Speakers

Nov 18
WOI Awards Ceremony Keynote

Heidi Lee has served as a professional arts administrator for more than 20 years, working for various Hong Kong arts organisations on their management, planning, programming, marketing and branding, including PIP Cultural Industries Ltd., Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Fringe Club, among others.

In 2010, Lee was appointed Executive Director of Cheung Kong School of Art and Design at Shantou University. She became the Associate Dean in 2014 and Director of Arts & Cultural Development of STU Arena in 2018. During her eight years at Shantou University with the support of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Lee founded the STU Art Season, which she later transformed to the New Wave Arts Festival in 2018. She became Chief Executive of Intercultural Dialogue, the organiser of Matteo Ricci, when she returned to Hong Kong in 2019.

Lee is an Assessor for the Hong Kong Arts Development Council on Arts Administration, Dance, Arts Education, and also a Fixed Assessor for the Council on the Hong Kong Dance Alliance (2017-2019). Additionally, she was a core member of the Producers’ Network Meeting & Forum of West Kowloon Cultural District of Hong Kong (2015-2018), Management Consultant of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association (July-December 2019), and has been a member of the Advisory Board of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Dance School since 2019.

In 2014, Asian Cultural Council awarded Lee a scholarship to visit the United States, where she interviewed more than twenty arts leaders about their management and operation models. Organisations included Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Public Theater, B.A.M and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. She also researched the content and direction of cultural management programmes at Columbia University, New York University and Yale University.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - "Invest in All of Us, so we can end…."

Moderator

Jen Flowers is currently the ASP head of Partnership Development and Innovation for HSBC Wealth & Personal Banking. She is an expert in design thinking helping companies think outside the box to innovative. Jen has over 15 years experience across marketing, business development, innovation and change. As co-­chair of the TEDx TinHau committee, Jen oversees all facets of the planning and running of multiple non-­profit TEDx conferences and events in her free time. Jen has a masters degree in Chinese Literature, speaks Mandarin and spent over 10 years living across Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Jen currently is on the AmCham Hong Kong Board of Directors.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - “Rethink the future of fashion!"

Nissa Cornish is the Executive Director of environmental NGO Redress, whose mission is to prevent and transform textile waste and catalyse a circular fashion economy. Prior to this role she headed up production for the Redress Design Award, as its Events Director.

Before joining Redress, Nissa held positions including Editor in Chief at Ecozine, an award-winning sustainable lifestyle magazine, and Event Director at the Hong Kong Cleanup, an NGO focused on waste reduction.

Nissa believes in the positive potential of fashion, and that everyone – consumers, brands, policy-makers – needs to play a role if we want to see real change for the better.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - "Techy Women Can Rule the world”

Belinda is the Managing Director Asia of The DO, an award winning social impact consultancy with a mission to enable companies and individuals to thrive in a purposeful economy that is sustainable and innovative. Prior to joining The DO, Belinda founded a marketing consultancy, spearheaded the Asia community growth for a global tech community and led high-profile marketing campaigns for a “Big 4” female entrepreneur program. An experienced international speaker she also worked on numerous content pieces including work for UNICEF Philippines.

Passionate about female empowerment she is a co-founder and chairwoman of Women in Tech APAC, founded a mentoring network for high school and university girls, sits on the committee of TEDxTinHauWomen and is a co-host for #impact - a podcast featuring people making a social impact.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - “Creating Your Vision Through Connection”

Esther Ho is the creator of juoiho, a lifestyle brand founded on the belief that the best version of ourselves comes from doing more of what we love.
From this, emerged Project 100 – an initiative to meet 100 people in Hong Kong. This project stems from her love of meeting new people during her travels and the connections that can be made through sharing one’s story. Project 100 is designed to simply connect – to intentionally create moments of openness for new people, ideas and possibilities.
Esther has now connected with over 70 diverse individuals and now works to share the lessons, experiences, and different frameworks of thinking.
Reflecting on her experience, she believes that we should explore creative ways to do more of what we enjoy and open up space to learn more about ourselves, our community, and beyond.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - “Overthrowing Gender Inequalities in Sport"

Cissy, Coach, Manager and Podcaster, has been described as a woman with many hats. As the Program Manager at Women in Sports Empowered Hong Kong, she works to empower women and girls to lead active and meaningful lives. She’s also the founder, producer and host of the ‘In the Changing Room’ podcast, coaches and manages MLFA’s Beginners Women’s Social Football Team, as well as being the Head of UK Curriculum and Consultation at Causeway Education. Originally from the UK, Cissy is passionate about women and girls knowing and valuing their worth, unlocking the power of their minds and bodies, and living a life full of purpose. Recognised by Liv Magazine as a woman in Hong Kong making waves as her healthiest and happiest self, Cissy longs to leave a lasting and meaningful impression on the sporting community in Hong Kong.

Nov 18
Ignite Talks - "Curbing your Unconscious Bias”

Toya is a down to earth SAHM that’s passionate about people and the beauty that everyone inherently possesses. Her ability to express her feelings from a place of non-judgment allows her to confront difficult topics and questions from a place of loving compassion.

She attended college, graduating with a B.S.B.A in Marketing. She worked in “Corporate America” for years. She also took time to coach elite young athletes as she pushed her own athletic boundaries. Yes, the industries varied, the personalities differed, but her ability to neutralize intolerance remained consistent. The audience will consider their own paths as she shares what life has taught her.