Meet 15 Women Who Rock Hong Kong’s TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Maitreyi Karanth: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Maitreyi Karanth is no stranger to Hong Kong; she moved to the Hong Kong area over 18-years ago to accompany her husband for his job. She lives in Sai Kung on the city's outskirts with her family, 13 dogs, and mother. She's embraced the vitality of Asia and loves nothing more than to blend nature with intermittent visits to Hong Kong if she wants more of a city vibe. Maitreyi is known for her compassion and natural ability to share; she's happiest when she can share her love. Not only does she have a busy family life, but Maitreyi is a mathematics teacher, stand-up comedienne, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She always takes time to hike along the various trails with her dogs (particularly if she can sing her favorite Michael Jackson tunes!) and enjoys the exhilarating nightlife that Hong Kong offers.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?  Maitreyi says of COVID-19, "Covid made me realize how we are all in the same boat and suffer the same anxiety and fears. The world is now so well connected that we can understand the hurt from the other side of the world and connect it with our own. Sharing is my biggest gift through this time. Sharing a smile, a hug, even if it is virtual. Sharing a skill to help someone in need. Sharing money with someone who just lost his job or feels lonely during lockdowns, Sharing your prayers to give another strength. Sharing had been my key to comfort”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self? Her never wavering advice is to live through lifetimes and enjoy the journey because the ultimate destination is the same.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Songs?  Everything Michael Jackson
• Favorite Superpower? To live through lifetimes
• Favorite HK Outings? Hikes, nightlife, visiting parks with her dogs.

Maitreyi Karanth, @maitreyi_karanth

Karen Chan, aka Chankalun: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Karen Chan was born and grew up in Hong Kong and currently resides between Amsterdam and her home city. She’s a natural-born adventurer and loves nothing more than magical night-hike-picnics with her partner, getting lost in Shum Shui Po 2.0 and rooftop chills at a walkup building on Sunday afternoons. Chankalun is the only female neon light designer and practitioner in Hong Kong. She created 'The Neon Girl' to increase awareness and enrich women within the industry. Through new media and technology, the project crosses cultures, three generations, six countries, and two genders. Her days are jam-packed with her design studio, NGO, and other passion projects. When she does take some much-needed 'me time', she languidly disconnects from the world in her bed and finds her peace of mind.

She lives close to nature and enjoys the city and the beach. She enjoys the juxtaposition of old and new, the busy mess and modernism on every corner of Hong Kong.  She is currently developing various NFT collections that build communities and integrate metaverse with real life. Nothing will stop this entrepreneurial pocket-rocket!

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most? Chankalun says, “this project has enlightened me in so many ways and more than the objectives I have set out for. I understand my identity through comparing different cultures; I acknowledged my physical weakness while finding strengths from this recognition and made so many valuable friends along the way”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Impossible is impossible.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Song?  Hang On Little Tomato by Pink Martini
• Favorite Book? David and Goliath - Malcolm Gladwell
• Favorite Superpower? I would love to have the superpower to forgive :)
• Favorite HK Outings? Rooftop chills at a walkup building on Sunday afternoons, getting lost in Shum Shui Po 2.0, and night hike picnics with my partner.

Chankalun, http://theneongirl.com, @chankalun

Mashiat Lamisa: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Mashiat is a relative newcomer to Hong Kong. She has been in the city for only four years and recently graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with a degree in product engineering. She’s endlessly passionate about making impactful products with tech, curious about the world of electronic waste and how she can upcycle them. Mashiat has already founded a startup medical tech company, a repair community that repairs electronics, and a most recently, an upcycle jewelry social enterprise that uses e-waste to make jewelry and art. She loves the futuristic thinking of Hong Kong and how technologically advanced it is compared to her developing home country. As a solo-hiker, she loves to explore the urban sprawl, off the beaten tracks hikes, and discover secret rockpools in Lantau.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Mashiat believes that to look after others, we need to look after ourselves first, “a lot of the times we forget to care for ourselves or put ourselves first before taking care of other people. But it's so important to put ourselves first because only then can we have the strength and energy to love other people and more tangible things like our work better”.

