Creative Thinking: Educator and entrepreneur, Joanna Hotung shapes the next generation with an inquiring mind and eye

You know you’ve arrived at Joanna Hotung’s studio-meets-testing-ground slash office when you see paintings and digital artworks plastered across the muted walls of a quiet corner in Wong Chuk Hang. “These are made by my [younger] daughter [Sophia], who is an artist,” she says with a warm smile. Inside, a large room bursts with shape and colour, every surface crammed with books and journals – a testament to the insatiable curiosity and diverse interests of the educator-cum-entrepreneur slash advocate for young people, healthcare and the arts.

Despite Hotung’s fastidious approach to art, which she admits is wholly intuitive, the space radiates creative freedom. “It’s very chaotic and very colourful. You guys might have a hard time finding a spot [to set up for the shoot],” she laughs.

Surveying her domain, her eyes twinkle with pride. “Two months from now, I’ll be celebrating my 60th birthday, and I’m looking forward to becoming a grandma next year,” she shares, her voice tinged with excitement. “It’s milestone after milestone, and I’m super proud of these.”

Hotung’s warmth and zest for life are palpable, blending seamlessly with her many accomplishments and her ongoing journey of growth. “I’m not a fashionista,” she insists as we begin shooting, but her wardrobe of carefully curated pieces from international and local designers suggests otherwise. Each outfit is a statement of her multifaceted identity. Her style subtly echoes her broader approach to life: bold, eclectic and unapologetically authentic.

Artistic Roots

“I remember as a child I always wanted to be a teacher,” she recalls. “I would organise my friends into groups, and we would do arts and crafts or try to sew or knit together, following patterns from a manual my grandma sent me from England.” Her early creativity was complemented by a love for visual and performing arts, nurtured by her parents, who took her to exhibitions and performances. She also participated eagerly in speech and music festivals, learning the piano, clarinet and ballet along the way.

Her family played a pivotal role in shaping her values and approach to leadership and social impact. “I was brought up very much with a can-do attitude and to be self-sufficient,” she says. “Going to boarding school in England at age 10, I learned that it’s okay to come first, last, or somewhere in between, as long as I tried my best.” Her father told her ‘whatever you try your hand at, you’ll be grateful for the experience later, and it will turn out to be useful in some way’. This wisdom has stayed with her, guiding her through successes and setbacks alike.

Her worldview was enriched by attending international schools in Hong Kong, Geneva, London and Beijing. “The diversity of those experiences shaped my outlook,” she notes. Being Eurasian, she felt like she could fit in anywhere, though she admits there were moments of culture shock, especially in Beijing during the 1980s. “That year was one of the most impactful of my life,” she reflects.

Vivid Vision

Hotung’s foray into entrepreneurship was born out of her desire to fill a gap she observed firsthand. “My two daughters were studying in a local kindergarten, mainly to learn Cantonese,” she recounts. “I appreciated the skills, respect and discipline they learned, but when my four-year-old was told by a teacher she couldn’t paint an elephant orange because elephants can only be grey, I saw a huge gap in creative learning.” That incident sparked her decision to start her own art school, Kids’ Gallery, focused on developing creativity and inquiry-based learning.

“I was lucky in 1996 to be early to market,” she says proudly of KG Group, which expanded from arts and crafts to drama and dance, English-language centres and a production company, all dedicated to fostering confidence, curiosity and communication. “It was about nurturing a love for arts and empowering children to be curious,” she explains.

This holistic approach laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to education and social impact. In 2013, she established the Mills International Preschool in Yau Tong, and sits on the boards of Youth Diabetes Action, the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society and Gleneagles Hospital, among others.

Cultural Fusion

Prior to dedicating herself to education and social causes, young Joanna had stepped onto the corporate ladder. “I started out in the Marks & Spencer graduate training programme in London, then I moved into management consulting at PwC.” But with her children’s arrival, she sought more control over her time and choices. “It’s never easy juggling both,” she admits. “I was lucky to run an education business that my children could participate in after school; they took every course on offer!”

Her multicultural background deeply influences her approach to education and mentorship. “I believe I can understand and curate the best of both worlds,” she says. “I’m a big believer in the discipline and hard-work mentality of Asian culture, and I also admire the confidence and individuality of Western culture.” Her goal is to provide opportunities that allow young people to balance these qualities, creating well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate a complex world.

She notes that young people are remarkably resilient. “Sometimes, we overprotect our children,” she says. “But facing challenges and discomfort helps them develop resilience and critical skills.”

