Future Leaders: An Interview with Jung Wei Toh

An Interview with Jung Wei Toh, Manager, Process Engineering at HSBC

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career so far?

Originally born and raised in Malaysia, I have been fortunate enough to experience living and working in the USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. My formative years as a gay young adult and exposure to LGBTQ+ activism began during my university days at San Diego State University. After that, I moved back to Malaysia to embark on my first career in management consulting with Accenture; with that move back home, in the most literal sense, I went back into the closet. It was quite detrimental to my mental health, not being able to be my authentic self both at home and work for about 2 years back in Asia. My saving grace came via a gay professional connection and I was recruited into the financial services advisory body of EY Hong Kong. It was in EY Hong Kong that I first stepped up to help form and grow the UNITY (EY’s LGBTQ+ employee group) and received a lot of guidance from out and proud gay leaders. Being in Hong Kong, naturally, due to the massive scale of HSBC, I was providing advisory services to and eventually joined HSBC. My life adventure resumes with my move to London in 2019 through an opportunity with HSBC.

Congratulation on being Shortlisted for The Future Leaders LGBT British award, what does this nomination mean to you?

To be honest, I was caught completely off-guard on the nomination. I mean, I was not even sure if I am eligible for nomination as I am not British by nationality. Hence, it is truly an honour to be able to stand alongside the other highly regarded nominees. It means a lot to me that there are individuals within HSBC that appreciate and acknowledges the time I invested in HSBC Pride London, especially during the lockdown year.

What have been the reactions of your colleagues around your nomination?

Everyone has been massively supportive, especially my leadership and colleagues from my previous employment in HSBC HK and EY HK. It was in these two companies that I received tremendous guidance from its leaders and formed the way I steered HSBC London Pride, that is to leave no strands behind (i.e. more support is needed on the non-cisgender gay male strands within our community).

Do you think inclusion at HSBC impacted your journey to this point?

Most definitely, I was also the Co-Chair for HSBC Pride Hong Kong and during that time, I was able to engage with C-suite leadership in outlining and carrying out various LGBTQ+ initiatives and events. It was very encouraging as we received support to work with grass-roots level NGOs, with a focus on trans rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, whilst bringing to life educational and networking events. 

Have you always been comfortable being ‘out’?

Not fully. In places where gay rights are protected (i.e. UK, and USA), I am more comfortable being my authentic self. However, when I do go back home to Malaysia, where things are not as progressive, I am less inclined to be out. Eventually, I really hope things will improve everywhere in the world within my lifetime.

What would you say is the biggest obstacle you've faced in your journey?

Back home in Malaysia, I still find it hard to be out in general due to the lack of legal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals. My personal and professional lives in London is much better due to the progressive nature of this city. However, from time to time, I still experience moments of alienation with my intersectionality of being gay, Asian, and non-citizen in the UK or EU in general.

Your work has had a focus on supporting the community through the pandemic – can you tell us more about this and why it’s important to you?

It has been a really tough year for most people and myself personally. On a personal level, I am glad to have had healthy distraction during lockdown by working with the HSBC London Pride committee members. Together, we organised a series of online events to keep our community connected and engaged. I am proud of the fact that members’ engagement was at an all-time high, enabling our community to continue connecting and educating each other amidst the pandemic.

Is there any advice you would give to your younger self?

Stop spending so much time trying to score all the As in school and go out there to experience real-life struggles/lessons. Stop being so afraid of making mistakes because that is the fastest way for you to learn. Stop fearing rejection because that is the only way your heart will grow stronger. Stop comparing yourself to others because you are unique and rare.

What would you like to say to the people that have helped you achieve this recognition?

Words cannot express my overwhelming gratitude to everyone who has literally opened up my world and I am excited to meet more and perhaps, it is my turn to guide others in due time.

What do you hope to see next in the journey for LGBTQ+ equality?

Truth be told, I am currently taking a break from my role with HSBC London Pride to focus on nursing my mental health; regain stability in my personal life, and upskilling myself for my next project within HSBC. Once I managed to stabilise these three areas in my life, I really would like to resume my activism for trans, and HIV/AIDS awareness. One new area that I have not done much for in the past, but my conscience is telling me to invest time in, is creating more dialogues for individuals with the intersectionality of being LGBTQ+ and Asian. I have been quite disheartened by some of the personal and news stories impacting people who share a similar background as myself these days in western countries.

You can vote in the British LGBT+ Awards here.