When she’s not busy with her work, she loves to ride on Hong Kong’s trams, read her favorite authors Haruki Murakami and Milan Kundera, and listen to Feet Don't Fail Me Now by Joy Crookes. She’ll sometimes repair the occasional broken phone. Her superpower would be to know all languages and forms of communication.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

If you never try, you will never know.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Song?  Feet Don't Fail Me Now by Joy Crookes
• Favorite Authors? Haruki Murakami, Milan Kundera
• Favorite Superpower? Knowing all languages/communication
• Favorite HK Outings? Hiking, kayaking, and stumbling on secret rock pools in Lantau and near Yuen Long ;)

Mashiat Lamisa, https://www.mashiat.live/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashiatlamisa/

Arcadia Kim: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Arcadia Kim is the proud mom of one son and two daughters. She’s a retired technologist, game maker, and COO of Electronic Arts Los Angeles. She worked on blockbuster titles like The Sims, Medal of Honor, Command and Conquer, and The Lord of the Rings franchise. Arcadia is the founder of Infinite Screentime. A movement dedicated to dispelling negative connotations of screentime and building a community of coaches, educators, and child advocates that help raise screen-smart kids.

Arcadia was born and raised in the US by her Korean parents. She moved to Seoul for 11 years, where her two daughters were born; all three children attended local schools and now speak fluent Korean, so much so, she's the source of much ridicule with her American accent! She loves the melting pot of cultures and the diversity in Hong Kong. She's learned that attitudes to screentime are cultural, and her network of friends has vastly different opinions. Arcadia has always been a tech-wonder, and the Hongkonese parental philosophies support the meeting of minds.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Acadia is a firm believer that relationships are good for our health and the connections that we form are vital to our progress, stability, and wonder; she understands that it's important to invest in deep connections for the ultimate greater cause.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Take it easy, babe.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? My favorite book on the topic of screentime is "Art of Screentime" by Anya Kamenetz
• Favorite Superpower? Knowing all languages/communication
• Favorite HK Outings? Acadia loves to take leisurely hikes with other moms in her spare time and share joys and challenges about motherhood (aka bitching about their kids!). She loves to discover new and exciting restaurants with her husband and share a nice bottle of wine. For some unadulterated time alone, she often explores Disneyland solo.
• Favorite Spot In HK? Her favorite spot is Mount Johnston Lighthouse in Ap Lei Chau, which affords incredible views of Hong Kong Island.

Arcadia Kim, https://infinitescreentime.com https://www.facebook.com/infinitescreentime/ https://www.instagram.com/infinitescreentime/

Shanty: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Shanty is a singer and actress who is passionate about what she does and a real thrill seeker!  She is also a rockstar mom of 2 boys! She enjoys the outdoors and challenging activities.  A real thrill seeker. Shanty enjoys all things outdoors and loves exploring challenging activities.  Sunsets - this is also one of her favorite things!

In Hong Kong, she enjoys Sunday brunches, picnics at the park, having drinks at amazing bars (including Quality Goods). She also loves Tai Kwun square and Cafe Claudel is very cute for catch-ups with friends. She feels Hong Kong is truly a vibrant city that offers everything from hiking trails to beaches and islands, shopping, and nightlife.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

She has enjoyed how people actually came together and helped each other during this tough time. Also, she feels it has helped her and others focus on living the life they want right now. Don’t wait. Life is fragile and the future is uncertain.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Fasten your seat belt, cause it’s gonna be a bumpy ride, but you got this.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? How to do the work By Dr. Nicole Le Pera
• Favorite Song? Dua Lipa's "Don’t Start Now"

Shanty, @shantyparedes 

Louisa Awolaja: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Louisa lived in Hong Kong for two and a half years before moving back to London for work. She lived in the characterful Sheung Wan area and loved exploring the endless cafes, restaurants, antique shops, stalls, and of course, the pier. Louisa is a British-Nigerian who spent most of her life in London. She's a successful diversity and inclusion manager at a law firm. She is also host to ‘HomeGrown,' her podcast that shares experiences of the fantastic black community in Hong Kong.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Louisa realizes that the pandemic over the last two years has shown how little control anyone has outside their own actions and reactions. Her learning has to be the ability to focus on gratitude. She tries to seek joy in every single moment and be that joy to others.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

