The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Hong Kong dedicated a webinar to International Women’s Day on 11 March 2025. This session brought together a panel, consisting of Giselle Bates, vice president and group general counsel at Allegis Group; Iris Deng, head of legal at Reckitt; and Julie Prickett, head of corporate affairs for Asia-Pacific at AXA Investment Managers Asia.
The panel was facilitated by moderators Kat Kukreja, ACC Hong Kong president and counsel at Polynomial Partners, and Eddie Bao, senior legal counsel and director at SS&C Technologies. The two prompted an exploration into the tactics for career enhancement, leadership development and the importance of deliberate steps towards achieving gender balance.
The discussion continued with the speakers sharing insights about their career journeys, key moments that propelled their success and practical advice for advancing one’s career.
The webinar also emphasised the substantial impact of taking practical steps for individual and organisational growth, illustrating how to foster more inclusive and equitable professional settings for women. The personal stories of triumphs and challenges shared by Bates, Deng and Prickett underscored the significance of mentorship, risk-taking and allyship in the corporate world.
Kukreja reflected on the event’s success, commending the speakers for their “wonderful insight on overcoming challenges in the workplace, the benefits of taking that risk and the power of being a business ally”.
“It was a privilege to hear firsthand how these women have accelerated their careers and seized opportunities for growth,” said Kukreja.
“Let’s continue to push for progress, support each other and champion inclusive practices in the workplace. I’m excited to see the continued momentum in our profession and beyond.”
