Chris Chan WJ

Partner, Alto Cognito | Certified Chair™ | Executive Coach

Expertise

Corporate Governance, Strategic Leadership, Risk Management, Operational Strategy, and Executive Coaching

Governance and Leadership Focus

Chris specializes in executive coaching, systemic team coaching, and advisory board services. At Alto Cognito, he empowers leaders to align their values with organizational goals, fostering personal growth and sustainable business success. His focus is on cultivating leadership that is ethically grounded, strategically aligned, and impactful.

Career Highlights:

  • 20+ Years in Financial Services and Private Equity: Deep expertise in hedge funds, private equity, and family office advisory, focusing on regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.

  • Institutional Hedge Fund Co-founder: Led strategic and operational growth across Asia, emphasizing governance and operational excellence.

  • Senior Leadership at Prominent Firms: Served in governance and compliance-focused roles at Morgan Stanley, PwC, PMA Investment Advisors, and Segantii Capital Management.

  • Governance and Compliance Expert: Extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance, including serving as Hong Kong SFC Responsible Officer.

  • Operational and Compliance Integration for M&A: Directed operational integration during Axial Partners' major acquisition, prioritizing governance and risk mitigation.

  • Founder of Alto Cognito: Dedicated to executive coaching, advisory board governance, and strategic leadership development.

  • Professional Certifications: Certified ICF Professional Coach (PCC) and Certified Chair™, providing governance-focused advisory and coaching.

Professional Experience:

Chris is a seasoned strategic advisor and governance expert with a strong background in scaling operations, establishing governance frameworks, and integrating sustainable finance strategies. As a Partner at Alto Cognito, he provides high-growth businesses with guidance in executive development, governance best practices, and financial plan.

As Director of Operations at Widus Partners, Chris played a key role in compliance and risk framework development, acting as Type 4 and Type 9 Responsible Officers. At Axial Partners, he guided governance and risk management, establishing operational frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance. He has held key governance-focused roles at PMA Investment Advisors, Lakeville Capital Management, and Segantii Asia-Pacific Fund, overseeing compliance, risk management, and operational control.

A Certified Chair™, Chris has a proven track record in forming advisory boards that drive strategic decision-making and enhance corporate governance. He specializes in building robust governance frameworks and advising high-net-worth families on wealth management across generations. His unique combination of operational expertise and leadership coaching helps clients align their values with long-term goals for lasting success.

Core Competencies

  • Board Advisory & Corporate Governance: Builds governance frameworks and provides board advisory services to support strategic growth and risk mitigation.

  • Operational Leadership & Compliance: Implements scalable operations, governance, and compliance structures to ensure regulatory alignment and resilience.

  • Strategic Finance & Investment: Advises on financial structuring and capital raising strategies that align with long-term growth.

  • Executive & Corporate Development: Coaches leaders on developing values-driven, governance-oriented strategies to enhance organizational impact.

Education:

  • MBA | Henley Business School, University of Reading

  • BA (Honors) in Chinese Studies and Economics | SOAS, University of London

  • Certificate in Hedge Fund Management | Henley Business School

Certifications

  • Certified Chair™, Advisory Board Centre

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Let’s Talk!

Whether you have a question, need guidance, or want to explore how we can work together, feel free to reach out. Simply leave a message or inquiry below, and we’ll get back to you promptly.