Research is showing that the trends of work are moving towards a non-traditional approach. 'As Yale School of Management professor Amy Wrzesniewski has observed. For employers, this implies a need for more explicit attention to creating connections and community as workplaces become more virtual and filled with more contingent workers.'

'In 2030 the many places where we work and live will be diverse and entwined: humanity, creativity, culture, and community will be integral. The research demonstrates that significant changes are happening - across the world. Not only is business changing, but people are reflecting on the very meaning of work in their lives and how to be a part of vibrany virtual and physical communities that bring joy and high quality of experience to our lives.' 

- From Deloitte; What is the future of work? Refining work, workforces and workplaces.

In this Discussion Panel, we have invited four speakers to discuss four different perspectives:

1. The CEO of a Co-working Space with a new concept - What are our new generation of entrepreneurs looking for when seeking a flexible workspace? What can a co-working space provide ideally to match their new expectations: the importance of community? A good base, network and service? What value it brings to Hong Kong’s ecosystem with examples to show the changing trends and demands.  

2. The General Manager of a Co-working space created inside a Hotel - We will hear first-hand the vision and mission of a new concept. The lines between work and play are getting blurred with environments that are designed to incorporate both, and workplace cultures have become more open to a balanced lifestyle. There is a trend towards utilizing mixed-use buildings and introducing hospitality standards to shared space industry.

3. The Director of the Human Resources of an International Corporate - What are the changing needs and expectations of our next generation of employees, such as the millennials. How can HR collaborate with business leaders in a highly matrixed, global, fast-paced and high growth environment to create and implement practical yet innovative talent strategies to build a workforce of the future? Will there be changes in the work place to accommodate the mindsets of the millennials?  How can business incorporate and develop digital and future-focussed capability into the future work space?

4. An Entrepreneur's perspective - There is a growing number of entrepreneurs who have changed the way they work, where they work. We will examine and discuss a real-life example of how the current trends impact an entrepreneur, how he changed his work style as well as his lifestyle and find resources to run his business effectively on a daily basis. 

About the Speakers:

Alexandra Maiden

APAC Talent Leader, Advisory, Asia-Pacific at EY

Alex is the APAC Talent Leader for EY's Advisory service line, based in Hong Kong. In this role, she is responsible for driving HR strategies for the busienss, risk and technology consulting lines of business spanning China, ASEAN, Korea and Australia.

Prior to working with EY, Alex worked in Australia also in HR with BankWest for Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Macquarie Bank. Before moving into HR, Alex was an employment lawyer. Alex’s key areas of focus have been leading diversity, inclusion and flexible work strategy and initiative implementation, digital HR transformation, organizational design, leadership development and performance management frameworks both locally, regionally and globally.

Chris Edwards

General Manager of Kafnu Hong Kong

Chris was born and raised in Hong Kong and has more than 10 years of experience in partnership building, event management and loyalty program development across the entertainment, membership club and transportation industries. He has also created and spun off two premium concierge service companies in Hong Kong. Prior to joining Kafnu, he was the Asia Pacific Regional General Manager at The Black Tie Service Company Limited, overseeing operations in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and China, providing bespoke member engagement strategies through loyalty programmes and data-driven technologies. Now at the helm of Kafnu Hong Kong, Chris is focused on driving operational excellence and delivering on Kafnu’s brand promise to a growing membership base.

Elaine Tsung

Founder & CEO at Garage Society
Pioneer of Coworking in Asia

Born in Hong Kong, Elaine received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Anbor. She is an investment banker turned serial entrepreneur. All her ventures have been successful and she is respected as an outstanding female entrepreneur.

In 2000, she founded European Gourmet Ltd., which has grown to become one of the biggest premium confectionery distributors in the Greater China region. In 2010, she entered the coworking industry and became the Founding Director of the Hive, the first co-working space in Hong Kong. She opened 4 operations in HK and Thailand for the Hive. Elaine then founded Garage Society in 2014, a co-work operator that has gone on to become a leader in the space in Asia. In 2018, she is awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by American Chamber of Commerce and is also a finalist at Verve Clicquot Woman in Business Award.

Julien Mathieu

Co-Founder AD MediLink & Healthy Matters

Julien is a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and co-founder of two health-related businesses: AD MediLink (health insurance advisory) and Healthy Matters (online health information).

His mission is to empower people with trusted health information, so they can make the best choices for themselves and their families.

At AD MediLink, Julien focuses on online strategy and partnerships. At Healthy Matters, he is in charge for digital, strategy and operations. Prior to entrepreneurship, Julien worked in financial services for 13 years in Paris, New York and Hong Kong, in commercial and risk management roles dealing with corporates, entrepreneurs and high-net worth clients.

About the Moderator:

Pádraig Walsh  

Partner, Tanner De Witt Solicitors

Pádraig Walsh is a Partner at Hong Kong law firm Tanner De Witt where he broadly focuses on clients within the technology sector (including fintech, insurtech, regtech, medtech, edutech, and cleantech). His work encompasses advice on PE and debt financings, leading on investment negotiations and completion, and preparing documents to implement deal terms.

Pádraig Walsh also advises on the range of common issues for emerging companies such as corporate structuring, IP licensing, equity incentive plans, and shareholder disputes, representing both investors, strategics, and founders. Pádraig’s practice also includes assisting clients on licensing, regulatory and compliance which has enabled him to advise clients on a number of innovative, complex fintech projects. He is at the forefront of advising on legal issues for emerging businesses using blockchain technology.

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**Refund Policy:

No Refund. You may choose to cancel your purchase at any time but you won't be issued a refund. The outstanding amount can only be saved as soft credit for the next purchase if cancellation is received in writing 72 hours prior to the event. Soft credit must be used within six (6) months of the cancelled purchase at the discretion of the Chamber. No shows will be charged.