5 trailblazing Hong Kong school alumni who have excelled globally, from entrepreneurs to Olympic medalists

After school’s out, what then? Hong Kong schools often highlight the duty and commitment they have to helping students develop their talents and find their own path in life. The evidence of that can be found in the personal stories and notable achievements of these alumni who have gone on to succeed in a variety of fields. Sarah Fleischer, tech entrepreneur German Swiss International School (GSIS), class of 2010 Since attending the German International Stream at GSIS between 2000 and 2004, Sarah Fleischer has moved fast to make a name for herself in an industry which is having a transformative impact on modern life. She is the founder and chief executive of Tozero, Europe’s first lithium-ion battery recycling start-up. The Munich-based company’s aim is to recover critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite and lithium, and then reintroduce them into the local supply chain. Doing this will enable the production of new batteries and help to drive a circular economy in Europe while providing a viable model for other parts of the world. Fleischer and her colleagues have secured financial backing from big-name investors including car company Honda and global infrastructure leader JGC Group. Tozero is also exploring partnerships with some of the main Chinese battery producers, who no doubt see the long-term potential for scalable recycling as electric vehicle use continues to grow exponentially. And Hong Kong has been identified as a key entry point for developing new business opportunities – and hiring talent – in the Asia-Pacific region. Vivian Kong, Olympic champion fencer ESF Sha Tin College, class of 2012 Always energetic and sporty, Vivian Kong tried both ballet and taekwondo as a youngster, but once she took up fencing – which her father described as “the ballet of combat sports” – she never looked back. From the age of 11, she dedicated herself to a regular cycle of training and age-group competitions, but also kept up with her academic studies thanks to the support of teachers who helped her to maintain a healthy balance of school life and time for sport, while also leaving sufficient time for fun and friendships. On leaving Sha Tin College, Kong went to Stanford University to earn a BA in International Relations. All the time, though, she was steadily moving up the international rankings and accumulating prizes – among them three titles as individual Asian champion. The pinnacle, though, came at the Paris Olympic Games last year where she won the gold medal in the women’s individual épée. This set the seal on Kong’s outstanding competitive career, and she is now beginning a new phase in a role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to promote the development of young people and sports across the city. Isaac Lee, professional skier Harrow International School Hong Kong, class of 2023 Not many youngsters from Yuen Long dream of making it in the world of alpine skiing, but Isaac Lee saw no reason not to. He is now doing just that from a base at Canada’s University of Calgary, where he is also working towards a BSc degree with a concentration in Energy Science at the Haskayne School of Business. As a member of the university’s strong Dinos ski team, 19-year-old Lee specialises in the slalom and giant slalom disciplines, honing his speed and skills in rigorous training sessions each weekday morning and at competition venues during the season. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment to date is qualifying as the first male to represent the Hong Kong, China team at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, an event which took place in Saalbach, Austria in February this year. With that experience to draw on, he can look forward to more races, hopefully even faster times, and maybe even the chance of waving the city’s flag at a future Winter Olympics. Anna Lo, musician Hong Kong International School (HKIS), class of 2004 In her senior year at HKIS, Anna Lo was chosen to perform a piano piece alongside a string ensemble at the school’s We Are the World annual fundraising ball, and it was clear to many in the audience that she was destined for great things. She went on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she received the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts before winning wider recognition in multiple roles as a composer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, singer, conductor and stage performer. Now an acclaimed member of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Lo has also conducted musical theatre productions, collaborated with the Hong Kong Dance Company, and been commissioned to create the well-received cabaret shows Tri Ka Tsai in 2019 and LauZone in 2021. Demonstrating hallmark versatility, Lo also composed the score for the documentary She Objects, which was directed by fellow HKIS alumna Nicola Fan, and she is now a role model for those hoping to pursue a career in the performing arts. Nikolai Smirnoff, restaurateur Hong Kong Academy (HKA), class of 2014 Realising early on that the college route was not for him, Nikolai Smirnoff opted instead to go into the food and beverage (F&B) sector and is now the founder and owner of Momentai wine bar and restaurant in Sai Kung as well as Graceland, a bar he opened in Mong Kok in 2021. Inspired in part by his mother’s advice to find out what he really wanted to do and to be productive, he took his first job at a Sai Kung-based restaurant run by two young entrepreneurs and, during 18 months there, he was involved in two new venue openings. That experience was a chance to learn the trade and see how important it is to foster a strong, supportive network of staff and contacts. At the age of 21, Smirnoff was ready to strike out on his own, opening Momentai at a popular seafront location, and two years later also started a business importing craft cider. Today, much of his attention is focused on Graceland, which has a comfortable, nostalgic vibe including a vinyl-record jukebox and Southern US-style food cooked by an American chef. Throughout, Smirnoff’s professional mantra has been to learn from your mistakes, listen to your gut, and look after other people.

5 trailblazing Hong Kong school alumni who have excelled globally, from entrepreneurs to Olympic medalists

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}An Olympic fencer, battery recycling CEO, restaurateur and others are all successfully forging their own path

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Sarah Fleischer, tech entrepreneur

German Swiss International School (GSIS), class of 2010

An Olympic fencer, battery recycling CEO, restaurateur and others are all successfully forging their own path

Sarah Fleischer, tech entrepreneur