A Heart for Serving Society
When people think of journalism and communication graduates, many assume they’re destined for careers in media. However, the field’s interdisciplinary nature opens doors across various sectors, as exemplified by Julia Leung Fung-yee, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
For Leung, journalists’ commitment to truth-seeking initially drew her to the field. “Journalism is fundamentally about reporting objective facts and truth, which shapes how readers understand both events and society,” she explains. “While every discipline aims to improve society, education is ultimately about learning life principles. Journalism and communications stay particularly attuned to society’s pulse, helping to mirror its current state of affairs.”
After completing her degree, Leung spent a decade as a reporter for The Asian Wall Street Journal before transitioning to positions at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and the SFC. Despite appearing to be a career shift, she sees it differently. “My journalism education instilled in me a desire to serve society. I’ve always wanted to contribute to public service, and when I moved into finance, helping to foster a healthier, more orderly market was another way to serve the public good.”
Her journalism training has proved invaluable, Leung notes. First is the pursuit of truth and objectivity: “Journalism teaches you to think laterally, to examine issues from multiple angles, to connect the dots, and to transform two-dimensional perspectives into multi-dimensional understanding.” Second, journalistic writing emphasizes clarity and accessibility, expressing abstract concepts in simple and clear ways. “This skill has been essential throughout my career. Even now, when reviewing internal research reports or regulatory circulars for public release, I expect complex policies to be distilled into clear, comprehensible language.”
Her journalism training and reporting experience taught her the value of humility. “I’ve worked at various organizations, often in unfamiliar territory. I needed to learn humbly and rely on my team members while also leading them. Listening therefore becomes crucial.” She adds with a smile, “After all, I’ve been listening to interviewees since my days as a journalist.”
Profile:
Julia Leung Fung-yee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1982. After a decade as a reporter at The Asian Wall Street Journal, she joined the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in 1994, rising to Executive Director in 2000. She served as Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau from 2008 to 2013, receiving the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2012. Joining the SFC as Executive Director in 2015, Leung became Deputy CEO in 2018 and assumed the role of CEO in 2023.
