Cissy Wong Ying
EMBA Graduate, College of Business
Executive District Director, AIA International Limited
“The Path of Simplicity.”
About ten years ago, Cissy Wong Ying decided to pursue the Executive MBA (EMBA) programme at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). This choice stemmed not only from her desire to enhance her academic qualifications but also because she had just become a mother and wanted to set a good example for the next generation. The two years of the EMBA programme became a turning point in both her career and her life. The research innovations and business theories she explored in the programme helped her break through the traditional mindset of the insurance industry and elevate her team management to the level of cultural shaping and brand strategy. She especially cherishes the time spent in the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building, where she balanced her career, family and studies. The intellectual exchanges with her classmates during this period have become precious memories.
Cissy’s philanthropic philosophy was profoundly influenced by her father. In her childhood, he took her to participate in charitable donations to schools in their hometown, planting the seed of giving back to society. She views donations as a continuation of the Hakka family tradition, emphasising that giving should not be motivated by potential returns but by a natural desire to help. In 2023, CityUHK named classroom 6207 in the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building the “Cissy Wong Ying Executive Classroom” in recognition of her strong support for her alma mater. This classroom was also where she attended classes and exchanged ideas with teachers and classmates during her EMBA studies, making the naming especially meaningful.
As Chairman of the Alumni Committee for the CityUHK Alumni Lounge, she hopes to leverage her background and work experience in Hong Kong to promote cultural integration between Hong Kong and mainland alumni. She also aims to strengthen connections between outstanding alumni and younger alumni through industry sharing sessions and festive events, promoting cross-generational alumni exchanges and building a supportive network for young alumni for better development.
Cissy’s career began after a family tragedy. After her father passed away from cancer when she was in her fourth year of university, she had to handle many insurance claims, and by chance, decided to enter the wealth management industry. At the time, the general public held certain stereotypes about the wealth management sector, she was determined to recruit a team of people like herself who were willing to serve clients for life and help reform the industry. The AIA ACE (Ace Family) she founded has now become an industry benchmark, and Cissy is the youngest and fastest-promoted Executive District Director in the century-long history of AIA Hong Kong & Macau. She believes that success requires innovation, cutting-edge management methods and efficiency to attract top talent. In light of artificial intelligence (AI) advances, she encourages young people to use AI as a tool to improve themselves, cultivate comprehensive, well-rounded skills, and boldly engage with others to uncover more opportunities.
“The Path of Simplicity” is Cissy’s life motto. No matter how complex the challenge, she insists on approaching it with simple thinking, minimising emotional interference, and focusing on action and results. This philosophy has driven breakthroughs in her career and become a cornerstone for balancing family, career and public welfare.
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Last updated: 20-04-2026