In this episode of Mosaic Minds, host My Holland sits down with Winnie Lam – COO of Avison Young Vietnam, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Business Association, and CSR Lead at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Born in Hong Kong and holding Canadian nationality, Winnie shares her unique perspective as a self-described "adopted Vietnamese," reflecting on cultural identity, global citizenship, and the evolution of Vietnam over the past two decades. With 17 years of experience working across industries — navigating mergers, acquisitions, and leadership challenges, Winnie reveals the keys to thriving in a cross-cultural environment: ditching assumptions, active listening, and cultivating patience. She discusses how Vietnam has transformed her mindset, the importance of community involvement, and the rise of a more confident, English-proficient younger generation.

Winnie also dives into her latest passion project, an EdTech startup aimed at making quality early education accessible and affordable in Vietnam through smart technology and data-driven learning.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why "putting down your assumptions" is the first rule of cross-cultural leadership

• How Vietnam taught her patience and why it’s a superpower in a fast-changing world

• The surprising generational shifts in Vietnam’s workforce (hint: English skills are just the start)

• How community work fuels professional growth and vice versa

• Inside her EdTech mission to democratize education in Vietnam

• Practical tips for cultivating a global mindset - from finding your "support circle" to knowing when to unstop

Whether you’re an expat, entrepreneur, or simply curious about cultural adaptation, Winnie’s insights on flexibility, resilience, and building a “mosaic mind” offer valuable lessons for navigating an interconnected world.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe to Mosaic Minds for more leadership stories!

If you know a woman leader in Vietnam who would like to join this podcast, please contact My at:

📧 Email: my@equestasia.com.au | 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myholland/⁠

___

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆

Leadership isn't a one-size-fits-all canvas. It's a mosaic! Join My Holland, your French Aussie Vietnamese host, on Mosaics Mind.

🌐 Website: https://www.equestasia.com.au

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equestasia

▶️Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@equestasia

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/42rgfiUBtVe7Gdun0oWcHA

🎧 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3O1mn6E

If you want to join our VK Nữ community of overseas Vietnamese 🇻🇳 women, check out all our VK Nữ chapters around the world here: https://www.equestasia.com.au/viet-kieu-nu

_____

Mosaic Minds Podcast - Initiative for Women by EQuest Asia

✨Music: Anthony Holland | Researcher: My-Lan Holland | Editor: Cam Tuong

__

🔗 Connect with Winnie Lam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnlam/