CDC - Key Persons
Abigail obtained a BSC Honours degree in Management Studies in the UK and was a Parent Representative on the CDC Executive Committee from 2017 until 2019. Motivated by a desire to be ‘as involved as I can be as a parent' and to ‘give back', Abigail sees the CDC as having had a significant impact on her own son's educational development. She views CDC's teaching staff as being inclusive, insightful and always accessible.
Job Titles:
- Special Child Care Worker
Integrating elements of play in her teaching approach helps Alice understand children's additional needs more deeply, thus helping her better plan personalised teaching strategies for each of them.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
Detail-minded Athena strives for dynamic approaches to promote children's development and well-being
Job Titles:
- Multimedia Design / Digital Marketing Officer
Job Titles:
- Admissions & Operations Manager
As a long-standing staff member, Bonnie has shown how meaningful it is to her to work in the CDC to serve children with additional needs. It is also a great opportunity to enrich her knowledge from the multidisciplinary team.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapy Clinical Supervisor
Cameron is passionate about working with young children and their families and has a special interest in premature babies as well as fostered/adopted children and their families.
Carridy is deeply passionate about supporting children with additional learning needs.
Job Titles:
- Behaviour Therapist
- Behavioural Therapist
Christine is passionate about helping people with additional learning needs and believes that her work has a meaningful impact on them and their families.
Job Titles:
- Honorary Treasurer
- Professional Chartered Accountant
Clara is a professional chartered accountant with more than 30 years of solid experience in various financial management and advisory roles. Prior to joining the Novel Enterprises Limited as the Chief Financial Officer, she has worked with several prominent public organisations including the Hospital Authority, the Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Throughout her years with these large public organisations, her key role focused predominantly on adding value through strategic financial management for better business decisions, continuous improvement of financial control frameworks, audit management, overseeing budget planning and management as well as statutory financial reporting. Clara is a certified public accountant and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Dr. Evita Kam has extensive teaching experience in the special education sector. She maintains strong links to academia and supervises the CDC frontline team to maximise children's developmental potential as well as promote the importance of parenting in Hong Kong.
Job Titles:
- Member of the EDUCATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT Team
- Chief Executive Director, Programme Development & Learning
Dr. Yvonne Becher brings an extensive background as an experienced and distinguished child psychologist to her current roles at the CDC. She also maintains strong links to academia as well as advocacy in (early) childhood, partnering with The University of Hong Kong as a former lecturer and on local and regional projects relating to early childhood development, consulting on UNICEF projects, and promoting the importance of play.
Job Titles:
- Special Child Care Worker
Ethel believes that it is crucial to understand children from their perspective in order to flexibly cater to each child's interests and needs.
Gordon joined the CDC Executive Committee in December 2016. After joining the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in 1973, he held a wide variety of senior administrative positions in government, becoming the Registrar of Companies in 1993. On retiring from the civil service in 2008, he was awarded The Bronze Bauhinia Star to acknowledge his many years of outstanding public service. Since retirement, he is very active in educational and arts development. He is, inter-alia, an Honorary Fellow of Lingnan University, a Fellow of the ICSA, a director of Opera Hong Kong and an active member of St. John's Cathedral where he sings in the Cathedral Choir. His proven and long-running social commitment is now reflected in helping pre-school children with educational needs to embark on their learning journeys.
Job Titles:
- Senior Occupational Therapist
Having extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Occupational Therapy, Gundeep is highly motivated to support children with additional needs and contribute his profession to the local SEN community.
Job Titles:
- Special Child Care Worker
- Special Child Care Worker / BBA ( Accounting and Finance ), Simon Fraser University, Canada
With her study in Early Childhood Education and background in operations and administrations, Henny is driven to apply her knowledge and skills in a structured yet playful approach to enhance children's learning experiences and empower families and caregivers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Henson has been a CDC Executive Committee Member since 2004. He is a practicing solicitor and partner of a local Hong Kong law firm. Henson is a member of the Hong Kong Law Society Standing Committee on Compliance and also a member of the Hong Kong Law Society Consents Committee. Henson has been contributing his expertise and supporting CDC's continued growth for over 10 years.
Job Titles:
- Admissions & Administration Officer
Isaac finds himself to be most energised and motivated when working with children and witnessing their growth and improvement.
Isaac is committed to helping children with additional learning needs to build a better future and improve their quality of life. Working with children allows him to witness their growth, which brings him great joy and satisfaction.