You don't have to know everything or have everything perfectly in place before you start. Just start and figure it out as you go.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? Warlock by Wilbur Smith
• Favorite Song? Somebody’s Son by Tiwa Savage and Brandy.
• Favorite Superpower? Louisa’s superpower is connecting people. If she had one additional option, it would be teleporting.
• Favorite HK Outings? As an explorer at heart, she enjoyed her time in Hong Kong, exploring the diverse offerings such as hiking in the mountains, lying on the beach, and drinking and dining in some of the world's finest restaurants. Louisa enjoys being active and regularly roller skates, plays netball, and practices yoga. She loves to be by the water, sailing on junk boats, or taking a sunset wander from Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park to Kennedy Town. An experience she recommends to everyone is camping in Tai Long Wan. Louisa has the occasional lazy morning at home; she will meditate and journal or explore a new neighborhood with her camera in hand. Her favorite book is Warlock by Wilbur Smith. Her current favorite piece of music is Somebody’s Son by Tiwa Savage and Brandy.

Louisa Awolaja, @reallifewithlou, @homegrownthepodcast, https://linktr.ee/HomeGrownPod

Jen Flowers: Founder And Co-Chair @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Jen Flowers is a melting pot in her own right; she is Vegas-born and Hong Kong-raised. She's married with two children and speaks fluent Mandarin. She loves staying active through various sports, her family, and her friends. Jen is the founder and co-chair of TEDxTinHauWomen, formed in Shanghai over a decade ago – she's the magic multitasker behind the annual event.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Time with friends and families - it's what matters most.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Diets are lame, just stay active

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Song? Don’t Stop Believing, by Journey (Played at her wedding)
• What does she love about HK? The fact you can be on a mountain and at the beach ;) within minutes. The people, the food, the safety!
• Favorite HK Outings? Jen embraces the food, the people and enjoys how safe she finds the city. She fondly talks of Hong Kong and loves that you can be on the mountains one minute and the beach the next. She loves to take her family on hiking and camping adventures to Yong Ke Wan, wander around the eclectic city, and dance to great tunes until the early hours. Jen encourages her kids to play sports at the local football club.

Jen Flowers, http://linkedin.com/in/jen-flowers-杜敏-15b3033

Cynthia Cheng: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Cynthia Cheng was born and grew up in Hong Kong. She spent over a decade in London. Cynthia is a writer, lawyer, and co-founder of the social impact storytelling platform Hong Kong Shifts. She says, "The platform showcases stories of shift workers through words and visuals as a way to foster meaningful connections and create a positive impact in our community."

Cynthia loves the variety, diversity, and contrast that Hong Kong has to offer – the old and new, glitzy and gritty, skyscrapers and mountains. She doesn’t think that there is another place like it in the world. It's a rich, multi-faceted and diverse city and somewhere that she’s proud to call home.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Cynthia talks of the pandemic, “Covid has brought about separation, divide, and loneliness in ways that we have not experienced before. What matters most now is to be open to and seek out the hundreds of opportunities that we have every day to connect with people all around us. Everyone has a story to share, and every story brings us closer together”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Her favorite quote is, "Spend less time worrying, more time doing. Most of your worries turned out to be a complete waste of time! Don't be afraid to explore, do crazy things, try and fail. If you don't do it now, you'll do it later anyway”.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Song? Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
• Favorite Book? The Ministry of Utmost Happiness - Arundhati Roy
• Favorite Superpower? Flying
• Favorite HK Outings? When she's not busy working, you'll find her taking part in all sorts of activities, from eating in very local places such as Cha Chaan Tengs, Dim Sum and cooked food centers. Cynthia loves to read, write, draw and be out in nature, swim in the sea, or hike the area's numerous trails.

Cynthia Cheng, @hongkongshifts, https://www.facebook.com/hongkongshifts, https://www.linkedin.com/company/30913598/

Sheetal Ganeriwal: Marketing Committee Member @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Sheetal Ganeriwal is a marcoms professional and has worked with leading consumer goods companies across the region. In 2019, Sheetal took a leap of faith, followed her dream, and formed her boutique marketing and communication strategy firm Moonshot Marketing.

