinancialLiteracy&PlanningBasicsWorkshopforDomesticHelpersforSewaDay,2017.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
MamtaisaHongKonggirlwhoisveryadmirable,hardworkingandself-made.Mamtastudiedina localschoolinHongKong.Despiteenduringmanychallenges,Mamtapavedherownpathto successintheBankingandFinanceindustry.MamtaisarolemodelinmanyHongKong’sminority youthpopulation.
www.zubinfoundation.org
ARCHANAKOTECHA
ProfessionalExperience
Archanaisacounter-traffickingexpertandactivistwithextensiveexperienceinareasofadvocacy,policy workandcaseworkrelatingtotraffickinginpersons,forcedlabourandmodernslavery.
ArchanacurrentlyservesasAsiaRegionDirectorandHeadofLegalforLibertyShared.Sheisrecognizedas aregionalsubjectmatterexpert.
ArchanaoftenadvisesvariousASEANstatesandspecialistinter-agencyteamsindifferentcountriesinthe regiononissuesrelatingtohumantraffickingandforcedlabour.
Alongside,ArchanaeducatesNGOsandlawyersonanti-traffickinglegalframeworksandvictim identification.
InJune2017,ArchanawasnamedoneofthetopteninnovativelawyersinAsiaPacificbytheFinancial TimesAsia.SheisalsoanalumnioftheprestigiousInternationalVisitorLeadershipProgramrunbythe UnitedStatesStateDepartment.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•VolunteerLegalLeadforCallMirahelplineoperatedbyTheZubinFoundation,2018–Present
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
ArchanaisadedicatedHumanRightslawyerwhogoesaboveandbeyondtoensurethathersupport andservicesareextendedtoclientsindireneed.Archanaisanexpertinmodern-dayslaverymatters andprovidesprobonolegaladvicetoethnicminorityfemaleserviceusers.Archanaisfluentin English,French,Creole,HindiandUrdu.
BHAKTIMATHUR
Founder&Director
AnjanaPublishing
ProfessionalExperience
20-25 Years inHK
Bhaktiistheauthorandpublisherofthe‘AmmaTellMe’ seriesofchildren’spicturebooksonIndianmythology andfestivals.
Bhaktiisafreelancewriterandhashadovertwenty-fivearticlespublishedintheSouthChinaMorningPost (SCMP)onvarioustopicsacrossculture,life,healthandfitness.
InadditiontowritingarticlesforSCMP,Bhaktialsocontributeshertimewritingarticlesfornon-profitsectors suchasRoomtoRead,YamaFoundation,BeingPatient,andRun,inHongKong.
In2019,BhaktiwontheMrs.ShroffInspiringWomanAwardinthecategroyofLiteratureinHongKong. BhaktihastravalledacrossAsiatospeakatseveralLiteraryfestivalsincluding,India,Banglore,HongKong andJaipur.
Priortohercareerinwriting,BhaktiservedasaPrivateBankerfor20years.
BhaktiholdsaMasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingfromTheUniversityofHongKong,2017,andqualified asaCharteredFinancialAnalyst(CFA)in2017.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•WriterAmbassadorforRoomToRead,2015–Present.
•Mentor,DesiGirlFriendshipCircle,TheZubinFoundation,2019–Present.
•VolunteeratKids4Kids,2017.
•VolunteeratSt.Mary’sHomefortheAged,June2017–August2017.
•VolunteeratBringMeABook,2016.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Bhaktiisthecreatorandauthorofthepopular AmmaTellMe seriesofchildren’spicturebooksabout Indianfestivalsandmythology.Heraspirationtoeducatechildrenaboutculturethroughstoriesis stimulating.
www.zubinfoundation.org
MOGANAYGEE NAYAGAR
Professor
HongKongUniversity(HKUSPACE)
ProfessionalExperience
10-15 Years inHK
Dr.MoganaygeeisaUniversityProfessorandleaderinthedevelopmentofsustainablelearningprograms. Shecollaborateswithexistingeducationpartnerships,stakeholders,inclusiveofGovernment,SchoolBoard Members,Universitiesandparentcommunities.
Herpersonalphilosophyasanadvocateforeducationistonurturethecapacityofstudents’self-faithand self-belief.
