Who’s that Girl?

BN talks to Lizzie Chan about the Hong Kong chapter of YaleWomen.

Author/ Being Neighbourly
24 January 2026

Lizzie Chan is a fun-loving, incredibly curious woman — the kind who genuinely enjoys meeting new people and learning about things I didn’t know I was interested in until five minutes ago. I’m also a mother to two young boys, a wife, daughter and sister — all identities that keep me grounded, engaged and constantly learning,” says Lizzie Chan, aka Elizabeth.

We first came into contact through Instagram. I’d caught sight of her AI-powered illustrations, which I’d found really humorous takes on family life with young kids in Hong Kong, and we’d had a chat about how a collaboration might work if Being Neighbourly were to run her illustrations.

Not long after this, I was added to the Yale Women Hong Kong WhatsApp group, which later metamorphosed into its current, slightly longer name bearing the addendum ‘+ Friends’, and the rest has been a dizzying ascent for the community, which in its short lifespan has reached a whopping 700 plus members.

It’s hard to miss the activity because everyone sees who’s joined and which of their friends are on the group. In addition, Chan sends a photo of the now familiar table in Catchic where all of her Thursday lunch dates take place (chosen due to its proximity to her work, its ambience, value for money, staff and food. She recommends the Cauliflower steak).

The guest speaker, usually picked, she says, because he or she is someone Chan herself would like to meet, is always seated in the same spot and his or her name boldly announced on the photo post designs after the event.

For all of her networking, Chan is actually a lawyer, yes, of Yale renown, namely, a Consultant at Stevenson, Wong & Co., where she specialises in disputes, including litigation and international arbitration. “It’s intense work, but I love the strategy and the human side of it — helping people navigate conflict with a robust understanding of their options and risks,” she says with a Kiwi twang.

According to her, she, “absolutely loved

Share a memorable community-in-action moment

According to Lizzie Chan, launching the recent YaleWomen HK + Friends website has been a pivotal moment. Vibe-coded by her, the website has been designed to share more Hong Kong stories: “outstanding leaders in our community doing thoughtful, fun, brave, creative, and inspiring things”. Although a work in motion, readers can view a list of past and upcoming gatherings, explore events and filter them by theme and date and read Chan’s written reflections from YWHK+Friends gatherings — “so the learning can travel beyond the room”, for those unable to attend. speaker and gathering list has been. “YWHK + Friends has always been about learning, community, and possibility”, she says.

her time at Yale Law School — it was rigorous, but also genuinely fun, and full of incredibly thoughtful people.”

One of the highlights for her was being part of the Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic, where she worked on a project looking at accountability at the World Bank’s Inspection Panel and how delays in complaint processes can affect affected communities. It involved field research and speaking with communities in Nepal.

It was an experience that Chan says stayed with her and taught her something she still carries today: lawyers have real power and privilege to help people.

To make Chan’s already full life fuller, being an AI-illustrator, lawyer, Yale Women HK + Friends organiser event planner and moderator (not to mention her personal roles), she’s also a Director of an NGO, offering pro bono legal assistance to those who can’t afford it. Time and how she apparently bends it to her will seems to be her secret power. It beggars belief.

Yet, Chan explains the rapid growth of her best-known initiative, Yale Women HK + Friends, claiming that it boils down to two things: her love of learning, and her love of hearing people’s stories.

“YWHK + Friends brings together people from all walks of life in Hong Kong who share curiosity, connection, and purpose. And it’s open to everyone — you don’t need to be a woman, and you don’t need any Yale connection,” she says, adding that she thinks Hong Kong is full of fascinating people, but that we don’t always cross paths naturally.

“I wanted to create a space where people can meet, exchange ideas, and leave, feeling a little more inspired than when they arrived. I also wanted it to be convenient and accessible, which is why I keep most of the gatherings small (no more than 10 people), for an hour, in Central,” she says.

Chan’s tips for anyone hoping to build community the way she has are to start with a real desire to connect.

— “people can feel sincerity immediately. And one book I always recommend is The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. It completely changed the way I think about hosting. The biggest lesson is that great gatherings aren’t about perfect logistics — they’re about purpose and people.”

She continues, “Be intentional about who you invite, set a tone as a host, and create a space where people feel comfortable showing up as themselves. Small gatherings can be incredibly powerful when they’re done thoughtfully.”

According to Chan, there are similar chapters elsewhere with
YaleWomen being a global organisation with chapters around the world.  There are, in fact, seven chapters, but with the exception of France and Hong Kong, all are based in the US.

She shares that what makes a great lunch speaker is someone who’s warm, real and genuinely interested in conversation — not just delivering a “talk”.

“The best speakers are those who can tell a compelling narrative about themselves: where they were born and grew up, the early career choices they made, and the unexpected turns along the way. I love it when someone can help us “connect the dots” between who they were back then and what they’re building or championing now.

A lot of the people we host are also people who stand for something — they’re pushing new ideas, challenging old assumptions, or trying to make the world work a little better in their own corner of it. And what really sets the best speakers apart is that they can articulate those ideas elegantly, but also in a way that feels accessible and welcoming, even for people outside their field.

The result is that everyone around the table feels comfortable asking questions, sharing their own stories, and leaving feeling energised.”

Chan has no plans to slow her pace but with the addition of breakfast gatherings as well as lunches, we wonder how long it’ll be until she runs out of speakers.

“I love the conversations, and seeing connections form across totally different worlds,” she enthuses. “The group has grown quickly, and my goal is to keep it warm, welcoming, and open — while continuing to bring in voices that spark meaningful conversation.” She shares that in the longer term, she might like to explore new formats such as a podcast.

“I don’t think I ‘manage’ work-life balance perfectly — I think I’m constantly adjusting it. But I do think there are a few things that make it feel more doable,” she shares.

“First, I’ve learned that prioritising is essential. But to prioritise properly, you need to do the work of knowing what actually matters to you. Once you’re clear on what you will protect and prioritise, the rest starts to fall into place.”

Second, she says it really helps to know yourself. “I try to plan realistically around my own energy levels: when I’m at my sharpest, when I’m better suited for deep thinking, and when I should be doing lighter tasks instead.”

And finally, systems and habits are everything. “A little done consistently over a long period of time feels manageable — but when everything bunches up, that’s when life starts to feel overwhelming,” she says, sounding a bit more like the rest of us. Her secrets? Google Calendar for coordination and logistics, she confides.

To join the YaleWomen in HK + Friends WhatsApp group to receive invitations to upcoming gatherings, click here. 