Born in Hong Kong and educated in England and France, Dame Didi Wong is an award-winning international key- note speaker, angel investor, film & TV producer, business coach, and philanthropist based in the United States. Honored by the Women Economic Forum as “Woman of the Decade for Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital, ” she has shared global stages including the United Nations and the Think and Grow Rich Legacy World Tour.

Her production credits include collaborations with icons such as Larry King, Al Pacino, and Robert Kiyosaki, and her documentary Impact has won multiple international film awards. Recognized by Oprah Magazine as a “Woman Who Means Business, ” Dame Didi continues to champion women entrepreneurs through The Yes Academy, her mentorship program focused on confidence, communication, and business growth.

A devoted philanthropist, she serves as President of the Women Economic Forum Los Angeles and Executive Ambassador for the Reef Life and Andrea Bocelli Foundations. She also co-founded the Minard Wong Foundation, supporting global causes in education, mental health, and peacebuilding. Despite her many roles, she considers her greatest achievement managing life as a mother of four — all with grace, gratitude, and an unshakable smile.

You were born in Hong Kong, educated in England and France, earned your BA in Communications at Boston University, worked for Vera Wang, lived in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, and now reside in Fort Lauderdale. How have these crosscultural experiences shaped your identity as a woman and as an entrepreneur?

My life has been a masterclass in contrast, blending East and West, elegance and grit, tradition and transformation. Being born in Hong Kong taught me discipline, humility, and family values. My education in England and France refined my appreciation for culture and global perspective, while my studies at Boston University grounded me in the art of communication, the bridge that connects all worlds. Working for Vera Wang revealed that creativity and precision can coexist
beautifully, and launching my own yoga brand, Charakas by Didi, reminded me
that entrepreneurship is both a calling and a crucible.

Today, as I lead from Fort Lauderdale, I carry all those experiences within me. They have made me bold, willing to disrupt norms and speak truth even when it is uncomfortable. These journeys have shaped me into a woman who believes that real power is not about control but about courage, compassion, and the willingness to use your voice to inspire and uplift others.

You balance multiple high-level roles as a businesswoman, mother of four, producer, and speaker. What do you believe is the most misunderstood part of your day-to-day life?

The biggest misconception is that I am everywhere all the time. People assume that because I lead companies, produce films, speak on global stages, and attend highprofile events, I must somehow be present for every detail in my children’s lives too. The truth is, I am not a helicopter mother, and I say that with love and intention. I grew up in boarding school, and that experience taught me independence, resilience, and the ability to think for myself. I want my children to have the same freedom to make decisions, build friendships, and learn who they are without me hovering over every moment.

Exclusive Interview with H.E. Ambassador Dame Didi Wong What people do not always see is how deeply connected I am to them emotionally. Our family communicates on a level that is raw, honest, and loving. I may not be at every one of their friends’ birthday parties, sports games, or school pickups, but I am always present in their hearts and in their growth. My children know they can come to me for truth, not just comfort. That emotional intelligence is the heartbeat of our home.

What people may not realize is that balance does not mean perfection. It means being fully present wherever you are. Some days I am on stage inspiring others, and other days I am in yoga pants helping with homework or cooking dinner. Both are equally valuable. I have learned that you do not have to do everything at once to have it all, you simply need to show up as your authentic self in each moment. That is the real beauty behind my life, my work, and even my style.

From working in interior design to investing in film and education, your path has been anything but linear. When you reflect on your journey, do you see a common thread that ties all your ventures together?

Every chapter of my life has reflected confidence, creation, connection, and cashflow. Whether it was interior design, film production, philanthropy, or education, my intention has always been the same: to build beauty with purpose and to bring people together through impact. I do not see my path as fragmented. I see it as an evolution of service.

Working with design taught me how to curate energy and environment. Producing films allowed me to amplify stories that matter. Investing in education gave me the opportunity to shape futures. Each experience has deepened my understanding that business is not just about profit. It is about people. The true return on investment is always measured in lives touched and hearts moved.

At my core, I am an artist and a strategist. I love to build. I love to inspire. And I believe in leaving every space, every project, and every person better than I found them

As a serial entrepreneur and investor, what do you look for when deciding which projects or people to support?

For me, the foundation of any investment is energy and intention. I look for people who are competent and confident. They must have integrity in their words and actions. They are likeable with organizational, time management, social, and street savvy skills. They take stress in strides. I invest in people first, ideas second. A brilliant business model means nothing if it is not led by someone with heart, resilience, specialized knowledge, self-awareness.

When I sit across from a founder, I listen to how they speak. Do they want to change the world or just be seen in it? I believe entrepreneurship is a spiritual practice that reveals your courage, your alignment, and your willingness to grow. The people I choose to partner with are those who lead with light and understand that success without significance is hollow.

How do you define leadership, and how has that definition evolved throughout your career?

