Issuu

Presented by:

Knowledge Partner:

Spencer Stuart Years Years

Impact of Diversity Lists 10 years of The Zubin Foundation

August 2025 Vinee Kapoor, Shalini Mahtani, The Zubin Foundation

WHAT IS DIVERSITY LIST Commended by HKSAR Government and used by government bureaux and departments. Knowledge Partner is Spencer Stuart, bringing expertise in leadership and board recruitment.

A directory of high-caliber, ethnically diverse talent who have an interest in serving the HKSAR Government in their Advisory & Statutory Bodies (ASBs)*, published by The Zubin Foundation. Since its inaugural release in 2016, The Zubin Foundation has published six editions of the Diversity List.

OBJECTIVE To increase ethnically diverse individuals’ representation on Hong Kong’s ASBs given that the ethnically diverse population is the fastest growing and the youngest population in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an international city and including diversity on committees results in better outcomes.

PROFILE OF CANDIDATES ELECTED ON HKSAR ASBs 3% Indonesian

3% Nepali

3% Mixed Ethnicity

3% African 5% Filipino

37.5% Male

11.67

5% Sri-Lankan

Gender

8% Bangladeshi

Ethnicity

53% Indian

62.5% Female 20% Pakistani

The Diversity List has empowered individuals from nine diverse ethnicities to secure seats on HKSAR’s ASBs.

62.5% of the selected candidates on ASBs are female.

IMPACT IN NUMBERS

143

Individuals in total put forward on six Diversity Lists

28%

success rate

40 out of 143 individuals selected by the HKSAR Government selected for various ASBs

(Self Reported by the Candidates)

ASBs being served by the 40 selected individuals (Self Reported by the Candidates)

Lead Sponsors

Sponsors

Report & Print Sponsors

Venue Sponsors & Partners

A&O Shearman Caravel Group Town House

Manulife KPMG King & Wood Mallesons MTR Swire Trust Linklaters

The Indian Association Hong Kong Ovolo

Hyatt Regency The Hong Kong Bankers Club The Hong Kong Shanghai Hotels Limited

*https://www.hyab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/District_Community_and_Public_Relations/advisory.htm

IMPACT RIZWAN ULLAH TODAY A DISTRICT COUNCILLOR (DIVERSITY LIST 2016) Kowloon City District Councillor advocating for education, inclusion, and racial harmony. Serving on 10+ government boards, he earned the HKSAR Medal of Honor for his contributions.

"Diversity List opened numerous doors for me to serve Hong Kong and Greater China — it gave me visibility and a platform to be heard. It connects capable, aspiring individuals with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to Hong Kong’s public sector. Only through The Zubin Foundation’s endorsement, I began my journey in government roles and advisory work. This platform has been invaluable, amplifying voices and fostering change. My time on the Equal Opportunities Commission, advocating for Chinese language learning and increasing ethnically diverse representation in youth programmes, is a testament to its impact."

NAUBAHAR SHARIF -

TODAY MAKING PUBLIC POLICY (DIVERSITY LIST 2016)

HKUST academic and public policy advisor, contributing expertise in governance, mental health, and community engagement. Recently appointed to the Chief Executive's Policy Unit Expert Group "Diversity List has given me a higher profile in society, helping the broader Hong Kong community recognise the talent within ethnic minorities. Like all other Hong Kong residents, these individuals can make meaningful contributions because we are an integral part of Hong Kong's social fabric - simple as that. My experiences with Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Chief Executive’s Policy Unit have been incredibly fruitful and enriching, where I truly felt welcomed. My perspective has even contributed to changes or reconsiderations in recommendations within these committees."

SREYA LAMIA - TODAY ON FORBES 30 UNDER 30, ASIA SOCIAL IMPACT 2025, PUTTING HONG KONG ON THE TECH MAP (DIVERSITY LIST 2019)

Lamia is celebrated for her innovative contributions, including the development of assistive technologies to empower the visually impaired. Served on Committee for the Promotion of Racial Harmony; Transport Dept – PVRM (Current Member) "In 2019, my appointment to ASBs, through the Diversity List, was a meaningful step for the diverse community. While serving on the Committee for the Promotion of Racial Harmony during COVID-19, I met a visually impaired elderly woman struggling with daily tasks despite having a guide dog and cane. This encounter inspired me to develop Seekr.ai, my award-winning assistive technology for the visually impaired."

INNOCENT MUTANGA -

TODAY INCLUDED AS A MEMBER OF THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY (DIVERSITY LIST 2024)

Once an asylum seeker, is now a Hong Kong permanent resident working at Goldman Sachs. He founded Hong Kong’s Africa Centre, a hub connecting African and non-African communities in Asia. “Diversity List is a very important initiative. It has helped me expand my network, enhance my credibility, and amplify the impact of my social initiatives. It provided the opportunity to serve on a government advisory board, which has been instrumental in my work.”

ENDORSEMENT BY HKSAR GOVERMENT “My special thanks must go to The Zubin Foundation and Spencer Stuart today for their continuous efforts in identifying talented ethnic minority individuals. Government bureaux and departments will certainly draw reference from the Diversity List in strengthening the membership of our advisory bodies or statutory boards. We look forward to welcoming more elite representatives from different ethnic groups to join hands with us in serving Hong Kong and the community.” Excerpt from Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-chung's speech at the "Race for Opportunity: Diversity List 2017" launch #1 (21 March 2017)

“Diversity List has identified a number of talented, non-Chinese individuals. As a result, the identified candidates are very well informed about Hong Kong's issues and are passionate about improving people's well-being, ready to make a difference for Hong Kong. What's more, they are committed to serving the people through participation in government advisory and statutory bodies... We are eager to bring their voices, their insight, their ideas and their commitment into Government.” #2 Excerpt from Chief Executive, Mrs. Carrie Lam’s speech, at the launch ceremony of “Diversity List 2019: Youth to Watch” (16 March 2019) “The Zubin Foundation has long been a close partner of the Government. We share a common vision of providing equal opportunities for our ethnic minorities and enabling their integration into the larger community.” #3 Excerpt from Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Chan Kwok-ki's speech, at the “Diversity List 2024” Launch Event (20 June 2024) # 1. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201703/21/P2017032100679.htm; 2. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201903/16/P2019031600713.htm; 3. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202406/20/P2024062000352.htm

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