Sindy Leung is Director, Community Affairs Manager Greater China at UBS. In her 2021 Spotlight Series interview, she discusses her motivations this past year, how her company is continuing to prioritize diversity and gender equality, and much more.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am the Community Affairs Manager in Greater China for UBS AG. My duties include developing employee experience journey, increasing employee awareness through employee engagement program and enabling the strategic objectives to crystallize within the Greater China Region, ensuring the engaging plans are aligned with the business objective and drive employee performance. I also support employee committees and working groups, including employee volunteering and engagement initiatives. I aim to make long term, sustainable impact in local community under 2 major themes: education and entrepreneurship.
This is my fourth year in this role, and I take it seriously and always go the extra mile advocating for change. Since I came on board, I’ve established the UBS Community Academy which is composed of 7-8 long term NGOs partners for suitable volunteering opportunities benefiting more than 100,000 grassroot individuals directly and indirectly.
2. This year has brought tremendous upheaval and disruption to all aspects of our lives. How are you and your company continuing to promote diversity and gender equality despite these massive changes?
As the co-chairwomen of Hong Kong Momtrepreneurs, I’m responsible for setting the partnership’s policies and strategies. Partners including donors, NGOs, private sector and foundations.
I am also the president of BPWHK for the past 2 years and now a member of the advisory board, I seek partnerships and collaborations among women-focused NGOs in the Greater Bay area. I organized events and activities that enhance the development of members, generate social innovative ideas which strength the IWD2019 theme #BalanceForBetter across age groups. I’ve also raised awareness on women empowerment and gender equality among the general public. One important project that I’m pioneering is the development of a bilingual primary school curriculum on gender equality.
As the president of Dragon Nation in 2014-16, I now help with the programmes and fund-raising committee of the Dragon Foundation, where I persistently contributeto this global ethnic Chinese elite community by pulling in appropriate networks and strengthening the membership base.
Apart from the above, I’m also a member of the Standing Committee of HKUST Convocation, a mentor to HKUST Business School, Science school, Marketing society, y-society for over 3 years, and investigation panel A of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) since 2018. All in all, I’ve been working on bridging the gap where it is most needed in society.
3. What has kept you motivated to succeed this past year?
“Be the change you want to see” is a motto that inspires me. When I can see how I can make a difference, I find it hard to sit back. Empathy is a gift that we all have. I try to be a role model by treating others how I would like to be treated. I’d like to inspire others by throwing myself into as many projects as possible. As well as inspiring others, in my opinion, acting with integrity is also allowing yourself to be inspired. If we are all open-minded and progressive, we will take major steps towards social justice.