| WA Group AU
TAN WINSON
Architect of Intentional Spaces and The Trailblazer Redefining Resilience
Editorial
-Alaya Brown
The Architect of Adaptive Growth and Collective Success
Inaworldthatoftenrewardspredictability,fewleadersdareto
rewritetherulesofprogress.WinsonTan,TheElite:Trailblazer of2025,standsasoneofthoserarevisionarieswhotransform disruptionintodirection.Hisjourneyisnotalinearclimbtosuccess, butadynamicevolution—onedefinedbyreinvention,resilience,and adeepunderstandingthattrueleadershipisaboutshaping ecosystems,notjustenterprises.
Winson’sentrepreneurialpathisatestamenttothepowerof adaptability.Insteadofwaitingformarketstochangeorfor opportunitiestoappear,heactivelyrebalancesthelandscape itself—turningchallengesintocatalystsforinnovation.Hisbusiness philosophyisrootedinmotion,guidedbythebeliefthatgrowthisnot foundincomfortzonesbutcreatedthroughboldexperimentationand strategicrecalibration.
TheWAGroup,JWTPropertyGroup,andNexusEducation Group—threethrivingentitiesunderhisleadership—reflectashared conviction:thatbusiness,community,andcourageareinseparable. Eachventurecarriesitsownrhythmyetharmonizesunderasingular purpose—buildingvaluethattranscendsprofit.Whetherdrivingreal estateexcellence,fosteringeducationalempowerment,orsteering diversifiedinvestments,Winson’senterprisesoperateatthe intersectionofvisionandvaluecreation.
WhatmakesWinsonTan’sleadershiptrulydistinctiveishishumancenteredapproachtogrowth.Behindeverystrategicdecisionliesan unwaveringbeliefinpeople—theirpotential,collaboration,and collectiveprogress.Hedoesn’tjustbuildcompanies;hebuilds culturesofsharedpurpose,whereinnovationisnotimposedbut inspired.Hissuccessisasmuchaboutmindsetasitisabout management—areminderthatmodernentrepreneurshipdemands bothempathyandexecution.
AswehonorWinsonTanas The Elite: Trailblazer of 2025,we celebratemorethanaseriesofachievements.Werecognizeanew kindofleadership—onethatblendsintuitionwithintelligence, ambitionwithauthenticity,andcouragewithcompassion.Winson representsthemodern-dayentrepreneurwhounderstandsthat progressisnotasolitarypursuitbutasharedjourneyofimpact.
Ineverysense,hisstoryisareflectionofthefutureof enterprise—fluid,fearless,anddeeplyconnectedtotheworldit serves.Throughhiswork,WinsonTancontinuestoremindusthatthe greatesttrailblazersdon’tjustfollowopportunity—theyredefineit.
CONTENTS
SIGNATURE STORY
Winson Tan
The Architect of Intentional Spaces and the Trailblazer Redefining Resilience
18
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 22 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Evolving the Leader Within A Journey from Control to Connection
Turning Vision into Velocity The Leadership Momentum
Art
Business
Business
Digital
Marketing
THE SIGNATURE STORY
WINSON TAN
The Architect of Intentional Spaces and the Trailblazer Redefining Resilience
EventhoughAustralia'sbusinesshistoryisusually
oneofsteady,measuredprogress,everynowand thenaleaderstepsupandturnssystemicchaosinto aspringboardforradical,inspiredinnovation.Thisisthe sagaofWinsonTan,amodern-dayentrepreneurwhose careerhasnotfollowedastraightpathbutratherexploded withadaptivegrowth.Ratherthanwaitingforthingsto improve,heactivelyrebalancesthewholeopportunity landscape.Inadditiontobeingathrivingconglomerate,his companies,theWAGroup,JWTPropertyGroup,and NexusEducationGroup,representasharedconviction thatbravery,community,andbusinessareall interconnectedandessential.
Winson’sprofessionalgenesisisdeeplyrootedinthe stillnessandisolationofMelbourne’sextendedCOVID-19 lockdowns.Thisperiodofprofounduncertaintybecamehis definitivemomentofclarity.Wheremanysawan insurmountablevoidofclosures,hesawastark,urgent needforreconnection.Hefeltanintense,internalcallingto establishtangible,meaningfulspaceswherepeoplecould gather,sharehope,andrebuildtheessentialfabricof community Thisdeep-seatedconviction,bornunderthe immensepressureofglobalcrisis,servedasthe foundationalsparkthatrapidlyignitedtheWAGroup.
