JESSICA
MostSuccessfulWomenAwards
AboutJESSICAMostSuccessfulWomenAwards
Most Successful Women Awards (MSW) is a prestigious accolade presented by The JESSICA Company, honouring extraordinary female leaders who have made significant and lasting impact across industries including business, technology, arts, sports and social services.
Established in 2001, the MSW Awards has recognised over 300 outstanding women over the past two decades.
More than an award, MSW celebrates women who redefine success — not only through professional excellence, but by breaking barriers, shaping culture and inspiring future generations to lead with purpose.
What's Happening Now
JESSICAMostSuccessfulWomenAwards2026
2026 Theme
"TransformBeyond"
The 2026 theme, "Transform Beyond," honours women who challenge boundaries, lead meaningful transformation and create lasting impact.
Timeline
November 2025
Public Nomination Open
31 December 2025
Nomination Deadline
January 2026
Shortlist Announcement & JES Network Voting
February 2026
MSW 2026 Awardee Announcement
June 2026
MSW Awards Ceremony & Luncheon
Congratulations to
MSW2026Winners
Mrs. Yamilette Cano
Yamilette Cano is President of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, leading initiatives that connect Latin America and Asia Pacific. Through her work with MexCham HK and LOUDER, she champions women’s leadership and amplifies underrepresented founders across business and culture.
Prof. Michelle Chang
Prof Michelle Chang, the founder of Chinese Essence Medical Group, became interested in Chinese medicine at a young age when her mentor gave her significant inspiration. As she pursued her interest in Chinese medicine, Prof Chang enrolled in a part-time course offered by the Department of Extra-Mural Studies at The University of Hong Kong. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Chinese Medicine from The University of Hong Kong. Prof Chang then earned a Master of Science degree in Chinese Medicines and Herbal Drugs, as well as a PhD in Chinese Medicine, both from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1999, inspired by the Hong Kong SAR government's initiative to establish Hong Kong as a global hub for Chinese medicine, Prof Chang further embarked on her career in the field. She founded Chinese Essence Medical (德善堂中醫) in 2000 and further grew her business by establishing Chinese Essence Health Management (德善健康管理), Chinese Essence Hair Care (德善健髮), and Tak Yue Medicine (德譽製藥) into Chinese Essence Medical Group (德善醫療集團), focusing on offering comprehensive integrated Chinese and Western medicine services. The Group is now one of the biggest private Chinese medicine companies in Hong Kong. For her dedications to the Chinese medicine sector, Prof Chang has received numerous accolades including the Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Female Entrepreneur Award and the 3rd Golden Bauhinia Women Entrepreneur Award. Prof Chang once said, “The most valuable moment as a doctor is helping patients.” Even as her responsibilities have grown as a female entrepreneur, she insists on performing front-line medical practice and teaching apprentices. Prof Chang is pioneering the modernization and technicalization of Chinese medicine sectors recently through collaborating with research institutes on AI diagnostics. In addition to establishing the system of “precision Chinese medicine practices”, Prof Chang is dedicated to integration of Chinese and Western medicine.
Ms. Helena Chen
Helena has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in transaction banking and consumer and commercial payments. As Senior Vice President and General Manager for Hong Kong and Macau, she oversees business development and daily operations across both markets. Previously, Helena served as Mastercard’s Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau from 2017 to 2025, after leading Market Development for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Across these roles, she drove commercial payment solutions, digital innovation, and strategic growth while successfully navigating complex market challenges.
