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<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay controls src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content.bak/uploads/2026/2608/2608_GMHK_ChiLam.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>Having pulled up to JW Marriott in a grey Tesla, AI-powered logistics platform dynamo Chi Lam strides into the room in a uniform of white T-shirt and jeans, wrists accessorised by Chinese beads and a smartwatch flashing quietly with notifications, and leather loafers that say practical, but never sloppy. Our conversation with the commander of Spaceship begins where most logistics stories begin, at the edge of something complicated, and ends up at the opposite: simplicity.</p>



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<p>“We had to,” he says of the company’s decision to move its operations and technology presence from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. “It was just the right thing to do. It’s a strategic and practical decision.” Then he smiles, like he’s about to reveal a number that sounds too good to be true. “I’m not even exaggerating that it’s a 20-times saving with just our rent changes. It’s crazy, I know.”</p>



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<p>True to the logistics empire he is building, even big decisions have to make sense in the real world of cost, capacity, speed and stability.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-782x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91981" width="587" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-782x1024.jpg 782w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-214x280.jpg 214w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-768x1006.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-1173x1536.jpg 1173w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-1564x2048.jpg 1564w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-200x262.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-800x1048.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-1-scaled.jpg 1955w" sizes="(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ready for Take-off</h3>



<p>Lam frames Spaceship like a mission: make logistics easier to use and accessible to everyone, by using big data and AI to help business customers save shipping costs and time. Since launching in 2019, the one-stop international courier comparison and booking platform has soared. Internal numbers are impressive: more than 130,000 members who can “with just a few clicks” find global delivery services that fit their needs, and 2.5 million-plus items shipped.</p>



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<p>But his focus isn’t only growth; it’s growth that is scalable, repeatable and operationally sound. Looking forward, the company co-founder and CEO eyes the US and its opportunities as a major e-commerce market with complex multi-warehouse, multi-carrier needs. “That complexity fits Spaceship’s strengths,” he notes.</p>



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<p>Logistics is a business where competition and service expectations are unforgiving, though. “Customer-acquisition costs can be high and operational mistakes can become expensive very quickly,” he states. So Spaceship is validating with selected merchants and partners before scaling aggressively. Localisation, reliable partnerships and consistent service quality is the current flightpath.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fuelled by Loss</h3>



<p>Before Spaceship had metrics, it had a personal foundation. Lam doesn’t romanticise his youth. He reveals that his understanding of work, responsibility and success changed dramatically when he was in secondary school. “My father passed away during that period, and from that moment, I felt that my role in the family had changed,” he shares. Success became something heavier and clearer than just achievement. “It became much more connected to responsibility. It meant being able to take care of the people around me.”</p>



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<p>He expounds: “Losing my father was one of the moments that changed the way I looked at the future. I realised early that I couldn’t simply wait for opportunities to appear. If I wanted to create a better future, I had to actively build it.”</p>



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<p>Lam chose to study nursing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Then life handed him another classroom: e-commerce. He founded cross-border e-commerce platform Kaiser Bloc in 2010, and added to his portfolio in 2017 by co-launching Shopkyo, a site focusing on Japanese goods.</p>



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<p>“I originally thought selling the product would be the hardest part. In reality, operations were often much more difficult. Logistics was one of the most painful and fragmented parts of the entire process,” he recalls. Spaceship was thus born – not from abstraction, but from lived frustration.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-784x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91983" width="588" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-784x1024.jpg 784w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-214x280.jpg 214w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-768x1003.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-1176x1536.jpg 1176w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-1568x2048.jpg 1568w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-200x261.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-800x1045.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3-1-scaled.jpg 1960w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Humanising the Mission</h3>



<p>His nursing degree shows in his emphasis on outcomes instead of only workflows. “Studying nursing taught me that behind every system, process and decision, there is a real human being,” he says. That human angle matters because logistics can look cold from the outside.</p>



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<p>“In logistics, people often focus on parcels, routes, prices and delivery times. But behind every shipment, there is a merchant serving a customer or an individual waiting for something important.</p>



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<p>A logistics delay may look like only a data point inside a system, but for a small merchant, it could mean an unhappy customer, a refund, a negative review, or the loss of future business.”</p>



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<p>He labels logistics as stressful because merchants often feel that they don’t have control or visibility once an order has been shipped. Spaceship’s goal is to deliver visibility, options, better service choice, earlier risk detection and confident responses.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-806x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91984" width="605" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-806x1024.jpg 806w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-220x280.jpg 220w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-768x976.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-1209x1536.jpg 1209w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-1611x2048.jpg 1611w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-200x254.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-800x1017.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4-1-scaled.jpg 2014w" sizes="(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Flying Beyond Fear</h3>



<p>Every business founder has a story about fear. Lam has a story about clarity. “During difficult periods, I believe the most important thing is to be transparent without creating unnecessary panic,” he says.</p>



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<p>There was a time their startup had roughly two months of capital left. “It was a very stressful situation. The company, the employees, the customers, and many families were depending on the decisions we made. We became much more disciplined about costs, priorities, revenue and execution. We focused on activities that could directly improve the business.”</p>



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<p>Today, he validates his earlier, smaller experiments. “Shopkyo taught me that perseverance is important, but perseverance alone is not enough,” he admits. He learned the difference between courage and stubbornness. “Continuing in the wrong direction for a long time is not necessarily courage. Sometimes it is simply an unwillingness to accept that an assumption was wrong. You can remain committed to solving a meaningful problem while changing the product, business model, or approach.”</p>



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<p>As a leader, he focuses less on titles and more on substance and readiness. “I don’t think responsibility comes from a job title. It comes from being willing to step forward when people need you, especially when the situation is difficult. I focus on whether someone has relevant experience, strong judgment and the willingness to be honest.”</p>



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<p>He adds: “Great leadership is often visible in small daily actions rather than major speeches. I don’t believe leadership means having all the answers. It means creating an environment where the team can find better answers together. All of those outcomes matter, but reducing uncertainty is one of the most meaningful impacts we can create.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Automation Helps, Humans Lead</h3>



<p>Logistics is chaos dressed up as spreadsheets, and Lam, it seems, has always been the kind of person who hates that disguise. “We begin by accepting that logistics will never be a completely controlled environment,” he says. In Spaceship’s orbit, AI helps with prediction and consistency while humans handle context and accountability. “The objective isn’t to remove people from logistics; it’s to remove repetitive work and give people better information so they can make stronger decisions.”</p>



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<p>Echoing the kind of philosophy that would sound poetic if it weren’t also practical, he says: “Technology only creates value when it improves the real experience of the person using it. AI has made communication faster, but faster communication doesn’t automatically create deeper understanding.” It doesn’t replace trust-building. “Real connection still requires empathy, honesty, attention, and the willingness to understand another person’s situation.”</p>



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<p>Lam believes AI’s biggest value is connected decisions, not isolated improvements. It can analyse more variables than people can handle manually, a benefit that can be used to improve customer experience. Instead of ‘Your parcel is delayed’, the system should help explain why, what’s likely next, and what to do. “The biggest value of AI will be turning fragmented logistics data into useful decisions,” he concludes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clear Landing</h3>



<p>Lam glances at his smartwatch from time to time during our shoot, like the device is another tool in an already thoughtfully built system. And when he talks about AI at Spaceship, it comes back to that same attitude – intelligence that improves real experiences, not intelligence for its own sake. For Chi Lam, the future of logistics isn’t just faster shipping; it’s clarity, predictability and better decisions made possible by technology.</p>



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<p>As we wrap, he lands on a principle that ties everything together: “At Spaceship, we want AI to make people more capable, not less responsible.”</p>



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<p>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura&nbsp;&nbsp; Venue: JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong</p>


Spaceship Odyssey: Chi Lam’s courier platform charts a clear course through logistics chaos


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<p>At 9 am on the dot, Professor Anna C.Y. Chan is already almost done with her hair and makeup – and only ‘almost’ because she’s expertly multitasking like someone who has spent a lifetime training her body to listen before it speaks. While her stylist makes final adjustments, the HKAPA honcho is on a conference call. As we arrive, she gestures towards her ears, wireless buds snug in place, and without breaking rhythm, flashes us a warm smile. She quickly ends the call, stands and proceeds to shake hands with the entire crew.</p>



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<p>Chan confesses that she doesn’t really like shopping unless it’s for homeware. But, with a quick laugh, she confirms that she has “a full rack of designer clothes and shoes ready for today”. She then clarifies the deeper reason behind her wardrobe choices. Almost all of her clothes are from local designers.</p>



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<p>For the 35-year veteran of Hong Kong performing arts, dressing is not about labels; it’s a quiet public service. “This is my way of showing support to the local art and creative sector,” she says. “Art is a very vast industry. It can be anywhere, really.”</p>



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<p>Inside the naturally well-lit office of the Director of the HKAPA (The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts), the walls display taste and curiosity. Books are stacked and arranged, with fashion volumes such as Chanel and Dior near performing-arts tomes, including Why They Dance: Narrations of Hong Kong Dance, and photography books by Annie Leibovitz alongside family portraits.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91745" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9-800x999.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-9.jpg 1345w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dance as Body Language</h3>



<p>When Chan converses, she doesn’t speak like someone who manages art; she talks like someone who has lived inside it and then later built the structures that allow others to live there, too. “Becoming an artist is not only about skill but also about resilience, vision and meaningful contribution,” summarises the former professional dancer.</p>



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<p>Young Anna studied at an Anglo-Chinese Catholic school, where music, drama and visual arts weren’t optional extras but part of the curriculum. “When I began ballet in the 1980s, I quickly realised it wasn’t only about technique,” she says. “Ballet teaches etiquette, posture, presence, and how to carry oneself with awareness and respect. Through it, I discovered that the body could become a language beyond words. Dance isn’t merely a performance; it’s communication and lifelong education in humanity.”</p>



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<p>Her family had a strong business mindset, teaching responsibility, strategic thinking, resilience and long-term vision, but there was also a person who raised the bar. Her pivotal mentor, Hong Kong ballet pioneer Jean M. Wong, instilled technical excellence and uncompromising artistic integrity. As a teenager performing in community settings, Chan saw how dance could connect sectors of society and share beauty and cultural values beyond the stage. At the Royal Ballet School in London, teachers refined her standards and exposed her to international rigour.</p>



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<p>Working professionally in London while pursuing postgraduate studies deepened her engagement with dance not just as performance, but also as research, scholarship and cultural discourse. Later, colleagues and mentors at the HKAPA and the West Kowloon Cultural District, where she was the inaugural Head of Dance, broadened her scholarly and global outlook.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91746" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6-800x999.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-6.jpg 1345w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Director Shift</h3>



