|  |
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is constantly evolving and gaining importance to companies' overall success. The WiFA 2021 D&I Series has covered different themes of the Social pillar of the ESG framework including Care & Health and Employee Relations & Diversity. On June 22, the final D&I Series event by Oliver Wyman and Mercer of Marsh McLennan will take place, sharing insights on ESG as business and workforce strategies, including data, trends, opportunities, and case studies.
Many are asking, what’s next for D&I, our workplace, and what we have learned is that we cannot take anything for granted. With our mental and physical health being tested, we need clarity and transparency from our employers. Lale Kesebi, the Founder of Human at Work, spoke about the importance of D&I Sincerity and Belonging during our forum: “One of the most important things a leader can do for their team is to create a culture of belonging that really unlocks a team — we feel like we are seen, known and that we matter.”
When bringing together leaders from across industries for the D&I panel discussion, to share their strategies and initiatives on how they are driving such innovation, it is enlightening to hear how agile the workplace has become. Flexibility is part of the overall business strategy to provide employees with not only a greater balance between work and family life but also creating a culture built on trust and belonging.
Under the Care & Health theme we welcomed Nerice Gietel, Founder of The Career Lounge who brought us a workshop on The Burden of Care. Nerice shared that as people with caring responsibilities in the workplace increase, more challenges are experienced by them and also co-workers and leaders who need to balance support with performance management. Participants offered great insights into supporting carers. Everyone is either a carer today, or a potential carer tomorrow.
It has been a pleasure working with sponsors and speakers on this year’s series of events and workshops. If you missed the D&I forum or workshop, a recording and slides can be downloaded below.
Presentation slides of the Burden of Care workshop, click here. |
| | Read More |
|
|
| Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is increasingly central to companies' strategic planning, brand, and culture. In this presentation, Oliver Wyman and Mercer of Marsh McLennan will be sharing our insights on ESG as business and workforce strategies, including data, trends, opportunities, and case studies.
Details as follows: Date: Tuesday June 22 | Time: 12-1pm Format: Zoom
Speaker - Vicki Fan, CEO, Mercer Hong Kong
- Nicole Luk, Associate Director, Organization Design and Future of Work, Mercer Hong Kong
- Peter Reynolds, Partner and Head of Greater China, Oliver Wyman
|
| | Read More |
|
|
|  |
WiFA's Networking Committee is pleased to introduce their next reading choice entitled “Financial Feminism: A Woman’s Guide to Investing for a Sustainable Future,”by Jessica Robinson.
Evidence informs us that women across the world are concerned about the impact of their investments, with a large majority highly motivated to create positive environmental and societal change through their investment decisions. At the same time, the concept of financial feminism – the belief in the financial equality of women - is rapidly gaining momentum.
Jessica Robinson, a sustainable finance and responsible investing expert, argues in her new book that financial feminism is more than simply addressing the financial inequalities that women face. Financial feminism is about unleashing the growing financial power of women, through the way we invest, to create positive change in the world.
Join WiFA on July 7 to hear Jessica talk about the themes of her book and what can be done to empower women to become sustainable and impact investors.
The book can be purchased at various online bookstores including Amazon. A full listing can be found here. |
| | Read More |
|
|
|  |
During the past 2 months, we have had the time to honour and celebrate the amazing women who make up our financial services community through the WiFA 2021 Spotlight Interview Series. We have heard from over 35 inspiring and trailblazing women who have shared their stories, knowledge, and advice. Now, WiFA would like to shine a spotlight on our male allies during the month of August. What is a male ally? They’re defined as men who associate with, cooperate with, and support women. In today’s environment, we are aware of the powerful impact that male allies can have both in and outside of the workplace, and their critical role in gender equality initiatives. This study by the Boston Consulting Group showed that when men are actively involved in gender inclusion programs, 96% of organizations see progress — where, among companies where men are not involved, only 30% show progress. WiFA’s goal with the male ally series is to explore how the men we work with support and uplift their female colleges to build a more inclusive, intelligent, and efficient workplace.