Today,Winsonisrecognizedasaformidableforcedriving multi-sectorenterprise,aTrailblazerof2025whose leadershipisdefinedbyitspurpose-ledintentandpeoplefirstvalues.HecurrentlypursuesaDoctorofBusiness Administration(DBA),focusinghiscriticalresearchon developinganevidence-basedleadershipframework specificallydesignedforthepost-COVIDworld, emphasizingempathy,adaptability,andunwavering relevance.Hisstoryisapowerful,livingtestimonythat vision,fierceresilience,andaconsistentfocusonhumanity cansuccessfullytransformdeepadversityinto unprecedented,lastingopportunity
TheUnscriptedLeaptoMulti-SectorImpact
Winson’sinitialcareertrackwasgroundedfirmlyinthe analyticalworldofBusinessandInformationTechnology Hiseventual,dramatictransitionintothedynamic,hightouchworldofhospitalitywasentirelyunplanned,a profoundandnecessarydeparturefromhistechnical training.Hefreelyadmitshepossessednopractical knowledgeofmanagingacaféandcertainlynever imaginedhimselfinvolvedintheculinarysector.Yet,the emotionalweightofthelockdownscreatedaninescapable
“My journey into hospitality was completely unplanned. When Melbourne faced those difficult lockdowns, I simply felt an intense calling to create something meaningful, a space where people could reconnect and rediscover hope.”
senseofduty,recognizingthatthegreatestservicehecould offerthecitywastherestorationofsharedhuman experience.
Theinitialdaysofhisentrepreneuriallifewerefarfrom glamorous;theywereamasterclassinnecessity.Hesecured hisveryfirstcaféforjust$7,000,acquiringitduringthe peakofthelockdown’senforcedsolitude.Thistransaction begananintensive,self-directedcrashcoursewherehewas abletolearneveryaspectofthebusinessfromthevery foundation.Hemasteredoperationalefficiency,delivered responsivecustomerservice,managedcomplexpayrolls, andcreatedeffectivemarketingcampaigns,allwhilethe worldoutsidestoodstill.Heviewseverysingleearly mistakeasacriticallessonandeveryobstacleencountered asapowerfulelementthatultimatelystrengthenedhiscore resolve.Whatheinitiallylackedindirectindustry experience,hequicklyandeffectivelycompensatedforwith analmostboundlesscapacityforresilience,infectious curiosity,andaleadershipheartdedicatedtometiculous service.
“I am profoundly invested in designing the future of conscious enterprise. I confirm that no vision is ever too small, provided it is built with intention and driven by the deep courage to serve.”
Now,heholdsthedistinguishedroleastheFounderand ManagingDirectoracrossthreeinterwovenventures:the WAGroup(hospitality),theJWTPropertyGroup (development),andtheNexusEducationGroup(early learning).Thismulti-sectorarchitecturebeautifullyreflects hisconvictionthatleadershipmustbedrivenbypurpose anddedicatedtogenuinecommunityenrichment,spanning thesethreeindustries,allconnectedbyasingular,defining mission:toforgedeeperhumanconnection.Heisthe recipient of two Honorary Doctorates inBusiness LeadershipandEntrepreneurship,formalvalidationofhis broadandacceleratingimpact.
DecodingtheHumanEquationinBusiness
ThetruebeginningoftheWAGroupisanindelible narrativeofseizingopportunityduringahistoricallow point.Theinitial,modestcafépurchasequicklyexpanded intoacompelling,large-scalevisionofactivelyconnecting peopleandprofoundlyenrichinglocalcommunities. Winson’sideatranscendedthesimpletransactionofserving coffeeorfood;itcenteredentirelyonthecreationofsacred socialspaces-placeswherepersonalstoriesareopenly shared,enduringrelationshipsareauthenticallyforged,and anundeniable,essentialfeelingofbelongingisimmediately felt.
“I quickly learned that true leadership isn't about personally managing every task; it's about the essential act of empowering and trusting others to grow and succeed with me.”