Empowering Expression

Hotung has been a passionate advocate for the vital role played by the arts for almost 30 years. Although she has sold the KG Group, her commitment continues today. “In a world of constant change and AI, the arts and creativity are more important than ever,” she asserts. “They help develop critical thinking, empathy and problem-solving skills. Engaging with the arts encourages confidence and self-expression, empowering children to find their unique voices.” She emphasises that arts are not just entertainment, they are essential tools for shaping resilient, innovative and compassionate future leaders.

Her future plans involve expanding her educational initiatives through the Hotung Mills Education Foundation. “It supports arts, healthcare and education,” she explains. Her vision for mentoring the next generation centres on fostering adaptability, creativity and ethical decision-making amid technological revolutions. “I want to empower young leaders to embrace innovation while staying true to their values,” she says.

For her, happiness is rooted in her family and purposeful work. “Seeing the growth of those I work with gives me joy,” she shares. Her definition of success has evolved from achievements and recognition to making a lasting impact and maintaining balance. “It’s about impact, learning and wellbeing,” she emphasises.

Her work with initiatives like Youth Diabetes Action has brought countless rewarding moments. “Seeing young people gain confidence in managing their condition and watching families find a supportive community is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “We’ve sponsored life-saving tech and helped shape brighter, healthier futures.”

Future Force

Her legacy, she hopes, will inspire a culture of lifelong learning, empathy and innovation, particularly empowering women to challenge the status quo. She dreams of a future where young people are brave and creative, ambitious yet grounded, and ready to shape a more inclusive society.

“I want them to be hardworking, courageous, adaptable and compassionate,” she says. “They have the potential to build a better, more equitable society.” She implores the older generation to listen more to young leaders and give them space to share their ideas, blending lessons from the past with visions for the future.

Indeed, Hotung’s output is about more than aesthetics. Beneath the quirkiness lies a purposeful knack for making a difference. The choice of ’90s-boyband tunes during our shoot, her display of Chinese ceramics, and her Scandinavian and European furniture reveal her deep love for her Eastern and Western backgrounds. She fully embraces both, weaving them into her life and work: vivid, ever-evolving, deliberate and meaningful. True impact comes not just from the boldest strokes but from the thoughtful blending of diverse influences, creating a masterpiece that inspires and uplifts generations to come.

Suited In Soil: Redefining style with brown’s natural charm

The beauty of neutral hues and their power to elevate your everyday look

Look 1

Midi dress by Cult Gaia

Look 2

Jacket, sweater and trousers by Brett Johnson

Look 3

Jumpsuit by Blurhms

Look 4

Leather top, jacket and pants by Cult Gaia

Look 5

Suit jacket and pants by Blurhms

Look 6

Suit jacket, top and shorts by Brett Johnson

Look 7

Jacket, top, scarf and shorts by Brett Johnson

Look 8

Mini dress by Cult Gaia

Look 9

On Her (left)

Floral fur coat by Cult Gaia

On Him (right)

Trench coat, sweater and pants by Brett Johnson

On Him (left)

Trench coat and trousers by Blurhms

On Her (right)

Printed textured jacket and pants by Blurhms

Gene Genius: Prenetics dynamo Danny Yeung envisions a world where health converges with wealth

The hallmark of Danny Yeung is his dedication. At 46, the healthcare honcho remains fiercely passionate about his multiple business ventures, blending a relentless work ethic with an insatiable curiosity for innovation. His office at Prenetics’ Hong Kong headquarters in Quarry Bay is a reflection of his vibrant personality, featuring a large poster of himself in a boxing stance and the unofficial title of ‘Chief Honey Badger’ on the door. He explains with a grin: “It’s from this viral video about this creature that does anything to get things done, no matter the obstacles. That’s me.”

Yeung’s hair is tinged red, a symbol of his commitment and faith in IM8, a red powder supplement drink he launched in 2024. “The T-shirt I wear every day, even during high-stakes meetings, is my way of showing that I believe in what we’re building,” he says. “It’s about consistency, passion and showing my team and partners that I’m all in.”

Throughout his journey, Yeung exemplifies how resilience and dedication can transform industries and lives. His philosophy is simple but profound: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Dynamic Dan

Growing up as an immigrant in the United States, Yeung’s early experiences shaped his relentless pursuit of success and good health. “Moving from Guangdong, China, when I was five, we had little,” he recalls. “That hunger, knowing that you have to build your future, drives me still.”

As a 12-year-old, he sold baseball cards, not for profit but for the thrill of the hustle. “It was my first taste of business, understanding what people want and how to give it to them,” he says. This early lesson in supply and demand laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial mindset.

He worked as a telemarketer at age 15. “Rejection every day taught me resilience,” he recalls. “In my teens, I was managing people in their 30’s. I learned how to persuade, listen and build trust. Business isn’t just about products; it’s about connecting with people on a human level. ‘You don’t need to be the first, but you need to be the best’ is something I live by.”

