Blog post by Empower Wealth

Meet Leslie Dong: A Financial Planner Who Puts People First

Leslie Dong didn’t start his professional life in finance, but once he discovered his passion for helping people achieve financial clarity and confidence, he never looked back. Now a dedicated Financial Planner at Empower Wealth, Leslie brings years of experience, a calm and caring presence, and a strong belief that every client deserves to feel heard, understood, and empowered no matter where they’re starting from.

A Career Built On Helping Others

“I enjoy talking to people directly,” Leslie shares. “I feel very, very good if I can help people.”

That desire to engage with people from different backgrounds is a consistent thread in Leslie’s story. Having migrated to Australia from China nearly two decades ago, Leslie understands firsthand the challenges many clients face, especially when it comes to navigating a new country’s financial systems.

“Australia is a multicultural country,” he says. “I know what challenges people may be facing… It’s something I had probably ten years ago, and now I can share that with others.”

A Strong Foundation in Finance

Leslie began his journey into financial planning in the banking sector. “I kickstarted my financial advisor role when I was a bank planner before COVID.”

From there, he moved into the superannuation space, working as a financial advisor for an industry super fund. After that, he joined a leading insurance company where he further refined his skills.

Before joining Empower Wealth, Leslie says he was impressed by what he saw online. “I was very impressed by the online reviews, five out of five. That’s very, very unbelievable, especially coming from the corporate world. Even getting a 3 or 4 out of 5 from customer feedback is hard.”

After researching Empower Wealth’s values, philosophy and approach, he was sold. “The way we help customers, it’s really impressive.”

What Clients Can Expect

“No two clients are the same. They have their own expectations, their own characteristics.”

And that’s exactly how he approaches every meeting: with empathy, patience, and a commitment to listening first. “We need to identify where you want to start and where you want to go. Then we go through the journey together.”

For Leslie, one of the most important parts of the first meeting is being a good listener. “I guide clients gradually, helping them understand more. I give options and explain the implications. The priority is always clear communication and care.”

He avoids using jargon and adapts to whatever format suits the client—whether it’s face-to-face, online, during business hours or outside them. “Some clients are full-time workers. They can’t always meet 9 to 5, so I open up more options.”

**Breaking the Myth: Financial Planning Is Not Just for the Wealthy**.

“Some people think financial planners only look after rich people. That may not be true.”

At Empower Wealth, the initial consultation is obligation-free and Leslie sees real value in that. “There’s no cost to the customer, except time. We can offer general advice that helps them understand more. And then they can decide for themselves whether having a financial planner makes a difference.”

He stresses that financial planning is about more than just investment. “We look at the overall picture. Investments, retirement, insurance, Centrelink, tax. There are a number of things we may be able to help with.”

Empowering Through Understanding

“The financial industry can be simple for some, but for many people, it can be very complicated,” Leslie says. His role is to simplify that complexity.

“We translate everything: products, legislation, the fine print—into understandable language.”

Above all, Leslie values transparency and respect. “We treat customers like family. We don’t let them wait too long. We always keep them informed, and we care deeply about their trust.”

Conclusion

Leslie Dong is one of those planners who makes you feel instantly at ease. Whether it’s helping you plan for retirement, understand your super, or take your first steps toward building wealth, Leslie combines expert knowledge with genuine care and cultural awareness.

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Categories: Financial Planning, SMSF Advice

Tags: Financial Planning