Thispowerfulsenseofpurpose,theConnectionDNA,is meticulouslyengineeredintoeveryestablishmenttheWA Groupoperates.VenueslikeDocasa,Prefisso3088,Jerry JoyCafé,andLittleTiendaaredesignedwithdeliberate intent,actingasculturalanchorsandcommunityhubs.As theenterpriserapidlymatured,Winsonstrategically pursuedexpansionbeyondthelimitsofhospitality.This intentionaldiversificationgaverisetotheNexusEducation Group,anearlylearningnetworkthatembracesthe inspiringReggioandMontessoriprinciples,focusingits energiesonactivelynurturinghighlyconfidentand culturallyawarechildrenwhowillbecometheleadersof tomorrow.
Concurrently,theJWTPropertyGroupwaspurposefully established.Thisdivisionprovidestheessentialfinancial andphysicalfoundationfortheentiregroup’sgrowth, dedicatedtosustainabledevelopmentandthecreationof community-drivenphysicalspaces.Thisintegrationensures thatWinson’svisionforcommunityisbuiltnotonlywithin thewallsofacaféorclassroombutalsophysically anchoredintherealestatewherepeopleliveandgather. Since2020,Winsonhassuccessfullyinitiatedandmanaged morethan14distinctbusinesses,clearlyprovingthat visionarythinking,coupledwithhigh-levelcreativityand thesupportoftherightpeople,cantransformthemost humblebeginningsintoanextraordinary,multi-faceted impact.
TheEngineofValueandEmpowerment
Winson’simmenseappetiteforbusinessispoweredbyan insatiablecuriosityandadeep,abidingloveforgenerating positiveimpact.Heremainsperpetuallyfascinatedbythe powerfulalchemythroughwhichasimpleideatransforms intoapalpableexperienceandhowinsightful,good leadershipcanradicallytransformcommunities.Heviews businessnotasapurelyfinancialendeavour,butasan indispensablevehicleforgeneratingprofoundvalue, creatingessentialjobs,andestablishingtruemeaningfor countlessothers.
Throughhiscontinuousprogression,hehasmeticulously cultivatedamindsetthatisnaturallyinclinedtoembrace calculatedrisk.Herecognizesthatriskisinherentin growth,buthemanagesitbyfirmlybelievinginthe necessityofdata-drivendecisionswhileequallytrustinghis highlydevelopedintuition.It’sasharpinstinctrefined throughtheconstant,carefulobservationofmarket behaviour.Hemaintainsafirmnon-negotiablestandard: everybusinessheinitiatesmustbedeeplygroundedin purposeandengineeredforlong-termsustainability
Heacknowledgesthatthemajorchallengeslieinhis relentless,almostsingulardrive.Inthenascentstagesofhis ventures,thisintensityoftenledhimtoassumetoomuch personalresponsibility,resultinginperiodsofintense burnout.Overtime,heassimilatedacriticaltruth:effective leadershipisnotaboutpersonallyexecutingeverytask,but abouttheessentialactofempoweringandtrustingothersto growandsucceedwithhim.Heprioritizesintentionalfocus overrigidtimedistribution,ensuringhisprofessionaland personalvaluesmoveinperfectharmonyasheguideshis organizations.
Crisis,Resilience,andAccolades
WinsonstatesunequivocallythattheCOVID-19pandemic actedasboththeultimatetestandthemostcriticalteacher ofhisprofessionallife.Whenmandatoryrestrictions severelyimpactedhisoperations,hishospitalityvenues facedimmediateshutdownsandparalyzinguncertainty.His responsewasimmediateandstrategic:heandhisteam adaptedwithdecisivespeed,launchingnewdelivery modelsandfundamentallyredefiningtheircoststructuresto achievetrueresilience.