<p>Chan’s career pathway unfolded seamlessly: performer to educator to producer to arts administrator to cultural leader, each role expanding the others. “Those layered experiences across different landscapes strengthened my adaptability and expanded my vision beyond any one aesthetic. Even now, they continue to shape my commitment to performing-arts education that is culturally grounded, intellectually rigorous and forward-looking,” she affirms.</p>



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<p>The transition from an artist to an institute director could have required a total reinvention. But Chan sees it differently: “What I had to relearn was scale and scope. Leadership demanded strategic planning, governance awareness, financial responsibility and long-term thinking. It became less about delivering excellence personally, and more about creating the systems and conditions that allow others to thrive.”</p>



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<p>A natural performer, Chan quickly adapts to our cover shoot. She tries dance-inspired stances – clean lines, graceful timing – then suddenly shifts into some fun, wacky angles, before effortlessly switching back into more elegant expressions. From Plaudits to Passing on Passion</p>



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<p>After decades of awards, publications and leadership, she speaks with gratitude first. “I feel deeply fortunate, because not everyone gets to pursue a career driven by passion,” she explains. “In earlier stages [of my career], success might have looked like achievements and milestones. But now my greatest fulfilment comes from witnessing the growth and success of others: students, colleagues, collaborators.”</p>



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<p>However, she agrees that leadership can be isolating, especially when navigating complex decisions and carrying responsibility that ultimately rests on one’s shoulders. “I draw strength from strong bonds with my colleagues, students and stakeholders, because accountability may be personal, but the mission is shared,” she notes. “Resilience isn’t about standing alone. It’s about remaining connected to people, to values, to the larger vision collectively shaped.”</p>



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<p>We discuss initiatives like the Jockey Club Dance Well project, which offers dance to people living with Parkinson’s. “It reshaped how I understand embodiment and dignity,” she enthuses. “Participants aren’t framed as patients receiving therapy. They’re approached as dancers creating art. That shift in identity is where true dignity resides.</p>



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<p>&nbsp;“The arts are for all,” she champions firmly. “Access to performing arts education and participation can’t remain elite or concentrated. It must be citywide, reaching every district and community.”</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Contributing to Society</h3>



<p>As a government-funded academy, the HKAPA’s responsibility as framed by Chan is twofold: uphold artistic integrity and ensure the work contributes meaningfully to society. “Protecting artistic freedom begins with rigorous standards, encouraging critical thinking, and creating space for creative exploration in Hong Kong and the region,” she says.</p>



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<p>In her view, artistic freedom and public value aren’t in tension; they align through purpose, quality and service. “Sustainable funding structures and fair commissioning policies matter so artists can focus on creation rather than constant survival. Institutions must also invest in research, documentation and development of new work rooted in local context, so artists aren’t only presenting but generating original ideas.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91748" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2-800x999.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-2.jpg 1345w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Arts in the AI Era</h3>



<p>When asked what she tries to pass on to the next generation, Chan returns to a human message: seeing dance as a platform for cultural dialogue and community engagement. As a performer, she learned discipline, integrity and humility. But the world her students enter is different now, shaped increasingly by AI, rapid technological change and shifting professional landscapes.</p>



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<p>“Beyond professional rigour and ethical responsibility, I want students to develop digital literacy and critical thinking,” she asserts. “They should be able to work alongside technology without losing artistic voice.”</p>



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<p>She also emphasises adaptability, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a strong moral compass, especially around authorship, data ethics and cultural sensitivity. “Remaining curious, always, is essential,” she adds. “Ultimately, I hope to equip them to sustain careers in the performing arts and also become cultural leaders who navigate an AI-driven society while preserving the humanity at the heart of the arts.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91749" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2-800x999.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-2.jpg 1345w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Picture Perfect</h3>



<p>Towards the end of our photo session, Chan requests to pose against a giant mural created by HKAPA students. “This is my way of supporting the arts, my students and the academy,” she says. Then, with a gentle reminder that underscores her leadership philosophy, she adds: “At the end of the day, this is not about me. This is about promoting and supporting the art scene we have here in Hong Kong.”</p>



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<p>As the crew packs up, it’s hard not to see the through-line of our audience with Professor Anna C.Y. Chan – technique, integrity, curiosity and community, working together like choreography.</p>



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<p>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura</p>


Stage Whisperer: HKAPA Director, Anna C.Y. Chan is instilling integrity and intellectual rigour into citywide performing arts


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<p>We meet venture capitalist Chibo Tang on the same day Donald Trump lands in China for a face-to-face with Xi Jinping and a possible reset of superpower ties. Since Tang is a super-successful investor who sees himself as a bridge between East and West, this coincidental concurrence feels like fate – like the universe itself is orchestrating product placement, or magazine calendars and geopolitical giants accidentally have the same Wi-Fi password.</p>



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<p>Tang, characteristically calm and composed, acknowledges the symbolism but doesn’t oversell it. The Hong Kong-based Managing Partner of Gobi Partners smiles like a man who’s heard too many ‘signs’ to be impressed by one more. Born in China and educated in the United States, he has turned that dual identity into a professional strategy. His story is one of connecting worlds, forging partnerships, and leading teams who play to win.</p>



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<p>The parallel between our rather more humble get-together and the ground-breaking sit-down of world leaders in Beijing clicks even harder as we begin our cover shoot at Chinesology. The restaurant’s contemporary aesthetics reflect the value and beauty of reactivated Chinese cuisine, adding new elements without abandoning tradition. In short, Chibo Tang and Chinesology share the mindset that modern innovation should respect its roots, not bulldoze them. They’re both focused on translation, timing and balance, on bridging two worlds without losing the plot.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-755x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91376" width="566" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-755x1024.jpg 755w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-206x280.jpg 206w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-768x1042.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-1132x1536.jpg 1132w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-1510x2048.jpg 1510w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-200x271.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-800x1085.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-IMG_5552_edit-scaled.jpg 1887w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Values Asset</h3>



<p>Tang talks like a man who’s seen enough cycles to know that the world never moves in straight lines, and yet, somehow, it moves. He doesn’t romanticise his origin story; he lays it out simply like a business founder explaining how they achieve product-market fit: “I grew up in a family of academics. [While] my parents brought me up with traditional Chinese values, I ended up spending a lot of time reading and gaming. By the time college applications rolled around, I was convinced that I didn’t want to be an academic. I wanted to explore an intersection of business and engineering.”</p>



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<p>Then came a hiccup that highlights Tang’s mentality to a tee – when the universe says ‘no’, he treats it like data. He had set his heart on attending Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts, yet despite a perfect SAT score of 1600, he didn’t get in. But he believes “everything happens for a reason”, and brings that same energy into investing.</p>



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<p>Activating Plan B, Tang went to Harvard College and acquired a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and economics. “Ambition was all my own,” he says. “Grades and academic prowess never meant much to me. Straight As [only] mean that you’re good at taking tests. I look at results, not at résumés.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-718x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91377" width="539" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-718x1024.jpg 718w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-196x280.jpg 196w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-768x1095.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-1078x1536.jpg 1078w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-1437x2048.jpg 1437w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-200x285.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-800x1140.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-IMG_5259_edit-scaled.jpg 1796w" sizes="(max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Empathy Engine</h3>



<p>It’s a tactic that has served him well in a career that kicked off as a management consultant developing consumer segment activation strategies, and spanned spells in Shanghai prior to assuming, in 2009, his current role at Gobi, one of Asia’s leading early-stage venture-capital firms.</p>



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<p>The deeper you go with Tang, the more you realise the bridge isn’t just professional. It’s personal, and he doesn’t skip the hard part. “The toughest challenge was probably coping with the discrimination that comes with being an immigrant in a foreign land,” he confesses.</p>



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<p>As one of just a handful of Asian kids growing up outside Boston, bullies were part of his early life when he moved to the US aged three. He credits his parents, who sent him back to China every summer, with shaping him into a blend of two worlds. “Ultimately, being able to identify as both cultures – relating with either and offending neither – is the perfect background to help bridge the two,” he states.</p>



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<p>Tang might be described as the ‘chillest’ boss in venture capital. He’s often seen in a hoodie and running shoes, plus a carry-on suitcase, unladen with ego or entitlement. “Is it happy hour yet?” he laughs mid-shoot. “I think I need a mojito after all of these [photos].” He casually calls his assistant “dude” as if he’s managing a team but not trying to intimidate anyone into productivity.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-762x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91378" width="572" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-762x1024.jpg 762w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-208x280.jpg 208w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-768x1032.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-1143x1536.jpg 1143w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-1523x2048.jpg 1523w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-200x269.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-800x1075.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-IMG_5647_edit-scaled.jpg 1904w" sizes="(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Intelligence</h3>



<p>Yet his brain runs 24/7. He’s always thinking of more: how to offer more, help more, connect more. Even in conversation, his mind is doing what his role demands: turning relationships into opportunities. He shares that Gobi Partners has grown AUM (assets under management) more than 10-fold to nearly US$2 billion since he joined in 2009. Next year is Gobi’s 25th anniversary, and they have an internal target to triple their AUM over the next few years. Expansion into emerging markets along the Belt and Road is part of the impetus.</p>



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<p>Tang has a structured way of sizing up startups. “The most basic framework is threefold – market size, product and team,” he says, breaking it down like a checklist. “I’ve also added a fourth dimension, which is capital market momentum.” Challenging the US$1 billion unicorn hype, he adds: “Unicorns are aspirational, but many fall back soon after reaching that status. Valuations are products of the market, and hype cycles can outrun fundamentals.”</p>



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<p>He also references the decacorn threshold (startups privately valued at US$10 billion), explaining that many unicorns get stuck in a “middle-income trap” – too big to be acquired, too small for IPO against established mega-caps.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-747x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91379" width="560" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-747x1024.jpg 747w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-204x280.jpg 204w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-768x1052.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-1121x1536.jpg 1121w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-1495x2048.jpg 1495w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-200x274.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-800x1096.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-IMG_5617_edit-scaled.jpg 1869w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Heart Burners</h3>



<p>Returns matter in the world of venture capital, though for Tang, being able to say “I helped bring these technologies to the world” is more satisfying. His philosophy of success hinges on managing burners – the life version of resource allocation. Outlining the four burners theory, he opines: “It is impossible to keep all burners going strong. Your time and energy are finite, and there’s family, friends, work and health. You can’t keep all burners high all the time. You must choose what to feed and what to let lower.”</p>



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<p>He argues that true success is achieving balance, and happiness – like money-making – comes as a by-product of this, but with impact and meaning. To him, venture capital sits at the intersection of wealth creation and societal progress.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ultimate Fate</h3>



