It’s huge because I’m the only person on the list who at first glance wouldn’t ‘look’ like a Hong Konger, and that’s my power. I want to represent people from different walks of life, especially people like me who truly identify as a Hong Konger but don’t necessarily fit the traditional boxes to be considered as one. I’ve always cared about creating opportunities that don’t exist, so I hope to use this platform to make unheard voices heard.

2. You mentioned that this committee is a platform to represent underrepresented voices, such as ethnic minorities and women in male-dominated fields. What specific challenges do you believe these groups face, and how can your role address them?

The first and possibly largest challenge is the lack of representation – when there aren’t platforms for their concerns, thoughts and representations to be shared, it’s never factored into decision making. As a part of the social enterprise committee, I also want to reinforce the idea that social enterprises can, and frankly, should make money, which is something I’ll bring up time and again. I believe these groups face the challenges of having opportunities that are relevant to the stages of life they are in, or, platforms that cater to their needs, i.e. being inclusive in the languages they use or the type and frequency of funding provided. I hope to open these conversations and rebuild these projects accordingly! 

3. Given that many policy positions come with significant responsibility and can stifle honest expression, how does this merit-based, separate platform allow you to speak more freely and authentically?

Because it isn’t a role that we are compensated for or even ‘rewarded’ for, there isn’t and cannot be an expectation to speak in a certain manner. We have been chosen for our individual experiences with social enterprises, and the entire nomination and selection process focused on asking questions about these experiences. I was picked for the insights I have and the honest opinions I have for improvement, so I’m excited to share it with a wider group and ideate improvements!

4. You’ve said you didn’t want to get into policy because of the constraints on voicing your opinion. How do you see your role on this committee as different in terms of influence and freedom?

Given the committee is under the Home of Youth Affairs within the HK Government, there is a lot of support and influence we are given. The only ask from us is to discuss our thoughts, use our individual platforms to disseminate those discussions, and act as individuals who bring the opinions of many to the table. 

5. What do you think is the current state of representation for ethnic minorities and women in Hong Kong’s decision-making bodies, and what changes do you hope to bring about during your time on this committee?

I think we are slowly and steadily making movements towards representation for ethnic minorities and women – a prime example would be the representation on this committee, but I definitely think there is a long way to go. As an example, a big part of being on this committee is having the ability to speak the local language, Cantonese – while it makes sense, I am hopeful that with the advancement of technology, this won’t be a limitation in the years to come. I hope to support social enterprises with additional funding opportunities, diversifying focus on areas beyond finance, technology and deep tech, and promoting profit-making social enterprises.

6. What was your personal journey that led you to this point? Was there a pivotal moment that inspired you to step into leadership, particularly for underrepresented groups?

When I was deciding what I wanted to study in College, I never considered Engineering because I had never seen a female in my immediate circle take it up, let alone be successful in it. This meant I never even looked at it as a viable option, even disagreeing with my mother when she recognized that it would be a field of my interest. When I ended up selecting Engineering and thanking my mother insanely for what she did, I realized that I wanted to be that representative for others. For so many young people, I wanted to be the person that made them believe they can do it too.

7. As a woman in a male-dominated field, how do you navigate the challenge of balancing your own career ambitions with the broader need for diversity and representation?

By being fearless – I never thought about what people say or think, and focus solely on what I want to do and how to make it happen. My career ambition, and focus on it, is what ultimately lets me represent diversity – by being unafraid of speaking out, seeking and creating opportunities and leading initiatives, I inadvertently represent myself, which helps me represent larger causes and communities. 

8. What do you believe is the most important quality for leaders to possess when it comes to driving inclusive and representative decision-making?

The ability to listen. Leaders are only as effective as the perspectives they gain, and inclusivity is hard to achieve when the sample set is incredibly concentrated. I struggled with listening as an angsty teenager growing up, but I now recognize it as my superpower. It’s not always about being the loudest in every room – it’s about being the loudest in the right rooms. 

9. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years as part of this committee, and how will you measure success in terms of your impact on underrepresented communities?

I hope to create a platform where people are not afraid of sharing their thoughts, and hopefully inspiring other youth to also take up platforms and roles like these, which albeit come with a lot of responsibility, allow for personal and professional growth. For me, success will be even a single individual coming forward and saying that our initiatives have helped them – if I can create long-running funding initiatives and support groups, even better!

10. Lastly, what message would you like to send to others—especially young ethnic minorities and women—who may be hesitant about stepping into leadership roles? How can they use their voices to make a difference?

There’s literally nothing to be afraid of! As ethnic minority, we’re already lower in numbers, which makes it even more important for us to compensate with our voices. Every opinion is valid, and those of us that get the opportunity to step into leadership roles are the luckiest – not using these opportunities is a privilege going to waste. Seek these opportunities, and where they don’t exist, create them. Let your actions speak louder than your words, but for that to happen, sometimes you have to start by using your words first. 

Thank you for reading this blog – you may also enjoy reading She Left Law for Literacy: How Jeannie Leung Is Rewriting the Rules of Parenting, Reading, and Connection in Hong Kong. 

Do you have an interesting story to share? We would love to hear from you. Get in touch info@whiteorchidinsights.com