Ms Sophia Kao was previously a Member of the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Founding Chair of the Financial Reporting Council and Chair of the Women’s Commission. Prior to fully engaging in public and community service, Ms Kao had been at the helm of human resources in several major private and public institutions for 28 years. She is currently Vice Chairperson of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, co-opted Director of Hong Kong YWCA, Joint President of the Society of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Director of Yat Po Singers Limited.

Ms Kao was bestowed Honorary Fellowships by Lingnan University, The Open University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2006, 2010 and 2011 respectively, and Honorary Doctorate by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2016. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2003, and honoured with a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2009 and Gold Bauhinia Star in 2017 by the Hong Kong SAR Government.