Dr Ed Liao, Ten Outstanding Young Person
First half of 2026
Dr Ed Liao
Dr. Ed LIAO and Work For All: Integrating Vulnerable Groups into Society
In Hong Kong, a city of rapid pace and intense competition, "creation" is often understood as entrepreneurship, technology, capital, or market breakthroughs. However, creation that truly transforms the city's character sometimes doesn't begin with a grand business plan, but rather with a more nuanced question: Can those who have long been underestimated, misunderstood, and marginalized also be seen, understood, and create their own value in the workplace and society?
Ed’s answer is affirmative and practical. She founded Work For All, an initiative that helps young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and individuals from diverse backgrounds integrate into society. What she has created is not just job opportunities, but a new way for people to understand "ability" and "value." In her, we see the resilience of Hongkongers when facing limitations, and how a city, even in imperfect circumstances, can still radiate a different kind of light through the actions of each individual.
From Being Misunderstood to Understanding Others' Difficulties
When interviewing Ed, what was most striking was not how she, as a founder, described her achievements, but how candidly she spoke about her own upbringing. She mentioned having traits related to ADHD and ASD, and how as a child, she often struggled to understand others' intentions, needing to observe and imitate to learn how to interact with the outside world. Those moments of misunderstanding were once stressful and lonely; but as she grew older, these experiences became her gateway to understanding others.
She knows that someone appearing "different" in a group doesn't necessarily mean they are not trying or lack ability. Often, they simply haven't encountered a suitable environment or a mentor willing to understand before judging. For this reason, the inclusion Liao Shu-hing speaks of is not mere sympathy, nor is it about keeping beneficiaries in a protected position long-term. She is more concerned with whether society can stop premature stereotyping and instead see the unique qualities, limitations, and strengths behind each individual.
Before Creating Opportunities, Create Confidence First
In her work at Work For All, Ed has encountered many young people with SEN. She found that many of them are not lacking in ability, but have endured too much negativity during their upbringing. They may have been constantly told they weren't good enough, and over time, they stopped believing in their own competence. For Liao Shu-hing, the first step in supporting them is not to immediately place them in the workplace, but to help them rebuild their self-worth.
She describes that the platform first needs to let trainees know they possess valuable abilities, and then, through training and practical work, allow them to gradually accumulate successful experiences. This approach is neither romantic nor lenient. On the contrary, it is very close to the realities of the business world: work requires standards, the workplace demands efficiency, and employers face operational pressures. True inclusion is not about demanding unconditional accommodation from businesses, but about building bridges between demands and support.
Therefore, Ed's team assists employers in understanding each trainee's characteristics, scope of competence, and areas requiring attention. She once used the analogy of an "instruction manual," pointing out that if employers first understand an individual's working style, it becomes easier to arrange suitable positions, preventing both parties from being frustrated by misunderstandings. This matching work may seem minor, but it is crucial for creating value. Because when a person is placed in the right position, their abilities have the opportunity to be truly recognized by the market, businesses, and society.
Social Innovation, Not Just Relies on Good Intentions
Ed's understanding of social innovation also carries a distinct business mindset. She does not believe that social enterprises can operate long-term solely on good intentions or short-term funding. If a project lacks market value, a clear service model, and sustainable operational capabilities, it will ultimately struggle to truly fulfill its social mission.
This perspective is precisely what makes her unique as a new-generation social entrepreneur. She doesn't simply view vulnerable groups as "recipients of aid," but rather aims to transform their abilities into value that is understandable, usable, and sustainably supported by the market. This represents a more mature view of inclusion: inclusion is not about lowering standards, but about redesigning the conditions for participation; it's not about keeping people on the margins, but about enabling more individuals to find their place in mainstream economic and social life.
In Hong Kong, many people are accustomed to finding solutions within limited spaces. Liao Shu-hing's story perfectly echoes the spirit of this city. Hongkongers are adept at adapting within constraints, finding methods under pressure, and creating possibilities in environments that are not initially promising. What she promotes is not just employment support for SEN youth, but also a reminder to the city's perspective on talent: value should not be defined by a single standard, nor should ability be measured by only one speed or form. Difference Can Also Be a Form of Creativity When discussing her neurodivergent traits, Ed does not fully label them. She admits that these traits can sometimes present challenges in focus, social interaction, or decision-making; however, they also enable her to quickly switch between different tasks, possess strong initiative for new ideas, and even transform concepts into practical plans in a very short time. Her creativity does not stem from flawless personal conditions, but from an honest understanding of her own limitations and strengths.
This understanding also makes her more direct and authentic when interacting with trainees. She comprehends the difficulties they typically face but does not rationalize all their behaviors. She points out inappropriate expressions, reminds trainees that the real world has its rules, and encourages them to learn how to interact with others. This educational approach ensures that inclusion is not just a gentle slogan, but a training that truly enables people to integrate into society.
In Ed's story, "creation" is not an abstract word. It is a job matching, a workplace training, a process of rebuilding self-confidence, and a life transformation from being misunderstood to understanding others. What she creates is not applause, but opportunities; not fleeting moment, but bridges that can operate sustainably.
When she was selected as one of 'Ten Outstanding Young Persons (Hong Kong Selection) in 2025, this recognition belongs not only to her personally but also to all those who have been underestimated yet continue to strive for their place. She shows us that Hong Kong's light comes not only from its skyscrapers and harbor but also from those willing to create possibilities in the cracks. Even if the environment is imperfect, as long as there are people willing to see and empower others, the city will continue to shine brightly because of these faint lights.