AmCham Hong Kong to Launch Year-Long Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Women of Influence Initiative
JUNE 8, 2023 - HONG KONG - The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (“AmCham”) launched the year-long 20th anniversary celebration of the establishment of its Women of Influence (WOI) Committee yesterday (June 7).
The theme for this year-long celebration – “Celebrating Hong Kong Women: Past, Present & Future” – will look back at the history of the Women of Influence initiative, as well as the evolution of women in Hong Kong by examining the history of women in Hong Kong, where we are now and plans for where we all want to go in the future.
“The WOI Committee would like to re-engage with many of the women that have been so invested in this initiative over the years, to celebrate the progress of the women in Hong Kong, and to bring new and younger women into the conversation to build a pathway forward,” said Chelsea Perino, Co-Chair of the Committee and Managing Director, Global Marketing & Communication of The Executive Center.
The series of anniversary events - to be held between now and March 2024 - will include interactive workshops and sharing sessions featuring women leaders and allies to inspire our audience of professionals from all walks of life by sharing their journeys activating women leadership in the workplace over the last two decades, exploring how women have contributed to the development of Hong Kong throughout its history and imagining how women can contribute to a better, more equitable and more sustainable future for Hong Kong, for themselves and for the future generations of Hong Kong women.
“We want to highlight all the amazing stories of women who have dedicated their careers to the development of Hong Kong and are currently contributing to creating a better future for women in Hong Kong,” said Marcia Ellis, Co-Chair of the Committee and Global Co-Chair of the Private Equity Group at Morrison Foerster.
The series will culminate in a conference and awards gala, both of which will be held in early March 2024 in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Details of the conference and the gala will be announced in due course.
The 2024 Awards Gala seeks to recognize and honor the progress that Hong Kong has made toward empowering women and providing inspiration to future generations of women. Last year’s winners of awards included Stephanie Ng, Sarah Borwein, Lily Cheng, Vivian Lou, Felicity McRobb, Mary McHale, Samantha Scott, Manisha Wijesinghe and HSBC.
“The awards are a testament to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, showcasing the progress made by women and their invaluable impact to the city's past, present, and future. All are welcome to nominate trailblazers, allies, and organisations who strive to create sustainable pathways for the growth of women and inspire the community to reimagine what the future for women looks like,” said Belinda Esterhammer, Co-Chair of the Committee and CEO of The DO Asia.
AmCham will begin accepting nominations for this year’s awards in September in the following categories:
- Young Change Maker
- Leading Woman Entrepreneur
- Leading Woman Director or Executive
- Woman Change Maker in STEM
- Champion for Women
- Woman Leader in Leisure, Arts & Culture
- Champion of Disadvantaged and Minority Groups
- Best Company Championing Women
Launched in 2003, AmCham’s WOI Committee is a connected community of professional women representing a diverse range of cultures, ages, industries and perspectives, working towards a shared vision of equity both personally and professionally. For the past 20 years, the Committee has played a critical role as an influential community contributor and strong advocate for women's empowerment and advancement in the workplace.
“Gender equality is one of the most important indicators for social development. Hong Kong has made fundamental progress in the 20th century protecting women status and interests, but more should be done as we enter mid-21st century to prepare for a more diversified and sustainable economy,” said Dr. Eden Woon, AmCham President.
Photo 1 (From left): WOI Committee Co-chairs Chelsea Perino, Belinda Esterhammer, Marcia Ellis
Photo 2: AmCham Women of Influence 20th Anniversary Launch Party held at the Community Hub
Media Enquiries:
Ms. Queenie Tsui
Director, Communications & Government Affairs
Email: qtsui@amcham.org.hk