Inside Linda Chen’s two-decade mission to shape modern Macau

That sense of responsibility to place and people extends beyond the resorts. In 2018, Chen launched Wynn Care, a corporate philanthropic initiative, which was formalised as a foundation two years later. From hosting educational programmes in mainland China to providing pandemic relief efforts, Wynn Care is about giving back to the community and reflects her belief that success must be shared.

It’s been more than 20 years since Macau opened up its gaming sector, and almost as long since Wynn Macau first opened its doors—and Chen sees the city’s evolution only continuing. She envisions a diversified future, including the continuation of Macau’s transformation into a cultural, entertainment and culinary hub. And the company’s priorities echo the ambitions of the city. “We’ve always thought non-gaming drives the heart of the business,” she says. “Gaming is a choice that people can do as entertainment [in Macau], but it’s the hotel—the hospitality, restaurants, retail offerings and shows—that draw people [to visit].”

Take, for example, Wynn Palace’s latest offering, the Gourmet Pavilion, which houses six seated restaurants and 12 additional food and beverage brands around a shared dining area. Other upcoming projects include a new theatre and high-end events centre.

Ask Chen what she’s most proud of, and she’ll say it’s seeing a guest smile or empowering her employees, of whom there are more than 11,000. She should also justifiably be proud of her leadership style, which is rooted in empathy and humility. “Being able to have the ability to listen and have the courage to say ‘I don’t know’—I think those are key to making not just a good leader but a unique leader,” she says. That approach defines the way she works with her team: “I tell my employees, ‘You know more than I do, but that’s why you’re here; you’re technically much better and more skilled than I am. But we’re here together because we have the same goal.’ That’s how we become a better team.”

Though one of the few women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Chen doesn’t dwell on that distinction. “I don’t think of it as shattering glass ceilings. We all try our best, whether we’re male or female, and in any industry,” she says. But, she continues, “If I can make another woman feel more confident or more willing to try, then that’s very rewarding for me.”

NOW READ

Love, legacy and leadership: Van Cleef & Arpels enters a new era under Catherine Rénier

Airbnb’s Mich Goh’s blueprint for empathetic leadership

How British Punjabi journalist Isabella Silvers champions mixed heritage voices through her groundbreaking newsletter