Ms Cecilia Ho Chung-chee currently serves as the President of Lee Hysan Foundation. Prior to that, Ms Ho had a distinguished career spanning over three decades in globally renowned financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Having navigated the unpredictable financial world, Ms Ho fully recognised the vulnerability of material possessions and shifted her focus from wealth creation as a banker to philanthropy. She was invited to be the President of Lee Hysan Foundation in 2012. Fuelled by conviction, she embraced the opportunity and embarked on a transformative journey dedicated wholeheartedly to philanthropic endeavours.

Ms Ho’s philanthropy philosophy is grounded in the four core principles of Connection, Collaboration, Co-funding, and Co-creation. She played an important role in facilitating the establishment of the Hong Kong Funders’ Network on Ageing Well and the Hong Kong Education Funders’ Circle, promoting collective action and knowledge sharing within the philanthropic community. Under her guidance, Lee Hysan Foundation acts as a catalyst for transformational change within the education and social sectors, pioneering new funding models such as “Pay-for-Success” in Hong Kong, influencing government policies in terms of special education needs, dementia care, transitional housing, and mental wellbeing support.

Under Ms Ho’s leadership, Lee Hysan Foundation has spearheaded projects to support PolyU’s Service-Learning initiatives, offering students the opportunity to learn while serving the community. The Foundation has also steadfastly supported PolyU’s research endeavours, aiming to create social impact and tackle issues such as holistic care for cancer children and their carers, elder abuse prevention, teacher wellness, eye care for underprivileged students, and non-surgical treatments for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which have contributed to the betterment of society.

Ms Ho’s desire to give back extends beyond her role at the Foundation. She holds public offices including as a member of the Advisory Committee on Arts Development under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Fight Crime Committee under the Security Bureau, the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund Task Force, the Advisory Committee of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of The University of Hong Kong as well as an advisor of Our Hong Kong Foundation.

She earned her BBA with honors from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the US and was presented the Hall of Honor Award in 2010 by the University of Hawaiʻi College of Business. In 2019, The University of Hong Kong conferred the Honorary University Fellowship upon Ms Ho.

Chairman Lam, esteemed Council Members, President Teng, distinguished guests, and dear friends and family,

Good afternoon! I am truly humbled and honoured to accept this prestigious University Fellowship from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a beacon of innovation, research, and societal advancement. It's amazing to be recognised alongside remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields.

Stepping into the field of philanthropy after a 31-year career in the finance industry has been nothing short of transformative. I sincerely thank the many kind souls in this auditorium who guided and supported me as I ventured out into uncharted territories. I am indebted to the board of governors of Lee Hysan Foundation, whom I have had the privilege to serve since 2012. Their unwavering support has provided me with an exceptional platform to collaborate with passionate colleagues and like-minded partners, all striving for the betterment of Hong Kong. I have been given a channel to effect positive change in various sectors, from pioneering new service models to facilitating benevolent social policies. To have the opportunity to see first-hand the tangible transformations brought about by the Foundation’s work has been encouraging. I leave work daily with joy and a renewed spirit to serve our community and society.

I must also thank my parents, whose lifelong dedication to the field of education instilled within me the belief that education holds the key to shaping young lives. This conviction forms the foundation of my philanthropic endeavours. I have witnessed the remarkable influence of sports, arts, and culture in providing a well-rounded and holistic personal development. I acknowledge the interconnectedness of social welfare, health, and environmental conservation in building a brighter future. All these pillars are fundamental to my work, as I strive to support the development of a community where every individual thrives in harmony.

Accepting this Honorary Fellowship imparts me with a deep sense of duty. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration, compassion, and collective effort in making Hong Kong a better place.

I wholeheartedly thank PolyU for this extraordinary honour. It not only reaffirms the significance of my journey but also inspires me to push boundaries and make a lasting impact on society. I want to close by using my favourite quote from Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.  Let us all live our lives to the fullest.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.