Last Thursday at Shanghai Slim’s, an inspiring panel discussion brought together four extraordinary women: Michele Aboro, Gina Li, Zovi Weng and Maple Zuo.

They have a very powerful thing in common: they all stand out and excel in their respective industries, which are mostly male-dominated and not easy to break into. From stand-up comedy and illustration, to robotics and boxing, the event attendees discovered insights and real-life examples that made the speakers who they are today.

Our panel discussion focused on the challenges they have faced, their biggest success factors and what drove them forward regardless of the circumstances.

A few inspiring quotes from the evening:

“If you have a belief, a dream, I don’t think anyone can stop you. I decided that I want to make my own destiny.”
– Michele Aboro, 7-time World Boxing & Kickboxing Champion

”The second you give me your version, I do my homework.”
– Gina Li, CEO & Co-Founder of Beach Creative Technology, 2019 Women Leadership Awards Winner, Innovator of the Year

”Friends have supported me in ways they did not realize.”
– Zovi Weng, Founder of Shaving in the Dark Comics Collective, Freelance Illustrator and Swing Jazz Musician

“In comedy, all your suffering can be jokes. Good jokes. I am not afraid of failure any more – I think of how to make it into a joke. It’s material. […] People are always looking for security. Insecurity is the reality of life.”
– Maple Zuo, Comedian & Founder of Drama Cottage

A very warm thank you to our truly inspiring panelists for sharing their experiences and stories.

Thank you also to everyone who attended, and to our wonderful venue for the evening, Shanghai Slim’s.

Make sure to stay up to date on all future IPWS events here, and don’t miss the upcoming IPWS Thought Activator on November 7th with Chloé Reuter discussing Should We Be Doing It All?. Details and tickets available here!

Not yet an IPWS Member? Read more and join here.

Photos by Jenna Ohrnberg.

IPWS Sponsors: