Women in Wealth: Asia Spotlight - Yuenkei HO

My mother. She has shown me that strength is not always loud. It can be quiet endurance, steady love, and the courage to keep going when life is difficult. Growing up, I watched her carry responsibilities without complaining, and still make space for me to dream bigger than my circumstances.

As I became an athlete and later stepped into advocacy and community work, I realised I was drawing on what she modelled for me: consistency, humility, and the belief that you keep moving forward one step at a time. When I face pressure or uncertainty, I often think of her. She reminds me that resilience is not a single moment. It is a daily choice, and it is something we can pass on to others through the way we live.

Based on my personal experience, I do not entirely agree with this view. In my family, conversations about finances were never treated as a taboo topic. Money was discussed as a practical and essential part of everyday life. We talked about planning, prioritising, and living within our means because finances affect daily choices and long term stability.

That said, I recognise that not everyone grows up in an environment where these conversations are normal. For some women, discomfort may come not from unwillingness, but from not being encouraged to engage with financial topics early on, or from feeling judged when they ask questions.

Financial education for women could be improved by making it more practical, accessible, and connected to real life decisions. It should cover budgeting, saving, insurance, and basic investing, and it should also address different life stages and responsibilities, including caregiving and career transitions. It is equally important to create safe spaces where women feel comfortable asking questions without feeling embarrassed.

My own understanding of finances has helped me make decisions with clarity rather than fear. It has supported me in planning ahead, assessing risk more thoughtfully, and building initiatives that are sustainable. Financial literacy gave me a stronger sense of agency. It helps me align my choices with both my values and my future.

I do not think I have encountered a single defining “biggest” risk in my life so far. Instead, I approach decisions with careful consideration and risk assessment. Before making any major choice, I try to understand both the best case and the worst case scenarios, and prepare myself for either outcome.

This does not mean avoiding risk altogether. It means being intentional. By analysing potential consequences and building contingency plans, I am able to move forward with confidence rather than fear. For me, sustainable progress comes not from reckless leaps, but from informed decisions that allow growth while staying grounded.

I have not strongly identified with imposter syndrome. I have always been clear about the work I do, the responsibilities I carry, and the effort behind my achievements. When I step into a role, it is because I have earned the opportunity through preparation, experience, and commitment.

That said, I believe in continuous learning. Rather than doubting whether I belong, I focus on how I can keep improving and contributing meaningfully. For me, confidence comes from knowing my values, understanding my capabilities, and staying accountable to the impact I want to create.

While athletic achievements are milestones I deeply value, what I am most proud of is how those experiences have allowed me to create broader impact. Representing Hong Kong on the Paralympic stage, from being the first BC3 boccia athlete at Rio 2016 to making history at Paris 2024, taught me discipline, resilience, and responsibility beyond personal success.

Winning gold medals and reaching the top of the world rankings are affirmations of years of work, but they matter most to me because of what they enable. They allow me to challenge perceptions, open doors, and inspire others to see possibility where limitations are often assumed.

That is also why I founded Love Inclusion Charity Association. I wanted to turn personal experience into a platform that creates opportunities for others, using sport and community programmes to support inclusion in a practical and lasting way. For me, the proudest moments are not only about what I achieved, but about what that achievement can build for other people.

Sport and inclusion. I believe sport is one of the most powerful platforms for inclusion because it speaks a universal language. It reduces barriers, challenges assumptions, and allows people to see ability before disability.

Through sport, I have seen how confidence is built, how communities connect, and how mindsets shift, often faster than through words alone. Inclusion, to me, is not about special treatment. It is about creating environments where people with different abilities can participate with dignity, opportunity, and respect. Sport makes that possible in a visible and human way.

You do not need to fit into existing boxes to belong. Trust your instincts earlier, speak up sooner, and do not mistake sensitivity for weakness. One day, the very things that make you feel different will become your greatest strengths.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in the professional growth of women, not only by offering guidance, but by providing belief at critical moments. A good mentor helps you see possibilities before you fully see them yourself and offers perspective during periods of uncertainty.

My most important mentor has been my mother. She may not have guided me through my career in a formal sense, but she shaped how I approach life, responsibility, and decision making. Through her actions, she taught me resilience, integrity, and the importance of staying grounded while pursuing ambition. Her influence continues to guide how I lead, how I support others, and how I define success.

Over the next six months, I am most excited about the continued growth of my charitable work. I hope to further develop programmes that use sport as a platform for inclusion, empowerment, and community connection, and to turn intention into sustained action.

More importantly, I look forward to doing work that remains true to why I started. I want to create opportunities, support people who are often overlooked, and contribute to a society that is more understanding, inclusive, and humane. Progress does not always come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things well, and I am excited to keep moving in that direction.