Overtheyears,Dr.Moganaygeehasdevelopedlearningsupportandenhancementstrategiesfor marginalisedlearningcommunitiesinAfrica,NewZealand,China/HongKong,andcoremanagement strategiesforinnovativeandinterventionlearningmodels.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•VolunteerProfessionaldevelopmenttrainingforTeachersinValuesEducationincludingmindfulness, 2000–Present.
•SathyaSaiInternationalOrganisationHK(SSIO)VoluntaryEnglishTeacher,2006–Present.
•VolunteerVisitingUniversityEducationConsultant, 2006–Present.
•SSIO/FaithCharity:ServingmarginalisedcommunitiesinHongKong,2018–Present.
•InstituteofSathyaSaiEducationinHumanValues,2016–Present.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Dr.MoganaygeeisaprofessoratTheUniversityofHongKongProfessionalandContinuing Education(HKUSPACE).Sheissmart,compassionateandeagertohelpmakeHongKongmore inclusive.
AYESHANIHAL
Student
ManagementTrainee
LaneCrawford
ProfessionalExperience
15-20 Years inHK
Ayeshaisanaward-winningpublicspeakerandyouthleaderambassador.AyeshawasawardedOutstanding LeaderAwardatWestIslandSchoolandWholeSchoolSportsCaptain.
In2016,AyeshareceivedascholarshipentrancetotheBusinessSchoolofHongKongUniversityofScience andTechnology(HKUST).Fromthereon,AyeshawasselectedtoserveasaGeneralSecretaryatthe AmericanInstituteforAeronauticsandAstronautics,HKUSTBranch,inHongKong.
Duringthatperiod,AyeshaandherteamcollaboratedwithorganisationssuchasCathayPacificandthe HongKongObservatorytoorganiseandimplementaviation-relatedsitevisits.UltimatelyAyeshaandher teamworkedandreporteddirectlytotheAIAAwithanannualreportexhibitingtheirgoals,accomplishments, strengthsandweaknesses.
AyeshagraduatedfromHKUSTinMay2020withaBachelor’sdegreeinBusinessandMarketing.
AyeshaisfluentinEnglish,Mandarin,HindiandUrdu.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•WhiskbyAyeshaN‘CakeCampaign’Entrepreneur,2016–Present.
•TEDxWanChai,Youth&DiversityScholar,2017
•UNICEF,StudentAmbassador,2014–2016.
•ORBIS,StudentAmbassador,2014–2016.
•JIGSAWClubWIS,FounderandLeader,2015–2016.
•Impulse2.0,HeadFinancial&MarketingManager,2015–2016
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
AyeshagraduatedfromHongKongUniversityofScienceandTechnologyBusinessSchool.Ayesha isambitious,passionateaboutworkingwithchildren,andwasstudentambassadorforUNICEF.
www.zubinfoundation.org
ANJALIVASHI NIHALCHAND
30+ Years
PollinationProjects BASIC WORDS Cantonese Comprehension
ProfessionalExperience
AFEW WORDS
Anjali,foundedPollinationProjectsin2014,aBrandMarketingConsultancythatoverseesother EntrepreneurssuchasSongSaa,TributeHotels,nakedHubandUPGen.
Anjalihasspent20yearsworkinginthefieldofBrandMarketingandCommunicationsforpioneersinthe LuxuryLifestyleindustrysuchasPiaget,Panerai,ShanghaiTang,andAman.
Anjaliheadsprojectsandinitiativesforhospitality,lifestyle,start-upbusinessesandnon-government organisations(NGOs),whichhaveastorytotell.Herdriversarealtruistic,directedatworkingfortheteam, forcustomersandforthecompany.
Anjalibelievesthatsheisheretolisten,understandandplayaroletoservetheorganisation’sbestinterests atvariousstagesofabrand’sjourney.
Atherbest,AnjalicontinuestodevelopandnurturethedisciplineofaCorporateExecutive,theagility, mindsetandcreativityofanEntrepreneurandtheheartofaPhilanthropist.
AnjaliisfluentinEnglishandFrench.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•TheCentreforRefugees,AdvocateandVolunteer,Present.
•MemberoftheFundraisingCommitteeatTheZubinFoundation,2018–Present.
•TheHongKongLiteraryFestival,HeadofCommunications,2016.
AnjaliisoriginallyfromHongKongandatopbrandingandmarketingspecialist.AnjaliistheDirector ofPollinationprojectsandiskeenonpromotingopportunitiesforminorityindividualsinHongKong. AnjaliiskindheartedandeagertocontributetothebettermentofHongKong.
