Mrs Helen Ching-ping Lai YU 余黎青萍
Chairperson

Helen, a 1960 Maryknoll graduate, has taken over the chair of the Council when Sister Jeanne retired from that position in 2011.

Since 2009, she has been registered as the Supervisor of the Primary Section of the school and a Manager of the Secondary Section. She is also a Trustee of the Maryknoll Convent School Educational Trust.

To enhance support for students, staff and parents, Helen has helped to initiate a scheme for school-based Educational and Clinical Psychological services.

She received her BA Degree in English Literature from the University of Hong Kong. She held major Government posts from 1965 to 2001: City District Officer, Special Assistant (Planning) and the first Director of ICAC Community Relations Department, Assistant Commissioner (Public Affairs)/London, Director (Cultural Services), Deputy Secretary for Health & Welfare, Secretary General of Legislative Council, Director of Buildings, Director of Education and Director of Regional Services, Head of Task Force for Building Safety and Preventive Maintenance.

During her service with Government, she helped to set up the Hospital Authority, corporatise the Legislative Council Secretariat and reconstitute the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Culture Department. Her last assignment in Government was to head a task force for building safety and preventive maintenance. This resulted in a comprehensive strategy and an implementation plan for a culture of building care in April 2001.

She was appointed Deputy Ombudsman in 2001 in the Office of The Ombudsman, a statutory body independent of Government. She retired from public service in 2011.

Throughout her career, Helen has upheld the Maryknoll tradition for service, equity and integrity. For her public service, she was honoured with the award Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) in 2002.

Ms Amy Main-wai HO 何敏慧
Vice-Chairperson

Ms Ho, a 1979 Maryknoll graduate, was an investment banker until the arrival of her daughter, Vanessa, when she reordered her work life to allow for more time with her family.

Ms Ho received her B.A. Degree from the University of Hong Kong and her Executive MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
She served on the Secretariat of the Consultative Committee of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. She then joined an international investment bank to work on offers of China securities on the international markets.

Ms Ho was President and Executive Committee Member of the Former Students' Association for a number of years. She is active in charitable work and is an author of published children's stories.

Ms Maura Wong
Vice-Chairperson

Maura Wong, a 1983 Maryknoll graduate, is a private equity investor in the environmental sector. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International and Public Affairs (High Honors) from Princeton University and her Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School as a Baker Scholar. She was a founding member of the Principal Investment Area of Goldman Sachs Asia in the early 1980s and has over two decades of experience in direct investments in China. In the late 1990s, she was a Founding Partner of Chase Capital Partners Asia/JP Morgan Partners Asia, a pan-Asian buyout fund, with responsibility over its Greater China business. She is currently a senior member of the investment team in Olympus Capital's Asian Environmental Partners, a regional private equity fund that invests in clean energy and environmental sectors.

In addition to finding solutions to global warming, Maura has keen interests in social enterprises and venture philanthropy. She supported the creation of a non-profit organization called Ventures in Development which promotes social entrepreneurism as a way to alleviate poverty in China and served as its Chairperson until the end of 2009. She also served as Trustee at the founding of Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, a non-profit organization that promotes venture philanthropy in Asia.

She is married and has two children in Hong Kong.

Ms Pinny Yip 葉嘉碧
Honorary Secretary

Pinny, a 1984 Maryknoll graduate, received her Honors Diploma of Communications from the Hong Kong Baptist College, majoring in Public Relations and Advertising.

She began her career in Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, managing blue chip clients like ParknShop, Marks and Spencer, Korean Air, Le Meridien, Unilever and Smithkline Beecham. Then she joined American Express in the department of Card Marketing, handling promotional campaigns like priority bookings for The Phantom of the Opera, Yoyo Ma in Concert and various product and service launches. In 1996, she started her own company, Capital Advertising, specializing in creative design, production and events management.

She has been an Exco Member of the MCS Former Students' Association since 2005 and was instrumental in the organization of numerous large scale events for the School, including the 80th Anniversary Celebration Dinner (2005), Heritage Building Declaration Photo Competition and Exhibition (2009), and 7th Worldwide Reunion cum 85th Anniversary Celebration (2010).