Crucially,thepandemicrestrictionsalsoservedasthe genesisforstrategicdiversification.Thatsamedifficult periodgavebirthtoboththeNexusEducationGroupand theJWTPropertyGroup.Winsonlearnedthatcrisis inevitablyrevealscharacter,compellinghisteamtothink creatively,actwithunhesitatingdecisiveness,andcarewith profounddepth,lessonsthatcontinuetodefinethegroup’s operationstoday
HisinfluenceisformallyrecognizedthroughTwoHonorary Doctorates,ararehonourthatvalidateshisextensive contributionstoglobalEntrepreneurshipandBusiness Leadership.Hishospitalityvenuesareconsistently celebrated,exemplifiedbytheprestigiousCaféDiningof theYearawardsforJerryJoyCaféandtheCasual DiningoftheYearawardsforPrefisso3088.Furthermore, hehasreceivedindustryrecognitionasaBusinessElite’s Top40Under40(2025)andfortheNexusEarly Learninginitiative,whichsecuredGoldandSilverStevie Awardsfordemonstrableexcellenceinthehighly specializededucationsector.
Theseachievementsunderscorealeaderwhoseimpactis validatedacrossmultiple,fiercelycompetitivefields.
TheImperativeforConsciousLeadership
Winsonoffershighlydistilled,actionableadviceforthe nextgenerationofleaders: you must start before you are ready.Hestressesthatachievingperfectreadinessisan illusion;thecombinedforcesofcourageandconsistent actionwillimpartfarmorecriticalknowledgethanany meticulousplanningevercould.
Heurgesaspiringprofessionalstodeliberatelychoose purposeoverprestige.Headvisesthemtofocustheir energyonbuildingsomethingthatactivelysolvesa recognizedproblem,successfullyconnectspeople,or genuinelyelevatesthequalityoflife.ForWinson,authentic leadershipisfarlessaboutachievingatitleandentirely moreabouttheintentionalcultivationofpositiveinfluence. Hisfinaldirectiveistoremainrelentlesslycurious, maintaingenuinehumility,andconstantlyrememberthat anyprofessionalsuccessismeaninglessunlessitisactively andintentionallysharedwiththepeoplewhohelpedbuild it.
Winsonisprofoundlyinvestedindesigningthefutureof consciousenterprise.Hisjourney,whichbravely commencedwitha$7,000investment,remainssteadfastly guidedbyanunwaveringbeliefinthehumanelement.He isactivelychannellingthisphilosophyintohisongoing DoctorofBusinessAdministrationresearch,whichseeksto formalizeanew,empatheticparadigmformodern leadership.Heconfirmsthatnovisionisevertoosmall, provideditismeticulouslybuiltwithintentionanddriven bythedeepcouragetoserve.
A JOURNEY FROM CONTROL TO CONNECTION
Leadership,whenexaminedclosely,isnotamatter
oftitles,hierarchy,orauthority—rather,itboils downtotheimpactapersonmakes,theirown development,andthebraveactofreachingouttoothers. Foralongtime,leadershipmeantonehavingcontrol:the powertoorder,decide,andcommand.However,plusinthe worldwheresincerityandquicknesscountevenmorethan might,leadershipisgraduallychanging.Thoseleaderswho areabletokeeptheirholdandactuallythriveinthenew environmentaretheonestobefoundamongtheleadersof today—theyhavetransformedtheirleadershipstylefrom controltoconnection,fromastanceofdominatingpeople tooneofcooperativeleadershipwithpeople.
TheOldParadigm:LeadingThroughControl
Historically,theabilitytomaintaincontrolwaslookedupon astheprincipalcharacteristicofgoodleadership.Leaders weregenerallyportrayedaspeoplewithgreatauthoritylogical,decisive,andunemotional.Thispatternof leadershipwaseffectiveinatimewhenstabilitywasstill consideredmoreimportantthaninventiveness,and obediencewaspreferabletopartnership.Inthistypeof surroundings,controlwouldrestoreorder,butatthesame time,itwoulddiscouragenewideasandpossibilities.
Control-centeredleadershipismostlyfearful leadership—fearoferror,ofdisorder,oflosingone'sgrasp onthings.Itispreoccupiedwiththefixingofresults throughtightcontrolratherthanwiththefreedomofthe process.Andalthoughitcanbringaboutshort-termgainsin termsofefficiency,ithardlyeversetsthegroundsforlongtermcommitmentandinnovation.
Personnelworkingunderauthoritiesthatexercisecontrol overtheirsubordinatesaregenerallywillingtofollow ordersbutarenotenthusiasticaboutthecompanygoals. Theydonotshowagreatdealofinitiativewhilefollowing theinstructionstheyreceive.So,theoutcome?
Companiesthatareruneffectivelybutlackleadership —well-organized,yetwithoutanypotentialforgrowth.
