Mentor: Savio Kwan, Partner and CEO, A&K Consulting; Non-Executive Director, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneur Fund and Crossborder Innovative Ventures International; Independent Non-Executive Director, British American Tobacco; Former President and COO, Alibaba Group; Former Senior Business Leader, GE Medical SE Asia & China, Hong Kong

One of the most valuable things through my MBA experience has been meeting and chatting with my mentor. Having the fortune to share a coffee and tea with him has truly been an honour. His name is Savio Kwan, former President and COO of Alibaba. Savio is one of the most inspiring people that I have ever met.

We have talked about many different things: personal life, traveling, art, wine, and everyday life experiences. He has, at the same time, guided me through some of the chapters of his journey and taught me the different lessons that are valuable to my career. For example, I have shared with him situations that I faced at my Start-up in Mexico. Savio’s comments and feedback always help me reflect and empowers me to find solutions with the help of his own stories.

• He stressed, one day, on the importance of becoming an entrepreneur and a strategist in a company. Being able to separate operations, and making sure that the strategy is set for the team to be able to work in the same direction.
• We reflected on the different dichotomies of leadership and on how to balance them to accomplish the best results. This has helped me not only to understand the kind of leader that I am but also how to leverage my characteristics to serve the team better.
• We have discussed businesses that blend heritage and innovation and how those businesses can adapt without forgetting their roots.
• He has also given me advice on how to pitch investors and how to focus on a start-up to deliver results. Not necessarily focusing on money and economic factors, but adding value to the customer and overall bringing that passion to the equation.

The Mentorship Programme has been an invaluable tool for my career. Being able to talk and get advice from such an inspiring leader is something that I will cherish throughout my life. Savio is the kind of leader that knows how to empower individuals, and he has highlighted over and over again to never forget to believe in myself.

Thank you Savio, thank you CDT Team, and thank you HKU MBA for this experience.