RESHAM PREMCHAND
HeadofPrimary6
JapaneseInternationalSchool
ProfessionalExperience
25-30 Years inHK
ReshamisaremarkablyskilledteacherininternationalschoolsinAsia,andspecialisesinteacher professionaldevelopment.Resham’sexpertiseliesincurriculumdevelopmentandlanguageineducation.
AsaPrimaryschoolteacher,Reshambringsauniquestyleofteachingtotheclassroom.Reshamfocuseson buildingtheskillsandconfidenceofthestudentsinorderforthemtohaveasmoothtransitiontomiddle school,alongwithorganisationskills,criticalthinkingandsocialandemotionalintelligence.
Reshamencouragesenquiry-basedteachingandlearningintheprimaryyears,usingtheenvironmentasthe contexttohelpstudentsmakeconcreteconnectionswiththeworldaroundthem.Herprincipleisthatthe classroomisavehicletohaveaccesstotheworldandmakesenseofit.
Reshamworkswithstudentstobuildtheirskillsandnurturethemtobecomelife-longlearners.
ReshamachievedaMasterofEducation,LeadershipfromtheUniversityofNottingham,inJune2018.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•FundraisingforschoolsinChina&Cambodia,2014–2020.
•VolunteeratRoomtoRead,2012–2020.
•VolunteeratOrbis,2012–2020.
•VolunteeratSoupKitchens,2012–2016.
•Creatingopportunitiesformembersoftheschoolcommunitytocontributetosocietythroughhosting eventstoraisemoneyforUNHCR,2010.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
ReshamwasborninTaiwan,raisedinJapan,UnitedStates,SingaporeandHongKong.Reshamis theheadofPrimarysixatJapaneseInternationalSchool.SheisacreativeMathematicsteacherand worksempatheticallywithstudentstobuildcapacityandtapintotheirhighestpotential.
www.zubinfoundation.org
BIDHYASHRESTHA
Founder&ChairpersonofAamaKo Koseli,ResearchAssistantatHKU
ProfessionalExperience
20-25 Years inHK
BidhyaistheFounderandChairpersonofAamaKoKoseli,anon-profitorganisationinHongKong,which investsinempoweringwomenofcolor(WoC).
BidhyaorganisesworkshopsandprojectsfocusingonmenstrualhygieneinHongKongandNepal.Mostof herprojectsarefocusedonmenstrualhygieneawarenessanddistributingreusablepadstowomenandgirls inthecommunity.
Bidhya’spassionistodesignprojectsthatareculturally-sensitivetoethnicminoritywomen.
AsaResearchAssistantatTheUniversityofHongKong,Bidhyaisinvestigatingethnicminoritypoliciesand issuesfacedbynon-ChinesesexworkersinHongKong.
BidhyaiscurrentlymajoringinGenderStudieswithaminorinSociologyattheUniversityofHongKong. BidhyaisexpectedtograduateinMay2021.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Chairperson&Founder,AamaKoKoseli,2019–Present.
•GeneralSecretary,HongKongUniversityAmnestyInternationalClub,2017–2018.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
BidhyaisfromNepalandtheFounderofAmaKoKoseli.Bidhyaisdedicatedtoeducatingminority womenfromHongKongandNepalaboutmenstrualhygiene.Bidhya’sperseverancetoproblemsolvinginthecommunityismostcommendable.
www.zubinfoundation.org
CandidatesProfiles
SHARMEENJAL SORABSHROFF
ClinicalPsychologist
CentralMinds
ProfessionalExperience
SharmeenistheFounderandDirectoratCentralMinds,aHongKong-basedprivatepsychology, counselling,andphysicaltherapypracticeestablishedin2014.Shemanagesateamoffourteen professionalsandholdsaDoctorateinClinicalPsychology.
30+ Years inHK
Sharmeenpresentswithoverfifteenyearsofworkexperience,havingworkedinvarioussettingsincluding schools,communitymentalhealthcenters,medicalclinicsandhospitalsintheUK,USAandHongKong.
Sharmeenisanadvocatefordiversity,inclusionandequality,andiscommittedtoraisingawarenessand reducingthestigmaaroundissuesrelatedtomentalhealthinHongKong.