TheInnerWorkofEvolution
Inordertofunctionasaleaderwhoconnectsinsteadof controlling,oneneedstointernallyevolve—aprocessof unlearningandrediscoveringoneself.Thisonerequiresthe attributesofvulnerability,bravery,andalsothehumilityto admitthatgrowthispossiblenotonlyfortheteammembers butforoneself.
Suchtransformationusuallylookslikethis:
FromCommandingtoCoaching
Insteadofprovidingready-madesolutions,themature leaderthroughthepowerofquestioningcallsintoactionthe teammembers’potential.Coachingisawaythatbrings forthownershipandconfidence,hence,givingthepowerto otherstothinkindependentlyandmakedecisionswithout hesitation.
FromPerfectiontoProgress
Aimingforperfectionmostofthetimeiswhatmakesone desiretocontrol.Thematureleaderprioritizeslearning fromtheprocessoverperfectexecution,andtherefore,he viewsmistakesnotasfailuresbutasfeedbackcyclesfor furtherdevelopment.
FromFeartoTrust
Fearoflosingrelevanceorauthorityiswhatscaresmostof thecontrollershencethatiswherethecontrolthrivesfrom. Ontheotherhand,connectiondependsontrust,whichisa beliefnotonlyinone’sselfbutalsoinothersandthe process.Trustturnsmorefrequentcollaborationthan supervision.
FromTransactiontoTransformation
Transactionalleadershipusuallyfocusesonmeasuring outputwhiletransformationalleadershipnurturesevolution. Theattentionisfirstonperformancemetrics,thenon personalandprofessionaldevelopment.
FromHierarchytoHumanity
Leadershipisnolongerdefinedbytitlesbutbythepower ofrelationships.Theevolvedleaderisahumanfirstanda bosssecond,thushe/shenotonlypracticesbutalsobelieves inandteachesempathyaswellasefficiency.
TheCulturalRippleEffect
Control-to-connectionleaderbehaviorchangehasa profoundimpactonorganizationalculture.Itcausesthe flatteningofhierarchies,wideningofcommunication channels,andenhancementofinnovations.Thus, employeesbegintotalkmore,shareideas,andtake initiativesbecausetheyfeelsafeandrecognized.
Thisradicalchangeresultedinwhatpsychologistsreferto aspsychologicalsafety—thatisaworkculturewhere peoplearenotafraidofmakingmistakes,questioning,or challenging.Tocreativityandaccountabilitytobecomea
naturalandharmoniouspairiswhatcharacterizessuch environments.Theemployeestherearenotinneedofbeing managed;instead,theyareself-driven,andtheirguidewill bethecommonvaluesandtrust.
Conclusion
Theevolutionofleadershipisnotaboutgivingup control—it’saboutelevatingitwithspirit.Theleaderwho isconnectednotonlyleadstheteamsbutalsobuildstrust, energizespurpose,andcreatesbelonging.
Beingabletoconnectisasrevolutionaryastheworldis becomingmoreandmoredividedanddistracted.Tobring outtheleaderinyouisthewaythatyouwouldpick courageinsteadofstayinginyourcomfortzone,be authenticratherthancreatinganimageandhavingempathy insteadofego.
Inthelongrun,leadershipthatconnectsisleadershipthat lasts.Suchleadershipnotonlycreatessuccessful organizationsbutalsothepositiveexperiencesofthepeople involved.Because,ultimately,leadershipisnotaboutthe extentofcontrolwehave—it’sthedepthofourconnection, thebraveryofourcaringandthedegreetowhichwe inspireotherstobecometheirownleadersthattrulymatter
THE LEADERSHIP MOMENTUM
Throughouthistory,leadershiphasbeenthesilent
forcethatmadethevisionreal.Ithasbeenthe factorthatchangedtheimpactoftheidea,theresult ofthedream,andtheperformanceofthepurpose.Still,in thecurrentvolatileandunexpectedenvironment,eventhis isnotsufficient.Whatdefinesatransformativeleadermost ofallistheelementofmomentum—thepowertoachieve continuousactionfromthestrategicplanthatcanthenbe followed,excited,andbelong-lasting.