Prior to joining the CDC, Isaac worked in elderly homes and understood that sometimes making progress takes time, but with patience and a strong belief in clients, all seemingly insignificant changes will add up to great improvements. He is determined to research more on different strategies to assist children with diverse educational needs as well.
Isabel is eager to further develop her pedagogical knowledge and skills to bring a positive impact on young children with varying learning needs.
Job Titles:
- Admissions & Administration Officer
Jackie is passionate about special needs education. She joined the CDC's Executive Committee in 2015 believing that the importance of special needs education should be more recognised within the Hong Kong education system. With a background in education, Jackie's goal is to learn, contribute and give back to the community. Jackie has a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from Yale University and she received her Master of Education from the University of Hong Kong. Through her work with the Executive Committee she hopes she can play a part in helping children with additional needs to overcome their challenges through early intervention.
Job Titles:
- Member of the EDUCATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT Team
- Director, Finance and Operations
Jackie is a certified accountant with extensive experience in managing finance, administration and operations in both commercial and non-profit making organisations.
Having spent most of her life in Hong Kong, Joanne owns a sense of responsibility when it comes to providing Hong Kong-based children and young people the path to a brighter future. Her passion to contribute to children with additional learning needs has grown after having encountered the CDC.
Joanne holds a MSc in Financial Management from the University of London. With over 20 years of experience in Fintech, intellectual property and consultancy services in Asia Pacific, she has held leading positions in regional capacity in a number of multinational companies. She is also a committee Vice-Chair and voting member at the YWCA Hong Kong, responsible for social business and Y-Hospitality management.
Job Titles:
- Senior Speech and Language Therapist
- Senior Speech and Language Therapist / Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice ( MSLTPrac ), University of Auckland, NZ
Joanne is a dedicated speech and language therapist with expertise in supporting bilingual children, empowering them to overcome communication barriers and fostering lifelong learning skills.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Communication Manager
Job Titles:
- Clinical Supervisor ( Speech and Language Therapist )
- Clinical Supervisor ( Speech and Language Therapist ) Master of Science ( Speech Language Pathology ), Minot State University, US
Karen is devoted to giving back to the CDC by taking up the role of clinical supervisor.
Job Titles:
- Special Child Care Worker
Katy is moved by the ceaseless efforts the CDC makes to empower and teach caregivers.
Kelly's unique skills include adapting environments, activities and materials to accommodate each child's diverse abilities and challenges.
Melody is a compassionate Behavioural Therapist specialising in providing individualised support and education interventions for children with autism. With her positivity, creativity and dedication, she strives to unlock the potential of every child while advocating for greater understanding and acceptance of those with additional needs.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counsellor
Naina approaches every child keeping in mind the biopsychological aspect of well-being and believes in understanding the child holistically.
Prior to joining the CDC, Naina has worked across hospital settings, private educational institutions and therapy centres, and special needs schools. Hence, she brings an amalgamation of experiences, training, and education to her current practice.
Naina believes that the CDC can help her grow in her capacity as a clinical psychologist and to support the well-being and psychological needs of young children and their families. Through her role, she would like to create an awareness among parents on the importance of early intervention to address developmental concerns and thereby achieving healthier outcomes.
Naina approaches every child keeping in mind the biopsychological aspect of well-being. Besides understanding children holistically, she also believes in helping parents understand that psychotherapy especially for children is a medium for prevention and is able to help them to be resilient in times of uncertainty.
In addition, Naina currently works with another organisation as a counsellor to support the psychological health of the refugee community in Hong Kong.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Speech and Language Therapist / Master of Science in Educational Speech - Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities, the Education University of Hong Kong
Natalie embraces the values of being child-centred and is passionate about helping children from all kinds of backgrounds.
Paris is skilled in developing customised strategies to address children‘s challenges, helping them improve motor skills, enhance sensory processing abilities, and overcome barriers in daily environments.
Patricia joined the Executive Committee of CDC in October 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a lawyer and governance professional. Raised in Hong Kong, she has now reached a stage in her career where she aspires to give back to her community, leveraging her skills, expertise, and experience to support initiatives that will establish a legacy for future generations. Patricia believes CDC is the ideal platform for this vision. An accomplished speaker and writer, she has delivered numerous presentations and published articles on governance, sharing her insights while advocating for responsible and ethical leadership. Collaborating with CDC's exceptional board and team, Patricia seeks to amplify CDC's impact and further its vision.
