Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Session of Inspiration & Action on Sustainability

Hosted by Womentors for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Hong Kong

A Transformative Evening on Building Sustainable Futures

We are delighted to reflect on an inspiring and impactful session dedicated to sustainability in business at our recent AWE Hong Kong session. From thought-provoking discussions to real-world success stories, the event left AWE fellows energized and equipped to drive meaningful change in their ventures.

🌱 Foundations of Sustainability

The session opened by advisor Genevieve Hilton with a deep dive into responsible business practices, from ethical governance to reducing environmental footprints—setting the stage for why sustainability is a strategic advantage, not just a moral obligation.

🏆 Tony Ip’s Inspiring Journey: Aligning Business with Purpose

Green Architect Tony Ip captivated the audience with his story of building a firm that helps clients achieve sustainability goals. His insights on market demand, client expectations, and SDG alignment sparked powerful reflections on how every business can contribute to a greener future.

💡 Hands-On Learning: The Materiality Exercise

Participants engaged in an interactive materiality assessment, identifying key sustainability priorities for their businesses. This exercise reinforced how cross-industry collaboration can amplify impact—proving that sustainability is a shared mission.

📢 Authentic Storytelling: How to Communicate Impact Without Greenwashing

Ray Horan of OneSeed shared expert strategies on transparent sustainability communication, helping entrepreneurs build trust with stakeholders while avoiding common pitfalls like greenwashing.

🚀 Scaling Impact: Attracting Investors & Managing Risks

The final segment explored sustainability reporting and impact investment, giving attendees tools to position their businesses for growth while staying true to their values.

The enthusiasm was palpable—here’s what our fellows had to say:

“Tony’s story is inspiring!”

“Sustainability is interrelated among industries—we can co-create a sustainable future together.”

“As a professional service provider, I’m rethinking my sustainability goals to align with the SDGs and communicate impact better."

“Extremely inspired—amazing session!”

“Very insightful—the best sustainability talk I’ve attended!”

The Way Forward

This event was a powerful reminder that sustainability is the future of business —and women entrepreneurs are leading the charge. We can’t wait to see how our AWE community turns these insights into actions, creating businesses that thrive while making a difference.

A heartfelt thank you to our brilliant speakers, partners, and all the amazing women who joined us. Together, we’re shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative Hong Kong!