There’s a quiet strength to Hong Wei Liao that draws people in. Born in Hunan, China, and now based in Toronto, she has spent much of her life helping others build stronger futures — not just through financial success, but through purpose and compassion.
As Chairman of the Botrich Family Wealth Heritage and Development Center, Hong Wei has built more than a business. She’s built a community — one where knowledge, ethics, and generosity come together. Her work focuses on helping families navigate complex financial systems with clarity and care, connecting global expertise with human understanding.
But Hong Wei’s reach extends far beyond the boardroom. She’s been a driving force in youth education and women’s leadership, often mentoring young people who remind her of her early days — curious, determined, and eager to contribute. Through her long-standing partnership with the Canada Youth Funding Association and UNICEF Canada, she’s helped empower thousands of young minds to believe that doing good and doing well can coexist.
Her many awards — from the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to the King Charles III Coronation Medal — recognize years of service, but her true impact lies in the lives she’s touched.
Ask those who know her, and they’ll tell you: Hong Wei Liao doesn’t just lead. She listens, she lifts, and she shows what happens when determination meets heart.
Q&A With Hong Wei Liao
Q: You’ve built a career around global finance and philanthropy. When you look back, what first sparked your drive to lead and create?
Hong Wei Liao: I grew up in Hunan, China, in a family that valued hard work and education. My parents taught me early that success isn’t about status, but about service. When I moved abroad and started my professional life, I saw how complex and overwhelming global systems — like taxation and investment — can feel. I wanted to build something that simplified those systems and made them human again. That’s how Botrich began — with the idea that knowledge and empathy can exist in the same room.
Q: You often work with families planning their futures. What inspires you most about that?
Liao: Every family I meet has a story. Some are building wealth for the first time; others are protecting a legacy built over generations. What inspires me is seeing people take control of their future — not out of fear, but out of love. Financial planning sounds technical, but at its heart, it’s emotional work. You’re helping people shape what they’ll leave behind — not just assets, but values.
Q: You’ve been recognized with several awards, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal. What do those honors mean to you personally?
Liao: Awards are moments of reflection. They remind me that impact comes from consistency — the small, steady things. For example, my ten years of volunteering that led to the Ontario Service Award didn’t feel like “work.” It was just part of who I am. Recognition is nice, but it’s never the goal. The real reward is seeing a young person I mentored start their own business or get their first scholarship.
Q: You’ve supported youth programs like the Canada Youth Funding Association for years. Why does that matter so much to you?
Liao: Because youth hold every answer we’ve forgotten. They bring ideas without fear. At the CYFA Gala, I once met a young woman who had started a community project in Ecuador after one of our mentorship sessions. She said she realized that leadership wasn’t about being the loudest voice, but about listening deeply. That moment reminded me why I do what I do — because one conversation can change a life.
Q: You’ve also been a strong advocate for women in business and leadership. What’s your philosophy on confidence and risk?
Liao: Confidence doesn’t mean certainty — it means courage. When I started speaking at global finance events, I was often the only woman in the room. I felt the pressure to prove myself. But I learned that preparation is the antidote to fear. Know your material, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. That’s where real growth begins.
As for risk, I think of it like a dance — step forward, pause, adjust. Risks are necessary, but they should be thoughtful. I always tell young entrepreneurs: it’s okay to take small, smart steps toward big goals.
Q: You’ve combined financial leadership with philanthropy. How do those two worlds connect for you?
Liao: To me, they’re inseparable. Wealth without purpose feels hollow. Every dollar, every investment, should serve something bigger. Through UNICEF Canada, I’ve supported education programs in many places around the world. Those projects taught me that even in finance, compassion is the best currency.
Q: Finally, what would you say to someone trying to find their own path to success?
Liao: Success isn’t a finish line; it’s a direction. Start where you are, use what you have, and remember that kindness is a strategy. I’ve learned that the most successful people aren’t the ones who win every deal — they’re the ones who stay true to themselves no matter what room they walk into.
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