Leaders Under 40: Chihang Wong

As part of our Leaders Under 40 series, Intelligent Insurer spoke to Chihang Wong, co-head of pricing & analytics at Peak Re, about how a thoughtful, human approach to data is redefining leadership in reinsurance.

For Wong, pricing is far more than calculations and capital models. “Yes, it’s about data,” he said, “but pricing is also about empathy, about understanding the lives behind the numbers. Every line in a spreadsheet represents someone’s home, business, or dream.”

That perspective has guided him since the beginning of his career. “After a catastrophe, when people lose everything, insurance becomes more than a policy — it becomes hope,” he explained. “That’s what drew me in.”

Purpose, for Wong, gives meaning to the mathematics. His career has been built step by step, grounded in curiosity, patience, and the conviction that data can only make an impact when connected to people.

Growing through collaboration

Wong’s leadership philosophy has emerged through collaboration — between pricing, underwriting and business development — and his natural ability to bridge those worlds. “The most effective work happens when people see how their decisions link together,” he said.

That mindset has since become a defining feature of the culture he helps foster at Peak Re. His teams treat pricing discussions as shared explorations, using models not as endpoints but as tools to deepen understanding. “When everyone sees not just the numbers but why they matter,” he said, “decisions become stronger and more balanced.”

It’s a leadership style shaped by empathy and precision — one that turns analysis into alignment and encourages others to find meaning in the details.

Beyond technical skill

Wong’s view of talent reflects the multifaceted demands of modern reinsurance. “In today’s market, true capability combines analytical acumen — risk modelling, data interpretation — with an understanding of customer realities,” he said.

He believes the next generation of leaders will blend quantitative skill with conceptual thinking — and, increasingly, technological fluency. “Being conversant in coding or AI fundamentals helps turn models into decisions,” he noted.

While some in the industry warn of a talent shortage, Wong remains optimistic about the next generation. “Insurance still attracts people looking for work that’s both meaningful and intellectually demanding,” he said.

“True growth comes from understanding your strengths and developing them with intent.”

Reinsurance, in his view, offers an exceptional combination of analytical challenge and real-world relevance — a field where data, economics and humanity continuously intersect.

Wong’s experience at Peak Re gives him a genuinely global outlook. As a global reinsurer specialised in emerging markets, the company operates across diverse economies where reinsurance supports financial resilience and helps close protection gaps. “As coverage grows, it contributes to greater security for families and businesses and supports long-term stability,” he said. “It’s highly analytical work, but it connects deeply with people.”

He hopes more young professionals will recognise the value in analytical roles. “True growth comes from understanding your strengths and developing them with intent,” he said. “Whether that strength lies in technical depth or communication, every contribution helps the industry evolve.”

Innovation that makes a difference

Wong’s view of innovation mirrors his leadership style — practical, collaborative and focused on solving everyday challenges rather than chasing the next big trend.

One example came when he redesigned internal reporting to make renewal tracking faster and more transparent. His team replaced static spreadsheets with a dynamic system that allows users to access up-to-date data and monitor progress interactively. The change made collaboration smoother and decision-making clearer. “It wasn’t flashy,” he said, “but it gave people back time and ownership.”

Looking ahead, Wong sees significant opportunity in advancing how the industry models natural catastrophe risk, particularly in regions where reliable data remains limited. “As we experience more frequent and complex weather events, improving modelling coverage becomes even more critical,” he notes. He believes the next phase of progress lies in using new technology and data sources to close those gaps — combining satellite imagery, open-source climate information and machine-learning techniques to build more consistent global frameworks. “Better modelling doesn’t just refine analysis,” he said. “It helps make risk transfer more responsive and sustainable across diverse markets.”

Leadership built on connection

Even Wong’s responsibilities have expanded, Wong remains grounded in the fundamentals of his craft. “I still stay involved in treaty renewal discussions,” he said. “It keeps me close to the market and helps me notice shifts that numbers alone can’t always show.”

Staying connected to the day-to-day helps him lead with both insight and practicality. It also shapes how he mentors younger colleagues. “You don’t have to follow the same route as anyone else,” he said. “Take time to understand what you’re good at and build from there.”

For Wong, progress comes through steady growth: learning, refining, and helping others do the same. Whether improving analytical tools or guiding his team, he believes consistency and curiosity matter as much as technical skill.

His story is one of focus and quiet conviction — leadership that listens, adapts, and endures. In a shifting industry, he exemplifies a way of leading built on understanding, empathy, and the quiet resilience to stand firm when it counts.

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