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As we sat down to discuss Wan’s twenty years of tenure, we uncovered not only decades of financial expertise, her passion for strategic mentorship, and her remarkable ability to anchor teams through global crises - but an incredible level of humility.
Wan’s two decade evolution - from a self-described "job hopper" in her 20s to a foundational leader - offers a masterclass in what happens when organisational culture meets personal motivation.
"I swear, it didn't feel like 20 years," she laughs. "It has just flown by!"
Just getting started
Her deep institutional knowledge has quieted the transactional nature of finance, transforming her department into a strategic engine for the entire group. Wan emphasises that while technical experience is important, professional success is sustained by relationships and a willingness to continuously learn.
“And believe it or not, I don't think I'm quite 'there' yet. I tell people this all the time, I am still learning." Despite playing a huge role in the success of Ray White’s finance department over the past two decades she approaches her achievements with quiet grace, and the fierce energy of someone who genuinely believes she’s just getting started!
The finance storyteller
Over twenty years, Wan has witnessed a profound shift in the function of corporate finance. When she first started, she viewed the discipline strictly through the lens of numbers and historical tracking. Today, she has championed a shift toward proactive, strategic partnership.
"I’m incredibly passionate about being a finance storyteller, rather than being a counter. It's about getting in front of leaders, translating historical data, and giving them the insights to make the best decisions possible."
This evolution requires strong leadership that she heavily attributes to Luke Richardson CFO, Rebecca Everingham Head of Audit, Tax, and Compliance - White Family Office, and Andrew Jamson, White Family Office CFO, who have all served as great mentors.
Ironically Andrew said a similar thing about Wan…
“She arrives ready for any scenario - and does it all with a genuine smile, even under immense pressure. Her positive approach ripples through her team, creating a pocket of calm excellence that builds the kind of trust you simply can't mandate - you have to earn it.”
When asked about how she has cultivated great resilience Wan explains she learned the hard way. "I wasn't born with it," she admits candidly, refusing to claim it as a natural talent. "It’s a habit I developed over time by watching how great leaders react to unexpected business challenges without letting emotion dictate the solution."
Trading cubicle desks for community
Before joining the Ray White family, Wan’s early career in her 20s followed a familiar, rigid corporate script. Working in highly traditional accounting environments, consisting of secluded office cubicle partitions, silent desks, and an unspoken rule against casual workplace conversation - she found herself feeling a little isolated and missing human connection.
"I remember getting quite bad." Wan recalls. "I kept signing off farewell cards for people I didn’t even know. Sometimes two cards a week. I knew something was wrong with the culture."
Seeking a change, she set a personal benchmark for her next role: stay for at least five years. Two decades later, she has hit that goal four times over!
The catalyst for this longevity was Ray White’s distinct, family-led environment. Joining an organisation that genuinely championed its core values felt like a professional awakening.
"Even back then, we already had an incredible handful of long-tenured staff" Wan muses. "It was our ultimate sales pitch for new employees. It proved the family environment wasn't just corporate jargon - the proof was actually in the pudding."
Stepping beyond the spreadsheets
For Wan, professional development is a continuous loop. She frequently advises her team members to step outside their comfort zones, pointing out that growth only happens in unfamiliar territory.
Last year, she put her own advice to the test by applying for the company’s internal Growth Program. "Even just applying took courage for me," she reflects. "I felt so lucky and privileged to be chosen. I have a bad habit of thinking 'Oh, I don't think I'll get it,' but I wanted to force myself out from behind my desk and challenge my thinking far beyond spreadsheets."
While the insights from guest speakers and senior leaders were invaluable, the most rewarding aspect of the program was entirely human - allowing Wan to network throughout the business and getting to know colleagues whose names she had only ever seen on financial reports.
"Opening that door completely shifted how we collaborate today. Now, I always remind my team: don't worry about having all the answers. Focus on learning, building relationships, and saying yes to opportunities that stretch you."
The anchor through floods and fluctuations
The true measure of company culture isn't found during periods of smooth sailing, but during moments of adversity. Wan’s tenure spans some of the company’s most testing challenges, from environmental catastrophes to global pandemics.
Demonstrating another true act of selflessness Wan vividly remembers her early days when severe flooding hit Queensland and the entire corporate team immediately mobilised. As humble as ever Wan treats her involvement not as an act of heroism, but as another way to support her community.
"Everyone just put their hands up to get their hands dirty," Wan recalls. "We couldn't come into the office, so we went out to help clean up a property suburb. I even tagged my husband along to help out! It didn't matter what your official job title was, everyone chipped in."
Years later, the Covid 19 pandemic required a completely different kind of resilience. In a stroke of serendipity, Wan's finance team had been working hard to migrate their accounting software online just weeks before the lockdown hit - a stroke of luck she acknowledges with immense gratitude.
"Literally overnight, the entire organisation came together to navigate a completely new way of working without a playbook or a roadmap," she says. "Leaders from the White family and teams across the business united seamlessly. We covered for each other’s personal needs, met every critical deadline, and kept the business moving forward. It sent a strong message that when people trust one another and communicate transparently, you can overcome anything collectively."
The next chapter of learning
Wan’s impact is only just starting and is felt deeply by those around her: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with Wan for almost eight years now.” shares Finance Business Partner, Rachel Navruk.
“Wan’s leadership, built on genuine support and encouragement, has cultivated immense respect and loyalty within her team. She pairs this mentorship with high standards, which inspire her people to consistently strive for their best.”
After two decades of building high-performing finance teams, watching juniors progress into more senior positions, an achievement that brings her the greatest professional satisfaction, and forming lifelong friendships that have taken her as far as holidays in Europe, Wan remains incredibly grounded.
When asked what keeps a 120 year old family business thriving, her answer circles back to the very people she leads and collaborates with daily. “20 years in, I’m still learning new things every day from the people around me. The learning never stops, and that's exactly what keeps me energised."