Theresa acquires over 25 years of expertise in Human Resources, a result-driven and relationship-focused leader who delivers talent acquisition, reward and performance management, retention and motivation solutions that support business harness the full power of their people. She is passionate in developing talents for the hospitality industry, she served as Human Resources Director of reputable Hotels in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Macau, aligning and steering execution of HR strategies. Theresa was awarded the Human Resource Hotelier of the Year – Greater China by The Hotelier Award in 2016.
We are delighted that Theresa will be speaking in Hong Kong as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia this April. We caught up with her to see how she’s feeling in the runup to the event.
Hi Theresa, we are thrilled that you will be joining us at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia in April. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I’m doing WELL, thank you. I’m energized by the opportunity to share ideas on wellbeing. It’s a topic that’s close to my heart.
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing and mental health?
As a leader in the restaurant industry, one of the biggest challenges is the nature of the work itself — long hours, high stress, and the fast pace. We also face cultural differences and generation gaps across teams, which means wellbeing expectations vary. And of course, there’s still stigma around mental health in parts of Asia, making it harder for employees to ask for help.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
Internally, we’ve introduced flexible scheduling and job chats, I’ve seen real progress. Externally, I see more collaboration with hospitality schools and government initiatives organizations encouraging healthier workplaces. Even small changes, especially encouraging “Listening” or “Being Heard” have made a noticeable difference.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
When employees are exhausted or stressed, it affects not only their health but also the guest experience. I truly believe that happy employees create happy guests — and that’s the foundation of our business.
What impact is AI having in your organization and how are you managing that?
AI is helping us in practical ways — for example, enhance the efficiency to reduce burnout, and in recruitment, where it speeds up screening so HR can focus on people. But we’re careful to manage AI with transparency and human oversight. Technology should support wellbeing, not replace human judgment.
Other than AI, are there any challenges that you are seeing for the first time and how are you addressing them?
One new challenge is the rising expectations from Gen Z employees. They want purpose-driven work and open communication. We’re addressing this by creating clearer career pathways and regular wellbeing check-ins. Another challenge is post-pandemic fatigue — people are still recalibrating, and retention requires more empathy than ever.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
I think employers should focus on psychological safety, financial wellbeing given rising costs, and equipping managers to be wellbeing champions. Most importantly, wellbeing should be embedded into business strategy, not treated as a perk or a side project.
Do you feel that investment in employee wellbeing in the region is increasing or decreasing and is that a direct reflection on HR leaders’ increasing ability to demonstrate effective returns of their strategies to leadership?
I see investment increasing overall, though uneven across industries. HR leaders are getting better at showing ROI — linking wellbeing to reduced turnover, higher engagement, and better customer satisfaction. When leadership sees that connection, investment becomes a business decision, not just a moral one.
How has your organization been leading the way?
In our restaurant group, we’ve introduced flexible scheduling and attentive feedback channels. We’ve seen absenteeism drop and employee retention rise. It’s proof that even in a high-pressure industry like hospitality, prioritizing wellbeing pays off.
Theresa is speaking in Hong Kong as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia 2026 which takes place in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bengaluru this April. Click the links below to find out more and book your tickets:
April 23 2026 – Hong Kong. Click here to find out more and book your tickets
April 28 & 29 2026 – Singapore. Click here to find out more and book your tickets
April 20 2026 – Bengaluru. Click here to find out more and book your tickets
