With over a decade of experience in quantitative finance, portfolio solutions, and alternative data, Vivi Hu has established herself as a pivotal figure in the FinTech sector. An early advocate of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainable investment since 2012, she has been at the forefront of developing ESG investable products and analytics for global asset managers, with recent expansions focusing on Asia Pac managers.

In a recent conversation with The Global Woman leader magazine, Vivi discussed how women's leadership fosters sustainable investment in Hong Kong and the role of technological innovations and digital transformations in advancing the sustainable investment movement in the region.

As an entrepreneur, what inspired you to explore the intersection of cutting-edge technology and sustainability to build a startup? How do you envision your venture making a lasting impact on the market?

My professional journey in the fintech industry exposed me to the transformative power of technology in various sectors. I observed how fintech innovations were revolutionizing traditional financial services, making them more efficient, accessible, and inclusive. However, I also recognized a gap in the market while there was a growing demand for sustainable investments, the tools and data needed to support these investments were often inadequate or lacking in transparency. This is especially true for Asia Pac given many of the established solution providers are global firms whose products are more tailored made for European and US clients.

To bridge this gap, I founded YoujiVest with the vision of leveraging advanced technology to create a more sustainable and transparent investment ecosystem. By combining AI and big data analytics our venture aims to empower investors with the ESG insights they need to make informed and impactful decisions.

Our venture is positioned to make a lasting impact on the market by providing precise and accessible ESG data that empowers investors, corporations, and policymakers in Hong Kong and beyond. By equipping stakeholders with the tools to assess and integrate sustainability into their investment portfolios, we aim to foster a financial ecosystem that prioritizes long-term environmental health and resource efficiency. This not only catalyzes a shift towards more sustainable investment practices but also sets a standard for transparency and accountability in the financial sector.

Furthermore, as a woman leader, I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the fintech space. By fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives and innovative thinking, we enhance our capacity to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change in the industry.

In your opinion what kind of roles does women's leadership play in maintaining sustainable investment practices in Hong Kong? How does their role impact the decision making in the sector?

Women's leadership plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining sustainable investment practices, particularly in a dynamic financial hub like Hong Kong. The impact of women in leadership positions extends across various facets of the sector, influencing decision-making, organizational culture, and strategic direction.

First, women leaders often bring diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving and strategic thinking. This diversity is vital in the context of sustainable investments, where nuanced understanding of ESG factors is essential. Women leaders are frequently noted for their empathetic leadership and holistic view of corporate responsibilities, which can lead to more comprehensive assessments of sustainability risks and opportunities.

Second, research has shown that companies with higher gender diversity on their boards and in leadership positions tend to have better sustainability records. This correlation suggests that women's leadership can directly impact the adoption of sustainable practices. In Hong Kong, where corporate governance and sustainability are increasingly prioritized, women leaders can drive the integration of ESG principles into core business strategies.

Third, women in leadership roles can inspire and mentor the next generation of female leaders in finance, encouraging more women to enter and excel in this field. This mentorship and role modeling can gradually change the gender dynamics within the sector, leading to more inclusive and balanced decision-making bodies.

In view of Hong Kong's ever-changing regulatory environment, how can fintech leaders delve into the sustainable investment landscape and bring about a lasting impact?

Women in fintech are at the forefront of driving innovation and transformation in Hong Kong's sustainable investment landscape, particularly in the face of an ever-evolving regulatory environment. Here are several ways we can contribute to solving challenges and fostering growth in this sector.

Embracing Regulatory Changes with Agility:

We bring a unique blend of resilience and adaptability, enabling us to navigate the complexities of Hong Kong's regulatory landscape. By staying ahead of regulatory changes and proactively adjusting strategies, we ensure our fintech solutions remain compliant while driving sustainable investment practices. This agility not only helps mitigate risks but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Leveraging Technology for Transparency:

We are leveraging advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to enhance transparency and accountability in sustainable investments. These technologies enable real-time tracking and reporting of ESG metrics, ensuring that investments align with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. By providing clear and accessible data, they empower investors to make informed decisions and hold companies accountable for their ESG commitments.

Fostering Collaborative Ecosystems:

We understand the importance of collaboration in driving systemic change. We will actively build and nurture ecosystems that bring together diverse stakeholders, including regulators, financial institutions, investors, and technology providers. Through these collaborative networks, we facilitate knowledge sharing, create innovative solutions, and advocate for policies that promote sustainable investments. This collective effort helps to create a more robust and inclusive sustainable investment landscape in Hong Kong.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of sustainable investments. Women in fintech are strong advocates for these values, both within their organizations and in the broader industry. By promoting diverse leadership and inclusive practices, we ensure that a wide range of perspectives are considered in decision-making processes. This inclusivity not only enhances the quality of sustainable investment strategies but also drives better financial performance and social outcomes.

