Asia CSR Women Heroes: Ellie Tang of New World & K11 Concepts “I Feel Accomplished When I Convert Naysayers”

In this new series, we celebrate the women who bring corporates to task from the inside, pushing for greater environmental and social forward policies. 

What is your full title and where do you work?

I am Head of Sustainability at New World Development & General Manager, Sustainability for K11 Concepts Limited.

What are your main job responsibilities?

I have various responsibilities within my role:

• Developing and embedding a long-term sustainability strategy into New World Group’s businesses;
• Reporting environmental, social and governance performance and impacts on behalf of the Group each year to regulators, investors, and the public;
• Advising on green and healthy building features and property management practices and communicating these to our customers and public stakeholders;
• Promoting the Group’s sustainability agenda and initiatives and identify collaboration opportunities in both private and public sectors.

How did you get your start in CSR?

I studied public administration and environmental science in the U.S., but I’ve always wanted to work in this field in Hong Kong. Corporates, especially multinational ones, have taken the lead in driving sustainability on the ground so CSR was a natural choice for me. It worked out nicely because I enjoy the fast pace work environment and the exposure in business.

What is your proudest accomplishment/moment in your CSR role?

Success in CSR requires support from top down and bottom up. I feel accomplished when I manage to convert naysayers and get them to consider sustainability risks and opportunities in their own roles because this will create a ripple effect. If I have to choose one moment, I’d say raising Hong Kong’s first green loan for an upcoming building project I am working on that has been pre-certified to Hong Kong BEAM Plus and U.S. LEED green building standards and the WELL healthy building standard. That was an exciting start to promote green financing opportunities in Hong Kong – a channel to create more green projects with quantified positive environmental impact and attract investors to support sustainable investments.

What is the hardest part of your job?

The hardest parts of my job are: motivating different stakeholders to act sustainability, addressing many big issues at the same time, and avoiding burnout. 

As told so Sonalie Figueiras, Green Queen Editor-in-Chief.

Check out other interviews in this series:

Asia CSR Women Heroes: Rebecca Donnellan Got 11,000 People to Go Green Monday

Asia CSR Women Heroes: Pat Dwyer of The Purpose Business “You Don’t Get Unless You Ask”

Lead image courtesy of Ellie Tang.