Sept 25 | CanCham Panel: Executive Code-Switching with Leaders
How To Navigate A Range of Leadership Spaces
At the highest tiers of leadership — from the C-suite to senior executive roles — titles and functions may differ, but the challenges share a common thread: wearing many hats as strategist, operator, diplomat, mentor, and brand ambassador. This panel invites three women leaders to a closed-door, intimate conversation on how they code-switch — consciously or unconsciously — as they navigate among the many rooms they walk into, from low- to high-stakes leadership environments. The art in it all is to maintain strong integrity and authenticity while shifting seamlessly between cultural expectations, corporate personas, and authentic self-expression.
Join IPWS, Cancham Shanghai and Britcham Shanghai for an exclusive evening of candid conversation with three high-profile C-suite and senior executive leaders from Greater China/APEC as they pull back the curtain on the art of code-switching, persuasion, and personal branding at the highest levels of leadership.
Agenda
- 18:30 Checkin
- 19:00 Panel Discussion
- 20:30 Group photo and Mingling
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Objective :
1. Learn how to navigate any room with confidence – Discover strategies top women leaders use to be heard and respected in diverse leadership settings.
2. Balance authenticity and influence – Hear how senior leaders maintain their integrity while adapting to high-stakes situations.
3. Expand your leadership toolkit – Gain practical insights on persuasion, personal branding, and managing multiple roles effectively.
4. Draw inspiration from real-life journeys – Learn from women who have succeeded across C-suite and senior executive positions.
5. Connect with like-minded professionals – Join an intimate conversation designed to empower and inspire your next career move.
This workshop is ideal for:
1. Mid- to senior-level professionals who want practical strategies for influencing and persuading.
2. Professionals managing diverse teams or cross-cultural dynamics seeking insights on code-switching and authentic communication.
3. Anyone interested in leadership development and actionable tools for balancing authenticity, authority, and adaptability in professional settings.
4. Professionals aiming to grow their network and gain mentorship from experienced executives.
About the Speakers
Theresa Hudzinski
Vice President at Galaxy Entertainment Group | IPWS President
Theresa Hudzinski serves as Vice President at Galaxy Entertainment Group in Macau, overseeing Labor Performance, Optimization, and Scheduling for over 10,000 employees on a day-to-day basis. Prior to this role, Theresa spent 30 years with the Disney Group, contributing to the development of the California, Hong Kong, and Shanghai Disney Resorts. She played a key role in building these resorts from the ground up. As Workforce Management Director at Shanghai Disney Resort, she led operations for over 10,000 employees, balancing operational efficiency with employee engagement and satisfaction.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Theresa has served as President of IPWS for over four years, fostering a vibrant community of professional women across 28 nationalities in Shanghai. She is passionate about creating spaces for women to Grow, Connect, Inspire, and Lead, championing mentorship, professional development, and cross-cultural dialogue. “People first. Always” is Theresa’s guiding principle. In today’s complex leadership landscape, Theresa embodies the art of navigating multiple roles, cultures, and expectations with authenticity, integrity, and insight.
Celine Wang
Executive Director, Buildings + Cities
Global Interior Design Lead
SJ Group
Celine joined B+H Canada in 1998, was appointed as a principal in 2013. She is now the Executive Director and Global Lead for SJ Group Interior Design Practice.
With 30+ years professional experience, Celine is specialized on leading large-scale architectural and interior design projects across Canada and China. Since joining B+H Toronto in 1998, she has been part of the innovative designs and lead the balancing of creativity and practicality. Since her relocation to Shanghai in 2006, Celine has been playing a significant role in building design and service excellency for the firm, making B+H as top tier design leader in the field of Workplace and Hospitality Design. Celine’s work spans North America and Asia, bringing a uniquely global perspective. Her exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with renowned global and local clients and localize international design standards is central to B+H’s success in the Asian market. She has collaborated with many top companies in various industries and created many outstanding domestic and international project cases, such as Microsoft, Huawei, OPPO, Anta, ByteDance, Alibaba, etc. Right now, as executive leader of SJ Group, Celine is part of the key leadership of building firm’s new legacy on Global Impact and Talent Growth.
In addition to her professional practice, she is also very passionate about fostering vibrant communities, she has served on CanCham’s board from 2023-2025, actively engaging in events and initiatives
Wafaa Ajrouj
Head of international operations – Urovo Healthcare
As Head of International Operations at Urovo Healthcare, Wafaa leads global strategy and steers the company’s international growth as international General Manager. Her career, which began with entrepreneurship and progressed to managing national operations and key accounts in China for a major British corporation for over 7 years, has equipped her with a deep understanding of the strategic and operational facets of business development. She focuses on empowering her international team to enter new markets and build meaningful global partnerships.
A holder of a double Master’s in Business and Supply Chain Management from France’s University of Reims, Wafaa leverages her academic foundation and multilingual skills to navigate complex international landscapes.
She is an active leader in the Shanghai business community, holding roles on the British Chamber of Commerce committees for SMEs and Women in Business. Her belief in leadership that extends beyond commerce is reflected in her many years’ commitment to charitable work
About the Moderator
Nancy Chen
Business Development Manager,
Star Accounting & Consulting
With a passion of self-development, psychology and female empowerment, Nancy is an active participant in the Shanghai British Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee. She regards this as a long-term commitment and humble contribution to female community building project.
Nancy has acquired her education and professional experience in Australia, Singapore – An alumnus of University of Melbourne and University of Queensland, and her previous experience includes Hilton Worldwide, Pan Pacific, ShineWing Australia. After relocating to Shanghai in late 2019, she joined Star (Shanghai) Accounting & Consulting as the Business Development Manager/Business Assistant to CEO to take on more a strategic management role.
Venue Partner:
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