With more than a decade of experience founding, co-founding, and capacity-building social impact businesses and organizations, we at the Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) understand the vital importance of solid board governance to the success of a business or organization, as well as the long-term sustainability and resilience of society.
That explains why our Board Director Training is one of our core programs, through which we equip corporate professionals, social impact leaders, purpose-driven youth, and anyone from aspiring leaders to C-suite professionals with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to become effective board members and leaders.
On 25 October, we organized a one-day NGO Board Director Training session for 18 HSBC Scholars and HUB for the Future members as well as 12 professionals from HSBC at The Executive Centre in Quarry Bay.
Utilizing real-world case stories and engaging participants in interactive discussions, David Bishop, Co-founder and Director of FSI and instructor of the training workshop, took participants on a deep dive into the essentials of non-profit board governance, equipping them with the foundational knowledge on board governance, legal and compliance, risk management, and NGO board directorship, so that they can step into board roles with greater confidence and clarity.
Learning Business Ethics Through Real-World Scandals
Kickstarting the session with the Theranos scandal, David engaged participants in a discussion on how a board composed of distinguished figures – including former US Secretaries of State and a celebrated Marine General – could fail so catastrophically.
The discussion revealed critical flaws on the Theranos board: a lack of relevant industry expertise, an absence of dissent, and a board that saw itself as mere “advisers” rather than active overseers. This case served as a reminder that diversity is crucial to a board’s effectiveness.
The risks of poor governance were further highlighted by the case story on Fashion for Relief, a charity founded by supermodel Naomi Campbell to raise funds for humanitarian and environmental causes, but was investigated for multiple instances of misconduct or mismanagement. The UK Charity Commission’s inquiry found that only 8.5% of Fashion for Relief’s expenditure went to charitable grants, while funds were misused for luxury hotel stays, spa treatments, and even cigarettes.
This real-life example demonstrated the legal and ethical responsibilities of trustees, emphasizing that good intentions are not enough, and robust financial controls, transparency, and active oversight are non-negotiable for maintaining public trust.
The learning continued informally during a lunch gathering, where participants networked and delved deeper into the day’s discussions, forging connections across sectors.
FSI’s Board Director Training: Confidence Forged Through Clarity
The true measure of the training’s success lies in the feedback from the future leaders it aimed to equip. We are thrilled to learn that participants left the training feeling more informed about board governance and empowered to advance their careers. Here are some of their reflections:
- Jessie Leung said that her biggest takeaway was a “huge, much better understanding of directorship”, and found the course “super engaging, with great case studies.”
- Kin Ho Leung highlighted the “ethics and legal principles of being a director and running an NGO” as his key learning, noting the session was “very interactive”.
- Kevin Lee left feeling “very confident” and appreciated that the training prompted deep contemplation, stating, “We talked a lot about the supply of good directors. Love to hear more about the demand side and founder or CEO intentions.”
- Ray Chan succinctly captured the core duties of a director as “loyalty and care”.
Building a Stronger Social Impact Ecosystem, One Board at a Time
FSI’s NGO Board Director Training is more than just a course; it is an investment in the integrity of governance of Hong Kong’s social impact sector. By demystifying board roles and responsibilities through fundamental knowledge and real-world examples, we hope to inspire a new generation of effective leaders, bringing to organizational boards not just enthusiasm but also the essential tools for effective and ethical oversight.
Inspired to contribute your skills and knowledge to enhance governance in various sectors in Hong Kong? Whether you are an individual looking to join a non-profit board or a corporation seeking to build the governance capacity of your partner NGOs, FSI can help you design bespoke, impactful training and engagement programs.
FSI’s Board Director Training is accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong as a CPT/CPD training. Learn more about our training programs and get in touch with us at classes@shared-impact.com to explore how we can collaborate to cultivate effective, purpose-driven leaders for tomorrow.
*This blog post was written by Kevin Shao, Communications and Marketing intern at the Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) during the Fall 2025 semester of the Impact Lab Course.
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