Vera Sum

“Be an achiever, but don’t lose your empathy”

• My journey

  “Working for sourcing companies for the last two decades, I’ve picked up a lot of experience and connections within the industry. The journey hasn’t always been easy. In the early days, I was working fulltime and tackling accountancy exams at the same time. Those and other experiences enabled me to develop my knowledge, skills and network and get to where I am now.”

  Vera lives in Hong Kong and has worked for companies across Europe and America. “That international background helps me to encourage my team at Design Group to take ownership and navigate cultural differences positively and with nuance.”

• Don’t be afraid of change

  Vera is adaptable and eager to embrace change. She is inspired by her previous CFO who, she says, “always embraced new ideas and new technology”. “He was one of the first to adopt handheld gadgets in the workplace.” This future-facing mindset has stayed with her throughout her career. “I love being ahead of the curve. Someone recently pointed out an online course about AI. I said, ‘Oh, yes please, that would be great’, and signed up.”

• Encourage empathy

  Vera’s advice for individuals just starting their careers is, “Set yourself up with up-to-date knowledge and skills, and continue on that pathway, but don’t lose your empathy along the way. Achievement shouldn’t come at the expense of other people, it’s important to remember the pressures on your team, and yourself, and encourage valuable connections.”

• Learn more

  Interested in our company? Check the IG Design Group Americas careers page: https://dgamericas.com/careers/