"Women’s perspectives play a vital role and their voices must be heard"

Bonnie So's career sparked in university volunteer lines and was shaped by witnessing harrowing stories of resilience. Her journey with the Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China, which began in 1990, now spans 35 years within the movement. It is a journey across continents, through devastating crises, and one marked by breaking barriers for women in leadership within the global humanitarian sphere. 

For Bonnie So, CEO/Secretary General of the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC), branch of the Red Cross Society of China, humanitarian service transcends a mere career; it’s a profound, lifelong commitment. 

Bonnie So's humanitarian path started alongside her elder brother, volunteering with vulnerable communities, including the elderly and Vietnamese asylum seekers who had arrived in Hong Kong by boat. "Conversations with the asylum seekers led to profound reflection," Bonnie So recalls. "They shared stories of hardship, resilience, and survival amidst crises and emergencies. Witnessing their struggles moved me deeply and made me want to be someone who can offer meaningful help." This direct exposure to human suffering crystallized her calling, leading her directly to the Red Cross. Her first role was in an international relief service "It was so exciting. Imagine, a young lady just graduated from university in Hong Kong, a city without major disasters, war, or conflict is deployed to earthquake, flood, or cyclone affected areas or even war-affected areas like Afghanistan." She couldn't understand how people lived in such tough situations and that profoundly stimulated her to think about what life truly is. After frontline emergency relief, Bonnie So embraced diverse roles across fundraising, governance engagement and senior leadership, building a comprehensive understanding of the organization. 

Bonnie So's career trajectory has been shaped by her frontline leadership during some of the most devastating humanitarian crises. Her journey began in earnest with the 1991 China floods, which is the first time the Red Cross Society of China made an international appeal. Over the decades, her resolve was tested and honed across continents. In 2001 Afghanistan, she took part in organizing critical fundraising efforts and partnered with media outlets to amplify the dire situation facing war-affected populations. The catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami saw her instrumental in establishing essential field offices in Indonesia and Sri Lanka to coordinate massive relief operations. Her operational leadership was further demonstrated during the 2007 Bangladesh Cyclone, where she led the Field Assessment and Coordination Team on the ground. Following the 2008 China earthquake, Bonnie So oversaw the setup and sustained a decade-long field office presence in Sichuan, pioneering a patient-oriented approach to rehabilitation services that significantly improved survivor care. During 2014 and 2019 Hong Kong Social Unrest, even amidst the complexities, she managed to steadily work on proactive trust-building with authorities and the unwavering championing of the HKRC's fundamental principle of neutrality, to navigate sensitive local crises. Bonnie So empathically underscores the Red Cross's distinct role: "We are not just one of the many local NGOs... Our global mandate and unwavering commitment to neutrality enable us to play a unique and vital role, especially during sensitive situations." However, she acknowledges that this neutrality is often misunderstood, presenting a core challenge. “It requires us to consistently reaffirm it through clear communication and demonstrated actions, while remaining proactive in advancing  humanitarian diplomacy” Each event underscores her profound commitment to humanitarian action in the most challenging environments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bonnie led the organization through unprecedented challenges, working closely with the government to support individuals under home quarantine and facilitate COVID-19 testing efforts. In November 2025 Taipo Fire incident, a devastating fire that claimed over 150 lives and drew an outpouring of attention and solidarity across Hong Kong, Bonnie swiftly activated the organization’s emergency response mechanism to ensure timely and coordinated action. Under her leadership, the team delivered critical emergency relief, psychological support, and recovery assistance to the 1,900 affected families.

Working within the global Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement fundamentally shifted So's perspective. "It has broadened my horizon from a local view to a global level," she states. This international exposure proved invaluable, allowing her to adapt and implement global best practices locally. A prime example is introducing the Community-Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) model, learned from IFRC projects in Nepal and Cambodia, to China two decades ago. This program now thrives across an impressive 6,000 project sites, testament to its effectiveness and sustainability. 

Bonnie So advocates for concrete action while acknowledging the persistent obstacles women face globally from disproportionate family responsibilities to societal perceptions undermining respect. She points out that “in several countries there are still deeply-rooted cultural expectations and unconscious bias that limit opportunities for women to rise into decision-making positions”. She also emphasizes that “many women leaders have limited access to mentors or sponsors who can advocate for their advancement within the Movement, while opportunities for capacity building and leadership development are not always equitably distributed”, and “women from minority, indigenous or conflict-affected background often face compounded challenges due to intersecting forms of discrimination.” 

Bonnie So calls for striving towards gender balance on boards and in top management, coupled with active investment in developing the next generation of women leaders within National Societies. For young women entering the humanitarian sector, Bonnie offers empowering advice: "Equip yourselves with up-to-date knowledge, global trends, and the confidence to present effectively, while cultivating the charisma and presence expected of strong leaders." While noting gender discrimination is "relatively less prevalent in Hong Kong," Bonnie So highlights distinct advantages in her leadership style: "the ability to balance firmness with empathy and a human touch." Feeling respected in her role, she carries a significant responsibility: "to champion women's leadership in regions where female leaders are undervalued."Her advice to women aspiring to Red Cross boards is clear-cut: "Be proactive in expressing your interest." She stresses the critical need for diverse expertise and underscores that "women’s perspectives play a vital role and their voices must be heard." Bonnie So clearly states her vision for the future: "I hope that one day, conversations about women’s leadership will no longer be necessary." Her dream is a future without gender bias, "where every individual, regardless of gender, will be valued and respected in governance and top management," a future where leadership is recognized purely for its merit and transformative impact.

From the refugee camps that first ignited her passion to her role at the helm of the HKRC and her influential global positions within the RCRC Movement (as a founding member of the Asia Pacific Fundraiser Network, a member of the Humanitarian Diplomacy Steering Committee member, and a member of the Mental Health and Psychological Support Advisory Group), Bonnie So embodies the enduring power of empathy that has driven decades of dedicated humanitarian action and steadfast, principled leadership. Her journey continues to inspire, driving a movement towards a more equitable, effective, and ultimately bias-free future for humanitarian leadership. 

Bonnie So, Red Cross Society of China