Ms. HUI May Yan, Anthonia (许美茵) Founder / Chief Executive Officer
“Hunger gave me the iron will never to be poor again.”
Self-made entrepreneur, Anthonia, describes what it was like growing up poor in Hong Kong.
“At six years old, I had to look after my 4 siblings and the household, whilst my parents tried to find work. I couldn’t sleep because I was so hungry all the time. Worse still, was seeing my mother crying out of guilt for not having enough money to put food on the table for us.
My father, a strict Confucianist, believed girls didn’t need an education and their only purpose was to get married and make baby boys! Despite this, I put myself and younger sister through secondary school, by working part time. Poverty taught me the value of money and financial security, and the only way to break the vicious cycle, was to ALWAYS be of value. I did this by working harder and smarter than anyone else.
I controlled my fate.
After four decades working in the various banking sectors across London, Paris, Zurich, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Leonardo and I co-founded our own independent wealth management firm to care for our clients and fully align our mutual interests, free from the conflicts pervasive in the industry.
I am passionate about education. There’s always something new to learn! In my free time I love reading tax and legal journals, participating in industry workshops and more importantly, helping my clients’ navigate and bridge the communication intricacies they may have with their tax/planning specialists.
Anthonia was the Founding President of the Association of Independent Asset Managers, Singapore (www.aiam.org.sg ). In 2014, she was conferred with the title of “IBF Fellow” by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), the standard-setting body for financial sector competencies in Singapore in recognition for her professionalism and thought leadership in the financial industry. In January 2018, she was appointed as an Expert Panel member on Client Relationship Management by Nanyang Technology University-Wealth Management Institute to help revise the Private Banking Standard and Curriculum.
Anthonia frequently speaks at universities and investment forums both in Singapore and abroad. She cares about the communities. She supports causes for the education and nutrition of underprivileged children in Asia, the eradication of human trafficking, the provision of aging care for the elderly, and the promotion of performing arts.
“Hunger gave me the iron will never to be poor again.”
Self-made entrepreneur, Anthonia, describes what it was like growing up poor in Hong Kong.
“At six years old, I had to look after my 4 siblings and the household, whilst my parents tried to find work. I couldn’t sleep because I was so hungry all the time. Worse still, was seeing my mother crying out of guilt for not having enough money to put food on the table for us.
My father, a strict Confucianist, believed girls didn’t need an education and their only purpose was to get married and make baby boys! Despite this, I put myself and younger sister through secondary school, by working part time. Poverty taught me the value of money and financial security, and the only way to break the vicious cycle, was to ALWAYS be of value. I did this by working harder and smarter than anyone else.
I controlled my fate.
After four decades working in the various banking sectors across London, Paris, Zurich, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Leonardo and I co-founded our own independent wealth management firm to care for our clients and fully align our mutual interests, free from the conflicts pervasive in the industry.
I am passionate about education. There’s always something new to learn! In my free time I love reading tax and legal journals, participating in industry workshops and more importantly, helping my clients’ navigate and bridge the communication intricacies they may have with their tax/planning specialists.
Anthonia was the Founding President of the Association of Independent Asset Managers, Singapore (www.aiam.org.sg ). In 2014, she was conferred with the title of “IBF Fellow” by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), the standard-setting body for financial sector competencies in Singapore in recognition for her professionalism and thought leadership in the financial industry. In January 2018, she was appointed as an Expert Panel member on Client Relationship Management by Nanyang Technology University-Wealth Management Institute to help revise the Private Banking Standard and Curriculum.
Anthonia frequently speaks at universities and investment forums both in Singapore and abroad. She cares about the communities. She supports causes for the education and nutrition of underprivileged children in Asia, the eradication of human trafficking, the provision of aging care for the elderly, and the promotion of performing arts.
Mr. LEONARDO DRAGO (龍小平) Co-Founder / Chief Investment Officer
Leonardo, after having worked in banking for nearly twenty years, co-founded AL Wealth Partners in 2007. He is a guest lecturer for several higher learning institutions in Asia and Europe, including the Singapore Management University (SMU), where he teaches wealth management for banking professionals. He is a regular contributor to the Singapore Business Times and frequently speaks at investment and banking forums.
“I am NOT giving you a cent!”
That was the response my father gave to my twelve-year-old self when I had asked him why I wasn’t getting pocket money like all my school mates.
“Money must be earned, not given” My father was a hard taskmaster, and he wanted to teach me a lesson. So he gave me access to a small brokerage account where I could not touch the capital, only the profits made. Within a year, I blew it all away, learning a critical lesson that I will never forget. This started my personal quest to learn everything I could about different investment strategies and their inherent risks.
My other obsession is in the research of anti-aging and longevity, particularly how nutrition can improve the “healthiness” of the last few decades, giving us more life in our years so that we can continue to be active into old age. All the wealth in the world is of little comfort if you do not have the health to enjoy it.
“I am NOT giving you a cent!”
That was the response my father gave to my twelve-year-old self when I had asked him why I wasn’t getting pocket money like all my school mates.
“Money must be earned, not given” My father was a hard taskmaster, and he wanted to teach me a lesson. So he gave me access to a small brokerage account where I could not touch the capital, only the profits made. Within a year, I blew it all away, learning a critical lesson that I will never forget. This started my personal quest to learn everything I could about different investment strategies and their inherent risks.
My other obsession is in the research of anti-aging and longevity, particularly how nutrition can improve the “healthiness” of the last few decades, giving us more life in our years so that we can continue to be active into old age. All the wealth in the world is of little comfort if you do not have the health to enjoy it.
Leonardo, after having worked in banking for nearly twenty years, co-founded AL Wealth Partners in 2007. He is a guest lecturer for several higher learning institutions in Asia and Europe, including the Singapore Management University (SMU), where he teaches wealth management for banking professionals. He is a regular contributor to the Singapore Business Times and frequently speaks at investment and banking forums.
DINO Chief Morale Officer
SIMBA Chief Entertainment Officer
DINO Chief Morale Officer
SIMBA Chief Entertainment Officer