Leading Figures in Hong Kong’s Innovation Scene

In a recent discussion facilitated by editor Cat Nelson, five influential women shared their experiences within the realms of science and technology:

• Florence Chan – Co-founder and CEO of AI Guided
• Angela Wu – Professor at HKUST, specializing in life sciences and chemical engineering
• Wendy Lam – Founder of EzyGreenPak
• Gina Jiang – Managing Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology
• Megan Lam – Co-founder of Neurum Health

Challenges and Progress in the Industry

Insights from Wendy Lam

Wendy Lam, a prominent figure in the tech industry, reflects on gender dynamics. “I always heard there was a gender imbalance,” she noted, “but once I got into the tech industry after graduating, I actually felt there were quite a lot of women.” However, Lam points out a concerning trend: while entry into the industry may have improved, advancement opportunities remain limited, especially in leadership roles.

Her experiences reveal a persistent issue where women leaders are often overlooked. “Every time I try to join a conversation with other leaders or stakeholders, they’ll say, ‘Can you just bring your tech guy here?’ And I’m thinking … ‘What?'” Despite these setbacks, she believes the current landscape is more welcoming than in the past.

Megan Lam’s Perspective

Megan Lam agrees with Wendy’s observations, emphasizing that although there is a visible influx of women entering the field, a gap remains in terms of retention and progression. “There’s a pipeline there, and I think increasingly one benefit is that we’re inspiring more girls and more young women,” she stated. However, she cautioned, “We’re pumping more water into the pipeline, but the pipeline is leaky.”