Name: Susanna Yau
Title: Assistant Director, HR
Years Working at Mother’s Choice: 7
(1) Which industry did you work in before joining Mother’s Choice?
I had a rewarding 30 year career working in the deluxe hotel sector before joining Mother’s Choice.
(2) Why did you first decide to work for Mother’s Choice?
I was in the season of my career where I wanted to spend it in a role that gave back to the community. I was involved in the CSR team at my previous job and had volunteered at different charities including Mother’s Choice. During the interview with each member of the senior management team, I could feel their passion for the vision of Mother’s Choice and was inspired by their own stories that led them to their role. This cemented my decision to join them to achieve Mother’s Choice vision of “every child in a loving family” together.
(3) What were some of the adjustments made as you transitioned from working in a corporate to a non-profit?
In my corporate job, I had a lot of resources available to me which is very different from working in a non-profit! At Mother’s Choice, even having a HR function was a very new concept! I had to constantly think out-of-the box to overcome resource challenges and to strive for excellence, because quality is just as important, if not even more important, in a non-profit. The work in non-profit is also values-driven where we measure success by a “changed life”.
(4) What are the things you love best about working at Mother’s Choice?
The environment at Mother’s Choice is full of inspirational people from so many different backgrounds yet united with a passion to strive our community’s well-being. I am so thankful to have met and worked with a wide range of talented volunteers and professional pro-bono consultants who have a heart of gold. The management team also provides employees with the opportunity to grow and encourages us to think outside of the box. I am so proud of the dedicated team of employees and volunteers who are working together to achieve our vision of every child in a loving family.
(5) What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of working for a non-profit?
Working for a charity is a good opportunity for career development as well as giving back to the community. The work can be challenging, yet stimulating and rewarding with an immense sense of fulfilment.