Dr. Celina Chin
Dr Celina Chin was appointed as the founding Executive Director of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Limited (HKCO) at its transition from a government-owned entity to an independent, not-for-profit organisation in 2001. The HKCO was founded in 1977 and has been widely acclaimed to be the world’s leading Chinese orchestra and Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong. In addition to winning numerous artistic awards, HKCO has won awards for its excellence in management, corporate governance, promotional work and arts education project. During her tenure, HKCO has set numerous milestones in the development of Chinese orchestral music by producing many groundbreaking projects. She led the team in expanded education programs and building pioneer projects that received national recognition. HKCO has successfully developed to become a vibrate institute that provides open access to all, creating programs for youths, families and adults. Dr Chin led a smooth transition at the Orchestra’s incorporation in 2001 and has since then, played an important role in the growth and expansion of the Orchestra. Dr Chin has over 20 years’ experience in arts administration in aspects of corporate governance, company direction, strategic marketing, image building and event management. She has been a frequent speaker and panelist for arts administration among other organisation, as well as a visiting professor and lecturer of arts administration for several academies of music in Hong Kong and China. Dr Chin received a Master of Arts in Strategic Management for Non-Profit-Distributing Organisation, holds The Hong Kong Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction and Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance & Directorship and is a graduate of the Professional Program in Arts Administration organised by UCLA and former Urban Services Department.
Ms. Cecilia Ho
Ms. Cecilia Ho is the President of Lee Hysan Foundation and her philanthropy philosophy is grounded in the "5Cs" approach of Connection, Collaboration, Co-funding, Co-creation, and Catalyzing Policy Change. Under Ms. Ho’s leadership, Lee Hysan Foundation acts as a catalyst for transformational change in Hong Kong where Lee Hysan Foundation currently focuses on five main sectors: Education, Social Welfare, Health, Arts and Culture, and the Environment. Ms. Ho is a member of the Fight Crime Committee under the Security Bureau, the Strategy Committee on Co-Creation under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Advisory Committee of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of The University of Hong Kong, the Advisory Committee of the School of Drama of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Steering Committee of the Knowledge Transfer Venture Impact Fund at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In addition, she is an advisor to Our Hong Kong Foundation. Ms. Ho is the former Executive Director of Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. and former Managing Director and Tema Head of Citi Private Bank prior to joining Lee Hysan Foundation. Cecilia earned her BBA with honours from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and was presented the Hall of Honour in 2010 by the University of Hawaii College of Business. She attended the Stanford Executive Programme at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In 2019, The University of Hong Kong conferred the Honorary University Fellowship upon Cecilia. In 2024, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University also conferred the University Fellowship to her.
Mrs. Christine Ip
Christine joined United Overseas Bank Limited (“UOB”) in 2011. She is a Managing Director responsible for developing the Bank’s Greater China strategy. Christine has been appointed as CEO of UOB Hong Kong since 2012 and CEO Greater China with effect from 1 July 2016. Christine is a seasoned banker with more than 30 years of experience in both Consumer and Corporate Banking, and she has significant experience in China. Prior to joining UOB, Christine has held a range of senior management positions in product and sales management, customer segment management and risk management in Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Singapore and China with ANZ, Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC. She was Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) CEO and Executive Director of the China business. She has led the team to expand the franchise in terms of geography and to build a comprehensive range of corporate and retail products and service capabilities. During her role as ANZ China CEO, the Bank won best “Australia Business Award in China” by Australia Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, Christine was Country Head, Consumer Banking, China at Standard Chartered Bank spearheading the development of the business and team building with WTO opening. She has led the Standard Chartered Bank to win “Best Retail Bank in HK” and “Best Foreign Retail Bank in China”. Her achievements have brought her the Asia Retail Congress award for “Best International Retail Banker’ in 2008 and she was also named by the All-China Women’s Federation as among the Top 100 Greater China Senior Women Executives in 2012.
Ms. Zoie Lam
Zoie Lam is an artist based in Hong Kong. As the creator of the imaginary planet Zlism, she details a world with all its residents and happenings. Positive energy oozes out from the kind-hearted characters as they come alive under her pen.