When she moved countries, she noticed that women struggled to pursue their dreams, especially those of color. She associated herself with TEDxTinHauWomen in 2019 as part of the marketing team to meet women from diverse backgrounds and discover their common goals. The team has since encouraged her to step into a leadership role to drive marketing and communication strategies. The role allowed her to share her skill set and helped successfully promote the event.

Sheetal was born in Mumbai and has spent the last eight years in Hong Kong. She and her husband have two children. Her experience of Hong Kong has been infinitely positive. Although people are very busy, they still care and share a love for each other. She lives in Discovery Bay and enjoys the beautiful hikes and beaches in her area.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

What Matters Most is - She took a pivot to be the best version of herself.  Additionally, being there for family and friends is key.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

She wishes she could go back and be easy and carefree like she was in her teens. She likes to remind herself that life is too short and that she should enjoy every moment.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Authors? Brene Brown, Vladimir Nabokov, Ryan Holiday, Marcus Aurelius, Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand and so many more.
• Favorite Superpower? Sharing - A publisher asked her to write a chapter in a memoir by women of substance, which soon became an international bestseller on Amazon.
• Favorite HK Outings? As a vegetarian, she was apprehensive about trying the local food, but she now enjoys hiking to the Big Buddha and eating veggie dishes at Po Lin monastery. At weekends, she likes to kayak with her family and explore some secret beaches.

Sheetal Ganeriwal, @sheismespeaks

Viv Kan: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Viv Kan was born and raised in Hong Kong. She counts herself lucky to live in such a vibrant city with the sea, mountains, and a beautiful, convenient urban jungle. She's a mindful intimacy coach who helps women and couples normalize and educate the practice of mindful intimacy by connecting the mind, body, breath, and yoni.

When she’s not hard at work, she loves to hike Hong Kong’s various peaks, meditate, bake, and listen to her favorite audiobooks or podcasts.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

What matters most is understanding the nature of our minds, because everything starts from there.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Focus on your own needs.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy
• Favorite Song? Gold Flow by DJ Taz Rashid
• Favorite Superpower? Helping people feel comfortable and grounded
• Favorite HK Outings? Long Ke Wan Beach, Peak hike in a fine day, Fineprint for avocado toast

Viv Kan, @mindfulintimacy

Rachel Moon: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Rachel has lived in Hong Kong for the past eight years. She’s currently living in the Mid-Levels overlooking Hong Kong Park and expecting her first baby in March. Rachel is one of the TEDxTinhau speakers; she speaks candidly about the taboos that surround infertility and how the conversation needs to change. She talks from her heart and personal experience and wants to inspire candid, open conversations around the fertility journey.

Rachel describes Hong Kong, “Hong Kong is a unique jungle of concrete and bamboo. It's a modern world steeped in tradition.  HK is one of the world’s most bustling cities, but in 30 minutes, you can be surrounded by nature, jumping into oceans, scrambling up mountains, or exploring what feels like unchartered land. The city has an energy that I believe comes from the people who choose to call it home. It's a melting pot of people from many nationalities that are all here to step out of their comfort zones and discover something new about themselves”.

Rachel thrives in nature and enjoys the various trails of Hong Kong. She’s part of a community called Retribe who hosts events and creates nurturing safe spaces for self-exploration through spiritual and physical practices. She’s exploring her neighborhood cafés in search of the best Matcha latte.

“I am currently at a stage in my life where I finally have an abundance of me-time. This definitely wasn't the case for many years, with work consuming most of my waking hours.  I'm working hard to fully embrace this time, especially as I'm six months pregnant, and have the opportunity to be fully present for this amazing journey. I'm also both an avid reader and love getting creative in the kitchen. As a lifelong devotee to fitness, there is always a part of my day focused on keeping my body strong, mobile, and healthy. Currently, that means training with Steph and Cait at Calibrate studios and taking plenty of walks.  Lastly, I also try to make time every day to sit quietly and listen to what my mind, heart, and especially my new baby have to say”.

