5 trailblazing Hong Kong school alumni who have excelled globally, from entrepreneurs to Olympic medalists
An Olympic fencer, battery recycling CEO, restaurateur and others are all successfully forging their own path
After school’s out, what then? Hong Kong schools often highlight the duty and commitment they have to helping students develop their talents and find their own path in life. The evidence of that can be found in the personal stories and notable achievements of these alumni who have gone on to succeed in a variety of fields.
Sarah Fleischer, tech entrepreneur
German Swiss International School (GSIS), class of 2010
Since attending the German International Stream at GSIS between 2000 and 2004, Sarah Fleischer has moved fast to make a name for herself in an industry which is having a transformative impact on modern life. She is the founder and chief executive of Tozero, Europe’s first lithium-ion battery recycling start-up.
The Munich-based company’s aim is to recover critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite and lithium, and then reintroduce them into the local supply chain. Doing this will enable the production of new batteries and help to drive a circular economy in Europe while providing a viable model for other parts of the world.
Fleischer and her colleagues have secured financial backing from big-name investors including car company Honda and global infrastructure leader JGC Group. Tozero is also exploring partnerships with some of the main Chinese battery producers, who no doubt see the long-term potential for scalable recycling as electric vehicle use continues to grow exponentially. And Hong Kong has been identified as a key entry point for developing new business opportunities – and hiring talent – in the Asia-Pacific region.
Vivian Kong, Olympic champion fencer
ESF Sha Tin College, class of 2012
Always energetic and sporty, Vivian Kong tried both ballet and taekwondo as a youngster, but once she took up fencing – which her father described as “the ballet of combat sports” – she never looked back.
On leaving Sha Tin College, Kong went to Stanford University to earn a BA in International Relations. All the time, though, she was steadily moving up the international rankings and accumulating prizes – among them three titles as individual Asian champion.
The pinnacle, though, came at the Paris Olympic Games last year where she won the gold medal in the women’s individual épée. This set the seal on Kong’s outstanding competitive career, and she is now beginning a new phase in a role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to promote the development of young people and sports across the city.