Since April 2010, she has been a Member of the Foundation's PPP Committee (Promotion of Positive Perception Committee) providing advice to the Council in relation to media/ public relations, reaching out to alums of different years to re-engage with the School and to solidify the Maryknoll spirit. She has also supported the Mentorship Program with sharing at the Careers Fairs.

Mrs Gloria Wai-han Yip KO 高葉慧嫻
Honorary Treasurer

Mrs Ko, a 1959 Maryknoll graduate and past principal, received her B.A. Honours Degree and her Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong.

She worked for the Hong Kong Government for 30 years as teacher, vice-principal and principal. She served the following schools: Ho Tung Technical School for Girls, Shatin Government Secondary School, and Tin Kwong Road Secondary School. She took early retirement from Government in 1995.

Mrs Ko has been actively involved with the Former Students' Association. She is a member of the Maryknoll Convent School Management Committee (Secondary Section) since its formation in early 1980 and a member of the Executive Board of the Maryknoll Convent School Educational Trust since 1992. She was Principal of Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section) between 1997 and 2002.

Ms Janet Wai-kam CHANG 張惠琴
Membership

Ms Chang, a 1967 Maryknoll graduate, is currently an independent Management Consultant.

Ms Chang obtained her Diploma in Management Studies at the Hong Kong Management Association, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Training and Trainer Training in Colorado, USA. She is certified as a Master Practitioner by DeLozier and Associates International.

Her career in Human Resource Management spans over 25 years in major commercial organizations in Greater China and South East Asia.

Ms Chang also served as an Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong Society for Training and Development, as Co-Chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management's Pay Trend Survey Committee, and as a member of the Hong Kong Polytechnic's Advisory Committee of the Modular Post-Graduate Scheme in Technology, and as a member of the Vocational Training Council's Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades Training Board. She is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management

Sister Jeanne HOULIHAN 何真理
Honorary Advisor

Sister Jeanne, a Maryknoll Sister, is currently Administrator for Maryknoll Sisters in the China Region.

Sister Jeanne was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She received her B.Sc. Degree from Fontbonne College and M. Ed. from St. Louis University. She taught at Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section) from 1955 to 1971, and served as Principal and Supervisor between 1972 and 1986. She was Chairperson of the Hong Kong Secondary Schools Association. Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, New York, in 1991, having been appointed the Director of the Development Department. In 2002, she came back to Hong Kong where she presently works as a volunteer teacher at Maryknoll Convent School. Sister Jeanne is a member of the Maryknoll Convent School Management Committee (Secondary Section).

Ms Maggie Pui-Yee CHAU 周佩儀
Secretary

Ms Chau, a 1985 Maryknoll graduate, is currently the Vice President of MCS Former Students' Association.

She received her Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Her first job was teaching English at Ying Wa Girls School from 1990 to 1992. For 6 years thereafter, she pursued a career in advertising with the top agencies in Hong Kong leading up to the post of Creative Director before retiring to become a full-time mother. Ms Chau was also a free-lance writer and taught Continuing Education (English) as a part-time instructor between 1992 and 1993.

Ms Chau has been participating actively in alumni activities over the years. She was a Member of the Steering Committee of Maryknoll Convent School Foundation as well as Honorary Secretary of the Maryknoll 80th Anniversary Dinner Committee.

Mrs Lydia Ann HUANG 黃陳碧蓮
Councillor

Mrs Huang, a former teacher and principal, is currently Supervisor of Maryknoll Convent School (Primary Section) and a member of its School Management Committee since 1991.

Mrs Huang obtained her B.A. Honours Degree from the University of Durham, England, and her post-graduate Diploma in Education, with Distinction, at the University of Hong Kong.

After having taught in Trinidad for five years, Mrs Huang joined Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section) in 1965 where she taught until l987. Appointed then as the first lay Principal, she served until 1997. Mrs Huang has served as Vice-Chairperson and as a Trustee of the Maryknoll Convent School Educational Trust since its inception in 1992 until 2004.

She is also a Manager of the Jockey Club Elaine Field School for Spastics in Taipo, a member of the Family Support Service Management Committee of the Spastics Association, and a Director of AITECE, an organization that recruits teachers for educational institutes in China.

Ms Barbara Anne HUNG 洪珀姿
Councillor

Ms Hung, a 1975 Maryknoll graduate, has been an Executive Committee Member of the Former Students' Association for over 15 years. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the Maryknoll Convent School Educational Trust.