<p>Personally, he wants to keep expanding his global perspective, meeting at new ‘courts’ with people he can learn from. His big life lesson? “The journey isn’t the destination. Milestones are rest stops, not the finish line, and then the road onwards continues.”&nbsp;</p>



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<p>He and his wife, Karen Wong, who accompanies him at the shoot, have been married for almost two years. He believes in the concept of yuanfen – fated affinity or destiny – and the couple used feng shui to guide their choice of wedding day.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-842x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91380" width="632" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-842x1024.jpg 842w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-230x280.jpg 230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-768x934.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-1263x1536.jpg 1263w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-1685x2048.jpg 1685w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-200x243.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5-IMG_5447_edit-800x973.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Head in the Game</h3>



<p>Outside of work, the six-foot-two millennial enjoys playing basketball. It’s mid-May when the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and he is following two teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. In sport as in life, he believes in being the bridge between two viewpoints. Which brings us full circle. Our meeting ends in the same way as it began: musing on the idea of connection.</p>



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<p>Bridging two worlds isn’t a slogan for Chibo Tang; it’s a skill, a strategy and a philosophy. At the end of the day, thriving in business and progressing as a team aren’t just about winning. They are about bridging, so different worlds can finally play on the same court.</p>



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<p>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura&nbsp;&nbsp; Venue: Chinesology</p>


Bridge Partner: Translating his dual identity into business strategy, influential investor Chibo Tang connects East and West


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<p>Camille Sze arrives for our cover shoot like the universe is already in on the joke. She makes a face, half comedian, half reluctant model, and gestures toward the camera crew with the energy of someone who definitely wasn’t born for posing. “I know I can’t master this part,” she says, trying a confident stance. Pausing as if expecting her body to correct itself, she manages something between a runway strut and a confused Roomba. The crew laughs; Sze laughs louder.</p>



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<p>She doesn’t give up on the pose, though. She grins, adjusts her hands, and leans into her own “quirky” personality with a defiant intensity. Suddenly, the shots snap into place, each one a little better than the last. The President of K.S. Sze &amp; Sons models the way she treats jewellery: not as a performance, but as an interactive craft.</p>



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<p>Unusually, Sze has selected two locations for our cover shoot, because if you’re going to tell the story of a woman who returned to her Hong Kong roots to lead a ‘star’ legacy jeweller, you can’t do it with one address. She demands city-wide, connection-forward bling in more than one language. So after wrapping up at Nuovo furniture showroom, she breezes into private members&#8217; club HKGTA Town Club with her entourage of makeup artists, stylists, assistants and K. S. Sze &amp; Sons staff – an entire moving constellation of people who know her rhythms and standards.</p>



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<p>Switching a standard photo into a signature statement, she strikes a pose with a bracelet worn on her leg. “It’s my way of stepping into my parents’ and family’s decades-long legacy,” she explains. “It’s challenging, but it’s every moment worth it.” With this gesture, she demonstrates how her sense of humour becomes sincerity and her sincerity strategy. Sze has not only inherited the heritage, but she’s learning to wear it with comfort, impact and a future built into every jewel.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Family First</h3>



<p>Before the 2023 passing of her father, Dr. Nien Dak Sze, Sze’s life carried the familiar rhythms of the US, where she was born and educated, and where her family name – though registered in New York as a limited liability company – is a less familiar brand. K.S. Sze &amp; Sons, known as ‘Gold Star Jewellery’ in Chinese, was founded in Shanghai in 1923 by her grandfather, landed in Hong Kong in 1949, and has enjoyed pride of place as a prestige jeweller in the Mandarin Oriental since 1963, before moving to Ice House Street just recently.</p>



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<p>Despite being armed with over a decade of award-winning creative and strategic work for Fortune 500 brands, the Harvard University alumnus’s self-doubt shows as she relates her rise to head of the family business, presenting it not as destiny, but as uncertainty, then commitment. “I never asked [the family] if I was capable of taking on the role; it seemed like a rabbit hole of negativity none of us had time to consider,” she notes.</p>



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<p>“What I did openly acknowledge was an urgent goal of appreciating and understanding the culture of Hong Kong.” She pauses, as the pivot in the narrative turns from pressure to purpose. “Not only does this matter as a business practice, but it matters to my personal growth, above all.&nbsp; Am I a tourist here in Hong Kong? Or, is it more accurate to say, I am finally home?”</p>



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<p>It’s a question that threads through everything Sze does, especially the way she handles the jewels themselves – treating her heritage not like a museum artefact but as something alive and will evolve if you let it.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Second Century</h3>



<p>“It’s 2026, and it’s still here,” she says of the now fourth-generation jeweller. “Mission accomplished. But there are a lot of challenges ahead.” The ‘mission accomplished’ tone is not complacency; it’s earned endurance. But now the work changes; her aim is to transform the brand as it journeys to a second successful century.</p>



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<p>She’s deeply grateful to her mother, Cecilia Wong Sze, for “putting up with a lot of mistake-making”, a phrase so human it almost feels like a rare gemstone: polished honesty. “I see myself as a genuine work-in-progress,” she states, adding that beginners are bestowed a gift seasoned professionals sometimes lose: the willingness to ask, test and revise.</p>



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<p>The mother’s experience has shaped the daughter’s confidence, not by silencing mistakes but by creating an environment where mistakes can become learning. “We are a team,” she says. “But let me be perfectly honest about a clear line of distinction: she is my mother, a trusted guide to listen and learn from. I am more than lucky… I am truly, truly blessed.” Cecilia provides the strategic elegance, while Camille is the relentless driver behind the transformation.</p>



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<p>While recognising that working closely with family comes with “pitfalls”, she also names the antidote: trust. She credits her staff as “the walls holding up the company’s earned trust. With that trust comes something indispensable: we create room for each other as a team to grow.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Priceless Luxury</h3>



<p>Sze offers a sharp, practical definition of luxury – one that isn’t designed for social media: “The apex of luxury is not the sheen of marketing.” For her, luxury is comfort, atmosphere, and the feeling that jewellery lovers will be treated with dignity and patience. “Ownership standing guard on the premises is rare in the jewellery business,” she says.</p>



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<p>Then she reframes the company’s business philosophy: clients are not trend-chasing consumers; they are collectors, appreciators, people who have risen with Hong Kong’s own jewellery evolution. They don’t want gimmicks; they want fit, adjustment, convenience and aftercare. “We don’t Google their status,” she says. “We don’t play games with their right to be served.” She calls her clients brilliant and their creativity priceless. Jewellery isn’t viewed as a product line, but a shared narrative.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-801x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91079" width="601" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-801x1024.jpg 801w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-219x280.jpg 219w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-768x982.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-1202x1536.jpg 1202w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-1602x2048.jpg 1602w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-200x256.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-800x1022.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4-2-scaled.jpg 2003w" sizes="(max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sentimental Sustainability</h3>



<p>She describes stepping into her father’s shoes after his passing as a challenge, then a bond “post mortem”. She unpacked boxes, thousands of gems, read his handwritten notes and treasured his keepsakes. From that exploration came the Leftovers project, a personal search for ways to keep her father closer through the objects he helped shape. It has become popular with a wave of clientele who want to renew their own jewellery and remembrances.</p>



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<p>“For every missing earring, there is an opportunity to create a charm or pendant,” she says. “For every heirloom buried at the bottom of a jewellery box, there is an opportunity for deeply meaningful transformation.”</p>



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<p>Under her leadership, the company has created custom pieces that transform these ‘leftovers’, including a diamond-encased David Yurman dog tag. Shattered jade doesn’t get thrown away; it gets treasured, reinterpreted and reimagined for clients. They even accept customer requests to repair beloved jewels from other brands, from Cartier to Mikimoto. To Sze and family, it’s an honour and a privilege to help savour love for jewellery.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-758x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91081" width="569" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-758x1024.jpg 758w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-207x280.jpg 207w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-768x1038.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-1137x1536.jpg 1137w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-1515x2048.jpg 1515w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-200x270.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-800x1081.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-2-scaled.jpg 1894w" sizes="(max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Camille Cameo</h3>



<p>Today, she wears her father’s vintage Burberry necktie close to her heart, adorned with some of her latest creations. She stops for a moment during the interview, eyes focused somewhere between concentration and courage. Then barely audible, like a private thought meant for the universe alone, she whispers to herself: “Let’s do this, Dad. We got this.”</p>



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<p>Camille Sze doesn’t just represent K.S. Sze &amp; Sons, she inhabits it – humorously, bravely, and with the kind of conviction that only comes from learning to be at home in your own story. And when a century-old business becomes yours to transform, you don’t pose perfectly for the camera. You revise and adjust constantly, and while you keep the gems close, you step forward.</p>



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<p>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hair styling: Annakay Simpson-Upadek&nbsp;&nbsp; Makeup: Jaime Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; Venues: Nuovo Collection Showroom &amp; HKGTA Town Club&nbsp;&nbsp; Jewelleries: K.S. Sze &amp; SONS Jewels, Friendship bracelets, earrings and anklet&nbsp;&nbsp; Wardrobe: Katerin Theys</p>


Soaring Star: Cast to the head of a century-old jewellery legacy, Camille Sze seizes the moment to shine


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<p>Our audience with Paul Tam, Executive Director of Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), takes place a day after this year’s Oscars ceremony. Outside, the breezy, insistently alive March weather makes you believe culture isn’t merely something you attend, but something you inhabit.</p>



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<p>We begin with the controversial, viral hot take of that week: best-actor nominee Timothée Chalamet’s implication that “no one cares anymore” about performing arts like ballet and opera. This criticism of efforts “to keep [them] alive” offended many in the industry. We are expecting Tam to hit back, or perhaps diplomatically sit on the fence, but he does neither.</p>



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<p>“I mean, did Chalamet lie though?” he asks. “Let’s be real – performing arts, ballet and opera have been here for ages and ages, and yes, it has been challenging for these industries. That’s why people like me have this responsibility of bringing fresh takes and ideas to make it still relevant up to this day and the years to come.”</p>



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<p>After a beat, he continues, friendly, precise and almost coach-like: “I take his comment as a challenge more than offensive. It reminds us that when we discuss the future of these art forms, it&#8217;s important to frame our ideas thoughtfully and constructively, in a classy and decent way. ”</p>



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<p>Classy and decent. It feels like a stage direction, and from there, the interview unfolds like a performance – part Q&amp;A, part manifesto, part invitation to rethink what art institutions owe the future.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Curtain Up</h3>



<p>When you meet arts leaders, you often meet the origin story of their taste. For Tam, it began long before he played a concert-hall piano. “I grew up in a traditional Chinese family,” he shares. “My father was a successful restaurateur, often out and about entertaining with my mother. He bought a piano for my sister, and out of a mix of sibling rivalry and natural curiosity, I started tinkering with it at 14. Within just a few years, I had completed all my grades.”</p>



