Regional Merchandising Manager, Timberland^®
Hong Kong
More than one year with VF

At VF, we power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our Purpose and it is powered by our Movement Makers—associates who are committed to making a positive impact in their communities and around the world. In this series, we’ll feature these associates and highlight how they’re doing their part to make the world a better place.

A little about me
I was born in Hong Kong and raised in Toronto, Canada. After university, I moved to London to pursue my dream to study further and build a career in the fashion industry. While I was in London, I was fortunate to have a mentor that challenged my life’s purpose. I consider myself blessed to have had such exposure to the world and a mentor as my trusted adviser. My mentor helped raise my awareness and compassion for the next generation, and that is what drives me to empower and cultivate opportunities for less fortunate youths in Hong Kong.   

My personal purpose
I love the last phrase of VF’s Purpose: for the betterment of people and our planet. Everything I do, at work and in my personal life, is driven by a desire to make the world a better place, especially for disadvantaged youth. My passion was inspired by a 14-year-old girl who was diagnosed with dyslexia and selective mutism, a complex childhood anxiety disorder. I met her three years ago through a mentorship program, and we continue to meet regularly. She’s such a beautiful soul and it’s a humbling experience to build a friendship with her and watch her grow and step out of her comfort zone. 

What drives me to be a Movement Maker
I’ve always had a passion for working with kids and have been closely involved with Project Share, a local nonprofit that helps improve the social mobility of youth from Hong Kong’s disadvantaged areas, for the past three years. It’s a small organization, but it’s making a big impact in the community and I’m happy to do my part to help. To me, it’s important to give young people equal opportunities regardless of their backgrounds and my work with Project Share allows me to do that. There’s a joy in giving hope and opportunities to others and opening their world to possibilities they never imagined.

How VF helps power your work
VF and Timberland have been very supportive in helping my fellow associates and I make a difference in our community. We recently partnered with Project Share to host our first Career Day. We brought 40 students into our office in Hong Kong to take part in panel discussions led by associates from different fields including Human Resources, Finance, Merchandising, Buying and Supply Chain. It was a great opportunity for them to learn about different career options and get advice from professionals. Career Day is only the beginning! We’re already talking about what we can do next year and how we can get the other brands involved. VF and Timberland both push and encourage associates to give back. When serving and volunteering are continuous, we can be creative in what we get involved with and push the boundaries of what we’re doing.

What I’d like to see as an outcome of my work
I’m hoping that my work and the collective work of my Timberland family will lead a child down a path of self-discovery and growth. Giving young people exposure to different careers and professionals can make a big impact on their lives and help them make informed choices when choosing their studies and future career paths. I’d also like to make an impact within VF and see our company get more involved with continuous service and volunteering initiatives where we have the ability to truly get to know and build lasting relationships with the people we’re serving.

Learn more about VF's Movement Makers and the impact these associates are making on communities around the world.