While studying at Maryknoll, Ms Hung represented Hong Kong in Athletics in 1976 and was nominated Sportsgirl of the Year in 1974 and 1976.

She entered the Law School of the University of Hong Kong where she graduated in 1980. In the university, she was selected Sportswoman of the Year for two consecutive years.

Ms Hung was admitted as a solicitor in 1983. In 1999, Ms Hung established her own firm. She specializes mainly in family work. She does a great deal of pro-bono work, and has acted as honorary legal adviser for many sporting associations such as the Hong Kong Athletic Association and the Hong Kong Basketball Association. She gives free legal advice at the Women's Centre and at the Law Society's Duty Lawyers' Scheme.

Mrs Kenzie King - sau Lau Kwong  鄺劉競秀
Councillor

Ms Lau, a 1974 Maryknoll graduate, is currently the Principal Consultant of her own consultancy practice as well as a partner of Leaders' Quest.

Ms Lau received her B.A. Degree in Translation (English/Chinese) from the University of Hong Kong.

Her career includes 17 years in Human Resources, working with global companies including Exxon Chemical Asia Pacific, Citibank, Chase Bank, and last as Head of Hongkong Human Resources and Asia Pacific Organization Development of the American Express Co. Her own practice specializes in large group facilitation, leadership training as well as executive coaching. Leaders' Quest is a global social enterprise, connecting and inspiring senior leaders from developed countries to developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, Africa and Russia with the purpose of creating positive change in the world. 

Ms. Lau serves the civic society on a pro bono basis, including The Salvation Army and The Hong Kong Society for Protection of Children. She was also the founding member of the Steering Committee of Hong Kong Council for Social Services' Caring Company Award.

Mrs Joanne Chui-ying Yow YAU 邱邱翠瑩
Councillor

Ms Yau, a 1990 Maryknoll graduate, was a client services director of a graphics design company before retiring to become a full-time mother.

Ms Yau received her undergraduate degree, majoring in Economics, from the Harvard University, USA. She has worked in the fields of advertising, accounting, as well as airline, prior to obtaining her Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Hong Kong.

Ms Yau is currently member of VTC Yeo Chei Man Senior Secondary School Management Committee, Executive Member of The Maryknoll Medical and Welfare Association as well as Director of Zonta Club of Hong Kong II. She also serves as member of the Flag Day Committee for The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong.

 

Miss Irene Suk-Kay Li 李淑姬
Councillor

Ms Li, a 1974 Maryknoll graduate, is currently the Managing Director and COO of a kids' consumer product marketing and distribution company.

She received her Higher Diploma in Banking from the Hong Kong Polytechnic, her MBA from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and her Master of Social Science, Counselling from the University of South Australia.

Her career includes 6 years with the banking sector and over 20 years in licensed toys and kids' consumer products.

While studying at Maryknoll, Ms Li had actively served in various capacities with the Students' Association and was the Headgirl in 1975. Currently she is a volunteer with Arts in Hospital, Playright Children's Play Association and a facilitating counselor with Dance with Depression Support Group.

Ms Ophelia Ngan
Councillor

Ms Ngan, a 1984 Maryknoll graduate, is currently a marketing consultant, specializing in branding, communications and strategic planning.

She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, majoring in International Relations. Prior to that, she was awarded a full scholarship to study for her IB diploma at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales.

Her career began with AT&T where she spent ten years in key management positions in the United States and Asia Pacific, leading efforts in marketing calling card, telecommunications and internet services. Subsequently, she focused on lifestyle marketing and headed up regional marketing for Pacific Coffee, as well as brand consulting at CatchOn Communications.

Ms Ngan serves on the Board of the Stanford Club of Hong Kong, the Selection Advisory Action Group of the United World Colleges, the Executive Committee of the Creative Secondary School PTA, and has been a MCS Foundation member since its inception.

Ms Doris Kwan 關智鸞
Councillor

Ms Kwan, a Maryknoll graduate of 1980, was an investment banker until she took early leave in 2002 to allow more time for her family and her holistic well being.