Leadership to me is the ability to inspire movement without demanding it. Early in my career, I believed leadership was about direction and discipline. Over time, I have learned that true leadership is about connection and compassion. It is knowing when to speak and when to listen, when to lead from the front and when to empower others to take the stage.

I am not a leader who rules, but I can be bossy with intention and direction. It is up to the person I am working with to take direction without offense. When you are a leader, you must also know how to follow. Every great achievement in my life has been the result of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. The world does not need louder leaders. It needs wiser ones, people who understand that influence is a privilege and leadership begins with love.

You are known for mentoring women around the world. What do you believe women most need to hear right now?

Women are their own worst enemies. We must start by building each other up and not compete with one another. Then together we rise. I love to lift other women up. If they are beautiful, I do tell them. In the moments when I recognize what could be embarrassing and without shaming, I would quietly share “your zipper is down, you have food in your teeth, you have a crumb on your lip” . The world conditions us to compete, compare, and constantly strive, but I believe our greatest power comes from kindness and the desire to see the goodness in others.

I remind women that strength and softness can coexist. You can be powerful and gentle, ambitious and nurturing, bold and kind. Those are not contradictions. They are your balance. When women embrace their wholeness, they become unstoppable forces of change. My mission is to help them rise with grace.

You have been described as a disruptor in both business and philanthropy. How do you stay innovative while remaining true to your values?

Innovation without integrity has no soul. I never want to create for the sake of disruption. My approach to innovation begins with one simple question: does this bring more peace into the world. Being called a disruptor is an honor to me because it means I am willing to question what others accept as normal. I love the challenge of redefining what success looks like. Success to me is not about accumulation but illumination. It is about having the courage to walk into rooms that were not built for you and still carry grace, elegance, and conviction.

You are both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. How do you integrate business success with giving back?

For me, the two are inseparable. Business is the engine and philanthropy is the purpose. One fuels the other and together they create sustainable change. I have always believed that abundance is meant to flow, not accumulate. When your heart and your business are aligned, giving becomes a natural extension of who you are, not an afterthought.

Every venture I am part of has a thread of service woven into it. Whether it is empowering women, mentoring youth, or supporting global peace initiatives, giving back keeps me grounded. It gives me peace.

As a global ambassador and advocate for peace, what does impact mean to you on a personal level?

Impact to me is not measured by the size of the stage or the number of followers. It is measured by the quiet moments when someone says, because of you, I believed I could. That is what matters most. Real impact begins with intention and consistency. You cannot change the world overnight, but you can plant seeds every day that will grow long after you are gone.

As a global peace ambassador, I see impact as both a responsibility and a privilege. My goal is to bring humanity into leadership and compassion into power. Every handshake, every eye contact, every project, and every speech is an opportunity to uplift someone. Impact is not about being seen, it is about helping others to be seen and valued for who they are.

You often speak about collaboration over competition. How does that philosophy play into your global work?

It is important to join with other humans to make something come true. That is collaboration. There is time when you meet people who are difficult. Then you ask yourself why do I find them difficult? Is this something I need to work on in myself? I love the challenge of turning someone from foe to a friend. That doesn’t mean we need to be best friend with everyone. True collaboration is knowing
yourself well enough to know who to surround yourself with. Once you find your collaborators that is when the magic can happen.

Side note: A little competition is good for us. It motivates us to achieve greatness. You have met and worked with leaders from many cultures and faiths. What have those encounters taught you about unity?

Meeting leaders from around the world has taught me that unity is not about sameness. It is about respect. We may speak different languages, but kindness and sincerity are understood universally. Every faith, every culture, and every nation holds its own rules, beauty and wisdom. When we approach one another with curiosity instead of judgment, we build bridges that cannot easily be broken. In the most difficult situations, we can learn to agree to disagree.

Unity begins when we stop focusing on what separates us and magnifying what we have in common. I have seen firsthand that love, compassion, and empathy are not bound by geography. They are the universal language of humanity. In your opinion, what is the most powerful form of philanthropy?

The most powerful form of philanthropy is not money, it is mentorship. Writing a check can change circumstances, but giving your time, wisdom, and heart canchange generations. When you invest in people, you invest in ripple effects that extend far beyond what you can see. Philanthropy is not about the size of your bank  account. It is about the size of your heart. Anyone can be a philanthropist. I believe generosity should be a lifestyle, not an event. The most powerful giving always begins from gratitude.

You have achieved remarkable success. How do you personally define legacy?

Legacy is not about what I leave behind. It is about who I lift while I am here. For me, legacy lives in the people I inspire, the men and women I empower, and the children I raise or otherwise. Legacy is love I left in others, the systems I have created with companies, the movies I produced that can be watched for years to come. It could be as simple as the “Didiisms”such as: ‘your vibe attracts your tribe’,‘you are your own best friend’ , and ‘you have got to spend to receive becausemoney is energy and it needs to flow’.

What do you wish more people understood about influence?

