Hong Kong – 7 November 2023 – 100 Women in Finance (100WF), a global, non-profit organization that serves professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries, announced that it successfully raised nearly HKD 3.8 million in gross proceeds in support of 100 Women in Finance Hong Kong Foundation. The 11th Annual Hong Kong Gala, hosted on November 1 at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong was a sold out event with 300 industry professionals in attendance.
The HK Gala is one of the premier fundraising events for the benefit of our charitable entity, 100WF Hong Kong Foundation, which is focused on the mission specifically for the benefit of local Hong Kong based women and girls. All net proceeds raised are used to fund local proprietary pre-career programs hosted by 100WF and a set of local Program Partners who prepare and encourage women of all backgrounds to pursue pathways into the finance industry.
The event was highlighted by the presentation of the annual 100WF APAC Industry Leadership Award. This year, Rachel Lord, Senior Managing Director of BlackRock was recognized as the honoree of the Award in recognition of her achievements and leadership in the financial services industry. The award serves as a platform to honor individuals who demonstrate outstanding professional skills, ethical business practices, and a strong dedication to advancing the standards of excellence in the investment industry.
To view past 100WF Industry Leadership Award honorees click here.
New to the Gala this year, the 100WF APAC Industry DEI Award, generously sponsored by J.P. Morgan, was introduced at the event. In the company of several other strong industry competitors, Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) emerged the winner of this year’s award. VFMC demonstrated a deliberate implementation of DEI policies and initiatives, resulting in significant improvements in female representation in senior investment and executive committee roles within their firm.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the 100WF APAC Industry DEI Award, stated Kate Galvin, Chief Executive Officer at VFMC. “This recognition reinforces VFMC’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the finance industry. We believe that by embracing these principles, we can drive positive change and create a more inclusive and innovative industry, with the ultimate goal being the positive effect it will have for all our stakeholders.”
Pictured from left to right: Harshika Patel, C.E.O. of J.P. Morgan Hong Hong & Head of Firmwide Strategy Asia Pacific, and Johanna Neilsen, Head of People at VFMC.
Alongside VFMC, the other finalists for the APAC Industry DEI Award were Bank of Singapore and PineBridge Investments. We would like to commend all the finalists and applicants for their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the finance industry.
The goal of the Industry DEI Award is to recognize those organizations who are driving forward and shaping the future of women in the finance industry. The hope is to make these organizations’ efforts and positive results more visible to other companies and individuals, inspiring others to be catalysts of change. To learn more about the Industry DEI Award click here.
Hong Kong Gala Co-Chairs Josie Ainley and Kasheen Grewal commented, “We are honored to have led the Gala Committee, being a diverse group of senior practitioners, who have all volunteered their personal time to pull together this fundraiser for the 100WF Hong Kong Foundation. It was remarkable to bring together the finance industry, and showcase this year’s esteemed honorees and incredible corporate and prize sponsors. We look forward to seeing how the 100WF Hong Kong Foundation goes from strength to strength, and drives tangible change in Hong Kong’s finance community.”
If you were not able to attend the gala but would like to show your support for 100WF’s mission and Vision 30/40 please click here.
View the 2023 Hong Kong Gala Program
View photos from the 2023 Hong Kong Gala
Pictured from left to right: Chelsea Fennedy, Josée Wong, Candice Yip, Marina Hoyle, Stephanie Quinn, Josie Ainley, Kasheen Grewal, Natalya Oram, Lisa Tsui, Georgia Corones, Typhaine de Bure.