Ms Kwan received her LLB degree from the University of Hong Kong and pursued a career in equity research and fund management with WI Carr ( Far East) Ltd, a subsidiary of Banque Indosuez and then, for 12 years that followed, at HSBC Asset Management (HK) Ltd. She was Head of Private Clients and Charities, Director of HSBC Asset Management (HK) Ltd, a registered investment advisor and a member of the management committee of HSBC Asset Management.

Upon early retirement, she helped Dr Polly Cheung, a renowned breast surgeon in Hong Kong, set up the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation in 2005 and became its founding Chairman 2005-2006. She is now a member of the steering committee of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry. Ms Kwan is also engaged in supporting social enterprises in Hong Kong. She is a member of the social enterprise and advocacy committees of The Hong Kong Society of Rehabilitation, a director of Social Investors Club and Give Venture Partners and an active volunteer in the Social Enterprise Forum.

Mrs Francine FU KWONG Wing Ting
Councillor

Francine graduated from Maryknoll Convent School in 1985 and obtained her IB Higher Diploma from United World College of the Atlantic and her master degree from Oxford University for Politics, Philosophy & Economics in UK. She now runs her own business consulting firm and before setting up her own practice, she was the Chief Marketing Officer of one of the top three long term insurers in Hong Kong. She has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years with various leading financial services companies and was one of the founding directors of the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong. She has previously served on a number of non-profit making organizations including the Council of the Hong Kong Award for Young People, Departmental Advisory Committee on Applied Mathematics for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as well as various committees of the Hong Kong Securities & Futures Commission. She is currently a board member of Li Po Chun United World College (HK) Limited , United World College Hong Kong Committee Ltd and an independent non-executive director of Convoy Financial Services (HK) Ltd which is listed on the HK Stock Exchange. Her current statutory appointments include the Appeal Board under the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance, the Non-local Higher and Professional Education Appeal Board, the Insurance Training Advisory Council and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Panel.

She is married with three children.

Mrs Ronna Chao 曹惠婷
Councillor

Ronna (44) started at Maryknoll Convent School in 1972 as a kindergartener.  In 1982, after completing Form 3, she left MCS to attend boarding school in the United States.  Upon graduation, she matriculated at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations.  Ronna began her career at Goldman Sachs in New York in 1989, joined Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1991, and in 1994 resigned from her post of Licensing Manager to pursue her MBA at Stanford University.

Currently, Ronna is Managing Director of Novel Investments Limited, where she is a portfolio manager.  She is also Vice Chairman of Novetex Textiles Limited, her family's yarn spinning business.  She is a member of the University of Science & Technology Court, Area Chair of Brown University's Alumni Schools Committee, Hong Kong alumni representative of Choate Rosemary Hall, and an active alumni interviewer for Stanford Business School. 

Ronna has been married to Paul Lincoln Heffner for nearly 20 years.  They have three children: Nicholas (14), Ariana (12) and Alexandra (7).

Standing Committees
Promotion of Positive Perception
Launched in 2006/7 to keep the Maryknoll “family” and the community at large informed , this Committee has involved Council members, other alumnae, and parents/friends of the school. The Committee aims to project factual and timely information about Maryknoll and to dispel misconceptions where appropriate. Helen Lai, Amy Ho, and Cindy Chu were chairpersons in past years. Among the many initiatives, the committee has mounted the Heritage Exhibition (2007), and published the Heritage of Maryknoll Album “Forever be true” (2009), celebrating Government’s declaration of the Primary school building as a statutory monument. The current committee (2010-2011) organized the “The People of MCS: By Dr. Joe Chan”  Photo Exhibition (2011), initiated the interviews for the ‘Impact Corner’, and is responsible for the face-lift and on-going update of the Foundation’s webpage. The committee is working with the Membership sub-committee on ways to maintain and protect the school’s archival items and records, and update alumnae data for better liaison.
(Back) Benita Chick (‘99), Beatrice Beatrice Luk (’99) Jennifer Ho (’08), Velma Roberts (’76) (Front) Pinny Yip (’84), Linda Tsui (’71), Kenzie Kwong (’72) Kiki Ko (parent)	Current committee's mandate: To continue and sustain the momentum of the past committee's efforts to… properly represent the school's image in the Hong Kong community, reflecting MCS's philosophy and ethos, reach out to alums of different years inviting them to re-engage with the school, reach out to current students to solidify the MCS spirit, provide advice to the Council in relation to media/public relations, as and when necessary.