Finalists (listed alphabetically by first name)
James Tong
Managing Director and Head of Global Shipping and Logistics Asia Pacific and Japan, Citibank
As a co-founder and the Executive Sponsor of the Citi Hong Kong Pride Network, James is a tireless and passionate advocate of LGBT+ initiatives both within Citi and in the external community. He is one of the few visible Asian LGBT+ leaders that has been out in front championing the importance of diversity and inclusion. James constantly engages with Citi’s senior executives globally to highlight challenges unique to Asia. In December 2017, he was invited by Citi HQ to be the APAC Regional Representative of Citi’s Global Pride Affinity Steering Committee. Externally, James has partnered with various not-for-profit organisations including Pink Alliance, AIDS Concern and Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 to promote LGBT+ inclusion.
Ryan Stork
APAC Chairman, BlackRock
At BlackRock, Ryan Stork serves as Global Executive Co-Sponsor of the firm’s OUT & Allies Network. He raises funding for external memberships, mentors LGBT+ leaders, acts as a sounding board for network activities and promotes the network’s significant accomplishments across the firm. He has encouraged more than 50% of the Hong Kong workforce to join the local network, or become allies, within its inaugural year – resulting in one of the largest networks in the industry. Ryan has also generated substantial momentum for the cause of LGBT+ inclusion through revisiting the firm’s policies proactively and identifying internal LGBT+-related gaps to address as a priority. Under Ryan’s leadership, BlackRock continues to spark as a strong newcomer of LGBT+ inclusion within the financial services industry.
Stewart Chippindale
Chief Operating Officer, Asia, Linklaters
Stewart’s strong commitment and passion for LGBT+ inclusion stems from his personal experience. As the co-chair of the Linklaters Asia LGBT and Ally Network, Stewart sets the strategic direction for the Network annually and has been directly responsible for securing sponsorship. The awareness of and support for LGBT+ inclusion within the firm has also grown exponentially under Stewart’s chairmanship, especially for Linklaters’ role as the pro bono legal adviser to the Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 for the last 12 months. In addition to regularly raising the topic with senior leaders, Stewart provided senior level support to two new policies related to LGBT+ that were introduced in the local office in 2017. His generosity as a vocal and visible supporter has equipped him to further provide support to other offices in the region.
Wanda Tung
Managing Director and General Counsel, Asiaex Japan, Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited
Wanda has spent over a decade actively participating in diversity and inclusion initiatives at the workplace, and although she was already the executive sponsor for the bank’s women's network, she volunteered to take on the same role for the firm’s LGBT Network in Asia ex Japan. Wanda has devoted a significant amount of time to providing invaluable senior level guidance to the network leaders and council, providing unsolicited and proactive feedback to the regional D&I office, and serving as an important channel of communication with senior management on LGBT+ related issues. She has also provided strategic advice on building specific cross-regional and cross-network collaboration which has noticeably increased both exposure and membership for the LGBT Network. As evidenced by her participation in the Pride Parade in 2017, Wanda does not simply repeat diversity aphorisms, she literally walks the talk.