“The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope.”

There’s something profoundly human about exploring someone’s story, and I’m grateful you’re here to share in mine.

Life has a way of shaping us through the moments we least expect - the joys that fill us, the struggles that test us, and the losses that remind us how fleeting everything can be. Through it all, I’ve come to realise that what truly matters isn’t just what we achieve, but who we journey with, what we stand for, and the impact we leave behind.

Just like everyone else, I’ve also made mistakes, and learned some lessons the hard way. But every misstep has been a stepping stone. I’ve come to understand that resilience is built in the moments we rise after falling, and wisdom comes from embracing both the highs and the lows.

With each experience - whether a peak of achievement or a valley of challenge - I’ve learned to appreciate the lessons life offers. Growth, I’ve found, isn’t about having all the answers, but about staying open, humble, and willing to learn from those who have walked with grace and wisdom before me. Over time, every experience has added depth and perspective, shaping not just what I do, but why I do it.

I believe the world needs more connection - more people who lift each other up rather than pull each other down. The world may feel divided, but I’ve found that when we come together with purpose, with open hearts, and with a commitment to something greater than ourselves, we create real, lasting change.

And that’s what drives me - building a meaningful life, not just for myself, but for those around me, and for the generations to come.

Born in Beijing in the 80s, I grew up in a bustling household, surrounded by tradition, family stories, and the quiet strength passed down through generations. Then came Sydney - a city that reshaped me, where reinvention became second nature.

As a teenager, I was sent abroad for education, navigating an unfamiliar world entirely on my own. But my real education didn’t happen in classrooms - it came through every challenge, every risk, and every unexpected turn that forced me to adapt, grow, and carve out my own path.

I started on a traditional path, studying accounting, but my heart found its rhythm elsewhere - in creativity, storytelling, and building something from the ground up. Over two decades, I built a brand strategy agency that worked with some of the world’s most renowned brands. Yet, the more I grew, the more I felt drawn to something bigger - family office advisory, next-gen development, philanthropy, and social impact. That calling led me to Singapore, where my focus today is not just on building businesses, but on shaping legacies and creating meaningful change.

Through my work in family office advisory, I help families not only steward wealth but use it as a force for good. True legacy isn’t about what we accumulate - it’s about how we shape the world with it.

My expertise lies in philanthropy advisory, helping families align their giving with their deepest values, ensuring their impact is both meaningful and measurable. I also work with next-generation leaders, guiding them to navigate their unique responsibilities with purpose and integrity. Some may join The Rock Circle, an exclusive network of emerging changemakers, while others engage in tailored development programs that prepare them to lead with vision and heart.

Beyond philanthropy, I advise impact-driven businesses on integrating purpose into their core strategies, ensuring that profit and social responsibility go hand in hand. Our team also provides comprehensive support for structuring philanthropy -whether through private foundations, donor-advised funds, or innovative social impact investments - ensuring that every dollar is directed toward meaningful, lasting change.

Art, in all its forms, has been a constant source of inspiration. It has the power to move, to challenge, and to connect across cultures. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to this space through various roles: as a board member of The Australian Ballet Ambassador Board, a director for Art Month, and a council member of VisAsia at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Today, I continue this passion as the International Ambassador of the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, advocating for cultural exchange on a global stage. I also proudly support LACMA in Los Angeles and the Brooklyn Museum in New York, ensuring that Asian and international art narratives continue to be celebrated and shared.

As a Chinese-Australian, I believe that cultural heritage should not just be preserved but embraced and shared with the world.

Through my Hurun Report Australia's annual celebrations, we shine a light on philanthropy and entrepreneurship, recognising those whose contributions are shaping a better, more interconnected world.

One of the most urgent crises of our time is the state of our planet, particularly our oceans. My journey into ocean conservation was deeply shaped by my mentor, Susan Rockefeller, whose guidance over nearly a decade has been instrumental in shaping the purpose and enlightenment I have found today. She is one of the visionaries who helped me see beyond success and towards legacy, instilling in me the belief that we must “Protect What is Precious” - a mantra she and David Rockefeller live by.

This led to the creation of The Sapphire Project, an initiative born from passion and a shared vision among a group of dedicated friends. Founded in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and head-sponsored by LVMH (Tiffany & Co., Moët & Hennessy), Sapphire is committed to raising awareness and critical funding for ocean conservation. Since its inception in 2021, Sapphire has raised over $4 million through 3 fundraising dinners, bringing together philanthropists, scientists, and changemakers in a collective mission to safeguard our oceans.

What makes Sapphire unique? Every dollar raised goes directly to conservation efforts - our sponsors cover event costs, our suppliers believe in our cause, and our community rallies together to create something bigger than themselves. In 2024, we took Sapphire to Singapore, and in 2025, we will attempt New York, expanding our impact and inviting a global audience to join this movement.

Time is fleeting. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is too short to be spent in the company of the wrong people, chasing the wrong things. We should be surrounded by people who inspire, who build, who give, who dream - not just for themselves, but for the world we all live in.

I believe in collaborative impact, in bringing together the best minds and the biggest hearts to create a legacy that isn’t measured in wealth, but in the lives we touch and the change we ignite.

If these words resonate with you, if you too believe in the power of purpose, let’s connect. Because together, we can build something far greater than what any of us could do alone.

Check out my Blog (updated weekly) on topics related to Next-Gen, Family Office & Philanthropy.

Contact: You may reach out via email or fill out an online form.

Agency@RyanGollan.com
Assistant: Shasha@RyanGollan.com

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