On 6 September, we kicked off our 2025-26 Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs with a get-together for the new batch of mentors and ICF Hong Kong Chapter coaches at the Hive Poho, our venue partner who has been supporting us and our community of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs since 2024.
Running for the fourth year, our Mentorship Program welcomed 10 mentors and 12 coaches hailing from diverse cultural backgrounds and equipped with a broad range of subject matter expertise. As a true testament to the diverse and inclusive nature of FSI’s programs and initiatives, the current cohort of mentors and coaches comprises largely purpose-driven individuals who have either been contributing to the Mentorship Program since its humbling beginnings in 2022 or continuing their invaluable support to our community of under-resourced entrepreneurs in the years past. We also owe the uniqueness of our Mentorship Program to the four years of dedicated support from the ICF Hong Kong Chapter’s certified coaches.
For example, Naman Tekriwal, Co-founder of Breer, has been serving as a mentor since the beginning of our Mentorship Program. For the third year, Cynthia Lai and Mag Wong have been providing coaching support, and Innocent Mutanga, founder of Africa Center Hong Kong, and Wilson Tai, COO of FundFluent, have been offering indispensable mentorship to aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs through our program.
We are equally delighted to welcome Maryam Khan, a mentee of the 2023-24 cohort, as a mentor this year, following the path of Jerwine Que, who joined our 2022-23 program as a mentee entrepreneur behind The Blomstre, continues to contribute to the FSI community by becoming a mentor for our 2024-25 program, and staying on as mentor for this year’s program. Also rejoining through the 2025-26 program are two ICF Hong Kong Chapter coaches, Pam Birkett (mentor to Maryam Khan in 2023-24) and John Azzo (mentor to Senchu Chemjong in 2024-25), who will be the program’s coach coordinators, with Pam being the Lead Coach.
“What a great impact FSI has,” said Pam. “There are so many returning mentors and coaches, and two former mentees are now mentors. FSI lives up to its name – a foundation for Shared Impact!”
Said Jerwine: “It is great that mentors and coaches are brought together at this initial meeting. It is like a little ice-breaker and it will definitely help the mentees, with the synergies built prior to the start of the 2025-26 program.”
Mentors and Coaches Collaborating to Plan for the Success of Mentee Entrepreneurs
At the get-together session, the mentors and coaches took turns to introduce themselves before they were given an overview of the program and their respective roles and responsibilities. Here, the returning mentors and coaches were invited to share their unique perspectives from having witnessed the growth of our Mentorship Program over the past few years, as well as insights and advice on effective support for the mentee entrepreneurs, guided by empathy, cultural sensitivity, and active listening.
As the mentors and coaches worked together to plan for a successful journey for their mentees and coachees in the next six months, the FSI team shared with them our Entrepreneur’s Toolkit, a rich library of resources and templates curated to help any entrepreneurs in Hong Kong address everyday business matters.
“I appreciate the comprehensive nature of the information provided at the session,” said Punam Chopra, joining as a mentor for the first time this year. “I received more clarity and guidance on how to proceed with my mentorship, and I got to know everyone better and feel more confident.”
Iris Kloth, joining our program as an ICF Hong Kong Chapter coach for the first time, also enjoyed the session. “It was great to meet an eclectic group of inspirational mentors and coaches. I am humbled to be included in this new community of mutual support, creativity, and professionalism.”
Said Philbert Chin, who has been coaching mentee entrepreneurs since our 2024-25 program: “I am thrilled to see the diversity and experience of the coaches and mentors volunteering to support young ethnically diverse entrepreneurs, as well as the level of selflessness, commitment, and common drive to give back to the community and to help the new generation of entrepreneurs.”
Join FSI to Uplift Under-resourced Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong
We are truly grateful to all our supporters and partners who make this program possible with their generous contribution of resources, skills, time, and connections. The 2025-26 Mentorship Program is funded by the Hong Kong Club Foundation and the Drs Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation.
Learn more about our impactful Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs on our website here. On 20 September, the mentees, mentors, and coaches of the 2025-26 program will gather for the first time to get to know each other. Stay tuned to this space or subscribe to our newsletter to witness the growth of this cohort’s mentee entrepreneurs.
If you would like to join us to uplift under-resourced ethnically diverse entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, find out more about the various initiatives under our Community Business Support Program, and get in touch with us at cbs@shared-impact.com to explore meaningful opportunities for yourself and your colleagues.
