Ms Jennifer TAN Yuen-chun
Partner, 01FintechSenior Advisor, Ant Digital Technologies
From a four-person team to a million users, she has always believed: “Nothing is impossible.”
In shopping malls, wet markets, railways and buses, “scan to pay” has become second nature. But do you remember the hesitation and excitement the very first time you paid with your phone?
PolyU Accountancy graduate Ms Jennifer Tan Yuen-chun certainly does. After all, she was one of the pioneers who led her team step by step in paving the way for a cashless generation.
From starting out as an accountant to rising through the management ranks, from a senior executive in the telecommunications industry to Chief Executive of Alipay Financial Services (HK) Limited and Executive Vice President – Strategy Development and Government Affairs, Greater Bay Area, at Ant Group, Jennifer’s meteoric rise has been driven by bold decisions and a willingness to embrace the unknown. When e-wallets were just taking off in the Chinese Mainland, she spotted the growth potential in the Hong Kong market. Determined to make a difference, she led a small team of four to five people to break new ground in fintech. There was no mature ecosystem, no established model, and the public was still unfamiliar even with QR codes.
Why step out of her comfort zone? Why venture into uncharted territory? Jennifer’s answer is simple and steadfast: “Nothing is impossible.”
In 2017, AlipayHK was officially launched, surpassing one million users within just six months. Impressive as the milestone was, Jennifer cared even more about how technology could truly respond to real-life needs. For example, the team went into wet markets to design merchant codes and voice prompts, enabling stall owners wearing gloves to receive payments without touching their phones. They also introduced an ergonomically designed payment device, allowing bus passengers to scan and pay fares more comfortably, quickly and reliably. Who says technology has to feel cold or distant?
Jennifer knows she is not a technical expert, and that is precisely why she never stops learning and always thinks from the user’s perspective. Empathy and keen observation are her strengths. When team members face challenges they may not voice, she notices and offers timely support. In her eyes, leading people will always matter more than leading products.
Named one of FinTech’s Top 100 Leaders in a global league table by FinTech Magazine and a recipient of the Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award, this distinguished alumna has consistently put people at the heart of her work. Recently, as a member of the PolyU Foundation, she joined students on a service-learning trip to Yunnan. Travelling from Kunming to Puzhehei and then along winding mountain roads for hours, she witnessed the joy of children in Malipo receiving a pair of glasses, and saw PolyU students sharing knowledge and planting seeds of hope in rural communities.
Technology can change how we pay; education and care can change who we become.
Over the years, Jennifer has remained committed to giving back to her alma mater: Chairperson of the Departmental Advisory Committee, a member of the PolyU Service-Learning Fundraising Working Group, a mentor under the mentorship programme, and a speaker at alumni seminars… At the forefront of industry and on the University campus alike, she generously shares her knowledge and experience, empowering the next generation to aim higher and go further.
From the PolyU classroom to the fintech stage, and back to the University community, Jennifer leads by example. She shows us that true leadership is not defined by title or position, but by the ability to walk alongside others and open up limitless possibilities together – leaving behind not just success, but lasting impact.
Nothing is impossible.
Publishing Date: July 2026
