Bob Christian Award

IT IS AN HONOR to present this year’s Bob Christian Alumnus of the Year to Timothy Chen ’92 who truly demonstrates our school’s mission of dedicating our hearts to compassion and our lives to service and global understanding.

Tim dedicates much of his time and talents to helping others. He has made significant and impactful contributions not only to HKIS, but to our community in Hong Kong and also to communities abroad. A fellow alum stated that Tim “is the perfect embodiment of the HKIS mission. He is dedicated to education causes, involved in service not only in our community in Hong Kong but internationally and is one of the kindest, humblest and most compassionate people I know.”

Professionally, Tim has worked in the finance industry for 25 years and is currently the Chief Financial Officer of 21Vianet, a data center services provider in China. Outside of work, Tim has been actively engaged with the HKIS community since graduating and has served as the Class Agent keeping in touch with many of his classmates and organizing reunions. In 2012, Tim joined the Finance Committee, one of the HKIS Board sub-committees, using his background and experience in finance to provide invaluable advice to the HKIS Board and administration. Tim has three children at HKIS; James ’30 (G3) Nathan ’28 (G5) and Joshua ’26 (G7), has been an active volunteer in the classroom, on the sports field and by the pool. In fact, being active in the HKIS community is a family affair -- his wife Carrie works at HKIS!

His connection to HKIS has only grown stronger throughout the years and he continues to be an important part of the HKIS community. Since 2019, Tim has served on the Board of Directors of the American Club and works to strengthen the connection among the “pillar” American organizations in Hong Kong: the American Women’s Association, AmCham, HKIS, and the US Consulate to greater impact the community.

Additionally, Tim remains very committed to his alma mater Columbia University and has served as the chair of Columbia University’s Alumni Representative Committee (ARC) in Hong Kong since 2003. In this capacity, he organizes interviews of students applying to Columbia University and attends college fairs on behalf of the university.

Tim lives his life grounded in the Christian faith. Tim has been actively supporting communities in the Philippines through Hong Kong-based charity International Care Ministries (ICM) for the past 20 years and has participated in many service trips to the Philippines with his family. He joined the Board of Advisors of ICM in 2013 providing advice and feedback from programs to impact reports to fundraising strategies to communications. Closer to home, Tim actively serves the children's ministry at his church, Island ECC. He plays the "comic host" for quarterly family events called KidsClubFX, which promotes church and home connections to further deepen the faith journey for children.

Congratulations Tim Chen ’92!

The Bob Christian Award is presented annually to the Alumnus/Alumna who has made a strong, positive contribution to HKIS, our community, and society while living the HKIS mission and embodying our Student Learning Results; Academic Excellence, Self-Motivated Learning, Character Development, Contributing to Society, Spirituality and Chinese Culture. This award was established in 2006 during the school’s 40th anniversary to honor the tremendous service of our first Head of School Bob Christian.

Tim was presented the award at the High School Recognition Ceremony on May 18. Click here to hear his speech!