SharmeenpreviouslyworkedasanAssociateProfessorandSupervisorforCityUniversity,HongKong,in associationwithCaliforniaSchoolofProfessionalPsychology.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•TheWomen’sFoundationHongKong,MentoringProgramAdvisoryCouncil,2019–Present.
•MindHongKongVolunteer,committedtoimprovingawarenessandunderstandingofmentalhealthinHongKong, 2019–Present.
•CounsellingLeadforCallMira–theonlyhelplineinHongKongforSouthAsianwomenandgirls,initiativeofThe ZubinFoundation,2018–Present.
•ConductMedicalLegalAssessmentsofpsychologicalfactorsinrelationtopersonalinjuryclaimsandasylumand immigrationcases,2015–Present.
•Pro-bonoandslidingscaletherapytoclientswhoareunabletoaffordsessions,CentralMindsLtd,2015–Present.
•TheWomen’sFoundationHongKong,MentoringProgram,2018–2019.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Sharmeenisamentalhealthprofessional,anentrepreneurandtheFounderofCentralMinds.She believesingivingbacktosociety,andherdedicationtoservingthecommunity,includingrefugees, childrenandfamilies,ismosthonourable.SharmeenisaHongKonggirlandcommittedtomaking HongKongmoreinclusive.
www.zubinfoundation.org
MEDINAHASANUDDIN SPEERS
PathFinders
ProfessionalExperience
Medinahasworkedintheprofessionalserviceindustryforover24years.Priortotheserviceindustry, MedinaworkedforCathayPacificAirwaysasaFlightPurser.
Medina’sinterestinthenon-governmentorganisation(NGO)communitydevelopedin2013,andshehas sincevolunteeredhertimewithvariousNGOsacrossHongKong,Indonesia,VietnamandthePhilippines.
MedinahascertificatesinSportsScienceandFitness,FashionandMake-up,andshecontributesherspare timetoHongKong’stheatreperformers.
MedinacompletedaDiplomainPublicRelationsfromtheLondonSchoolofPublicRelationsinJakarta, Indonesia.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•HongKongPlayersCommunityTheatre,HongKong,2013–Present.
•PathfindersHongKong,2016–2018.
•EnrichHongKong,2016–2018.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
MedinaisoriginallyfromIndonesia.Shehasapassiontoserve,andisdevotedtoworkingwith migrantworkersatPathfinders.Medinaoftenandverykindlyprovidesprobonostagemake-up servicestoHongKong’scommunitytheatreparticipants.
www.zubinfoundation.org
CandidatesProfiles
TalentStrategist, DiversityEquityand InclusionSpecialist
GULNARVASWANI
GulnarVaswani-LeadershipRe-imagined ChiefCultureOfficer
ProfessionalExperience
Gulnarisatalentmanagementstrategist,advisor,andexecutivecoachforthe21st century.
13 Years inHK
Gulnarhelpscompaniesdrivehighperformance,andispassionateaboutequippingleadersandteamswith thebehavioursandmindsetsneededtothriveintheworkplace.
Gulnar’sapproachisdefinedbythreewords: Conscious, Culture,and Change.Shebelievesthat21st century leadershipcallsforadeepself-awarenessandconsciousnessofbothcapabilitiesandlimitations.
Gulnardrawson18yearsofcareerexperience,duringwhichshehasheldseniorrolesinmultinational organisations,non-governmentorganisations(NGOs),andeducationinstitutionsacrossarange ofcontinents.
GulnarreceivedaBBAinInternationalFinanceandMarketingandMBAinInternationalFinancefromthe UniversityofMiami,SchoolofBusiness.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•CommunityBusiness,2012–Present.
•AmChamWomenofInfluence,2014–Present.
•AllBrightAcademy,2019–2020.
•AsianUniversityforWomen,2015–2018.
•Women’sFoundation,2014–2018.
•Mother’sChoice,2014–2016.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Gulnarisatalented,innovativeandproficientHRleadershipspecialist.Herprofessionalandpersonal experiencesinlifehavewell-equippedGulnartoserveasatrainer,coachandmentor.
www.zubinfoundation.org
QURATULAINZAIDI
ProfessionalExperience
Dr.Zaidihasmorethan10yearsofclinicalexperienceandhasworkedwithadiverserangeofclientele.She ispassionateaboutraisingawarenessinHongKongonCyber-safety,CyberAddiction,Mindfulness, ParentingandTeenStress.
