Dear 85 Broads members,

Thank you again for making this year's 85 Broads Hong Kong Chapter Chinese New Year Brunch at Dragon-i such a success. We had a full attendance of over 40 professional women from all nationalities and backgrounds, from finance, law and consulting, to consumer and design. The delicious all-you-can-eat dimsum was a great hit, and many members stayed on to catch up and network until long past tea time.

During the dimsum lunch, we received much positive feedback on the work we do with women in business, Social Enterprise and other organizations promoting women's education, welfare and rights, which leads to the next few events we have on the calendar.

Save the Date
Beginning of April
"Speaker event with Chandran Nair, Chairman and Founder of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT)"

Chandran was chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in the Asia Pacific until March of 2004. He advises the Taiwan and Hong Kong government, devising a new approach that gives the public a bigger role in key policy making decisions and also sustainable development.

Chandran speaks on how to meet the challenges of doing business in and of globalisation, on investment geo-politics, leadership development, ethics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. He has addressed many of these issues at forums around the world, notably at speaking engagements in London, New York, Washington, and Sydney, and all of the major Asian capitals.

Save the Date
TBC - Late May
"Conversation with Grameen Foundation"

Saturday 28th February
On invitation from Islamic Banking & Finance Network Hong Kong
"Riba: Why, Why Not? Basics Series"

In October 2007, Donald Tsang, HK's Chief Executive, stated that HK would be a key center for Islamic Banking and finance in Asia. The market is lucrative with Islamic assets expected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2010 and growing 15-20% annually. Standard & Poor said in September 2008 that sukuk issuance was still expected to be more than US$20 billion this year.

Usury, or "riba", is strictly prohibited in Islamic banking but is a feature prevalent in the global banking system. Learn more about how riba is defined and the associated benefits of omitting this charge. The presentation further investigates the roots of riba while explaining how an interest-free system functions.

Usman Hayat, CFA, is the Director of Islamic finance and environmental, social, and governance issues at the CFA Institute. Skilled in market development, risk management, market fairness, and regulatory requirements for stock exchanges, clearing companies, and securities depositories, he is an active columnist with 60+ articles published. Mr. Hayat has a MBA, a MA in Development Economics and an Islamic Finance Qualification from the U.K. Securities and Investment Institute.

Time: 1:00 pm registration; networking lunch (arrive after 12.30 pm) / 2:15 pm presentation and discussion (ends ~3.30 pm)
Venue: Jashaan Indian Restaurant (Halal), 1/F, 23 Hollywood Rd, Central (next to Mix under the Midlevels escalator)
Tel: 3105 5300
Price: $140 / $100 - students 16+ years old (Indian buffet lunch, coffee/tea, a soft drink, service charges and materials)

Pre-registration by Thu 26 Feb required as seating is limited.

We encourage all 85 Broads Hong Kong members to join the official website. There is a short application form that is required and a login is sent to you. This is the portal for all connections, communications and interactions with our fabulous global chapters and how they can get in touch with YOU!

We very much look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Kind regards,
85 Broads Hong Kong Chapter

85 Broads is a global network community of 18,000 trailblazing women who leverage each other's connections, relationships, and intellectual capital to increase the "return" on their investment in their education, families, and careers.

Founded in 1997, 85 Broads was launched by Janet Hanson as an independent network for current and former Goldman Sachs women (the name being a humorous play on Goldman's headquarter address, Broad Street in Manhattan). In 2000, Janet invited women at the leading graduate business schools to join the network, regardless of chosen career path, and in 2004, extended the invitation of membership to women at the leading colleges and universities worldwide.

Together, these women make up the most powerful, intellectually savvy network of women in the world. Members of this multi-generational and culturally diverse network work for over 1000 companies and live in 72 countries.

One of Hong Kong Chapter's most important goals is to reach out to women from all around the world. We hope to create unique partnerships with the extraordinary young women working and living in Asia.