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<p>He majored in piano performance with a minor in composition at Canada’s York University and dreamt of becoming a “jet-setting concert pianist”. “I thought I was pretty good, until my final year, when my piano professor told me, ‘Paul, you’re good as a chamber musician, but you’ll never be good enough to be a concert pianist.’ Those words crushed me, but they also gave me clarity.”</p>



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<p>Redirection was required. “I decided to pursue an MBA in Arts Administration. If I couldn’t be on centre stage, I thought at least I could help others get there – one of the best decisions I have ever made.” The phrase ‘help others get there’ echoes like a motif throughout our conversation. More than a career choice for Tam, it became a belief system.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Management Spotlight</h3>



<p>Before joining WestK (West Kowloon Cultural District) in 2020, his many arts-management credits included a total of 10 years at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and six years as Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet. “[In 2014] the company was emerging from a challenging period,” he explains of the latter. “My task was to reimagine this venerable institution with a renewed vision and a refreshed identity.”</p>



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<p>From that effort came the slogan ‘Never Standing Still’, a mantra that embraces an intriguing rhythm, like choreography you still remember after leaving the theatre. An artistic inflection point followed: “Then came Septime Webre, the Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, whose arrival in 2017 marked a bright, new chapter. With his bold vision of global expansion and a distinctive balletic style, both approachable and deeply expressive, the company took off quickly, growing from strength to strength ever since.”</p>



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<p>By becoming approachable and deeply expressive, the venerable art form breaks free of its museum-ballet constraints, gaining relevance in the modern age.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Home and Art</h3>



<p>Tam’s philosophy as an arts leader is expressed in warmer tones than the usual institutional vocabulary. Speaking of WestK Performing Arts Centre (WestK PAC), which is slated to open next year, he expounds, “I hope it becomes a true home for the arts; a place where artists can test ideas, refine their craft, create new works, and grow alongside our creative producers, while everyone – patrons or casual visitors, locals or tourists – feels a genuine sense of belonging.”</p>



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<p>And then, the practical definition of a ‘true home for the arts’: “From our two museums to the WestK Performing Arts Centre, [these] are not just centres of entertainment, but hubs of inspiration and civic connection, [where] we create and present some of the finest artistic experiences from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and beyond.”</p>



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<p>He describes the intended outcome in a near cinematic metaphor: “The vision is for a vibrant, year-round programme that attracts local audiences as well as visitors.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Centre Stage</h3>



<p>As WestK expands, Tam’s job becomes less poetic and more technical: as well as year-round programming, there are scales of theatre, transportation adjacency and audience-building pipelines to consider. “We’ll soon have three major venues, and within them, over 10 theatres of varying scales, all forming the backbone of our growing WestK theatre hub,” he says.</p>



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<p>“With major transportation networks such as the High-Speed Rail terminal right at the doorstep, you could think of the hub as Hong Kong’s own mini-Broadway, or West End, stretching two kilometres from Xiqu Centre to Freespace, surrounded by restaurants, shops and a lively cultural buzz.” It’s urban design as programming strategy, and culture as a street-level experience, not a distant destination.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Audience for All</h3>



<p>Some critics argue that the arts remain elitist, something for those who already have the cultural capital to feel comfortable in expensive seats. “There is some truth to that,” allows Tam. “Arts can feel exclusive and elitist: a top-tier Met Opera ticket can easily sit beyond a typical salaryman’s budget, and a highly abstract contemporary dance work can intimidate many first-time audiences who worry they ‘won’t get it’.”</p>



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<p>His focus is on what institutions can do in response, through programming and accessibility design. “I believe in curating a programme that resonates with all the voices of our community. From The Impossible Trial [a Cantonese musical commissioned by WestK] and Freespace Jazz Fest to Hedwig and the Angry Inch [a Cantonese version of a very famous rock musical by John Cameron Mitchell] and cabaret, we embrace both mainstream and alternative voices.”</p>



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<p>He also stresses inclusivity as infrastructure, not PR: “Inclusivity is everything we do, too. We’ve built accessibility into our programmes; for example, our WestK FunFest, the largest performing arts festival targeting family audiences, provides special access tours for visually impaired visitors led by sighted and visually impaired guides, and Hong Kong Sign Language tours conducted by deaf guides and interpreters.” So the question shifts: not ‘Who belongs?’ but ‘How can we design belonging?’</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">House of Applause</h3>



<p>While Tam didn’t realise his concert-pianist dream, he still lives for the applause. “Every applause still touches me deeply and is the main source of my professional happiness,” he says. “I’ll never forget working off-stage at a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum with Hacken Lee and the Hong Kong Philharmonic years ago. Almost 10,000 people were cheering for a truly memorable performance. I was in tears, tears of joy. That’s the magic that keeps me going every day.”</p>



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<p>This is the emotional engine behind his optimism. It’s also a reminder that arts leadership isn’t only planning calendars; it’s planning moments when people feel something together. Asked if this will be his legacy, his answer is both modest and pointed. “Legacy is a big word. But if, in some small way, I’ve helped make Hong Kong’s arts ecology just a little richer, more connected and more alive, then that’s enough.”</p>



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<p>It’s clear that Tam moves through his work with class, integrity and passion. He circles back to his earlier caution about the Chalamet controversy: ideas must be presented with dignity, like art staged to respect the audience.</p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa   Photographer: Jack Law   Videographer: Iris Ventura</em></p>


Theatres of Dreams: WestK performing tsar Paul Tam keeps the stage arts alive and inspiring for all


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<p>Relentless activist, best-selling author, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, inspirational speaker, philanthropist, investment advisor – Sylvia Yu Friedman is running out of hyphens to add to her name, with each title building on the last. Yet none fully capture the woman who has dedicated her life to amplifying the voiceless while embracing her own multifaceted identity. Is it all too much of a mouthful? Maybe, but each one represents a layer of a life dedicated to impact.</p>



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<p>As the aromatic scent of a perfectly blended coffee wafts temptingly over our alfresco breakfast setting at The Murray, she announces to the world: “I need my morning booster.” Twenty minutes later, her coffee remains untouched as she passionately discusses her transition from a safe corporate world to a fearless champion of women subjected to sex trafficking. Despite the glitz and glamour that sometimes surround her, it is clear there is more beneath the surface – a deeper purpose that drives her every move.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Pain to Power</h3>



<p>Born in Vancouver to Korean immigrant parents, young Sylvia faced racism “long before it was widely acknowledged”. “Adults and kids called me a ‘chink’, and I was mocked for my food and culture,” she recalls.&nbsp; “I was mortified and ashamed of my heritage, which led me to disconnect from my roots.” At 12, she vowed to suppress her Korean identity and blend into a predominantly white society.</p>



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<p>This early racial prejudice ignited her passion for social justice, but her journey of self-acceptance was a long and winding road. It was decades later, while living in Beijing and travelling to remote Chinese villages, that she rediscovered her roots: “It was a full circle, and I began to embrace my Korean heritage again, especially through the lens of Korean dramas and storytelling.” Her early anguish became her greatest superpower. “The area of your greatest pain is often your greatest strength,” she asserts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Standing Up for All</h3>



<p>Friedman’s relationship with her father was fraught with gender bias. “He treated me like the son he never had,” she explains. “I felt I had to prove my worth through achievement. It was exhausting, and I felt an ongoing identity crisis as a woman.” A breakthrough came when a mentor urged her to forgive her father and embrace her identity. That act of forgiveness kindled her determination to uplift women and fight gender inequality across Asia.</p>



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<p>Her advocacy is rooted in her own experiences and her unwavering belief that – quoting US civil-rights activist Maya Angelou – “each woman standing up for herself is standing up for all women”. Her message to women everywhere: forgive, recognise your strengths, celebrate your unique identity, and pursue your purpose without fear.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-90459" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2-1-800x997.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Champion of the Oppressed / Empowerment Spools</h3>



<p>Yu Friedman’s career reads like a daring adventure novel. She’s interviewed traffickers, followed undercover police, and risked her life infiltrating dangerous locales. “I’ve experienced the underbelly of human trafficking – criminals, pimps, victims – and lived to talk about it,” she says with a mix of awe and resolve. Documenting stories of suffering and resilience has taken her across China, Southeast Asia and beyond.</p>



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<p>Her investigative journalism on modern slavery in China, Hong Kong and Thailand culminated in a documentary series, which earned her wide recognition and a 2013 International Human Rights Press Award in Hong Kong; her 2015 book, Silenced No More: Voices of Comfort Women, enabled survivors of Japanese military sex slavery to be heard. “Those encounters enlarged my heart and transformed my purpose,” she notes. “Helping the overlooked and the oppressed gives my life profound meaning.”</p>



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<p>Each chapter of her 2021 memoir, A Long Road to Justice, detailing her front-line experiences in Asia, is a testament to fortitude and hope. One of her most harrowing moments occurred while filming in China. Surrounded by traffickers and thugs, she managed to delete incriminating footage just in time, her life flashing before her. “It made me realise what trafficked women go through daily,” she reflects. “That moment birthed my life’s mission: to use my influence to fight slavery and exploitation.”</p>



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<p>Her resilience was tested during her investigations. During one terrifying night infiltrating a brothel, she recalls deleting footage under threat, feeling faint and experiencing her first miracle: the police arriving just in time. That event profoundly shifted her perspective. “True freedom comes from serving others,” she declares.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-834x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-90460" width="626" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-834x1024.jpg 834w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-228x280.jpg 228w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-768x943.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-1251x1536.jpg 1251w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-1669x2048.jpg 1669w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-200x245.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-1-800x982.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Money for Good</h3>



<p>Beyond writing books and consulting for an investment company in Seoul, Yu Friedman serves as a strategic advisor to philanthropists and influential families, a role that requires balancing influence with responsibility. “Supporting philanthropists means providing honest feedback and respecting confidentiality,” she explains. “Some families impact me greatly – like the one that bought homes for their staff or the anonymous donors who give quietly but generously.”</p>



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<p>She recounts meeting a Hong Kong family of limited means who exemplified genuine generosity. “Their happiness and humility touched me deeply,” she shares. “Discretion and authenticity are the true marks of leadership.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Righting Gender Wrongs</h3>



<p>Her latest non-fiction book, Fearless: A Guide to Freedom and Fulfilling Your Fullest Potential, published in 2024, is a heartfelt guide for young women and changemakers. Her core message: embrace your identity, learn from adversity, and dare to dream big. “I wish I had known these lessons earlier,” she confides. “Your most painful experiences are often your greatest teachers; suffering can build resilience, grit and wisdom.”</p>



