When Wilson Cheng arrived in Seattle for the UW Global Banking Program in 2025, he brought decades of experience working in both Hong Kong and Canada, and his current perspective as Executive Director of Global Banks Coverage at CIBC Capital Markets in Toronto.
He was also there because someone else identified the opportunity for him: his manager at CIBC had nominated him for the intensive two-week program, which brings experienced banking and financial leaders from around the world to the University of Washington to learn from Foster faculty, industry experts, and each other.
During the program, Wilson quickly made an impression on his fellow participants. Each year, members of the UW Global Banking Program cohort select one classmate to receive the Kermit O. Hanson Leadership Award. In 2025, they chose Wilson—an honor he calls “one of the most meaningful recognitions of my professional journey.”
As the UW Global Banking Program prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Manila, Philippines in December 2026, Wilson will be among the alumni returning to mark the milestone. He reflects on the value of stepping away from the demands of a mid-career role and building relationships that continue long after his two weeks in Seattle ended.
Wilson Cheng (top row, third from left) celebrates with his 2025 UW Global Banking Program classmates.
What stands out when you look back on the experience?
I appreciated the opportunity, in mid-career, to return to a study environment. It was both refreshing and energizing, and the program felt like a condensed mini-MBA designed specifically for global banking. It was rigorous and immediately applicable. The program gave me the chance to step away from the pace of day-to-day work and reconnect with the discipline of learning.
The lecturers and professors were also very engaging and offered new perspectives. I’ve worked in Asia for more than a decade, and the discussion of the Chinese economy was particularly memorable. It also exposed me to perspectives that I could take back to CIBC.
My take on the program is that it’s like moving from the ground level to a balcony. After two weeks, you’re looking at the same landscape, but you have a much clearer view of the bigger picture.
What did you learn from the other banking leaders?
One of the biggest lessons the program reinforced for me is that banking may be global in scale, but it is fundamentally a people business. Products, markets, and regulations all matter, but trust and relationships are what endure.
The program is designed for mid-career managers, so the conversations were especially valuable. Everyone brought real experience and a distinct market perspective. I was the only Canadian in my cohort, and there were participants from Asia, Australia, the United States, and across Europe.
Some of the most meaningful learning happened outside the formal sessions through the exchange of ideas. In that sense, it felt like being part of a global advisory circle. You realize how different markets are, but you also learn about the leadership challenges we all face.
I cherish the connections I made through the program. Today, I can reach out to people in my cohort for practical, immediate advice.
Spreadsheets matter, but they can’t shake your hand.
Global connections, lasting relationships. Wilson Cheng (center) with his UW Global Banking Program cohort.
How has the experience influenceD your work at CIBC?
It shaped both my mindset and my professional network in a lasting way.
From a mindset perspective, it encouraged me to stay open to different perspectives, challenge the status quo, and approach business challenges with a broader frame of reference. I also brought the learning and experience back to share with senior executives and managers at CIBC.
Just as importantly, the network I built through the program has developed into meaningful relationships that provide practical support and have also led to business opportunities.
Ultimately, it has broadened the way I think and strengthened who I can call.
Having experienced it firsthand, I now aspire to promote the program more broadly in Canada. Recently, I was grateful to have the support of my colleagues at CIBC and to help bring Paul Jamael, Managing Director & Head of Global Banks Coverage & Correspondent Banking at CIBC Capital Markets, onto the board of the UW Global Banking Program. I saw that as a way to give back to a program that had given me so much.
Sunshine, baseball and a little Seattle history. Wilson Cheng and his classmates raise a glass at the Mariners game honoring Ichiro Suzuki.
What are the highlights of your two weeks in Seattle?
It’s a luxury for someone at my stage of career to dedicate two weeks to immersive learning. For mid-career managers with family and community commitments, it’s incredibly hard to find time to step away and make room for growth. As a result, the academic experience is the key highlight.
Second to academics and learning, the exchange of ideas with peers was a meaningful experience.
My cohort made the most of our time outside the classroom to network, learn from each other, and see the city. During the first weekend, I went with members of my cohort to see the Seattle Mariners. They won, and it was Ichiro Suzuki’s retirement ceremony, which was very memorable. The second weekend, we went to a Seattle Seahawks preseason game. It was my first live NFL game, and the opening ceremony blew me away. Those experiences were part of what made the two weeks so memorable.
Wilson Cheng and his classmates enjoy a Seahawks preseason game during their two weeks in Seattle.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about building a career, what would it be?
Be curious and think global.
Stay curious about markets, industries, people, and change, because banking never stands still. Think globally from the start, even if your role is local, because the world is far more interconnected than it first appears.
Relationships matter every bit as much as expertise. Over time, careers are built not only on performance, but on trust and a willingness to keep learning.
Technical skills may get your foot in the door, but curiosity and relationships are often what carry you through.
Learn more about the Global Banking Program at the Foster School of Business in Seattle.