His first business venture, a Hui Lau Shan dessert shop franchise in the US, stemmed from recognising a market for authentic Asian flavours among the Chinese diaspora in California. “It was about sharing our culture and creating a space for connection,” he explains. Remembering early mornings at the fruit market, he adds: “If you want to succeed, you have to do what others won’t.”

Progressing from providing hospitality furniture for MGM’s luxury towers to establishing e-commerce platform UBuyiBuy, Yeung’s diverse startups broadened his skill set. “Each industry taught me something: quality, data, scalability,” he reflects. “My varied background allows me to connect dots others might miss. It’s about adaptability, a growth mindset, and relentless curiosity.”

New Gen Genetics

A personal health scare at 37 marked a turning point. The discovery that he carried a gene mutation that increased his risk of colon cancer came with the realisation that health isn’t just reactive but proactive. “That moment ignited my mission – to empower people with knowledge about their health,” he shares. “Healthcare should be about prevention, not just treatment.”

Yeung pivoted, co-founding Prenetics in 2014, a genomics-driven healthcare company which empowers people with personalised health information. “It’s about providing tools for a healthier, longer life,” he emphasises. “That’s a mission worth risking everything for.”

Prenetics’ path to becoming Hong Kong’s first Nasdaq-listed unicorn was marked by obstacles, including public scepticism about genetic testing, complex regulations, and a global pandemic. “In the beginning, many didn’t understand genetic testing,” he admits. “We invested heavily in education and building trust.”

When Covid-19 hit, they reacted swiftly. “We transformed our labs, retrained staff and developed testing kits,” he recalls. “Working 20-hour days, we performed over 28 million PCR and home tests, our finest hour.” The pandemic solidified Prenetics’ reputation as a health-services leader. “In chaos, there’s opportunity. Our team showed the world what dedication can achieve.”

The goal of their prevention arm, CircleDNA, is to “put the power of health into every individual’s hands” through a comprehensive at-home genetic test providing insights into disease risk, food sensitivities and personality traits. “Knowledge is power, but only if you use it,” notes Yeung, envisioning a future where proactive health management becomes the norm and each person understands their unique blueprint.

Authentic Partnerships

Yeung’s personal brush with cancer risk fuels his passion for Insighta, a cancer-screening joint venture with scientist Dennis Lo. “Detecting cancer early means more treatment options and higher survival rates,” he says. “Our goal is to make early detection a routine part of health checks.” Expanding from lung and liver cancer tests this year, they plan to screen for more than 10 cancers by 2027. “It’s about turning the tide against one of humanity’s deadliest diseases,” he asserts.

IM8, meanwhile, has star power. Co-founded by football legend David Beckham, its science-backed, nutrition-rich formula is intended to disrupt the supplement industry. “David’s genuine belief in IM8’s mission made him a true partner,” shares Yeung. “His family uses our products daily, a level of commitment that’s rare in celebrity collaborations.”

Tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka, who started using IM8 for energy and recovery, is now a brand ambassador and shareholder. “Proof that real results lead to real partnerships,” he concludes.

Health in Our Own Hands

Yeung sees a future where smartphones serve as personal health assistants. “Technology will enable us to understand and manage our health proactively,” he predicts. From genomics to AI, the tools are here. “We’re leading the charge, turning science into everyday solutions.” Then comes the integration of health with financial wealth. “Holdings of Bitcoin and cash enable us to prepare for the future. The convergence of health and wealth is the next frontier.”

For Yeung, however, success isn’t just financial; it’s about impact. “Building something meaningful that improves lives is success,” he says, while underlining that happiness, for him, comes from family, purpose and balance. “Without health and loved ones, nothing else matters,” he reflects.

His greatest influences are his parents, immigrants who sacrificed everything for a better future. “Their work ethic, perseverance and humility are my guiding principles,” he states. Beyond family, he idolises disruptors like Jack Ma, who faced rejection but persisted. “Ma’s belief that ‘the opportunity lies where the complaints are’ has always resonated with me. It’s about identifying pain points and creating solutions, whether in e-commerce or healthcare.”

Yeung maintains an iron grip on a vision of such breadth and depth that, from afar, it seems almost singular. His self-stated greatest strength is his belief in his ideas and the determination to see them through. “Innovation is a mindset – curiosity, experimentation and learning. The future belongs to those who create it. Think big, work hard, and surround yourself with people smarter than you,” he urges. “That’s how you go far.”

With his fiery red hair and unyielding commitment to revolutionising healthcare, the Chief Honey Badger embodies the essence of innovation and purpose. There are a few creative minds that have this kind of drive. It’s quintessentially, unmistakably, irreplaceably Danny Yeung.

Interview, Text & Art Direction: Joseff Musa Photographer: Jack Law Videographer: Iris Ventura