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<p>An unwavering advocate for women’s empowerment, she highlights the stark realities of gender inequality – pay gaps, underrepresentation and societal biases. “Women still earn less, have fewer leadership opportunities and face discrimination,” she says. “Feminism must evolve to ensure true equality, especially in Asia, where cultural norms often hinder progress.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-90461" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4-1-800x997.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Legacy of Love</h3>



<p>For this relentless campaigner, happiness is rooted in inner peace, purpose and compassion. “I’ve learned to slow down and prioritise relationships,” reveals Yu Friedman. “Forgiveness and self-love liberated me from the past.” She defines success as cultivating meaningful connections and giving back to the marginalised. “Success is about relationships, impact and leaving a legacy of love and hope,” she notes.</p>



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<p>Throughout her work, she relies on her spiritual faith. “My Christian faith sustains me during the darkest moments,” she says. “It reminds me that light can overcome darkness, and love can conquer hate.”</p>



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<p>Love plays a central role in her life, both personally and professionally. Her husband, Matt Friedman, an internationally renowned human-trafficking expert, is the founder of The Mekong Club, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation that engages the private sector to address modern slavery; she serves as its Ambassador and voluntary fundraiser. She believes that leading with love creates safe, empowering environments. “When we lead with kindness, we unlock potential,” she affirms.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-90462" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5-1-800x997.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Heroes for Today</h3>



<p>Friedman aspires to continue transforming stories into powerful media, envisioning a future where the Korean entertainment industry leads the way globally. Her plans include producing films and TV series that challenge stereotypes and showcase Asian women as heroes and role models. Through such powerful stories, she hopes to inspire the next generation and motivate others to use their talents and influence for good.</p>



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<p>Notably, she is quick to appreciate the good and hard work of others. During an outfit change during our shoot, she is fervent in her praise of a helpful member of the hotel staff, asking if she can write a commendation letter to their manager. “That’s my way of saying thank you,” she explains. “Even small acts of kindness matter.”</p>



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<p>Sylvia Yu Friedman’s warmth, compassion and gratitude radiate through her entire being – mentally, emotionally and physically. And finally – after an hour or so of conversation – she takes a sip of her morning coffee.</p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura&nbsp;&nbsp; Venue: The Murray &#8211; Hong Kong</em></p>


Women’s Might: Fearless author and speaker, Sylvia Yu Friedman dedicates her life to redressing inequality and injustice


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<p>Rewind to 2013 in Hong Kong, and Steven Lam is staring at a stack of takeaway boxes, sweating bullets because booking a van feels like negotiating with a secret society. “We needed vans to deliver our takeaway boxes to restaurants, and the process was a nightmare,” he recalls, flashing his trademark grin. “We’d call a radio-dispatch centre, get a ridiculously high quote, and have no idea if the driver would even show up. It was inefficient and opaque.” Having heard the same story from others, he realised “everyone had a van-hailing horror story. That’s when the lightbulb went on: if we could fix this for ourselves, we could fix it for the entire city.”</p>



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<p>This is the origin of GoGoX – formerly GoGoVan – Asia’s answer to Uber but for delivery, boxes and basically anything that needs to move without the drama. Lam, co-founder and self-proclaimed ‘Cheap Everything Officer’ (CEO), has turned that headache into a logistics powerhouse operating in 370 cities – from China and South Korea to Singapore, Vietnam and India. It was Hong Kong&#8217;s first unicorn, born from a 2017 merger with Chinese freight giant 58 Suyun, and now boasts 7 million registered drivers.</p>



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<p>But Steven Lam’s story is no overnight success. It’s a tale of grit, gaffes and going all in, told with the kind of humour that makes you laugh while learning.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-90147" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-H_IMG_3739_edit-800x996.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kowloon Cram</h3>



<p>It starts in Kowloon public housing, a concrete jungle where life was more shared spoon than silver spoon. “Growing up in a public-housing estate teaches you two things very quickly: resourcefulness and the importance of community,” says Lam, chuckling like he’s reminiscing about a quirky family reunion. “You learn that nothing is handed to you, and that if you want something, you have to figure out a way to earn it or build it. Space is limited, resources are shared, and you see firsthand how small efficiencies can make a big difference in people’s daily lives.”</p>



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<p>It’s the kind of upbringing that turns kids into mini-entrepreneurs. Lam’s business vibe is frugal, folksy and focused on fixing real messes. “Business wasn’t some abstract concept I learned in a classroom; it was about solving real, practical problems for real people,” he adds. “It taught me to be frugal, to be scrappy, and to never underestimate the power of a simple solution to a common frustration.”</p>



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<p>High school didn’t end with confetti for young Steven. After bombing Hong Kong’s public exams, he ditched the script and headed to the US for community college. “My results weren’t what I had hoped for, and for a moment, it felt like the traditional path to success was closed to me,” he admits, with the honesty of someone who’s turned lemons into a logistics empire. “But instead of seeing it as a failure, it became a crucial turning point. It forced me to be honest with myself and realise that there had to be more than one way to build a future.&#8221;</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">American Hustle</h3>



<p>Stateside, it was all about reinvention. “Nobody there cared about my past exam scores; all that mattered was the effort I put in each day,” he notes. “It was incredibly humbling and empowering at the same time.” He later funded his degree in business administration at the University of California, Berkeley by flipping second-hand iPhones and bikes – pure hustle. “That experience taught me that your starting point doesn’t define your destination. It taught me resilience and proved that with hard work, you can create your own second chances.”</p>



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<p>Enter GoGoVan co-founders Reeve Kwan and Nick Tang, his university ride or dies. “Looking back, the most important thing was that I wasn’t facing these financial pressures alone,” he shares. “The key to overcoming them was the friends who were right there with me.”</p>



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<p>Reselling iPhones “was our first real business together, our way of earning our first pot of gold,” he laughs. &#8220;That experience taught us so much more than just how to make a profit. It taught us how to hustle, how to solve problems on the fly, and most importantly, how to trust each other completely when the stakes were high.” Three guys in a dorm, haggling over gadgets, forged the trust that built GoGoX.</p>



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<p>At Berkeley, Lam soaked up big ideas, but real lessons came from slinging food at a San Francisco Chinese restaurant. “They were two sides of the same coin,” he quips. “UC Berkeley gave me the framework – the theories, the economic principles. It taught me what was possible. The Chinese restaurant, on the other hand, taught me raw, unfiltered business. It was about customer service, inventory management, cash flow and teamwork under pressure, all in real-time.” It&#8217;s where the GoGoX seed sprouted – delivering food, spotting gaps.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thinking Beyond Boxes</h3>



<p>Back in Hong Kong, Lam launched BoxAd, selling adverts on takeaway meal boxes. “BoxAd was my real-world MBA,&#8221; he says. “It taught me essential lessons about sales, rejection, and the hustle required to get that first ‘yes’.” But the gold was in the grit: dealing with van bookings exposed logistics lunacy. “Every day, I was on the street, not just selling ads but also hiring vans to deliver the boxes. I spent hours talking to drivers, hearing directly about their struggles.”</p>



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<p>Thus, with HK$20,000 in savings, GoGoVan was born. “Those conversations and relationships were the true foundation of the company, and I’m still in touch with some of the very first driver-partners,” reveals Lam. “My philosophy is that every step in your journey has a purpose. BoxAd wasn’t a setback; it was the catalyst.”</p>



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<p>Scaling was epic. “First, convincing the first 100 drivers … [but] once we had that initial critical mass, the network effect started,” he recounts. Funding, merger, IPO – boom. As Cheap Everything Officer, he balances bargains with brilliance. “The title started as an inside joke [reflecting early penny-pinching]. But ‘cheap’ doesn&#8217;t mean low quality. It means being relentlessly efficient.” AI routes keep costs low, and quality high.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GoGo Further</h3>



<p>“In the beginning, success was survival. Today, my definition [of the concept] is about impact.” Being named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader last year widened his worldview. “It connects you with leaders. This has influenced my vision for GoGoX to be more than just a logistics company.”</p>



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<p>What fuels him? “The world of logistics is still incredibly inefficient. That puzzle continues to fascinate me,” he says. Plus, responsibility to stakeholders. Happiness? “For me, happiness is the feeling you get when you are engaged in solving a meaningful problem with people you trust.”</p>



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<p>His plan for GoGoX is to innovate with AI, expand in Southeast Asia, and go green with EVs. “Within the logistics industry, I hope our legacy is that we proved technology could democratise access. In the broader community, I hope my story serves as an example. [Given] the sheer scale of the opportunity [though], we have only scratched the surface.&#8221;</p>


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<p>And there it loops back: from that van-booking nightmare to reimagining Asia’s moves, Lam turned frustration into fortune, proving that sometimes, the best way to go forward is to fix what’s holding everyone back. In Hong Kong, where deliveries seem endless, he’s the guy who made “go” mean something magical.</p>



<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura</em></p>


Going Places: GoGoX CEO Steven Lam’s wild ride from frustration to freight fortune


<p class="has-text-align-center">Leta Ng brings her polished poise to balancing beauty, bridging cultures and the Venice Biennale</p>



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<p>Leta Ng has just finished her hair and makeup when we step into her suite at the Grand Hyatt. The celebrated Hong Kong-based Singapore-born jewellery designer is adjusting a lighter shade of hosiery that doesn’t quite match her outfit; a detail most wouldn’t notice, but Ng is all about precision. Sunny afternoon light spills through the window, casting a gentle glow on her flawless features. Today, she’s dressed in a fully embroidered, beaded gown that whispers luxury, accessorised with a vintage watch, a striking necklace and earrings that could tell stories of centuries.</p>



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<p>Ng is poised, yet her energy radiates a playful confidence. As she adjusts her hair absentmindedly, we realise this is someone who embodies the art of meticulousness, someone for whom every detail matters, and yet, she radiates effortless grace.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jewels of Inspiration</h3>



<p>Growing up, young Leta’s world was filled with glamour and creativity. “My parents always encouraged creativity,” she recalls. “But my greatest inspiration was my uncle, the renowned artist Jimmy Lin Chong.” The Taiwanese actor, who passed away last summer, would design exquisite party and evening dresses for his young nieces, sparking her love for aesthetics. “I loved drawing from a young age,” she shares, eyes twinkling. “Winning a kindergarten prize for a cat drawing felt like the start of everything.”</p>



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<p>Her childhood memories are a mosaic of art and glamour, woven through her upbringing. These early influences laid the foundation for her passion. She emphasises how being surrounded by beauty and artistry from an early age made her view the world through a creative lens. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about storytelling, identity and self-expression.</p>



