Twenty-Five Years: An Unexpected Journey
By: Wendy Wong Won
Without a Compass
When people hear that I have spent more than 25 years in finance, they often assume I always
had a carefully planned career path. The truth is much less glamorous and far more human.
If someone had told me years ago that I would become Director of Finance at Aegis Business
Solutions, I probably would have laughed and said that, not in my lifetime. My journey was
filled with surprises, challenges, opportunities, and more lessons than any finance textbook could
ever teach.
I entered the job market at the age of 45, beginning as a clerk at Price Waterhouse. Like many
people, I faced personal challenges and moments of uncertainty. At the time, I had little clarity
about where my future was heading. A clear sense of direction was something I eventually
developed through experience, perseverance, and sometimes sheer determination. Looking back
now, one of my greatest accomplishments is not a title or position. It is the personal
transformation I underwent along the way.
The Transformation into Leadership
In my early days at Aegis Business Solutions, I approached leadership with a firm, authoritative,
and result oriented approach. If there was a problem, I wanted it solved immediately. If
personality labels had been handed out back then, “Friendly Wendy” likely wouldn’t have made
the list.
Over time, however, I learned something important. Leadership is not about controlling people.
It is about connecting with them. Today, I am most proud of evolving from a somewhat
authoritarian manager into someone who values relationships, conversations, and understanding
people at every level of an organization.
A major influence in that transformation was Angela Lee Loy, our Chairman. By observing her
leadership style, especially how she handled people and difficult situations, I began to understand
the power of influence over authority. She taught me lessons that extended far beyond finance
and reporting. She helped me become a better person and showed me the importance of treating
everyone with dignity and respect.
A Career-Defining Moment
There was also a pivotal moment in my career when I was offered another opportunity. Instead
of leaving, I chose to remain at Aegis Business Solutions and contribute to its development. At
the time, I was preparing finance reports for the Board. Other Directors saw potential in me that
I had not fully seen in myself. Eventually, I was appointed Director of Finance, a decision that
changed the trajectory of my professional life.
Today, when people ask me how I define success, my answer is surprisingly simple. Success
means loving what you do. It is not about money, status, or collecting impressive job titles like
trophies. It is about waking up each day genuinely enjoying your work. At this stage of my life,
I value freedom, time, and the ability to choose how I invest my energy. That, to me, is real
success.
Passing It On
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been mentoring young professionals. I
believe knowledge is meant to be shared. There is little value in accumulating experience if you
keep it locked away. Every person deserves the opportunity to grow, develop, and reach their
full potential. My goal has never been to create employees who depend on me. It has been to
help people become independent, capable, and confident enough to succeed on their own.
Of course, mentoring comes with its amusing moments. Over the years, I have discovered that
technical skills are rarely the biggest challenge for young professionals. Many can master
software, financial models, and processes with ease. Explaining why flip-flops and ripped jeans
are not considered boardroom attire, however, can sometimes require a more advanced skill set.
Professionalism, communication, attitude, and conduct remain some of the most important
ingredients of long-term success.
The Student becomes the Teacher
Ironically, while I have spent years teaching younger colleagues, they have also taught me a
great deal. They have reminded me of the importance of kindness, humility, and simplicity.
They have challenged old assumptions and helped me see the workplace through fresh eyes.
Learning, I have discovered, does not stop when you become a leader. In many ways, that is
when it truly begins.
The Wisdom of Experience
If I could offer my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: never give up. Every
difficult situation eventually passes. The setbacks that seem overwhelming today often become
the experiences that strengthen you tomorrow. Stay focused. Keep moving forward. Trust the
process.
As I reflect on 25 years at Aegis Business Solutions, I hope my legacy is measured less by
financial reports and more by the values I demonstrated and passed on. Honesty. Transparency.
Accountability. Integrity. Dependability. These are the qualities that matter most.
If the people I have mentored remember anything about me, I hope it is that professionalism and
integrity never need to be compromised. You can be successful without sacrificing your values.
You can lead without losing your humanity. And perhaps most importantly, you can start your
journey in one place and end up somewhere you never imagined.
Trust me, I know. After all, I started as a clerk with a calculator and somehow ended up with a
25-year story worth telling.