Patricia holds a Bachelor of Laws from King's College, University of London, and is a qualified solicitor in Hong Kong SAR and England and Wales. She is a Fellow of both the Chartered Governance Institute and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute and is also a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals. Currently, she serves on the Editorial Board of the HKCGI Journal.
Job Titles:
- Music Therapist
- Music Therapist / Master in Music Therapy University of Melbourne, Australia
Rebecca is dedicated to facilitating transformation through music, with a strong emphasis on fostering a sense of security and self-confidence.
Job Titles:
- Co Vice - Chair
- Executive Committee As a Parent Member
Sabrina joined the CDC Executive Committee as a parent member in 2000. She was the honorary treasurer from 2002 to 2007 and was elected Chairman in 2007. Sabrina won an award at the Directors of the Year Awards 2018 in the ‘Statutory/Non-profit-distributing Organisations Category'. Sabrina is a professional chartered accountant with more than 30 years of experience. She retired as finance director for an international law firm in Hong Kong in November 2020. She has contributed her time and effort to a wide variety of HK NGOs and community services since her return from the UK, but CDC remains closest to her heart. Sabrina's son attended the CDC for two years due to his premature birth. He went to a mainstream school and graduated from university in 2019. Sabrina's passion about the CDC's work stems from the early intervention provided for her son and family in the early years of his life.
Sara practises a comprehensive range of therapeutic services using evidence-based practices and prioritises engagement through an ongoing evaluation of the child's interests.
Sara has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention services since 2013 to young children in Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Manila. The children in her care typically present with speech delay, autism, or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, amongst others.
Sara's programme design is highly individualised and catered to each child's unique profile and needs. She also collaborates with involved families, educational institutions, professionals and community members to ensure learned skills are applied to their natural environment.
She is driven to provide services to a larger community of individuals who require behavioural learning support that focus on understanding their unique needs and equipping them with practical tools.
Sarah is determined to bring a joyful learning experience to her students and discover the strength in every child.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sarah is deeply committed to supporting children in need. Her passion for philanthropy drives her to seek innovative ways to create opportunities for children, ensuring they have access to essential resources and support. She believes every child is equal and deserves a chance to thrive and is dedicated to fostering an environment where they can reach their full potential.
Sarah brings over 20 years of extensive experience in corporate finance to the CDC Executive Committee. She is a fellow member of the ACCA and holds an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
Simone is passionate about working with the neurodivergent community, and hopes to upskill herself in AAC and feeding/eating approaches in the long run.
Equipped with professional knowledge and experience in the field of Occupational Therapy, Sofina is dedicated to supporting children with additional needs and searching for suitable strategies for them through ongoing growth in clinical reasoning and evidence-based interventions.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
Stephanie is a dedicated Speech Therapist with a strong background in working with children with additional needs.
Job Titles:
- Admissions & Administration Officer
Trina moved to Hong Kong from India about a decade ago. She understands that when children are diagnosed with various additional learning needs, their parents can find it daunting, isolating, and face a rollercoaster of emotions. Trina believes the CDC, with its complete focus on early intervention and children's needs, is a crucial support system for her own family and many others.
As a part of the CDC Executive Committee, she is keen to communicate her ideas with board members and share useful information with families with diverse needs.
Vanessa is a highly qualified Educational Psychologist with over 13 years of experience, specialising in supporting children with diverse needs.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
After graduating from university in the UK, Vienne worked with children with various special educational needs.
Virginia advocates for every child's right to receive a tailored education to support their individual needs. She rejoined the committee in 2021, believing the CDC is where the children and their families are given the spark that ignites their learning journey.
Leading private and social enterprises for over 25 years in multilateral, culturally diverse environments, Virginia has a demonstrated track record of securing strategic partnerships between corporations, governments, and non-profits to deliver on projects to bring to life innovations that influence our society.
Virginia focuses on education as she believes that investing in people is the key driver for impactful change. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong. Previously, she was Global COO of OneSky and Chief Executive of The Child Development Centre.
Job Titles:
- Programme Officer
- Social Worker
Windy is dedicated to applying her profession in social work to children with additonal needs and their families in Hong Kong.
Winnie utilises her sales and marketing expertise to bring new inspiration to the CDC and grow together with the CDC's enthusiastic teachers and experts
Job Titles:
- Special Child Care Worker
Yoyo has extensive experience as a kindergarten teacher to work closely with children and develop comprehensive understanding of their diverse needs.
Job Titles:
- Senior Human Resources Officer