Elizabeth is Political Assistant to Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development at the Hong Kong SAR Government. She helps bring stakeholder views to policy teams, takes part in legislative work, and assists the Secretary in engaging a wider group of stakeholders, including startups, business chambers, industry associations, and professionals, amongst others.

Karen has dedicated her career in professional education, talent development and corporate services for over 20 years. As the General Manager, heading the HKPC Academy, Inno Space and SME One of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, she is keen at promoting a network of “InnoPreneurs” (i.e. “Innovative Entrepreneurs”) to support entrepreneurs of SMEs and Startups in achieving growth through innovation and technology applications. The SME Reachout team under her division carries the mission of promoting Government funding schemes and support.

Under Karen’s leadership, the HKPC Academy promotes the learning of FutureSkills to develop technology talent from age 6 onwards and upskilling the local workforce to cope with the acceleration of digitalization. HKPC Academy offers a wide range of training to equip individuals with both hard and soft skills to become future-proof.

Karen is currently a member of the Innovation and Technology Training Board of the Vocational Training Council; the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee of the Trade and Industry Department; the Corporate Tech Academy Network; and the Young Executives Club of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

Yvonne oversees strategic development in marketing and branding, public and media relations, corporate communications and customer service for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Her remit covers the organisation’s local and global network.

She has over 30 years of experience in managing strategic marketing, corporate affairs and communications for leading global and Hong Kong organisations in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the HKTDC, she was Director of Corporate Communications for the global auction house Christie’s, overseeing the house’s expansion in the Chinese mainland and Asia Pacific. Before this, she oversaw marketing and communications for UK-based law firm Allen & Overy, responsible for the firm’s communications in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. She also had extensive experience in media heading up marketing and public relations for CNN and Cartoon Network in the Asia Pacific, as well as in telecoms at Hong Kong Telecom, looking after the company’s international telecom and network services. Yvonne began her career at the HKTDC as Market Officer supporting Hong Kong exporters in their promotions in Japan and Europe.