The Team Behind The Amber Foundation: Meena Palad
Meena Palad didn't set out to work in the non-profit world. A decade spent managing restaurants and bars across Hong Kong and Sydney taught her how to read a room long before she ever managed a community program. Today, as Program Associate for EMPOWER by The Amber Foundation, she channels that same instinct: to stay calm, keep things moving, make everyone feel looked after etc., into supporting a cohort of ethnically diverse university women as they find their footing in Hong Kong's workforce.
We asked Meena to talk about the job, herself, and the dream she's still chasing.
On the job
For someone who's never heard of it, how would you describe EMPOWER in your own words?
"It's the program I wish I'd had when I was in university," Meena says. "EMPOWER supports ethnically diverse young women at universities in Hong Kong. They're capable and hardworking young ladies, but many are the first in their families to go to university, so they don't always have a role model to guide them, show them how to write a CV, get ready for an interview, or navigate a corporate career. Through workshops and with working professionals who volunteer their time, we help fill that gap. We open the door, and they're the ones who walk through it."
What does a typical week look like for you as EMPOWER's Program Associate?
"There isn't really a typical week. EMPOWER is my main focus, but I also help with The Toiletries Project whenever I'm needed. Some days I help with moving donations to and from the warehouse. Other days I'm preparing workshop logistics and communications. There's usually a last-minute change somewhere. Coming from a hospitality background, it feels a bit like running a busy service: stay calm, keep things moving, and make sure everything feels smooth for everyone."
What's the hardest part of running the program that outsiders wouldn't guess?
"The follow-up. People picture the workshops, but a lot of work happens in between: checking in, noticing when someone's going quiet, and knowing when to nudge and when to give space. Our participants are juggling classes, exams, part-time jobs and family commitments, so sometimes they need to step back. I've been there myself, so I completely understand. Everyone moves at their own pace. The most rewarding part is seeing each of them find their confidence in their own time."
What's a challenge ethnically diverse women in Hong Kong still face that you wish more people understood?
"Being overlooked. Most of us were born and raised here, and Hong Kong is home. Yet people still make assumptions about us, about our background, our language skills, or where we fit before they've had a chance to get to know us. It's rarely about ability. It's about who gets seen, and that's what EMPOWER is working to change."
Life beyond the office
What were you doing before The Amber Foundation?
"I spent a decade managing restaurants and bars in Hong Kong and Sydney, while studying at the same time. It was fast-paced and full of big personalities, and very chaotic most of the time. It taught me how to read a room and keep a team steady under pressure, and think on my feet when plans change. It also taught me that people remember how you made them feel. Whether it's a guest, a participant or a volunteer, I try my best to ensure everyone feels welcome and looked after. Those skills carry over directly into my work now."
What's your go-to icebreaker when you meet a new cohort?
"Asking them to share their name and one thing that's not on their CV: a hobby, a hidden talent or something that makes them happy. It takes the pressure off and reminds everyone that they're more than their grades or job titles. It's often where I learn the most about them."
What's a book, podcast, or person that's shaped how you mentor others?
"Simon Sinek's books, and listening to him speak on podcasts. Leaders Eat Last taught me that good leaders look after their people first, and Start With Why reminded me that purpose is what really keeps people going. I carried both lessons into my hospitality years, where many of my colleagues came from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Seeing them grow once they felt supported and understood showed me how much belief matters. Now I bring that same approach to EMPOWER."
It’s rarely about ability. It’s about who gets seen, and that’s what EMPOWER is working to change.
Motivations & dreams
What first drew you to working with young women on career and leadership?
"I see myself in them. I grew up in Hong Kong with a Filipina mother and a Pakistani father, so I know what it's like to belong somewhere and still feel slightly on the outside. I learned a lot of things the hard way in my own career. If I can help someone else skip a few of those lessons, that's what makes this work worth it."
What does "empowerment" mean to you personally, beyond the program's name?
"Knowing you have options, and believing you deserve them. It's not only about getting a job. It's about having the confidence to ask for more, to say no, and to walk away from something that isn't right for you. To me, empowerment is when you stop waiting for permission, and start taking control of your own narrative."
What's a dream you're chasing — for EMPOWER, for Hong Kong, or for yourself?
"For EMPOWER, I'd love to see more of our alumni return as Group Leaders and hiring managers — a real full-circle moment. For Hong Kong, I hope for a city where D&I doesn't need a label anymore, where it's simply part of everything we do, and who we are."
Get involved
Want to know more about EMPOWER, see how you can support the program,
or get in touch with Meena?
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