Please contact bonnie.ohri@wifasia.org to nominate a male ally that you feel has provided exceptional support to a woman in finance. |
| | Read More |
|
|
|  |
WiFA and RUN Hong Kong are excited to announce the opening of registration to the WiFA x RUN Virtual Fitness Challenge. Join community members and stay active with others during uncertain times in support of RUN and their participants. The event is o pen to all abilities and types of movement, keep track of your weekly hours of your preferred activity, and challenge yourself and your community to keep moving!
WHO Teams of 5. Registration fee is HK$500 per person (HK$2,500 per team). You can donate and raise additional funds through the Kindful team page.
WHAT A one-month long virtual challenge to accumulate the most hours spent exercising and being active collectively as a team. The team with the most collective hours wins. The top 3 teams will be awarded prizes at the end of the challenge.
WHERE Registrants are encouraged to do any activity ‘virtually’ such as yoga, running, hiking, swimming. Teams hours will be logged using ChallengeHound (registrants will receive an email regarding setting up their account closer to the start date) and interim results will besent out weekly during the challenge.
WHEN The month-long challenge will begin on September 13 to October 13. **FIRST five teams to register get 5 additional hours added to their total final time at the end of the challenge
Register now ! |
| | Read More |
|
|
|  |
WiFA's Networking Committee held the latest edition of our ongoing Book Club series, featuring Peter Williams, the author of Productive Accidents. It shows how a framework for curiosity and creativity can also be a recipe for corporate innovation and personal adventure.
Peter demonstrated his practice of putting himself at risk of productive accidents, and how it has created a portfolio of priceless experiences and opportunities. Random serendipitous incidents have become repeatable and predictable. So, how do we bring more of that into our lives? Peter shared with us how he brought more connection, learning, and adventure into his life, and shared his tips with us:
- Say YES more often - Be playful and experimental - Volunteering is a superpower, get involved in causes you care about - Manage your energy as much as your time - Be curious: What’s your story? What projects are you working on? How can I help? - Be a generous go-giver, not a go-getter
Peter also provided an overview of the two not-for-profits that he supports as a volunteer on their boards. The first is Music for Life International (New York). The second is Resolve Foundation (Hong Kong) — one of WiFAs past charity partners.
Many thanks to Morgan Stanley, Praveen Choudhary, and WiFA Steerco members for this event to add more serendipity into our lives!
|
| | Read More |
|
|
|  |
On May 26, WiFA and WE jointly organized a workshop titled “Can You Have It All?” by Career Coach Nerice Gietel. The workshop held across both virtual and physical platforms, was attended by mentees all around the region. As aspirations evolve it is sometimes difficult to navigate everything one wants to accomplish at work and outside. We are constantly juggling a multitude of roles as parents, partners, care-givers, family obligations, community interests and or personal interests outside of work. Often these clash with our role at work as co-workers, managers / individual contributors. This may cause one to question, “Really, can you have it all?”. Nerice related her journey, focusing on what “Having it all” means. She shared insights on how to go identify “the All” to achieve it; this was followed by drawing attention to networking. The power of people can help you - the people in your life can support or hinder you from accomplishing “your all.” Finally Nerice reminded us to have empathy for others, being kind to ourselves, and remembering having it all is not a destination but a journey. It continues to evolve as we change and grow. The workshop concluded with Nerice asking everyone to leave with one action that they intended to do differently to create that space in their lives to work towards their “All.” |
| | Read More |
|
|
| Helper Appreciation Day - 30th May |
|  |
On May 30th, Helper Appreciation Day was celebrated for the first time ever - a special lunch event that gives thanks to the domestic worker community across Asia. Living in Hong Kong, the positive impact that over 370,000 helpers bring to the city is felt by countless families and businesses. WiFA supported our charity organization EmpowerU with launching Helper Appreciation Day with varioustoolkits explaining how individuals, businesses, and groups can raise awareness about this day. For more information, contact helperheroes@empoweru.io. Throughout the month of July, WiFA will share a spotlight on helpers, sharing content on social media with the hashtag #HelperHeroes, and fundraising with our charities: EmpowerU and HER Fund. WiFA’s goal with the Helpers Spotlight Series is to explore how helpers support and uplift families and businesses in building a more inclusive and efficient work environment. Please contact bonnie.ohri@wifasia.org to nominate a helper that you feel has provided exceptional support to their workplace. |
|
|
|
| If you want to stay informed on our updates as they happen, then follow us on
|
| | Read More |
|
|
|
