Tova Threads #10
Get to know our fantastic members—Shanaia, Zenon and Kayan—and catch up on our Tee Off and Coffee Cocktails & Creativity! Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the feedback section. Enjoy! 🎉
Member Showcase 🌟
Shanaia Khursigara
Embracing Creativity, Culture and Adventure
Hello everyone! I’m Shanaia, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the Tova Community! After spending the past five years studying and working in the UK, I’ve recently returned to Hong Kong. I was born in Pakistan but grew up in Tokyo, Manila, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. So, I can confidently say I am a city girl born and bred but also have always been curious about different cultures and passionate about traveling—something I hope to continue doing for the rest of my life.
My true passion lies in performing and the arts. Since returning to HK, I had the incredible opportunity to star in a short film that premiered in December at the IFVA Film Festival at the Hong Kong Arts Centre; Working with such a talented team was amazing and has fueled my excitement for Hong Kong’s film scene! I’ve also spent 11 years doing ballet and continue to adore dancing as a form of self-expression (and fun!); recently, I have been exploring different styles, particularly hip-hop and jazz funk. So, if you're ever in the mood to take a dance class, feel free to hit me up!
In addition to that, I freelance as a model from time to time, and as you might guess, I love being in front of the camera, however, I love being behind the scenes just as much. I love taking pictures of anything and everything, if you follow my instagram you’ll find my stories of my days out, friends, fits, and 90% of the time: food. Art and music are things that I cannot live without, and subsequently I spend some of my time visiting art exhibitions/museums and singing at concerts or karaoke - I always have a playlist on. I truly appreciate all forms of art as I believe it’s such an integral part of our lives, both engaging with it and creating brings me so much fulfillment. This year, I am eager to connect and collaborate with other creatives in HK so if that’s you, please don’t hesitate to connect!
In general, I like to go with the flow. I have a variety of interests and I’m easily entertained, so I am usually down to do anything—whether that’s discovering hidden gems in the city or enjoying a cozy coffee and book date, to going on a hike, swimming at the beach, or cycling along the river in Sha Tin — I’ll even catch a flight. If any of this resonates with you, you can find me at @shanaia22 <3
Zenon Pagliero
Bridging Worlds: AI, Business, and Cross-Cultural Innovation
Hi, I’m Zenon Pagliero. I grew up in Zhuhai, China, surrounded by four languages, which shaped my deep appreciation for cross-cultural communication. I recently completed my Master’s degree with a thesis titled How can AI-driven Virtual Company Simulations bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical application, enhancing cross-cultural business relations?—a topic I’m excited to explore further in my PhD.
Currently, I work for a German company in Hamburg, but I’ll be returning to China in March to advance my career in Asia. With my family and partner in the region, it feels like home.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about football and basketball—though my ankles might not always agree!
Connect with me:
📷 Instagram: @zhuhaiboy
💼 LinkedIn: Zenon Pagliero
Kayan Sayeed
Between Chapters: A Calm Before the Corporate Life
Hi, I’m Kayan!
I am a recent Law graduate and soon to begin working as a corporate lawyer in London. Yes, I’ve seen Suits and no, unfortunately, I won’t be Harvey Specter - more like one of the NPCs printing documents in the background.
Having just finished my solicitors’ exams, I find myself in a rare - and probably only - period of my life where I’m required to do absolutely nothing. So, I’ve filled my time with two things I love: running and reading.
Like many of us, I too have caught the fitness bug. Currently, I am training for a Half Marathon, and an Aquathlon. What that actually means is I spend an excessive amount of money on shoes and gadgets to run and swim very average speeds. But I genuinely love anything outdoorsy that gets me sweating! I enjoy training with others and have probably joined every run club in Hong Kong. I’ve also dipped my toes into yoga recently, as I’m embarrassingly inflexible - though my mum reckons if I mopped the house on my hands and knees that would solve my issues just fine.
As for reading, you’ll find some of my recent reads below. I read everything but am currently interested in history. I’m convinced I’ve explored all things bookish Hong Kong has to offer, but if you know of any cool bookstores, cafés, or have other recommendations, do let me know
You can find me on instagram @kayan_sayeed. If you’re looking for someone to train with or share any of my interests, reach out! I look forward to meeting many of you over the next couple months.
Event Recap 🎞️
🏌️Tee Off - Jan 4
Our first event of the year was an absolute hole-in-one! 🏆 Tova members took over Bay247, Hong Kong’s premier golf simulation facility, for an exclusive night of club-swinging, friendly competition, and camaraderie.
With the Causeway Bay skyline setting the scene and music pumping, two teams battled it out in an intense 6-hole match play showdown. The stakes? An exclusive promotion to the new premium fitness hub—U Gym I GYM for the winning team! 💪🏽
Between closest-to-the-pin challenges, mission card prompts, and plenty of lighthearted banter, members bonded over both their best shots and funniest misses. A huge shoutout to ONLY Beverages for keeping us refreshed throughout the night.
☕ Coffee, Cocktails & Creativity – Jan 11
If there’s one thing we learned at this workshop, Tova members know how to shake things up—literally. 🍸☕ From perfecting Irish coffee to crafting original coffee cocktail creations, this hands-on experience was equal parts educational and dangerously delicious. In true Tova fashion, the night wasn’t just about mixing drinks; it was about mixing people, with team competitions adding a fun, social twist.
One of the highlights? Our "Guess the Transparent Liquor" challenge—where members had just 10 seconds to correctly identify gin, vodka, tequila, and white rum (harder than it sounds). The night was full of laughs, friendly rivalries, and some impressively sharp and not so sharp palates 😉.
And of course, what’s a great evening without keeping the vibes going? Groups of us headed out for post-event dinners, where the laughter and conversations continued long after the last cocktail was poured.
Feedback 🎙️
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Look out for our next edition of Tova Threads #11! We’ll showcase more of our amazing community along with an event recap of our Brew & Beats and BODYPUMP. Stay tuned!