Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026: Give To Gain
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026, this year’s theme—“Give To Gain”—highlights the power of generosity, collaboration, and shared progress.
At Compass Offices, we’re proud to spotlight three inspiring women clients whose leadership and stories reflect this spirit. Through their experiences, they showcase resilience, purpose, and the transformative impact of giving back in Hong Kong’s dynamic business landscape.
Interview with Connie Leung: Empowering Through Trust and Charity
Connie Leung, Managing Director of Great Horse International Limited, has over 20 years of experience in the trust industry and leads a team supporting company setup, maintenance, family trusts, and charity foundations.
Reflecting on IWD, Connie shares: “It’s a day for us to celebrate and think about our role in family and career, and how we can excel. Since it’s international, it also encourages interaction between nationalities so we can learn from each other.”
Connecting her work to “Give To Gain,” she notes:
“We help clients set up family charity foundations and organise events for beneficiaries such as elderlies, youth, and ethnic minorities. Charity work brings better brand recognition and new opportunities. When you’re willing to give, you gain more than you expect.”
Her advice for women is grounded in confidence and action:
“Try different things and don’t worry about mistakes. Give yourself the chance to explore—eventually you’ll find what you want to focus on.”
Interview with HALL Akiho: Building Trust and Persistence in Finance
Akiho, founder of Brilliant Asia Asset Management Limited, an asset management and brokerage firm, helps clients invest in quality financial products, including Hong Kong insurance and overseas funds.
On the significance of IWD, she shares:
“It reminds us of women’s strength, possibilities, and contributions. I hope my journey shows other women that we can shine in finance just as in any industry.”
Speaking about “Give To Gain,” Akiho reflects on the challenges she has overcome:
“My biggest challenge is building trust as someone without resources or network. Another challenge is finding Japanese-speaking talent. But with a strong team, we can serve clients deeply and build long-term trust.”
As a mother, she adds:
“I want my children to see how hard I’m working toward my dream. With persistence, you can succeed anywhere—even in a foreign country.”
Her message is one of resilience:
“Don’t be afraid of challenges. Keep trying. One day you will succeed—no matter what you do.”
Interview with Beatrice Poon: Innovating in Travel and Empowerment
Beatrice Poon, Country Manager for Hong Kong at Rakuten Travel, leads a major online travel agency under the Rakuten Group, offering accommodation across Japan and worldwide. Their mission is clear:
“To contribute to society through innovation and entrepreneurship, empowering people to realize their hopes and dreams.”
For Beatrice, IWD is about inclusive leadership:
“It’s a reminder that leadership is about lifting others. In our industry, it’s a moment to celebrate progress while continuing to address unconscious bias and ensure the next generation sees all the possibilities available to them.”
On “Give To Gain,” she shares:
“In travel, the best experiences come from giving travellers knowledge, giving partners support, and giving teams autonomy. When you invest in people, the returns in trust, innovation, and growth are substantial.”
Beatrice credits her mother as her greatest influence:
“Her resilience and forward-looking attitude shaped how I approach work and life.”
On empowering women in the workplace, she adds:
“Empowerment starts with visibility and opportunity. I actively sponsor women and work to minimize bias. ‘See it to be it’—visibility inspires others.”
Her empowering motto:
“No Limits, No Boundaries. Women Can Go Anywhere!”
Embracing Give To Gain at Compass Offices
The stories of Connie, Akiho, and Beatrice show how giving—through charity, trust-building, or mentorship—creates meaningful and lasting impact. As the IWD 2026 theme reminds us, investing in women strengthens communities and builds a more resilient future.
At Compass Offices, we’re proud to support leaders like these and encourage everyone to consider how we can all give to gain together.
Happy International Women’s Day!