She believes that you have two choices when faced with diversity – withdraw or grow. “Optimism gives you the sight to see the tiny prick of light at the end of a dark tunnel. It empowers you to ask not "why did this happen to me" but "what can I learn." In simple terms, it keeps your mind focused on the fact that things will get better, even when everything around you is telling you otherwise.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Rachel says COVID hasn’t changed her view but reaffirmed it. “ Stay Curious. We need to keep our hearts, mind, and arms open to new things and people; we are united in our differences. Work hard to ask questions to understand differences instead of trying to change them. Other People Matter. We are who we surround ourselves with, so choose wisely who you give your time to and be present in those moments. Take time to slow down and appreciate all that is good in your life. Sometimes in times of adversity, we have to look deep and hard to see the good, but it's always there no matter how small”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

It's no one's responsibility to make you happy. Figure out exactly what you want, be clear about "why," and then be prepared to receive what you've asked for - without Judgement, guilt, or fear.  Be aware of your inner critic, learn to recognize when it isn't serving you, and then change your inner dialogue. It takes practice; it takes time, so start today”.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
• Favorite Song? Rachel believes that music can open up your soul and her favorites change every day. At the time of the chat with Little Steps Asia, she favored Love me like a man by Bonnie Rait.
• Favorite Superpower? A wishlist superpower would be teleportation minus the quarantine. Her real-life superpower is optimism.
• Favorite HK Outings? She is part of a community called Retribe who hosts events focused on creating a safe space for self-exploration through spiritual and physical practices. Any day spent with this community is a day well spent. The city has an abundance of cafes and restaurants so there is never a shortage of new places to try. Recently a new favorite has been "Neighbourhood Coffee" in Repulse Bay. The girls who work there are really what makes the place, but the Matcha Latte is also top-notch.

Rachel Moon, https://www.instagram.com/rachelm00n/

Daniella Lopez: Co-Chair @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Caroline Tosswill: Head Of Partnerships @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Caroline Tosswill moved from Tai Hang to the Mid-Levels to live with her partner. She’s originally from New Zealand and lived in London before moving to Hong Kong – a bit closer to home! She joined the TEDxTinHauWomen team in 2019 and the leadership team this year as head of partnerships, where she and her team work with community sponsors and partners. She’s always humbled by the generosity of the partners that support the event. Caroline, by day, handles strategic planning and change for an insurance firm.

Caroline enjoys being outside, particularly during the cooler months. She’s enjoyed watching how the waterfront develops and explores cafés, bars, and restaurants in the Star Street, Tai Hang, and Lascar Row areas. For beach time, she heads to quieter areas like South Bay. She talks of her new home city, “Hong Kong has a unique charm that I have never found elsewhere. I love the combination of chaotic city life jammed up against nature, all inside a place so small everywhere is accessible.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

Covid has reinforced that connecting with people you love matters more than anything else. And that life can still be fulfilling and fun at a slower pace”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Caroline says, “make time to do the simple things that make you most happy. Relax. (still working on this!).

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu - a great reminder of what is important.
• Favorite Song? Dance Monkey by Tones and I because it reminds me of my nieces and nephews back home.
• Favorite Superpower? Superhero strengths would be the ability to teleport anywhere in the world.
• Favorite Thing To Do For ME Time? One of my favorite things to do on a weekend morning is head to a neighborhood like Tai Hang or Sai Ying Pun and have breakfast and a good coffee on my own. Or a walk with a podcast”.

Caroline Tosswill, https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-tosswill-b47327/

Puja Kapai: Speaker @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Puja has spent her entire life in Hong Kong. She lives in Jordan, an area that’s always buzzing and close to her family that she sees often. She’s mom to a wonderful little boy. She is an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, a Convenor of the Women's Studies Research Centre at the University of Hong Kong, and a human rights expert. Her research and advocacy work has influenced significant policy changes to address racial inequality and violence against women. She firmly believes that every individual can enact change. It starts with a small action, a single step, and creates a ripple effect. Puja has presented her research and views before the United Nations and HK government officials.

