ITB Sep 2026 Final Book_rev - Flipbook - Page 22
F E AT U R E
“I believe that true wisdom, especially as you age, lies in
having the humility to ask younger generations for help
and recognising that mentorship is a two-way street.”
LAY KENG TAN FCPA, SUSTAINABLE FINANCE INSTITUTE ASIA
out to one of my younger managers, who
quickly clarified what I needed to do.
I believe that true wisdom, especially as
you age, lies in having the humility to ask
younger generations for help and recognising
that mentorship is a two-way street.”
REASONS TO STAY
Tan spent over two decades at EY Malaysia
leading the local practice. She also headed
the Asia-Pacific PAS business for 18 months,
overseeing more than 100 partners and
3000 professionals. After 37 years with
22 INTHEBLACK September 2026
the firm, she retired at the end of June this
year — but retirement was short-lived.
Almost immediately, she took on a new
role as COO of the Sustainable Finance
Institute Asia.
“I am one of the fortunate ones who still
want to keep working,” she says. “I want to
continue doing something meaningful and
purposeful, both for the community and for
my own growth.”
In Malaysia, some companies encourage
leaders to step aside at retirement age,
creating space for the next generation to