Ms. Jeanne Lim
Jeanne is the Co-founder and CEO of beingAI, which creates AI beings and AI-powered experiences to elevate living, learning, wellbeing, and humanity. Jeanne has over 25 years of experience in business management and technology marketing. She is the former CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Hanson Robotics, the creator of Sophia the Robot, and held marketing leadership roles at Dell, Cisco, Danaher, and Apple, where she was the product and business manager responsible for launching Apple’s most groundbreaking products in the region. She started her career as a Group Management Trainee at John Swire & Sons. Jeanne is the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of The Cathy Ann Hall Sphere Foundation, and is active in the startup community as an angel investor, advisor, and startup competition judge and mentor. Jeanne has a Ph.D. degree in integrated and holistic health, an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and a BA degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a certified yoga instructor and a life-long student of yoga philosophy, having completed Georg Feuerstein’s five-year Traditional Yoga Studies course.
Prof. Liona Poon
Prof. Liona Poon is the Professor (Clinical) & Co-Team Heads of Maternal Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China, and Visiting Professor at the Department of Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, UK. Professor Poon is a globally recognised expert in maternal–fetal medicine, with particular expertise in the screening and prevention of placental complications, including preeclampsia, prenatal screening and diagnosis, the management of fetal growth restriction, multiple pregnancies (fetal interventions and the use of ultrasound in labour management). Her most significant contribution is the establishment of a comprehensive programme for the early prediction and prevention of preeclampsia, a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Building on her success in developing a first‑trimester prediction model that integrates maternal risk factors, ultrasound, blood pressure, and biochemical markers—alongside the use of aspirin prophylaxis—she aims over the next decade to advance obstetric care globally through clinical research, education, and advocacy.
Special Recognition
SpecialAwards2026
“Involve” Award of the Year
Ms. Natalie Lau
Natalie Lau is the young, innovative founder of Hong Kong's viral "Chicken Egg Boy" café, known for fusing traditional snacks like pineapple buns with egg waffles (Gai Daan Jai) to create unique treats, a venture that combines her love for science, self-directed learning (thanks to homeschooling), and social responsibility by donating profits to charity.
“Catalyse” Award of the Year
Mr. Kasing Lung
Born in Hong Kong, renowned artist Kasing Lung moved to the Netherlands with his family as a child. Having grown up in Europe whereby fairy tales and folklores are deeply rooted in people’s culture, Kasing quickly developed a profound interest in the fantastical and began creating his very own magical realm. Now a celebrated illustrator, Kasing gave life to countless characters under his pen and brush. Amongst them, the bunny-eared Labubu is the most well-known and makes recurring appearances in the artist's extensive oeuvre.
“Emanate” Award of the Year
Ms. Ceci Lee
Ceci Lee Sze Wing is a professional cyclist from Hong Kong specializing in road and track disciplines. Born on May 5, 2001, she transitioned from triathlon to cycling and has become a leading athlete in Hong Kong. She has won multiple national road race titles and achieved significant success at Asian championships, including an Asian Championship title in the scratch race in 2025. Lee also represented Hong Kong in both the road race and track omnium at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first female Hong Kong cyclist to compete in both events at the Olympics. Additionally, she has won multiple gold medals at China’s National Games, highlighting her as one of Hong Kong’s top cyclists. Alongside her athletic career, she studies health education and balances training between Hong Kong and the mainland.
MSW Legacy
ExploretheMSWLegacy
Discover the women whose leadership, vision and achievements have shaped industries and driven meaningful change. Their stories continue to inspire progress, empower future leaders and define the enduring legacy of the MSW Awards.
TheAwardsProcess
The MSW Awards follow a rigorous, transparent and merit-based selection process, ensuring that each awardee truly represents excellence, leadership and impact.
PublicNomination
Each MSW cycle begins with an open public nomination, inviting submissions from individuals, organisations and industry peers.
Nominees may be recognised for:
- Demonstrated excellence and leadership in their industry/field.
- Made significant contributions to the community.
- Pioneered innovations or changes in their sector.
- Served as an inspiration or role model for other women.
Evaluation&VotingProcess
Final awardees are selected through a structured evaluation process, with votes cast by:
- Panel of Judges
- JES Network Past Awardees
- JESSICA Content Team
This collective approach ensures that each MSW awardee is recognised through a balanced perspective of industry expertise, peer recognition and editorial integrity.