Puja describes life in Hong Kong, “There are so many reasons to love Hong Kong. Of all the places I have traveled to or lived in briefly, Hong Kong stands out for its unparalleled vibrancy and the world of possibilities it encompasses. Its diversity of colors, landscapes, people, food, personalities, and so much more make it uniquely special. Most of all, I love Hong Kong because it is my home”. She loves to take ferry rides, catch beautiful sunsets, hike with family and friends, stroll by the waterfront, cook, bake, and write poetry.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

COVID has forced us to confront some of the most significant crises of our time. These crises have predated COVID. What matters most is to recognize that our current lifestyles and approaches are unsustainable, physically and emotionally. Most crucially, we need to cultivate a heightened awareness of the hidden epidemics of loneliness, divisiveness, violence and hate that prevail in dangerous proportions and develop a sense of personal responsibility towards tackling these as a collective community. Together, we can make a difference - COVID has shown us what communities can achieve”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

She says, "Let go of the pressure to be perfect. Don't wait to be given a seat at the table. Show up, be present and set up your own seat. You deserve to be there as much as anyone else."

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Favorite Song? Hero by Mariah Carey
• Favorite Superpower? Her superhero power would be to heal, empower and amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
• Favorite HK Outings? She is enjoying the way the waterfront is developing and Bowen Road is on her doorstep for walks and runs.  She enjoys South Bay Beach and the neighborhoods of Star Street, Tai Hang, Lascar Row.

Puja Kapai, https://www.instagram.com/pujakapai/

Elena Collins: Head Of Creative @ TEDxTinHauWomen 2021

Elena was born in Hong Kong, and other than a short stint in Happy Valley, she's always lived around Clearwater Bay. She loves being close to the city yet feels grounded and has a sense of coming home when she drives into the bay. Elena is the proud mom of two firecrackers called Mica and Chloe. She's creative, and an interior designer and is always making things instead of buying them. Her daughters give her endless enthusiasm to be creative. Elena has volunteered with TEDxTinHauWomen for four years, initially in operations but now as head of creative. She says, "I love it as it spreads across every fraction of the event, and I get to work with some amazing women who make me laugh! I get to create at many different scales, which is really appealing to me. Starting with the strategic concepts such as the theme and branding to the larger scale items like the stage and fair and down to the items you’ll touch like the booklet”.

Elena has lived in London and Yangon but has spent most of her life in Hong Kong. She loves all of its contrasts. She describes it as “the high-class city juxtaposed with the escapism of the hills and being on the water. I love really knowing the city but not knowing it because it's constantly evolving, and people can always tell you more”.

Most weekends, Elena and her family head to the beach; she loves nothing more than being on the water surrounded by friends and family. She has many fond memories from nights hiking numerous hill trails. She also loves exploring the city through her children's eyes. The star ferry and the trams always feature somewhere in their journey, even if they are trying to find where the elusive fairies live. Elena openly admits, "I am not very good at carving out 'me time' like I’m sure other mothers of young children can resonate. I try to hike every day, which is fantastic for clearing my head, exercising, and spending time with my dog. I really notice when I have skipped a few days! However, I want to find time for creative 'me time' to improve my drawings and start painting again for pleasure - Maybe 2022!

WHAT MATTERS MOST?: How has COVID changed your view on what matters most?

She ponders on COVID, “for me; COVID has allowed me to look inwards and make some big decisions. I have stepped back from corporate interior design; I am listening to my own advice and slowing down. Spending some quality time with my girls, building better connections, and finding the right next move for me. In the meantime, I'm teaching at Insight School of Interior Design and loving every minute of pulling together this year's TEDxTinHauWomen event!”.

ADVICE: What words of wisdom would you pass down to your younger self?

Take your time, time to think, and time to act.

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Favorite Book? She's a huge fan of audiobooks and podcasts. She's currently listening to the Harry Potter series with her niece and Becoming by Michelle Obama.
• Favorite Song? Elena doesn’t have a favorite song; she loves Spotify and a bit of Tracey Chapman.
• Favorite Superpower? Her superhero power would be teleportation.
• Favorite Things She Owns? My favorite things are probably my sewing machine and a glue gun, followed closely by my Kitchen Aid”.

Elena Collins, https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaccollins/