The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hong Kong recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Women of Influence Awards, recognizing outstanding women and allies from various industries, backgrounds, and age groups. With over 200 nominations and nearly 450 attendees, this year's event broke every previous record, showcasing the growing importance of celebrating women's contributions to society, business, and community.

Trilby White, CEO of Creature Comforts Veterinary Group, was honored with the Leading Woman Entrepreneur Award. Trilby's entrepreneurial journey spans over 20 years, during which she successfully grew two leading veterinarian services businesses in Hong Kong and China before selling them to multi-national corporations. She is also dedicated to local causes and education related to animal welfare and other community initiatives.

The Leading Woman in Arts, Sports & Leisure Award was presented to Anna CY Chan, Professor & Dean of the School of Dance at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Anna's influential roles, including being the first Chinese Dean of the School of Dance and the inaugural Head of Dance at the West Kowloon Cultural District, have significantly impacted the arts community in Hong Kong. Her advocacy extends through collaborations with leading organizations, such as the Jockey Club Charities Trust, NGOs, and corporate partners.

Anita Ma, Chairlady of the Executive Committee of Playright Children's Play Association, received the Woman Champion of Disadvantaged Groups & Minorities Award for her dedication to ensuring children's right to play. Through Playright, Anita works to support children in playing in schools, communities, and even hospitals, recognizing the importance of play in a society where children face increasing stress.

The Young Change Maker Award was presented to Lamia Sreya Rahman, Co-founder & COO of Vidi Labs Ltd (Seekr). As a beacon of inspiration and leadership, Lamia breaks barriers by earning a doctorate and actively advocating for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Her achievement underscores her commitment to education and empowerment as the first in her family to earn a law degree.

The Woman Change Maker in STEM Award was presented to Jing Lei, APAC Head of Strategic Accounts at PALO IT. Jing's strategic approach and strong communication skills have been instrumental in connecting French companies with the Hong Kong market, facilitating their expansion, and promoting innovation and growth within the STEM sectors.

Beverly LW Sunn, one of the first female entrepreneurs to establish a real estate and relocation firm in the region, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. As the founder of Asia Pacific Properties in Hong Kong and a pioneer of corporate mobility services, Beverly's vision for the Women of Influence Awards was to create a platform to celebrate women's contributions and inspire others. Her commitment to women's empowerment extends beyond the awards, as she consistently advocates for gender equality and women's rights.

Kirti Lad, Executive Director of Meraki Executive Search & Consulting Limited, was honored with the Champion for Women Award. As a co-founder of the Women's Directorship Program, Kirti has been a staunch advocate for the appointment of women as independent non-executive directors on boards of companies across Asia.

The Leading Woman Director or Executive Award was presented to Luanne Lim, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC. Under Luanne's leadership, women's representation at HSBC has steadily increased, accounting for 38.6% of the bank's senior leadership in Hong Kong in 2022. Her involvement in initiatives like Strive & Rise, HSBC Scholarship, and GBA Youth Employment Scheme demonstrates her dedication to nurturing the next generation and ensuring that Hong Kong remains a vibrant and diverse global city.

Finally, Morrison Foerster (MoFo) received the Best Company Championing Women Award for their commitment to promoting and advancing women attorneys. With innovative programs and a strong representation of women in leadership positions, MoFo has proven its dedication to developing women leaders, advocating for underrepresented communities, and supporting economic development while reducing poverty and inequality.