In finance, where outcomes are measured in numbers and progress often depends on speed, choosing a slower, more deliberate path can feel counterintuitive. However, staying close to what matters means asking different questions. It means listening carefully, earning trust gradually, and making decisions that hold their shape over time.

This is the approach of work for Dr Kenix Rosie Chan, The Chief Partner and Executive Director at Rain Forest Capital Global Company Limited. With more than two decades of experience across law, compliance, and finance, she brings both technical insight and a in-depth human understanding of what wealth means.

A Career Built on Purpose

Dr Chan started her career like anyone else in the financial services industry. She took on roles in legal and compliance across established institutions, building her expertise in systems that demanded precision and discipline. However, over time, she realised that something was missing. She says, “The system is quite efficient, but connecting with the people this system is meant for is a huge struggle.”

Her dilemma became clearer as she was approached by her friends, extended family and professionals outside the industry asking her advice. What they expected was not just technical answers but also a clearer way to make sense of complex decisions that affected their lives.

This is what stayed with her and was the idea behind her role at Rain Forest Capital. Her idea was not to create or oppose the existing structure, but rather to fill the gaps with more clarity and purpose. She says, “At the Centre of its work is a belief that managing wealth should be rooted in both technical strength and individual understanding.”

Leading with Intention

For Dr Chan, leadership is more than visibility. It is generally about how consistent and dedicated one is to make things happen. During her career span in legal and financial roles, one thing it has taught her is that most outcomes are built gradually, shaped by the way people work together, respond to pressure, and make room for different points of view.

At Rain Forest Capital, she takes this approach forward by making the work culture more quality-focused than volume. Each person in her team comes from an experienced and highly qualified background. However, when the team has to work on a project, they come together as one and lead it with the value of careful thinking, mutual respect, and steady progress. “Decisions are rarely made in isolation. Conversations are encouraged, and time is taken to ensure clarity before action,” mentions Dr Chan.

This way of working for Dr Chan was developed over the years by observing how people behave when they feel heard, trusted, and supported.

Personal Experiences That Shaped Perspective

Dr. Chan’s work has always been grounded in real-world understanding, but certain experiences have deepened her sense of purpose. One such experience was when she was going through a challenging health situation involving uterine fibroids a couple of years ago. Though the condition was not life-threatening, the entire process was physically and emotionally painful. She recalls, “There is a difference between pushing through and being present. That phase made me slow down and look at things differently, including how I lead and what I prioritize.”

This incident made Dr Chan think about access to care and how others deal with long-term discomfort. It, in turn, sparked an interest outside her core profession and she decided to found the Pain Management Centre. The whole purpose of this not-for-profit initiative was to promote awareness and access to pain relief for patients.

Redefining Motivation

For someone who has spent over two decades working in high-pressure environments, Dr. Chan’s motivation has little to do with scale or visibility. Whether it’s about leading a discussion on wealth planning or explaining the steps to her client, she leads her way with utmost responsibility. Bringing clarity to the table and providing the right solution to her clients is what progress is to her.

Dr Chan says, “Progress is shaped by careful decisions, the right questions, and an ability to hold focus when the situation becomes uncertain. I have always been more interested in what holds up after the noise settles.” In a profession where speed is important, this approach has helped her to stay grounded.

The Meaning of Success

Over the years, Dr Chan’s understanding of the term ‘success’ has kept on changing. During the early part of her career, it was mostly about outcomes, promotions and titles. However, now, she sees success beyond the measurable gains. She mentions, “It shows up in smaller moments that are not always visible to others. A client returning after many years. A team member growing into a leadership role. A conversation that ends with more clarity than it began with.”

For Dr Chan, the end goal isn’t about being at a certain position. She believes it is about the path and the decisions she makes, keeping the people in mind.

The Value of Listening

Dr. Chan often comes back to the same thing: the importance of listening properly. During meetings and important discussions, she actually pays attention to what is being said, what is not being said, and why it matters. In her experience, most people are not looking for perfect answers. They want to feel understood before anything else.

That mindset shows up everywhere in the meetings and her overall work. Over the years, she has come to trust that decisions made after careful listening tend to hold up better, both in numbers and in relationships. Specifically in an industry that often moves too quickly, it is not a complicated skill, but it is one she has chosen to practice with care.

The Future Ahead

Dr. Chan’s vision for the future is shaped by the same values that have guided her career so far. Rather than focusing on aggressive growth or expansion, she remains committed to deepening the work that already feels meaningful. Her priorities include strengthening long-term relationships with clients, expanding the impact of the firm’s non-profit initiatives, and continuing to build a team culture rooted in trust and clarity.

She is particularly interested in making space for perspectives that are often left out of traditional financial conversations. Whether through mentorship, community work, or more inclusive client engagement, she believes the industry benefits when more voices are brought into the room.

For Dr. Chan, progress is not about changing direction. It is about continuing with intention, staying responsive to the needs of the people her firm serves, and ensuring that the work remains thoughtful, consistent, and aligned with its original purpose.