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Co-Chairs Lisette and Hidde Bart (HB) have been calling Hong Kong home for ten years. They became adoptive parents in 2015 when they were matched with a baby girl with Indonesian roots, just like her mother Lisette. Two years thereafter Lisette and HB welcomed another wonderful girl with a Hong Kong Chinese background to their family. The girls are pretty close in age and are considered ‘artificial’ or ‘virtual twins’ and started primary school this year. Lisette and HB have been involved as coordinators for AFHK Waiting Families since 2018. Advising and guiding prospective Adoptive Families has been, and still is, an immensely grateful and humbling experience. Lisette and HB enjoy Adoptive Families’ lunches and outdoor gatherings. Both Lisette and HB work in the banking sector and are very honored to be appointed co-chairs of AFHK. They are looking forward to working with the talented and motivated volunteers of AFHK to continue to build a community of loving adoptive families in Hong Kong.
Treasurer Maria was born in Hong Kong. She finished her undergraduate studies in Australia before pursuing her MBA degree at University of Wales, UK. She is currently the Asia Regional Financial Controller of a leading British law firm and a full member of Institute of Public Accountants and Institute of Financial Accountants in Australia. She is married with one teenage daughter. Maria joined AFHK as Treasurer in early 2015.
Audio-visual Technician Lucas was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and has been an expatriate since 2012. He is a primary educator, teaching at schools in Singapore and Laos. In Singapore, Lucas heard about AFHK and joined upon moving to Hong Kong in 2016. He continues to volunteer with AFHK but lives in Laos. Lucas assists the adoption community through facilitating conversations, and with his web and technical knowledge. The ongoing education and support network from AFHK has offered invaluable guidance for this stay at home dad of three beautiful children (two biological, and one adopted) and he encourages those interested in adoption to come along to an AFHK event and become members for the same reasons. Along with his wife, this family of five loves the outdoors, and are advocates for all things health, judo, cycling, collective consumption, and reducing their carbon footprint. When Lucas can squeeze it in he supports, moderates and consults with various online and offline committees, adoption and education communities, and with small businesses and start-ups.
Roots Tracing Coordinator Vivian is a registered social worker in Hong Kong. As a teenager, Vivian volunteered for a non-profit organisation serving pregnant girls facing crisis pregnancies and children in need of temporary and/or permanent care. She later joined this organisation, first as an adoption social worker, then supervisor. Vivian is passionate about adoption advocacy and volunteers her time to help adoptees and their families on their roots tracing journey.
Assistant Treasurer and Cantonese Outreach Coordinator |
Secretary Louise has proudly called Hong Kong home 20+ years. She's been a members of AFHK since 2008 and immediately found the parenting support and network offered invaluable guidance for her family's adoption journey. She joined the steering committee in 2010 running events. In 2013 she took over the role of Chair. Louise and her husband are the proud parents of 2 children; a daughter by birth and a son adopted as a toddler from Cambodia. Louise is passionate about supporting, connecting, informing and educating those who are touched by adoption. Her favourite AFHK events are the picnic on the Peak and the Holiday Party. In her business life Louise works as a real estate consultant. She is originally from Melbourne, Australia and holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology). 
Sanam Thakur Social Media Coordinator Sanam is a California native but has called Hong Kong home for the last 10 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in International Development from UC Berkeley. Most recently Sanam was working in the corporate world focusing marketing and brand development for Coravin and DFS Group, both based in HK. She met her husband in Hong Kong and they have two daughters by birth. She is also exploring options for adoption.
Adult Adoptee Outreach Becky is a Hong Kong adult adoptee who at 18 months was adopted into a British family. Hong Kong was home until she went to Secondary school and then college in the UK where she qualified and trained as a Nursery Nurse. Since 1997 she has worked in the childcare field in HK and the UK. Recently she has branched out into other work interests and she has her own business in trading/shipping. After joining AFHK in 2008 Becky came onto the committee in 2010. She is interested in bringing together and connecting adoptees from all over the world and more importantly adoptees from HK. She can often be found helping at AFHK functions and is a central point for adult adoptees wanting to know more about adoption in Hong Kong. Becky is grateful for the support, friendship and community that AFHK offers to those touched by adoption. Taeko Huet-Sakai Events Volunteer Taeko was born in Japan. Later she moved to France for her MBA at ESSEC Business School in Paris and career development. She met her husband in Paris and they moved to Hong Kong with their adopted cat in 2016. In her professional life, she has been an experienced financial professional in the Luxury Retail industry. She and her husband adopted a boy through local adoption in 2019. Like others, the year of 2020 was a mind-blowing for her. That is why she decided to devote herself to positive social impact. She has been a member of AFHK since 2018, she stepped up to be a part of the steering committee in 2021. She and her family love outdoor activities, visiting local traditional villages by bicycle. |
Lisette Schouten & Hidde Bart (HB) de Vries
Maria Wong
Lucas Renzi
Vivian Ip
Louise Garnaut
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Steering Committee Support
Outreach & Program Assistant Carolyn was born and raised outside of Toronto, Canada but has lived in Hong Kong for over 11 years with her husband and two sons, both by birth. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Canada, as well as a more recent certification in Digital Marketing. Carolyn has acquired diverse managerial, support and administrative experience within varying sectors in Canada and Hong Kong. She is passionate about supporting the incredible individuals and families within AFHK. |
Carolyn McKeownNon-Steering Committee Team Members
Single Parents Coordinator Jan has been supporting the Single Parents group at AFHK now for over 12 years. As a single parent with an adopted daughter, she is happy to share many years of experience with our AFHK members. |
Janice HendersonVolunteering
If you have been touched by adoption or are interested in adoption, please partner with us by giving your time to volunteer with our steering committee or any of our other programs and initiatives. Chinese speaking volunteers are also needed to help support bilingual programs. For more information about volunteering with AFHK please visit our Volunteer Page. |