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<p>Her nomadic childhood, living in Singapore, Canada, Belgium, Bermuda and beyond, further shaped her perspective. “Each culture I’ve experienced has added unique styles and traditions to my creative toolbox,” she explains. “My work naturally becomes a bridge; mixing, translating and creating something new that feels both fresh and deeply familiar.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Finance to Finery</h3>



<p>Ng’s journey was anything but linear, though. She chose to study finance and investment, a training that now informs her design process. “I blend artistic vision with analytical discipline,” she explains. “It’s about balancing beauty with structure, ensuring each piece is both stunning and enduring.”</p>



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<p>&nbsp;“Life’s journey is full of joyful surprises,” she admits. “Trading financial spreadsheets for gemstones was a twist of fate. But it made sense, as precision is everything. In finance, a decimal point changes everything; in gemmology, a fraction of a millimetre transforms how light dances within a stone.”</p>



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<p>Her lifelong passion for gemstones was reignited when her husband, Paul Lau, then Legal Director, Europe of GE Capital, was posted to Belgium. Antwerp’s legacy as the diamond-cutting capital of the world drew her into a new realm, one of sparkle, precision and age-old craft. She pursued formal studies at GIA and the HK Institute of Gemmology, deepening her understanding of the stones she now crafts into art.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crafting Conversations</h3>



<p>Ng’s jewellery is renowned for its boldness and innovation. Unapologetically expressive and fiercely authentic, it is meant to empower the wearer. “Every piece tells a story,” she affirms. “My collections are built on a simple truth: you are one of a kind.”</p>



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<p>Her early ‘Big, Bold and Beautiful’ collection in 2012-13 epitomised this philosophy. “It was about confidence in oneself,” she affirms. “A modern classic rooted in heritage and earth.” Jadeite carved into statement pieces, set with diamonds and semi-precious stones, became her signature. The choice of jadeite is no accident. “Beyond its beauty, jadeite carries centuries of belief in luck, healing and protection,” she notes.</p>



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<p>The ‘Blossoms of Joy’ collection was inspired by the delicate fleeting beauty of natural blooms. “Joy in the natural world,” she states. “A poetic whisper of fleeting beauty.” Her ‘Love is Ultimate’ collection, crafted in trinity gold – white, yellow and rose – symbolises faith, hope and love. “Love is the greatest gift,” she emphasises. “From confidence to intimacy, these collections deepen and expand the celebration of beauty, connecting the physical, emotional and spiritual.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Weaving Heritage into Modernity</h3>



<p>Travel is a vital part of Ng’s creative process. “Travel sparks my creativity,” she says. “Immersing myself in local art and traditions gives me a rich palette of techniques, symbols and aesthetics.” She reinterprets ancient motifs, be they from the emerald kingdoms of Colombia, the exotic orient of Istanbul, or the Byzantine isles of Greece, blending them into contemporary designs that honour heritage while embracing innovation.</p>



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<p>To Ng, jewellery is both art and investment. “The artistic value lies in the uniqueness of the design, the heritage behind each piece, and the craftsmanship,” she explains. “As an investment, the quality of gemstones and metals matters most.” She favours the exclusivity of one-of-a-kind pieces, which “makes them precious, both in value and sentiment”.</p>



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<p>Her approach is rooted in passion. “My artistic voice always leads,” she affirms. “Commercial sense informs but never dictates. I create for the love of beauty and craft, trusting that passion will find its audience.” For newcomers to jewellery design, she advocates gaining formal gemmological knowledge, studying auction trends and consulting experts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Art, Culture and Community</h3>



<p>Ng’s role as Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art underscores her belief in art’s power to foster community. “A gemstone is a canvas, and design is the artistry,” she reflects. “A finished piece is a story of culture, worn close to the heart.” She sees jewellery and art as vessels of collective memory, tangible links to heritage, identity and shared values.</p>



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<p>Exemplifying her dedication to elevating Hong Kong’s cultural presence, she is involved in the Hong Kong exhibition for May’s Venice Biennale, which the Hong Kong Museum of Art is co-organising. “Supporting this milestone is about showcasing Hong Kong’s artistic journey,” she shares. “It’s exciting to be part of a global dialogue that celebrates our city’s creative spirit.”</p>



<p>Looking ahead, she is eager to explore new collections and collaborations. “I want to push boundaries and celebrate individuality,” she states. Her personal definitions of happiness and success have evolved. “Fulfilment and purpose are key,” she says softly. “Having navigated different chapters, I now find joy in giving back to the community that gave me so much. Hong Kong has been my home for over 18 years, [thus] I choose to invest my time and energy back into this vibrant city.”</p>



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<p>Ng’s membership in La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs underscores her appreciation for culinary culture. “It’s about fellowship, excellence and service,” she explains. Her father-in-law, Dato Lau Foo Sun, was the founder Bailli Délégué (president) of the association’s Malaysian chapter, and she upholds the Lau family heritage of conviviality and shared passion.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Parting Reflections</h3>



<p>Before leaving, we share a leisurely high tea, discussing pastries, motherhood and life’s puzzles. “Motherhood, it keeps puzzling me,” admits the mum of 1, Katarina, smiling. “It’s a very complex job, but a very rewarding one, definitely.”</p>



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<p>Humour is her secret weapon; during the shoot, she tries goofy poses, laughs at herself, and admits she’s not a fan of public speaking. “I apologise, really,” she deadpans. “I will never get used to talking in front of a camera.”</p>



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<p>Her eyes, her expressions, her laughter – these are her true bling, revealing a soul that is as rich and layered as her jewellery designs. Leta Ng is a luminous example of how art, humanity and authenticity can intertwine. And as she would say, with a wink and a smile, “Keep shining, and never forget to enjoy the bling.”</p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa   Photographer: Jack Law   Videographer: Iris Ventura</em></p>


The Artful Alchemist: A journey from childhood sketches to global glamour, Leta Ng’s life is with a touch of jade and a dash of daring


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<p>You know you’ve arrived at Joanna Hotung’s studio-meets-testing-ground slash office when you see paintings and digital artworks plastered across the muted walls of a quiet corner in Wong Chuk Hang. “These are made by my [younger] daughter [Sophia], who is an artist,” she says with a warm smile. Inside, a large room bursts with shape and colour, every surface crammed with books and journals – a testament to the insatiable curiosity and diverse interests of the educator-cum-entrepreneur slash advocate for young people, healthcare and the arts.</p>



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<p>Despite Hotung’s fastidious approach to art, which she admits is wholly intuitive, the space radiates creative freedom. “It’s very chaotic and very colourful. You guys might have a hard time finding a spot [to set up for the shoot],” she laughs.</p>



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<p>Surveying her domain, her eyes twinkle with pride. “Two months from now, I’ll be celebrating my 60th birthday, and I’m looking forward to becoming a grandma next year,” she shares, her voice tinged with excitement. “It’s milestone after milestone, and I’m super proud of these.”</p>



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<p>Hotung’s warmth and zest for life are palpable, blending seamlessly with her many accomplishments and her ongoing journey of growth. “I’m not a fashionista,” she insists as we begin shooting, but her wardrobe of carefully curated pieces from international and local designers suggests otherwise. Each outfit is a statement of her multifaceted identity. Her style subtly echoes her broader approach to life: bold, eclectic and unapologetically authentic.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Artistic Roots</h3>



<p>“I remember as a child I always wanted to be a teacher,” she recalls. “I would organise my friends into groups, and we would do arts and crafts or try to sew or knit together, following patterns from a manual my grandma sent me from England.” Her early creativity was complemented by a love for visual and performing arts, nurtured by her parents, who took her to exhibitions and performances. She also participated eagerly in speech and music festivals, learning the piano, clarinet and ballet along the way.</p>



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<p>Her family played a pivotal role in shaping her values and approach to leadership and social impact. “I was brought up very much with a can-do attitude and to be self-sufficient,” she says. “Going to boarding school in England at age 10, I learned that it’s okay to come first, last, or somewhere in between, as long as I tried my best.” Her father told her ‘whatever you try your hand at, you’ll be grateful for the experience later, and it will turn out to be useful in some way’. This wisdom has stayed with her, guiding her through successes and setbacks alike.</p>



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<p>Her worldview was enriched by attending international schools in Hong Kong, Geneva, London and Beijing. “The diversity of those experiences shaped my outlook,” she notes. Being Eurasian, she felt like she could fit in anywhere, though she admits there were moments of culture shock, especially in Beijing during the 1980s. “That year was one of the most impactful of my life,” she reflects.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vivid Vision</h3>



<p>Hotung’s foray into entrepreneurship was born out of her desire to fill a gap she observed firsthand. “My two daughters were studying in a local kindergarten, mainly to learn Cantonese,” she recounts. “I appreciated the skills, respect and discipline they learned, but when my four-year-old was told by a teacher she couldn’t paint an elephant orange because elephants can only be grey, I saw a huge gap in creative learning.” That incident sparked her decision to start her own art school, Kids’ Gallery, focused on developing creativity and inquiry-based learning.</p>



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<p>“I was lucky in 1996 to be early to market,” she says proudly of KG Group, which expanded from arts and crafts to drama and dance, English-language centres and a production company, all dedicated to fostering confidence, curiosity and communication. “It was about nurturing a love for arts and empowering children to be curious,” she explains.</p>



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<p>This holistic approach laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to education and social impact. In 2013, she established the Mills International Preschool in Yau Tong, and sits on the boards of Youth Diabetes Action, the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society and Gleneagles Hospital, among others.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cultural Fusion</h3>



<p>Prior to dedicating herself to education and social causes, young Joanna had stepped onto the corporate ladder. “I started out in the Marks &amp; Spencer graduate training programme in London, then I moved into management consulting at PwC.” But with her children’s arrival, she sought more control over her time and choices. “It’s never easy juggling both,” she admits. “I was lucky to run an education business that my children could participate in after school; they took every course on offer!”</p>



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<p>Her multicultural background deeply influences her approach to education and mentorship. “I believe I can understand and curate the best of both worlds,” she says. “I’m a big believer in the discipline and hard-work mentality of Asian culture, and I also admire the confidence and individuality of Western culture.” Her goal is to provide opportunities that allow young people to balance these qualities, creating well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate a complex world.</p>



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<p>She notes that young people are remarkably resilient. “Sometimes, we overprotect our children,” she says. “But facing challenges and discomfort helps them develop resilience and critical skills.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Empowering Expression</h3>



<p>Hotung has been a passionate advocate for the vital role played by the arts for almost 30 years. Although she has sold the KG Group, her commitment continues today. “In a world of constant change and AI, the arts and creativity are more important than ever,” she asserts. “They help develop critical thinking, empathy and problem-solving skills. Engaging with the arts encourages confidence and self-expression, empowering children to find their unique voices.” She emphasises that arts are not just entertainment, they are essential tools for shaping resilient, innovative and compassionate future leaders.</p>



