Cover Ingrid Chen, Lena Harilela, Fiona Nott, Joanna Hotung, Tasha Lalvani and Felicity McRobb at The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner in September 2025
Ingrid Chen, Lena Harilela, Fiona Nott, Joanna Hotung, Tasha Lalvani and Felicity McRobb at The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner in September 2025
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The Allies Circle, a new initiative from The Women’s Foundation, offers members—who range from corporate leaders to family offices to philanthropists—fresh opportunities to champion change and drive gender equality beyond raising funds
While Hong Kong enjoys something of a post-Covid comeback, fundamental issues persist, including a lack of support for women and girls. Many women remain disadvantaged whether through lower pay, greater familial expectations as caregivers, lack of confidence or financial dependence. These are issues that cross socio-economic boundaries and impact all levels of society.
The Women’s Foundation (TWF), which was established in 2004, has long been dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in Hong Kong, but last year soft launched a new initiative, The Allies Circle, a diverse network keen to shape “a future where women and girls can thrive, opportunities are equal and barriers to advancement no longer exist”.
What The Allies Circle offers
Above Jeanne Lim, founder of beingAI and co-creator of Sophia the Robot, with one participant from The Women’s Foundation’s Young Allies programme and one from its Girls Go Tech programme in a discussion moderated by Joanna Hotung on the ongoing impact of tech and AI on our lives and families. The panel took place at the Allie Circle welcome cocktail and dinner in September 2025
Jeanne Lim, founder of beingAI and co-creator of Sophia the Robot, with one participant from The Women’s Foundation’s Young Allies programme and one from its Girls Go Tech programme in a discussion moderated by Joanna Hotung on the ongoing impact of tech and AI on our lives and families. The panel took place at the Allie Circle welcome cocktail and dinner in September 2025
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The Allies Circle is a philanthropic platform designed for impact. Members—philanthropists, family offices and corporate leaders—make annual contributions that fund TWF’s research, advocacy and programmes. But financial support is just the starting point.
The initiative provides exclusive access to workshops, thought-provoking speaker series and patron-driven events like Dining for Equality, where intimate gatherings become spaces for meaningful conversation and fundraising. It’s this combination of education, community and action that sets The Allies Circle apart.
Joanna Hotung, a steering committee member as well as a board member of TWF, sees The Allies Circle as an essential evolution. “I’ve been on the board of TWF for several years and a huge advocate of all the work that we do in gender equality,” she says. “I’ve felt that this advocacy could extend its influence more broadly—and this is exactly what The Allies Circle does.”
Why gender equality matters now
Above Lena Harilela and Joanna Hotung, steering committee members of The Allies Circle
Lena Harilela and Joanna Hotung, steering committee members of The Allies Circle
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Women in Hong Kong continue to face pay disparities, shoulder disproportionate caregiving responsibilities and encounter barriers to leadership positions—from classrooms to boardrooms.
Hotung frames the reality plainly: “Women earn less than men, are subject to sexual violence and bear most of the responsibility for child and elder care. You may not feel directly impacted by this, but what about your children, relatives and friends? Or the wider repercussions in your communities?”
The pandemic only deepened these inequalities. As Hong Kong re-establishes itself on the global stage, addressing these fundamental issues has become more critical than ever.
The male perspective
Above Wai Kwong Ho, Damien Mooney and Gautam Dev at The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner event
Wai Kwong Ho, Damien Mooney and Gautam Dev at The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner event
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One of The Allies Circle's significant strengths is its recognition that gender equality isn’t solely a women’s issue—it requires everyone’s participation. Damien Mooney, a board member of The Women's Foundation and Allies Circle member, says, “There is no doubt in my mind that if we are to achieve gender equality, men need to be involved. Men should care, because all of us have women in our lives—mothers, sisters, spouses, daughters, friends, colleagues… It is in all our interests to ensure that women are getting the opportunity to advance. Men must play an active role if we want to see real progress.”
This perspective resonates with Lena Harilela, founding patron and another steering committee member who hosted The Allies Circle's official welcome cocktail and dinner event in September at the Harilela family residence in Kowloon Tong. As a mother of boys, she finds the initiative especially meaningful. “Being a part of The Allies Circle has given me not only the opportunity to stay current about the many issues we face surrounding gender equality, but it also provides a wonderful platform to help create change and awareness,” says Harilela. “Additionally, as a mother of boys I find it important to keep them informed of the different issues and find ways to work together as a community to create a much-needed balance.”
Creating ripples of change
Above The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner was held at the Harilela family residence in Kowloon Tong in September
The Allies Circle welcome cocktail and dinner was held at the Harilela family residence in Kowloon Tong in September
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What makes The Allies Circle particularly effective is how it transforms individual awareness into collective action. Mooney notes that “the programme of events and initiatives from The Allies Circle has been a great conversation starter with friends and peers, and an easy entry point for them to come along and see for themselves what impact they might be able to have.”
These conversations matter. Hotung reflects on the power of dialogue: “I've realised how important it is to have detailed and diverse conversations with different people to help them see what gender inequalities still exist in our community. Seeing a mother of two boys realise that gender equality is just as important to young adult males as it is to women has been powerful.”
The Allies Circle isn’t about passive observation—it’s about using influence to create measurable change. From business leaders to philanthropists to professionals with a platform, involvement can help scale programmes, influence policy and build a legacy of equality for future generations.
Harilela puts it simply: “The Allies Circle is a way to stay connected with gender issues while also providing opportunities to be at the forefront of creating change, by keeping conversations alive and focusing on advancing gender equality in Hong Kong from the classrooms to boardrooms. Join the change!”
For further information and to learn more about joining, visit The Allies Circle.
About
Rachel Duffell is regional content director for Power & Purpose, including Front & Female, and former regional content director for Tatler Dining. She is a journalist and editor who has been covering people, gender, impact, leadership, culture and lifestyle for more than 15 years.