TheNewEquationofLeadership
Todayleadershipisverymuchaboutlosingthehierarchical andauthoritativefeaturesandgainingtheonesof movementandenergycreationwithinthecompany Transformleadersarenotonlythevisionaries,rather,they arethecatalyststhatmobilizethepeople,theideas,andthe purposetowardstheattainmentofacommunalgoal.Vision iswhatleads,butmomentumiswhatmakesthejourney last.
Manycompanieshaveapowerfulvisionwrittendownin theirmissionstatements,butonlyahandfulactually managetoliveitoutandturnitintoreality.Ifthereisno momentum,thevisionwilljuststandforamereaspiration; ifthereismomentumwithoutvision,itwillleadtochaos. Theworkisdonewhenthetwofactorsexisttogether–whenoneisconsistentandatthesametimeclear,andalso wheninspiringisfollowedbyexecution.Thenewleader's equationisveryclosetotherealityandisasfollows:vision timesvelocityequalsimpact.
FromVisionaryThinkingtoAction-Oriented Leadership
Avisionaryleaderisabletolookfurtherthanthehorizonheiscapableofimaginingthefutureandspottingthe opportunitiesevenbeforetheycomeout.However,the featurewhichseparatesthegroupofidolizersfromthe groupofexecutorsisthepossessionoftheabilityto mobilizeteams,createunityofdirection,andestablisha sustaineddrive.
Makingtheleapfromvisiontovelocityrequiresleadership thatiscapableofmergingthefunctionsofthemindasone candreamandberealisticatthesametimeandnotjust followthroughblindly Thiskindofleadershipis characterizedbythedecision-makingabilityenabledby courage,humblenessoflistening,andtheabilitytoforesee andthereforeembracechange.
Leadershipaction-committedindividualssetthestructures thatareconducivetoturningtheideasintoactionsand thoseactionsintoresults.Theylivetheawarenessthat genuinemomentuminthiscaseisnotnecessarilyabout speedbutratheraboutgoingintherightdirectionwith control.Momentumturnsintoaregular,unchangingbeatof adrumthatenablescontinuousmovementofthe organizationduringtoughtimesofuncertainty
BuildingtheFoundationofMomentum
Thecoreofmomentumispurposethattouchestheheartsof eachindividual.Purposeiswhatgivesactionitsvalue,asit connectstheeffortdoneeachdaytothebiggermission.
Itchangesworkfrombeingsomethingyouhavetodointo somethingyouarecalledtodo,andemployeesfrombeing contributorsintobelievers.Still,purposeisnotenough;it requirespeoplewhowillspreadthatpurposewiththeir passionandbelief.
Leaderswithvisionputtheirmoneyinrelationships,by whichtheybuildacultureofownershipwherepeople, feelingtrustedandempowered,makeadifference.When peopleareproudoftheirroles,theywillactwithshared purpose—thus,makingcollaborationandaccountabilitythe maintoolsthroughwhichresultsareachieved.
Hence,performanceisthetangibleaffirmationofsuch momentum.Itnotonlyshowsmotionbutalsosignificant progress,thusmakingthetransformationofambitioninto achievementandvisionintomeasurablegrowth.
FromMotiontoMeaning
Speedwithoutasenseinleadershipisjustnoise,while leadershipwithoutmovementisstagnation.Theessenceof trueleadershipisinboth—leadingthewaytopurposeful motionwhich,inturn,bringsthetransformationofideas intoactionandtheconversionofaspirationsinto achievements.Makingadreambecomeafastreality,and thusgoingbeyondtheperformancelevel,isaboutcreating
movementthatmatters,momentumthatinspires,and progressthatlasts.
Ascompaniesmaketheirwaythroughaworldofconstant change,theleaderswhowillbecallingtheshotstomorrow aretheones,whoknowthatvisioniswhatgivestheroute, butmomentumiswhatbreathesit.Theyaretheoneswho turntheunrealintothereal,trustintopower,and organizationalcultureintoalastingheritage.Theyarenot contentwithjustseeingthefuture—theymakeithappenat afasterpace.
Intheend,leadershipmomentumisabouthavingtheskill toperformwithasingleaimattherightspeed—leading withclarity,compassion,andconviction.Thegreat leadership,infact,beingthelastcriterion,isnotonlythe clevernessofthevision,butalsothemomentumitleaves behind.
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