ABOUT US

How we started and grew.

OUR STORY

Impact Circles started out as "Social Entrepreneurs Meetup," a monthly meetup place for social entrepreneurs and those interested in social impact. It was formed because Jessie Huang, the original convener, was frustrated by the disconnect among social innovators, grassroots non-profits, funders, and policymakers in her community-building work. The idea was to create a series of events to bring together changemakers across the sectors to exchange their perspectives on public issues, identify barriers, and explore synergies for co-creating positive changes.

Because many partners reached out to us for event support, mentorship collaborations, and more, Social Entrepreneurs Meetup was rebranded into Impact Circles to account for our expanding service areas. Taking inspiration from TEDx, Impact Circles adopts decentralized governance by empowering the community builders to organize their own local chapters with Impact Circles' community-building tools and network.

In January 2019, the first event was held with over 30 individuals on the IFC rooftop. They found that the crowd had a tremendous appetite for having a platform for dialogue about the complex challenges we are facing and for connecting with their fellow changemakers. Within two years, Social Entrepreneurs Meetup grew into a community of 2,000+ members with diverse backgrounds through monthly meetup events and discussions in the WhatsApp groups. The convening team also grew from one to three, joined by two other community builders Marek and Roy.

In 2020. A former member of Social Entrepreneurs Meetup Hong Kong - Jessie Yang - successfully replicated the meetup model and started a Taiwan chapter. Its strategic direction is to connect local social entrepreneurs with the international community.

In 2021, Jessie Huang and Amy Meadows co-launched Impact Circles' San Francisco network. They are exploring opportunities to scale its impact through producing mini-documentary series about social enterprises and worker-owned businesses.

From 2021 - 22, we started collaborating with Hong Kong's Bureau of Commerce and Economic Development, on startup needs assessment and funding schemes promotion. We also partnered with KPMG and EY on impact startup outreach and mentorship programs. Impact Circles is increasingly recognized as a bridge between grassroots social innovators and resources allocators.

MEET THE TEAM

JESSIE HUANG

Impact Circles Founder

A passionate community builder who believes in social transformation through collective action.

ROY WEISSBACH

Impact Circles Hong Kong Co-Founder

Globetrotter, animal lover, football fan & natural networker who believes in the power of people.

PATRICIA SLAWINSKA

Impact Circles Hong Kong Executive Director

An entrepreneur and podcaster passionate about growth mindset and STEM education and women empowerment.

JAMES CUNNINGHAM

Impact Circles Head of Events

An experience design professional with 7 years conference organization track record in Asia and the US.

JESSIE YANG

Founder of Impact Circles Taiwan

A social entrepreneur and community builder, Founder of Impact Circles Taiwan Chapter.

JOSH LEE

Founder of Impact Circles Shenzhen

A social impact practitioner who enjoys bringing radical impact through innovation to social issues.

MAREK KOYS

Impact Circles Hong Kong Co-Founder

An advocate of social and environmental improvements through business development and innovation.

RENATA ANDRADE

Impact Circles Hong Kong Community Manager

Sustainability enthusiast and believe that solutions for the climate crisis are the answer for an inclusive, more resilient and economy.

FABIENNE ROEPKE

Designer

A creative mind tackling design projects one step at a time. A strong believer in small changes can create big differences.

CONTACT US

GENERAL INQUIRY: info@impact-circles.org

HONG KONG: hk@impact-circles.org

TAIWAN: tw@impact-circles.org

SAN FRANCISCO BAY: sf@impact-circles.org