Men continue to face challenges, particularly in this post-pandemic world, from work stress, societal expectations, family tensions and economic pressures. Instead of opening up, sharing and reaching out for help, men often keep quiet when facing these stresses and mental health challenges.

Through sharing the personal experiences, faced by men, we hope to reduce shame and awkwardness about opening up, reaching out and seeking help – whether for personal challenges or when helping others.

The “Movember” awareness drive started in 2003, when two friends from Australia, inspired by a fundraising effort of a friend for his mother’s breast cancer, began growing a moustache every November to raise funds and awareness of men’s issues.  Movember has grown over the years to become a men’s version of the global “pink ribbon” movement in support of breast cancer. In recent years the focus has expanded globally to include men’s mental health suicide prevention, and awareness of testicular and prostate cancer and the need for regular screening and care.

A number of businessmen will openly share their personal experiences of dealing with a particular challenge as a man, at work or in life, how they coped with it and any advice they have for others. An interactive “game” and Q&A will follow.

Whether you are male or female, whether you wish to share or just listen, please join us to learn more about this meaningful, often ignored and highly relevant subject.

Agenda:

17:00-17:30: Arrival time, welcome drinks and network

17:30-17:35: Welcome note by Francine Hadjisotiriou, General Manager of the European Chamber South China chapter

17:35-17:50: 3 members sharing their experience of having faced a particular challenge

17:50-18:15: Q&A based on a game and discussions in break-out sessions, moderated by John Dorris, Founder and General Manager of Sino Associates and Jeremy Sargent, Founder and Proprietor of The Happy Monk and Managing Partner of JS Associates Guangzhou

18:15-19:00: Networking, with finger food and drinks

Speaker Info:

Mrs. Francine Hadjisotiriou

Francine Hadjisotiriou is the General Manager of the European Chamber South China Chapter where she manages the Guangzhou and Shenzhen office operations.

She has 30 years’ experience in B to B services of which more than 20 spent in Asia. After working in Tokyo, Japan, for more than three years in the credit-insurance company, she joined the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and established the Nanjing Chapter in early 2004. Two and half years later, she was transferred to the South China chapter to manage and develop the regional chapter by opening the Guangzhou and Shenzhen offices. She also mentors the chapters of Nanjing, Shenyang, Southwest China, Tianjin and the Shandong project. In her role, she is committed to providing effective communication and lobbying channels for EU companies, summarizing the main points of China's current business and market situation for members, and providing analysis of policies and macroeconomic developments.

John Dorris

John is the Founder and Chief Cultural Officer of Sino Associates with more than 22 years of training, coaching, and facilitation experience in Asia, including 20 years of leadership development experience in China. John has developed thousands of professionals in leadership practices across Asia and North America with a focus on Global Leadership and coaching leaders transitioning to new roles.

John is a certified cross-cultural and leadership assessor, a certified coach, and certified in a range of tools covering academic and business settings. His signature workshop on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been highly praised by fortune 100 companies, embassies, and consulates across Asia.

His Global Leadership courses prepare leaders to create impact and drive results on international teams and leverage proprietary tools such Sino’s VAE and 3A. After COVID John has been an advocate for supporting teams in China to build better communication and influence with their overseas stakeholders in the wake of international policy and strategy changes.

John brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients through his rich international background having lived and worked in nine countries. Beyond providing services to corporate clients, John has served as an APEC speaker on global balance in business and as an adjunct professor on the topics of leadership and coaching.

Select Certifications and Specialized Training:
• Certified Leadership Development Framework Assessor and Coach
• Certified Diversity and Inclusion Trainer
• Certified Facilitator by Dr. Roger Greenaway
• Certified WABC and ICF Coach

Mr. Jeremy Sargent OBE

Jeremy’s keen interest in China began many decades ago when he was fortunate to be one of the first overseas tourists to Guangzhou in 1978, shortly after China began to open up to the outside world. In 1990, Jeremy graduated from Leeds University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese.

A decade later, Jeremy returned to Guangzhou as a newly-qualified lawyer to assist a major London-based international law firm open its first office in Mainland China. Jeremy was instrumental in building up the firm’s China practice, assisting clients from across the world with many of the legal aspects of establishing and operating business in China.

In 2007, Jeremy founded his own legal consulting practice, JSA, which continues to assist a wide range of foreign investors with many of the legal issues encountered when establishing and operating business in China, including in relation to pre-investment structuring, due diligence, business incorporation, leasing, employment and regulatory issues.

Alongside working as a lawyer, in 2009, Jeremy opened his first bar, The Happy Monk, near the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou. Over the years, The Happy Monk has grown to become an award-winning brand in the hospitality industry in Guangzhou. The Happy Monk now has a team of almost 200 full-time employees and operates five busy downtown Guangzhou locations and one new location in Haikou.

Jeremy is passionate about the development of his team and is a firm believer in the value of coaching and mentorship. Jeremy advocates on-going learning and has just completed an Executive MBA under a joint programme offered by Columbia University Business School, London Business School and Hong Kong University Business School.

Jeremy is currently Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong, a member of the Beachhead Advisory Board of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Honorary Legal Advisor to the British Consulate-General Guangzhou.
Jeremy has been recognized for his work in China. In 2011 Jeremy was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition to his services on behalf of British businesses and legal services in China.

When not working or studying, Jeremy enjoys travel, history, nature, hiking, sports, debating and the company of friends.