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<p>Her future plans involve expanding her educational initiatives through the Hotung Mills Education Foundation. “It supports arts, healthcare and education,” she explains. Her vision for mentoring the next generation centres on fostering adaptability, creativity and ethical decision-making amid technological revolutions. “I want to empower young leaders to embrace innovation while staying true to their values,” she says.</p>



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<p>For her, happiness is rooted in her family and purposeful work. “Seeing the growth of those I work with gives me joy,” she shares. Her definition of success has evolved from achievements and recognition to making a lasting impact and maintaining balance. “It’s about impact, learning and wellbeing,” she emphasises.</p>



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<p>Her work with initiatives like Youth Diabetes Action has brought countless rewarding moments. “Seeing young people gain confidence in managing their condition and watching families find a supportive community is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “We’ve sponsored life-saving tech and helped shape brighter, healthier futures.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Future Force</h3>



<p>Her legacy, she hopes, will inspire a culture of lifelong learning, empathy and innovation, particularly empowering women to challenge the status quo. She dreams of a future where young people are brave and creative, ambitious yet grounded, and ready to shape a more inclusive society.</p>



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<p>“I want them to be hardworking, courageous, adaptable and compassionate,” she says. “They have the potential to build a better, more equitable society.” She implores the older generation to listen more to young leaders and give them space to share their ideas, blending lessons from the past with visions for the future.</p>



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<p>Indeed, Hotung’s output is about more than aesthetics. Beneath the quirkiness lies a purposeful knack for making a difference. The choice of ’90s-boyband tunes during our shoot, her display of Chinese ceramics, and her Scandinavian and European furniture reveal her deep love for her Eastern and Western backgrounds. She fully embraces both, weaving them into her life and work: vivid, ever-evolving, deliberate and meaningful. True impact comes not just from the boldest strokes but from the thoughtful blending of diverse influences, creating a masterpiece that inspires and uplifts generations to come.</p>


Creative Thinking: Educator and entrepreneur, Joanna Hotung shapes the next generation with an inquiring mind and eye


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<p>The hallmark of Danny Yeung is his dedication. At 46, the healthcare honcho remains fiercely passionate about his multiple business ventures, blending a relentless work ethic with an insatiable curiosity for innovation. His office at Prenetics’ Hong Kong headquarters in Quarry Bay is a reflection of his vibrant personality, featuring a large poster of himself in a boxing stance and the unofficial title of ‘Chief Honey Badger’ on the door. He explains with a grin: “It’s from this viral video about this creature that does anything to get things done, no matter the obstacles. That’s me.”</p>



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<p>Yeung’s hair is tinged red, a symbol of his commitment and faith in IM8, a red powder supplement drink he launched in 2024. “The T-shirt I wear every day, even during high-stakes meetings, is my way of showing that I believe in what we’re building,” he says. “It’s about consistency, passion and showing my team and partners that I’m all in.”</p>



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<p>Throughout his journey, Yeung exemplifies how resilience and dedication can transform industries and lives. His philosophy is simple but profound: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dynamic Dan</h3>



<p>Growing up as an immigrant in the United States, Yeung’s early experiences shaped his relentless pursuit of success and good health. “Moving from Guangdong, China, when I was five, we had little,” he recalls. “That hunger, knowing that you have to build your future, drives me still.”</p>



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<p>As a 12-year-old, he sold baseball cards, not for profit but for the thrill of the hustle. “It was my first taste of business, understanding what people want and how to give it to them,” he says. This early lesson in supply and demand laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial mindset.</p>



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<p>He worked as a telemarketer at age 15. “Rejection every day taught me resilience,” he recalls. “In my teens, I was managing people in their 30’s. I learned how to persuade, listen and build trust. Business isn’t just about products; it’s about connecting with people on a human level. ‘You don’t need to be the first, but you need to be the best’ is something I live by.”</p>



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<p>His first business venture, a Hui Lau Shan dessert shop franchise in the US, stemmed from recognising a market for authentic Asian flavours among the Chinese diaspora in California. “It was about sharing our culture and creating a space for connection,” he explains. Remembering early mornings at the fruit market, he adds: “If you want to succeed, you have to do what others won’t.”</p>



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<p>Progressing from providing hospitality furniture for MGM’s luxury towers to establishing e-commerce platform UBuyiBuy, Yeung’s diverse startups broadened his skill set. “Each industry taught me something: quality, data, scalability,” he reflects. “My varied background allows me to connect dots others might miss. It’s about adaptability, a growth mindset, and relentless curiosity.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Gen Genetics</h3>



<p>A personal health scare at 37 marked a turning point. The discovery that he carried a gene mutation that increased his risk of colon cancer came with the realisation that health isn’t just reactive but proactive. “That moment ignited my mission – to empower people with knowledge about their health,” he shares. “Healthcare should be about prevention, not just treatment.”</p>



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<p>Yeung pivoted, co-founding Prenetics in 2014, a genomics-driven healthcare company which empowers people with personalised health information. “It’s about providing tools for a healthier, longer life,” he emphasises. “That’s a mission worth risking everything for.”</p>



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<p>Prenetics’ path to becoming Hong Kong’s first Nasdaq-listed unicorn was marked by obstacles, including public scepticism about genetic testing, complex regulations, and a global pandemic. “In the beginning, many didn’t understand genetic testing,” he admits. “We invested heavily in education and building trust.”</p>



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<p>When Covid-19 hit, they reacted swiftly. “We transformed our labs, retrained staff and developed testing kits,” he recalls. “Working 20-hour days, we performed over 28 million PCR and home tests, our finest hour.” The pandemic solidified Prenetics’ reputation as a health-services leader. “In chaos, there’s opportunity. Our team showed the world what dedication can achieve.”</p>


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<p>The goal of their prevention arm, CircleDNA, is to “put the power of health into every individual’s hands” through a comprehensive at-home genetic test providing insights into disease risk, food sensitivities and personality traits. “Knowledge is power, but only if you use it,” notes Yeung, envisioning a future where proactive health management becomes the norm and each person understands their unique blueprint.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Authentic Partnerships</h3>



<p>Yeung’s personal brush with cancer risk fuels his passion for Insighta, a cancer-screening joint venture with scientist Dennis Lo. “Detecting cancer early means more treatment options and higher survival rates,” he says. “Our goal is to make early detection a routine part of health checks.” Expanding from lung and liver cancer tests this year, they plan to screen for more than 10 cancers by 2027. “It’s about turning the tide against one of humanity’s deadliest diseases,” he asserts.</p>



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<p>IM8, meanwhile, has star power. Co-founded by football legend David Beckham, its science-backed, nutrition-rich formula is intended to disrupt the supplement industry. “David’s genuine belief in IM8’s mission made him a true partner,” shares Yeung. “His family uses our products daily, a level of commitment that’s rare in celebrity collaborations.”</p>



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<p>Tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka, who started using IM8 for energy and recovery, is now a brand ambassador and shareholder. “Proof that real results lead to real partnerships,” he concludes.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Health in Our Own Hands</h3>



<p>Yeung sees a future where smartphones serve as personal health assistants. “Technology will enable us to understand and manage our health proactively,” he predicts. From genomics to AI, the tools are here. “We’re leading the charge, turning science into everyday solutions.” Then comes the integration of health with financial wealth. “Holdings of Bitcoin and cash enable us to prepare for the future. The convergence of health and wealth is the next frontier.”</p>



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<p>For Yeung, however, success isn’t just financial; it’s about impact. “Building something meaningful that improves lives is success,” he says, while underlining that happiness, for him, comes from family, purpose and balance. “Without health and loved ones, nothing else matters,” he reflects.</p>



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<p>His greatest influences are his parents, immigrants who sacrificed everything for a better future. “Their work ethic, perseverance and humility are my guiding principles,” he states. Beyond family, he idolises disruptors like Jack Ma, who faced rejection but persisted. “Ma’s belief that ‘the opportunity lies where the complaints are’ has always resonated with me. It’s about identifying pain points and creating solutions, whether in e-commerce or healthcare.”</p>


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<p>Yeung maintains an iron grip on a vision of such breadth and depth that, from afar, it seems almost singular. His self-stated greatest strength is his belief in his ideas and the determination to see them through. “Innovation is a mindset – curiosity, experimentation and learning. The future belongs to those who create it. Think big, work hard, and surround yourself with people smarter than you,” he urges. “That’s how you go far.”</p>



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<p>With his fiery red hair and unyielding commitment to revolutionising healthcare, the Chief Honey Badger embodies the essence of innovation and purpose. There are a few creative minds that have this kind of drive. It’s quintessentially, unmistakably, irreplaceably Danny Yeung.</p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura</em></p>


Gene Genius: Prenetics dynamo Danny Yeung envisions a world where health converges with wealth


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<p>Wendy Siu’s admiration for French culture has helped spawn a successful lifestyle business and seen her recognised with that nation’s top honour. The Hong Kong champion of the refined art of living has long shared her expertise through master classes on etiquette and entertaining. Her latest enterprise unites her innate elegance and effortless propriety in an empowering programme to help a new generation of leaders achieve personal growth.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How has your background influenced your personality and outlook on life?</h3>



<p>The heritage passed onto me by my mother has definitely shaped who I am. She was very proud of her noble Manchu ancestry and instilled in us the core values of respectfulness, subtlety, elegance, etiquette and protocol as well as the alertness of knowing where you stand, whether in the family, society or other social circles, and the kind sensitivity this engenders. Yet, at the same time she taught her daughters to be brave, dynamic and independent. I appreciate the quiet elegance of my mom who never bothered to compete for unnecessary limelight.</p>


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<p>Another key message she imparted was that we are different. In the 25 years since her passing, I have gradually come to understand her meaning – it is not arrogance to think you are different; it’s about respecting and preserving one’s unique background. To be your true self, you must refrain from blindly following the crowd without considering your own values.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>As for my father, he was a quiet scholar and a very disciplined man, practising Chinese calligraphy daily. I believe that my disciplined character, my desire to get things done precisely, and my aesthetic interests – appreciating beauty, the fine things in life, arts and culture – stem from my father’s influence.</p>



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<p>I guess I was fortunate to be born into a family with interesting roots and heritage. Also, having dynamic interaction in my parents’ varied social circle explains my openness to embrace people from different walks of life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What made you decide to establish a retail and lifestyle company and what’s your brand ethos?</h3>



<p>I founded Heather &amp; March in 1998 after my intense corporate life working for major US and UK multinationals [GE and the BT Group]. The goal was to bring beauty and joy to people’s homes – what the French refer to as art de vivre, the art of living, or joie de vivre, the joy of living.</p>


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<p>Due to our quality in terms of brand positioning, image and value-added services with proven business results, French tableware and home-interior companies asked us to be their exclusive agent. We gradually built up a nice portfolio of refined homeware and tableware from the likes of Ercuis, Raynaud and J.L Coquet, which led us into the hospitality sector, since these are key suppliers to the world’s five- and six-star hotels and the Michelin chefs.</p>



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<p>Besides being a distributor of high-end French homeware, we developed our own characteristics as a lifestyle brand. The ethos of Heather &amp; March is elegance, beauty and sophistication. This is disseminated through the programme we offer our clients such as lifestyle workshops in gastronomy, entertaining and etiquette. We have partnered with top names such as Institut Paul Bocuse, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Comité Colbert, Baccarat and Hongkong Land to deliver bespoke and creative experiences.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">When and where did your love of French culture begin?</h3>



<p>Although I was very fond of watching French movies as a teenager, and I went to a French convent school in Hong Kong, St Paul’s Convent School, I think my infatuation with French culture really began when I started sourcing for Heather &amp; March. I used to travel to different countries to learn about their style of homeware and home decoration. When I spotted some special French tableware at General Trading Company in Sloane Street in London – then the favourite shopping destination of the British royals – I felt such overwhelming joy and internal peace appreciating these beautiful and whimsical pieces.</p>


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<p>It was then that I began to explore the French table art culture and fell in love with its refined craftsmanship, beauty and creativity. In the beginning we sold a variety of European products at my boutique, but as my appreciation of French know-how grew deeper, we gradually focused on brands from France.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is a full understanding of ‘Les arts de la table’ essential to create the perfect dining experience?</h3>



<p>Since it is an important part of French culture, having this knowledge and understanding is precious in order to continue our sophisticated society and cultural fabric, especially as people are living more simply these days. Creating a harmonious and stylish dining experience with that extra touch beyond the norm is always exciting for guests. Somebody has to do it!&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What has been the defining moment in your life?</h3>



<p>If I can only share one defining moment, it will be the bestowal of the Légion d’Honneur lifetime honour in 2023. Légion d’Honneur is the top-ranking national honour in France; it was established by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Some Knights in the National Order of the Légion d’Honneur risked their lives in the battlefield, thus I received this honour with pride and yet also with total humility. Although I’m not in a continuous physical battle as these brave knights were, I’m fighting against continuous hurdles and challenges in life’s mental battles.&nbsp;</p>


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<p>It was a defining moment as it restored for me a basic belief in life – one that many of us may think no longer exists – that you will be rewarded fairly if you do your best. I can now better encourage others to never stop trying, doing, growing and giving of your best with sincerity, kindness, dedication, truthfulness and enthusiasm.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">You are described as a great friend of France – what aspects of French culture do you particularly admire?</h3>



<p>The depth and intensity of their culture, no matter in literature, philosophy, arts, culture, craftmanship, gastronomy or wine, and their standard of precision and accuracy. I adore this refined spirit and particularly the beautiful French language – which explains why I’m pleased to have remained in my role as Vice-President of the Alliance Française de Hong Kong for 20 years now!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What are your future ambitions?</h3>



<p>In March, I set up Elegance Institute with the mission to bring a paradigm shift in life and help others reach full success through the application of inner and outer elegance. We are a coaching-based institute, a ‘how’ institute, and we are here to empower the next generation of business leaders.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>A full spectrum of skills and knowledge can be transferred in the four key aspects of life – personal, professional, social and family – through my coaching. The target audience of Elegance Institute is high-calibre business executives, entrepreneurs and women – with men welcomed, of course – who are driven and motivated to further their personal growth in order to achieve solid success.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What voluntary and charity projects are close to your heart?</h3>



<p>I had the privilege to lead the Hong Kong Chapter of Les Lumières de Paris, a voluntary non-profit organisation promoting the heritage, crafts and savoir-faire of the French capital – I was President for five years and have served as Honorary President since 2024. It is also my wish, in the future, to contribute part of the profits of my newly founded Elegance Institute to charity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do you see your role as a bridge between East and West?</h3>



<p>Definitely, and I enjoy it very much. I believe in contributing my talents to doing good. Bridging people internally brings peace and harmony, making our world a better place. This is also the mission of the Elegance Institute. I love to transmit ‘the how’ – the values and behaviours – that connect people.</p>



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<p><em>Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura Ventura&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>


Elegance Personified: Having turned us on to the high table, Wendy Siu is coaching refinement in all aspects of life


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<p>At the summit of creativity and corporate ambition, the WeLab headquarters stands proudly atop a busy commercial building in Quarry Bay. It’s a vibrant hub where finance meets fun – if Pixar had a branch for fintech, this would be it. The office could easily be mistaken for a lively café or a playground for grown-ups, and it reflects WeLab Founder and Group CEO Simon Loong’s personality as a leader – one who is building one of Asia’s largest independent fintech platforms with panache, and quite possibly, a cheeky grin.</p>



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<p>Bright walls adorned with brash slogans like “Work Smart, Not Harder,” “Get Shit Done but Do it Right,” and “Get Uncomfortable” merge seamlessly with artwork and memorabilia symbolising company milestones. Television monitors flash snippets of Loong’s recent interviews where he outlines ambitious plans to navigate into a future brimming with AI-driven innovations. It’s as if every corner of this colourful office whispers, ‘Yes, we’re in finance, but why not enjoy the ride while we’re at it?’</p>



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<p>Loong’s personal journey began far from this high-tech haven. “When I was young, I was never a very good student,” he confesses. “I didn’t have an impressive academic track record, and I struggled with homework.” The candidness with which he speaks of his childhood challenges – a topic often whispered about in hushed tones – is both refreshing and endearing.</p>


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<p>It was this early struggle that sparked his insatiable intellectual curiosity, a trait that would ultimately serve him well in the notoriously staid world of finance. And from these humble, formative years emerged a fearless innovator who took professional leaps that many wouldn’t dare consider, culminating in the game-changing 2020 launch in Hong Kong of digital-only WeLab Bank, which is now leading the digital banking industry in Hong Kong.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Learning Through Failure</h3>



<p>Loong’s memories of being in the “bottom third” of his secondary-school class usher in a profound perspective on failure. “With little expectation from my parents, I was free to experiment,” he explains. “I found many things interesting. I’d dive into libraries to learn beyond the curriculum.” This resourcefulness awakened in him a kind of entrepreneurial spirit and resilience that would later become the cornerstones of WeLab.</p>



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<p>After moving to Australia at the age of 13, he faced a fresh set of challenges, but the experience taught him adaptability – a skill crucial for any pioneer. “Adapting to a new culture can be intimidating,” he reflects. “But it also teaches you how to think outside the box. I embraced it.”</p>


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<p>After university he returned to Hong Kong and held various leadership roles at Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank, but it wasn’t long before he felt his toolbox was lacking once again. To remedy this, in 2011 he made the decision to pursue a Master degree at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a move that would reshape not only his career but also his approach to leadership.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stanford State of Mind</h3>



<p>“Going back to school after 15 years of work was like recalibrating my compass,” says Loong. “I was tackling challenges daily, and I felt stuck, like I was running out of tools to solve problems.” Stanford was the antidote; he learned both leadership and the art of entrepreneurship, and developed an eclectic blend of skills that would later fuel his success with WeLab.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breaking New Ground</h3>



<p>Under Loong’s stewardship, WeLab has transformed from a 2013 startup co-founded with his wife, Frances Kang, and university friend Kelly Wong, into a leading pan-Asian fintech platform with over 70 million individual users and more than 700 enterprise customers across Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia. The innovative surge continues as it embarks on a new frontier: “AI is changing everything,” he states. “We’re actively pursuing AI-driven financial innovations to enhance our services and accessibility.”</p>


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<p>This vision for AI is exemplified by a recent strategic investment from the government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) aimed at “pioneering AI finance”. Announced amid fanfare in April, and followed by a summit that brought together financial industry leaders, this collaboration focuses on accelerating AI-driven fintech services.</p>



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<p>“It’s about elevating the digital future in Asia,” elucidates Loong, embodying the same passion he has for his team – a culture where innovative ideas flourish. “For over a decade, WeLab has thrived due to the support of local governments and the tech community. Our ambition is even bigger.” With its second digital bank, Bank Saqu, launched in Indonesia two years ago, and plans in motion for Thailand, the group envisages establishing the first leading regional digital bank catering to 500 million users by 2032.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Leading with Empathy</h3>



<p>As a pioneer, Loong isn’t just focused on numbers; he understands the human element in finance. “The biggest lesson from banking is that people often struggle to let go of their titles and the prestige that comes with them.” He believes that this impediment stifles innovation. “In fintech, you need people who are willing to shed their positions to explore new opportunities,” he says, underscoring the commitment to cultivating a culture of experimentation at WeLab.</p>


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<p>He emphasises the importance of resilience and resourcefulness, traits he wants his two daughters to master. When prompted about his parenting philosophy, he says: “I encourage my girls to be intellectually curious and resilient. Education isn’t just about grades; it’s about developing character.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vision Beyond Numbers</h3>



<p>As we continue our engaging conversation, it becomes evident that Loong is not just focused on immediate results; he’s keen on building a legacy. “Seeing my colleagues grow and rise through the ranks here gives me a lot of joy,” he reflects. “When people come back and share how much they learned and how it shaped their careers, it’s profoundly fulfilling.”</p>



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<p>This nurturing of talent is reflected in WeLab’s emphasis on upskilling its workforce and promoting talent development in fintech. “As we expand into new regional markets, we are also passionate about sharing knowledge with the next generation through educational programmes and workshops,” adds the CEO.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Commitment to Innovation</h3>



<p>Ultimately, Loong is a quintessential leader in the fintech space. Mirroring the sleek and vibrant atmosphere of WeLab’s headquarters, he is serious about business yet playful in his approach. His commitment to innovation, inclusivity and constant improvement illustrates his unique approach to transforming the financial services industry.</p>


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<p>As we wrap up our interview, we both reflect on how his ethos – treating challenges as games to be played rather than battles to be fought – not only propels WeLab toward new heights but also redefines what leadership can be in this fast-paced world. While his office might be painted in bright colours, Simon Loong’s vision for the future of fintech is deep, innovative and resolutely forward-thinking. After all, he has always played it right – from the get-go and every moment since. </p>



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<p><em>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photographer: Jack Law&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Videographer: Iris Ventura&nbsp;&nbsp;</em>&nbsp;</p>


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