Marisa Yiu (Co-founder/ Executive Director), Kamsen Lau (Chairman, Board of Design Trust) and the Board of Directors are pleased to welcome new advisors Liza Chong to join the International Advisory Council as well as Yoko Choy to join Greater Bay Area Design Council.
Liza Chong is CEO and General Partner of Design Impact Funds, micro-VC impact funds in Denmark that invests in high-impact companies with solutions to improve quality of life. The fund co-invests globally across stages and sectors, focusing on transformative solutions for the benefit of people and our planet. Previously, Liza served as the CEO of The Index Project, a renowned global non-profit organisation advocating for sustainable design and innovation. Over 14 years, she harnessed design-based techniques to create social and environmental impact in the Nordics, Asia, Latin America, and the US. Liza now focuses on connecting capital with ground-breaking designers, entrepreneurs, and start-ups. She actively mentors leaders in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, empowering thought leaders striving for positive change through socially and environmentally-focused businesses. Liza sits on a range of advisory boards, including the AD Museum's Advisory Board in Helsinki and Orano SA's Executive Stakeholder Committee in France, guiding strategies and visions in leadership and sustainable business.
As a frequent speaker, panelist, and educator, Liza inspires a new generation of transdisciplinary talent committed to making purposeful contributions to society, from principles to practice.
Yoko Choy was born in Hong Kong, and is an experienced design journalist; her work to date has been published in numerous international titles and she is currently the China editor of Wallpaper* magazine (global edition). Yoko is also a highly regarded communications consultant, whose clients include fair organisers, brands and creative studios. Currently based in Hong Kong and Amsterdam, she views East-meets-West as more than just an alignment of two aesthetic visions; her mission, as a multilingual and multicultural creative commentator and communicator, is to translate the knowledge and insights from both worlds into a common creative language and to raise awareness of the importance of cross-cultural exchange in the creative industry and businesses. Recently, Yoko co-founded Collective Contemporist in 2018, a creative consultancy with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, to stimulate and inspire conversations and collaborations between the two spheres.
Design Trust also thanks the continuing support of the wider advisory and trustee community enhancing the work of the leadership and staff team:
2023 Board of Directors and Leadership Team: Kamsen Lau (Chairman), Marisa Yiu (Co-founder/Executive Director), Elizabeth Chu, Denise Lau, Gabriela Kennedy, Ivan Pun, Jonathan Cheung
Trustees: Victor Lo, Yama Chan, Alan Lo, Daryl Ng, Joyce Tam, Joanne Chow, Vanessa Cheung, Angelina Kwan, Desiree Au, Ariel Shartkman, Bosco Law, Justin Ng, Jo Soo Tang, Stephanie Lo, Charmaine Ho, Kristine Li.
Corporate Trustees: Chinachem Group and Chuang’s Consortium International Limited.
International Advisory Council: Eva Franch, Beatrice Leanza, Liu Xiaodu, Rodman Primack, Thomas Heatherwick, Lyndon Neri, Lars Nittve, Zoë Ryan, Tom Dixon, David Gianotten, Giovanni Alessi Anghini, Liza Chong.
Greater Bay Area Design Council: Arnault Castel, William To, Eric Schuldenfrei, Aric Chen, Stephanie Poon, Winnie So, Ole Bouman, Tat Lam, Cole Roskam, Suzy Annetta, Keith Tam, Kate Jones, Marc Cansier, Clara Brito, Rong Zhao, Human Wu, Keith Lam, Helen So, James JJ Acuña, Manfred Yuen, Yoko Choy.