Innovating Financial Products and Services:

Women-led fintech companies are at the forefront of developing innovative financial products and services that cater to the growing demand for sustainable investments. We have been involved in the creation of green bonds, ESG-focused investment funds, and impact investing platforms that enable investors to align their portfolios with their values. These innovative solutions not only meet regulatory standards but also drive capital towards projects and companies that have a positive environmental and social impact.

In what ways does technological innovations and digital transformations contribute to the movement of sustainable investments in Hong Kong?

Technological innovations and digital transformations significantly enhance the movement of sustainable investments in Hong Kong, with women-led fintech companies playing a key role in this advancement. These companies utilize cutting-edge technologies like big data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance data accessibility and analytical capabilities. This allows for more precise and comprehensive environmental impact assessments, enabling investors to make informed decisions aligned with sustainability goals. For example, AI-driven algorithms can analyze vast amounts of global data to predict the long-term climate risks of assets and investments.

Additionally, blockchain technology is employed to bolster transparency and accountability in sustainable investing. It creates immutable records of ESG claims and outcomes, ensuring companies adhere to their sustainability promises, which is essential for building trust among investors. This transparency is increasingly critical in markets like Hong Kong, where sustainable investment is becoming more mainstream.

Also digital platforms provide smaller investors with access to tools and information that were traditionally available only to large institutional investors, thus broadening the investor base that can engage with sustainable practices.

Moreover, advanced predictive models and risk assessment tools developed through fintech innovations enhance the ability to manage risks associated with sustainable investments. These tools provide a clearer picture of potential environmental, social, and regulatory risks, helping investors avoid high-risk areas.

Lastly, many women-led fintech companies focus not only on generating financial returns but also on advocacy and education around sustainable investment. By engaging with investors and sharing knowledge about the importance of sustainability through digital platforms, they influence perceptions and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

Fintech industry is focused on expanding as well as holding the majority of women in the sector. How can organizations attract and retain a diverse workforce? In what way can a diverse workforce impact an organization’s efficiency and profit?

To effectively attract and retain talent, organizations typically implement a multifaceted strategy that emphasizes inclusive hiring practices, supportive work environments, and opportunities for professional growth.

Inclusive Hiring Practices: We have to ensure our hiring processes are designed to attract a diverse range of candidates. This includes using gender-neutral language in job descriptions, employing diverse hiring panels, and actively recruiting from a variety of talent pools, including those traditionally underrepresented in technology and finance. By widening their recruitment efforts and reducing biases in the hiring process, we can create a workforce that reflects a broad spectrum of perspectives.

Supportive Work Environment: Once talent is onboard, retaining them involves creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. This includes implementing policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and generous parental leave policies. Additionally, fostering an inclusive culture through regular diversity and inclusion training sessions, and establishing clear channels for reporting and addressing any forms of discrimination, are crucial for maintaining a positive workplace atmosphere.

Professional Development: Fintech organizations also emphasize continuous professional development and career advancement opportunities to retain their workforce. This is often achieved through mentorship programs, leadership training, and providing clear pathways for career progression. Such initiatives are particularly important for encouraging women in fintech, who may face more barriers to advancement in tech and leadership roles.

Impact on Product Development: The diversity of the workforce directly influences fintech product development. A diverse team brings a variety of experiences and insights, which can lead to more innovative solutions and products that cater to a broader client base. For instance, products designed by teams that include women are more likely to address the needs of female customers, who are often an underserved market. Moreover, inclusive teams are better equipped to consider and incorporate ethical implications of fintech products, such as ensuring fairness in algorithms used for credit scoring.

How do you envisage fintech and ESG principles reshaping the future of finance?

Looking forward, the integration of fintech and ESG principles is poised to fundamentally reshape the future of finance. This integration enables more sophisticated, accessible, and transparent financial services that prioritize long-term sustainability alongside profitability.

Fintech innovations like AI-driven data analysis, blockchain for transparency, and digital platforms facilitating sustainable investments are already transforming how financial decisions are made and how investment values are assessed. These technologies allow for the seamless incorporation of ESG criteria into investment strategies, making it easier for investors to align their portfolios with their ethical convictions and sustainability goals.

As fintech continues to evolve with a focus on sustainability, supporting female leaders in this space becomes increasingly crucial, given their pivotal role in driving innovation and inclusivity. Policies to support female leaders in fintech focused on sustainable investments should include targeted funding and investment initiatives. Financial incentives and venture capital earmarked specifically for women-led startups can address the significant gender gap in funding.

Furthermore, policy frameworks should also encourage mentorship and sponsorship, where experienced leaders in finance and technology can guide emerging female entrepreneurs through the intricacies of the industry and help them scale their businesses. Regulatory support is also key, with governments playing a supportive role by setting standards and regulations that promote sustainable finance and gender diversity.

Educational policies that promote STEM fields to young women and provide them with the tools to enter and excel in the fintech industry are also essential. This includes scholarships, internships, and active recruitment from universities and colleges to build a pipeline of talented women ready to lead in fintech.