Gigi Chao
Gi our founder

Affectionately known as “ah G,” her pilot training instilled in her the understanding that while hierarchical structures are effective for addressing immediate crises, they often stifle the reporting of potential issues and the cultivation of creativity, which she views as fundamental to our human experience. In 2008, she established Faith in Love, an organisation dedicated to serving with humility and the simple act of giving.

Born and raised in Hong Kong during the 1970s-80s, she grappled with the stark wealth disparities in society. She found herself torn between the opulent lifestyle of her father’s family and the modest, yet content, existence of her maternal cousins, who lived in grassroots communities and struggled daily to make ends meet. Her quest for answers led her to volunteer around the globe—in Malawi with World Vision, Alaska with Habitat for Humanity, and Hunan with Sowers’ Action. As her career flourished, she remained committed to engaging directly with community work, driven by a desire to understand and connect with people on a deeper level. Educationally, she graduated from the University of Manchester’s School of Architecture, where she developed a passion for building technology, the environmental impact of architecture, and architectural history. She then worked alongside the renowned British architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell in both London and Hong Kong, contributing to projects such as Kowloon Station, Tsuen Wan West Station, and various design competitions for iconic buildings in mainland China.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, she earned her LLB from the University of London in 2017 and studied PCLL in FinTech, focusing on law, regulation, payments, alternative financing, and cryptoassets. In 2022, she completed a professional certificate in coding from MIT x Pro, sparking a newfound love for coding and open-source software. Her diverse professional background includes experience in management and service, gained through an early career in marketing and retail services in Hong Kong and China. There, she managed key accounts such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Montblanc, and L’Oréal. Beyond her work with Faith in Love, she serves as a specialist private sector adviser for the United Nations Development Programme’s Being LGBTI in Asia initiative, and Hong Kong Marriage Equality. In her professional role, she oversees a family real estate development business with projects throughout Asia and provides guidance to global organisations on diversity, inclusion, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) business practices, emphasising the importance of building social capital.

For more insights into her professional journey and contributions, please visit her LinkedIn profile.