Dr.Zaidiisaregularmentalhealthauthor-contributorforseveralonlineandprintpublications,andisan invitedspeakeratconferences.SheisanExpertontheAdvisoryBoardofHealthyMattersinAsia,fortheir mentalhealthpublications.
Dr.ZaidiisamemberoftheBritishPsychologicalSociety,BritishAssociationCounselling&Psychotherapy, HongKongProfessionalCounsellingAssociation,andHongKongFamilyLawAssociation.
VoluntaryContributiontoHongKong
•Supportingthewell-beingoftrailingspouses,womenandgirlsinthecommunity,2012–Present.
•ProvidingmentalhealthsupporttotheUrdu-speakingcommunityinHongKong,2012–Present.
•ProbonoSupervisor,EthnicMinorityWell-beingCenter,Present.
•Volunteeringtimeatschoolsinneedofsupport,2012–2017.
QuoteformSpencerStuartHongKong
Dr.ZaidiisoriginallyfromtheUK,andhaslivedbetweenSingaporeandHongKongfor19years.Dr. Zaidiisdedicatedtoservingthecommunityandisverypassionateaboutsupportingwomenandgirls fromminoritybackgrounds.
IMPACT OF DIVERSITY LIST CANDIDATES 2016 - 2019
Diversity List was set up to increase the voices of ethnic minorities on government Advisory and Statutory Bodies (ASBs). In total, The Zubin Foundation has put forward a total of 98 candidates for the HKSAR government to consider, see Figure 11. Since then, the government has made 36 appointments for 23 individual Diversity List candidates (as seen in Figure 11), and this means that 23.5% of all those candidates that we have put forward have been selected. This is tremendously successful.
TotalAppointments MadetoDiversity ListCandidates
The HKSAR government has substantially increased the numbers of ethnic minortities on ASBs. Prior to 2016 when Diversity List began, there were less than a dozen ethnic minoirities on ASBs, excluding Caucasians.
In addition to the numbers of ethnic minorities on ASBs, the SAR government has also sought to include ethnic minorities on ASBs that have a higher number of Bureaux Secretaries and Heads. This demonstrates the administration’s commitment to understanding, as well as including, the ethnic minority voice in the institutional framework of Hong Kong. This is critical if Hong Kong is to begin to address large systemic problems that pertain to ethnic minorities including education, discrimination and poverty. Of course, including ethnic minorities brings countless additional benefits to Hong Kong as a whole; by including individuals from diverse backgrounds, Hong Kong stands to gain from wider perspectives.
There is much work to be done to continue to embed the representation of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities throughout the work of the government. For example we believe that each ASB should have at least one ethnic minority voice and that at least 4% of all members on ASBs should be ethnic minorities. This would mirror the actual composition of the Hong Kong population. In addition, and just as pertinent, is the desperate need in Hong Kong for leadership to start to ensure there is visibility of ethnic minorities in all their public websites and media. Again, this message of ethnic minorities as part of Hong Kong must be reflected.
Including our 2020 candidates, The Zubin Foundation has now put forward a total of 122 candidates, seen below.
REFLECTIONSFROM CANDIDATES2016-2019
ReflectionsfromtheethnicminorityCandidatesappointedtoStatutoryandAdvisoryBodies:
MS.SABITAPRAKASH
Staturory&AdvisoryBodies
•PaymentSystemsandStoredValueFacilitiesAppeals TribunalandProcessReviewCommitteeappointed,1st2016 •Member,ResolvabilityReviewTribunal, appointed23March2018.
Reflection
WithinafewmonthsofmybeingselectedforthefirstDiversityListin2016,IwasselectedtothePayment SystemsandStoredValueFacilitiesAdvisoryCommitteetotheHongKonggovernmentinDecember2016. ThefunctionoftheTribunalistohearappealsfrompersonsaggrievedbyanyreviewabledecisionofthe HongKongMonetaryAuthoritymadeunderthePaymentSystemsandStoredValueFacilitiesOrdinance.I alsositonaProcessReviewCommitteewhichadvisesHKMAupontheadequacyofitsinternalprocedures andguidelinesindealingfairlyandwithoutdiscriminationacrossvariousclearingandsettlementsystemsfor fundsorsecurities,includingthosesystemsbothwhereHKMAhasabeneficialinterestandthosewithout. Myexperienceofover27yearsinthefixedincomemarkets,with22ofthoseyearsbasedinHongKong, hasenabledmetounderstand,appreciateandcontributetoanextraordinarilytechnicalandcomplex financialsubject.Thatsaid,themethodicalapproachandpatienceoftheHKMAteamhasbeenexemplary, whetheritbeinexplainingtheprocesses,reasonsfordeviations,orassessingstepstakentoensurethese deviationsremainminimal.TheCommitteeformallymeetstwiceayearandoftentimesexchangesemailsto addressoffcycleissues.
