Joanna ChinPrincipal and Senior Executive Coach, M4W Group
Joanna is an experienced executive coach with 25 years’ experience in the professional and corporate sector, with 8 years’ experience as a coach. Her clients are globally diverse, as her adaptive style appeals to a broad spectrum of people. Joanna is an ethnic Chinese, born in western culture and was raised in an international environment. She has worked/lived in New Zealand, Hong Kong, London and the U.S.A, and as a curious adventurer, she’s spent sabbaticals in South America and Europe.
Joanna is qualified as a solicitor in 3 jurisdictions. She started her career as a corporate lawyer working principally in corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions. She worked for Simmons & Simmons in Hong Kong and London, before moving into global/regional in-house legal and consultancy roles in various industries. During the financial crisis of 2008, Joanna was headhunted as legal counsel to lead over 13 countries in the separation of the AIA group from its parent company AIG and AIA’s complex pre-IPO restructuring, culminating in the third largest IPO in the world at the time (US$20.51 billion). She has been the trusted adviser of EXCO and C-Suites.
Joanna’s coaching approach is based on neuroscience and is process-focused, and outcome driven. In addition, Joanna takes clients on a journey of self-discovery and awareness, identifying mind-sets that prevent them from getting to the next level of success. Through the use of tools, clients are empowered to express their inner thoughts and feelings in ways that strengthen relationships and increase influence with teams and stakeholders. Having a deep understanding of personal psychology, she helps leaders navigate through complex issues by unravelling invisible people dynamics.
Joanna is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and is often a key-note speaker on the topic. She’s mentored younger women (women in technology, Hong Kong University MBA students, The Women’s Foundation Hong Kong “TWF”) and has been vice- president of the Gender Balance committee of the French Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. She has co-led the United Nations HeforShe movement in “corporate Hong Kong” in partnership with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, engaging C-Suite executives in the gender dialogue. In 2017, she was named by TWF as a “woman to watch”.
Joanna has worked with top business schools such as INSEAD and is an adjunct professor at Ivey Business School (Asia). Joanna served as a board member of International Coach Federation (Hong Kong Chapter) for 4 years during which she led a team to launch an award-winning community initiative to share the power of coaching with non-profit leaders. She currently sits as a member of the Disputes Resolution committee of International Coach Federation (global team).
Coaching Certification: RPCC with Neuroleadership Group (US) , Levels 1&2 and Team Coaching at the IECL (Australia), Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF), ICF accredited Coach for Innovators (in process)
Other Certifications/Licenses: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Para Professional Certification in Rational-Emotive & CBT, HeartMath Coaching (US), “In her head, women’s brain health and neurobiology”, Appreciative Inquiry, “Mastery of deep facilitation” with teams.
Tools: Team Management Profile, GlobeSmart, Harrison Assessments and Conversation Intelligence Qualified solicitor in New Zealand, United Kingdom and Hong Kong (non-practising)
