Dr Sandy Chong -landscape.jpg

Explore your options. Have conversations. Build your networks, forge alliances and embrace diversity.

Dr Sandy Chong, business woman, educator and philanthropist, encourages young people to have honest conversations to gain greater understanding of the world around them.

She will continue that tradition when she joins the Perth College community on Tuesday 8 March, International Women's Day, in a Zoom conversation from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm about this year's theme #BreaktheBias

“Take risks, ask questions and if you want it, ask for it,” Dr Chong says, in response to a question about the advice she would give this generation of Perth College students.

Dr Chong, who arrived in Perth from Singapore as a young university student, has had a storied career as an educator, business adviser and advocate for diversity and inclusion. She was last year appointed Australia Day Council WA Ambassador. She was the first Asian woman to be elected President of the United Nations Association of Western Australia, an early proponent of e-commerce and was last year appointed Adjunct Professor at Curtin University.

She is on the board of the WA Indigenous Tourism Council (WAITOC) - the first Asian appointed as an independent board member - as part of a bid to forge stronger connections with Asia and promote Indigenous tourism.

She is a passionate advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, supports Australia's ambitions to become one of the most inclusive nations in the world and urges us all, as global citizens, to act now to ensure no one is left behind.

Dr Chong encourages people who are uncertain about how to include someone who may be part of a marginalised group to be honest and sincere.

"If you make a mistake, say sorry," she says.

“I often say (to young people) stand behind your values and you’ll be fine."

Dr Chong says she's observed that adolescent girls are more effective communicators and more collaborative in teams than some of their peers. Despite this early promise, 20 to 30 years later many are not in leadership positions. She's agitating for change. Her advice?

“Don’t give up. Forge alliances. Take risks. Ask."

Please join us for our International Women's Day Conversation and Q&A about how to #BreaktheBias with Dr Sandy Chong via Zoom between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm on Tuesday 8 March.

To join us, register here.