InMarch2018,IwasappointedasmemberofTheResolvabilityReviewTribunal,whichreviewsupon appeal,decisionsmadebytheresolutionauthoritiesregardinganorderlyresolutionofnon-viable systematicallyimportantfinancialinstitutionsinHongKong.Whilemymembershipofthesetwocommittees maysuggestthatsomeexpertiseinthesubjectmatterisneeded,ultimatelyIbelievethatalogicaland processdrivenmindsetisperhapsmuchmoreimportanttoensureclarityofthoughtandjudgment,inorder tocontributemoreeffectivelytotheseadvisorycommittees.
www.zubinfoundation.org
DR.RIZWANULLAH
Staturory&AdvisoryBodies
•Member,JointCommitteeonStudentFinance(JCSF), EducationBureau,appointed1stApril2017
•Member,EqualOpportunitiesCommission(EOC), appointed18thMay2017.
•YouthDevelopmentCommission(YDC), appointed1stApril2018.
Reflection
Undoubtedlytheopportunityforservingfouroftheadvisoryboards,itwasmyhumblehonour.Iwasable tocontributemyprofessionalknowledgeandexperiencetothegovernmentintheareasofeducation,youth workandequalopportunities.Forinstance,IhadtheopportunitytoconveneandpublishedtwoEOC reportsonEMChineselanguagelearningin2019andEMfurtherstudiesandcareerpathwayin2020.Iam morethanexcitedtocontributeforthebettermentofourcommunity.
DR.THERESACUNANAN
Staturory&AdvisoryBodies
•HumanResourcesPlanningCommission,2018–2022
•TheHongKongHousingAuthority,2020-2022
•CommitteeonthePromotionofRacialHarmony,2017
•CriminalandLawEnforcementInjuriesCompensationBoards,2016.
Reflection
ThankyouTZFforincludingmeintheinitiallegionofthe2016DiversityList.Shalini'sbrainchild-amongthe manyamazingones-hasgiventhevoicelessavoice.OneofmyfirstinvitestositinanHKSARgovernment advisorycommitteewastobepartofTheCommitteeonthePromotionofRacialHarmonyundertheRace RelationsUnitoftheHomeAffairsDepartment.Iamgreatlyhonoredtobeabletomeetwithlike-minded colleaguesinthecommunitywhocometogethertoworkaroundpoliciesandprogrammessothatHong Kongcanbecomeabetterplaceforournon-Chinesecommunity.Tosee,knowandunderstandhowour governmentengagesthedifferentexpertsindifferentprofessionsofvariousethnicitiesisverypromising indeed.Assomeoneintheeducationfield,mydreamistoseemoreequityforthosenon-Chineseyouthin HongKongwhohavetofighttwiceashardtogetintoourlocaltertiaryinstitutions.It'stimetoend segregation.Andthosewhocanendit,shouldendit.
PROF.NAUBAHARSHARIF
Staturory&AdvisoryBodies
•LayMember,CommitteeonMentalHealth, appointed28thNovember2017.
Reflection
ServingonanHKSARGovernmentAdvisorycommitteehasbeenatrulyrewardingandeye-opening experience.IthasbeenrewardingbecausenotonlyhaveIbeenabletolearnabouttheoperationsofHong Kong'sadvisorycommittees,butalsobecauseIhavebeenofferedanimportantplatformtopromoteethnic minorityinterests.Ithasbeeneye-openingbecauseIhaveseenfirst-handhowmuchmoreneedstobe donetoincorporatetheinterestsofHongKong'sethnicminoritiesintothehighestechelonsofdecisionmakinginHongKong,andsimultaneouslyIhavealsobeenpleasantlysurprisedbytheextenttowhichthe Committeehasbeenopentoacceptingmyinput,andtherebyfullytakingonboardtheperspectivesof HongKong'sethnicminorities.Allinall,myexperiencesuggeststhatthefuturebodeswellforHongKong's ethnicminorities.
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