Many people mistake influence for visibility, but true influence is about authenticity. It is not about getting attention. It is about living your most authentic self. With my fashion choices, activities I choose to do, with the countries I travel to, or as simple as the energy I carry, people see it and are influenced by it. Influence is an inexplicable feeling. When people look to you for guidance or inspiration, you are being trusted to plant the right seeds into their universe, which will bring them fun, hope, and joy. That trust must never be taken lightly.

You often mentor young women who are chasing big dreams. What advice do you give them about overcoming fear and doubt?

Like Nike says, “Just do it. ” Action dissolves fear. Every great achievement begins with a single brave step forward. What is one lesson that success has taught you about yourself? Success has taught me that peace is the ultimate currency. When I was younger, I thought success meant doing more. Now I understand it means being more, more present, more grateful, more aligned with who I truly am.

The higher you climb, the quieter your soul must become. The world will always measure success by what you gain, but I measure it by what I can give while staying true to myself. I no longer chase validation. That shift has been the most liberating success of all.

What is one lesson that success has taught you about yourself?

Success has taught me that peace is the ultimate currency. When I was younger, I thought success meant doing more. Now I understand it means being more, more present, more grateful, more aligned with who I truly am.
The higher you climb, the quieter your soul must become. The world will always measure success by what you gain, but I measure it by what I can give while staying true to myself. I no longer chase validation. That shift has been the most liberating success of all.

Your style has become part of your identity. What does fashion mean to you personally?

Fashion is my love language. It speaks before I ever open my mouth. I see it as a reflection of self-respect, for the room I am in, and for the energy I wish to create. It is how I express who I am without needing to say a word. I have always believed
that the way you present yourself to the world reflects the respect you hold foryourself and for the moment you are in.

I want to thank my parents for being the catalyst in introducing me to fashion, for they are both very stylish themselves. At an early age I was taught to dress well. My mother would encourage me to read lots of fashion magazines to educate myself
with style, and my father taught me to always be presentable. I love mixing luxury labels with everyday streetwear. It is important to dress for your body type and understand your proportions correctly. Fashion is storytelling without words. Every look reflects a different layer of my life as a woman who embraces femininity and elegance. Every look I wear says,
“This is me, today. ” Not to impress, but to express.

You often speak about spirituality and alignment. What role does faith play in your everyday life?

When I think of the word faith, I do not necessarily see it only through a religious lens. Faith to me is a deep belief, a knowing that the universe is always unfolding in divine timing. It is the quiet confidence that everything will come together exactly as it should. When you live with faith, you stop forcing outcomes and start trusting the process.

Faith is my anchor in an ever-changing world. It keeps me grounded, centered, and graceful when life insists on throwing curveballs in heels. It is present for me every minute of the day. I am constantly in conversation with God, thanking Him for my life, for my lessons, and for the people who are part of my journey.

Each morning begins with gratitude and quiet reflection. I call it my daily spiritual skincare: cleanse the chaos, tone your thoughts, moisturize your soul. Faith allows me to lead with peace, not pressure. It reminds me that I am guided, protected, and called to use my light for good.

What does a typical day in your life look like when you are not traveling or on stage?

A typical day begins with opening my eyes in gratitude, a quiet moment of inner acknowledgment before the world begins to move. I wake my children and get them ready for school, and the car ride together has become one of my favorite parts of the day. It is where we talk, laugh, play games, and have those meaningful little conversations that matter most. I ask them about their schedules and schoolwork, not to manage them, but to help them develop independence and awareness of their own responsibilities.

After school drop-off, my day flows between yoga or kickboxing, piano lessons, and a series of Zoom or in-person meetings that may include investment reviews, new deals, film production, philanthropic projects, scheduling, or travel coordination. I thrive on variety, but I protect my peace fiercely and have learned the art of saying no. My time is precious, and I have become very intentional about where and with whom I spend it.

Evenings belong to my children. That time is sacred. I unwind early and prioritize rest because I know that to give my best, I must first protect my energy.

Finally, what brings you the greatest joy in life right now?

Because I recently finalized my divorce, I am embracing a brand-new sense of freedom, the freedom to live my purpose and rediscover joy in every corner of my life. These past few months, I have been waking up with more peace than ever before, grateful for the clarity and calm that this new chapter has brought.

My children, of course, are my constant source of joy. I am endlessly blessed to have four beautiful souls, some little and some not so little, whom I get to cuddle, laugh with, and love every single day. They keep my heart grounded and full.

I also find joy in the simple, beautiful details of life: staying consistent in my fitness routine, savoring every meal I prepare, chatting with my dearest girlfriends who are my lifeline, playing the piano and exploring new chord progressions, or singing my heart out to my favorite playlist during long drives. I find joy in travel, in building the next chapter of my career, and in seeing the fruits of years of hard work finally bloom. I even find joy in completing little house projects, binge-watching great shows, shopping for shoes that make me smile, and holding hope that my next King will find me when the time is right.

Joy, to me, is no longer something I chase. It is something I choose every single day. And right now, I can honestly say, I am happy