Renée Chan

ASSOCIATE

Renée joins SSP after graduating from Columbia University in 2025, beginning her career in real assets executive search shortly thereafter.  At Columbia, Renée was a two-time captain of the women’s varsity squash team along with numerous other activities. She spent her summers interning with real estate companies and wrote her thesis on the environmental cost of AI.

• What are three things you do (just about) every day?

  1. Listen to music

  2. Give my dog a hug and take him on a walk

  3. Drink a cup or two of tea (probably jasmine, chrysanthemum, or oolong!)

• What are three things you wish you did every day?

  1. Cook a new recipe

  2. Play the piano

  3. Journal

• Who do you go to for advice and why?

  My family. Whether it’s my parents or one of my siblings, they're all incredible sounding boards with a wealth of life experience. I can always rely on them to help me break down situations from multiple perspectives, and it means a lot to me to trust them wholeheartedly and know they always have my back.

• What is most important to you about where you work?

  The people and the environment. I value being surrounded by like-minded, intelligent individuals who are not only genuinely kind, but consistently push me to be a better version of myself. I want to be in a place where I’m constantly learning – both professionally and personally. 

• What do you love about what you do?

  I love knowing that there’s almost always a solution to any problem if you’re willing to look hard enough for it, and I love that this job requires creative, out-of-the-box thinking, the ability to think quickly on your feet, and the flexibility to adapt to new or challenging situations as they arise.

• What’s one book you often return to or recommend? Why?

  Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book was recommended to me by my college squash coach, and it reinforces something my mom has always said, which is that success doesn’t happen overnight. Real improvement and success starts with our daily habits, and the book emphasizes how small, consistent changes can compound over time. The idea of improving just 1% each day really resonates with me, as it highlights how focusing on the systems and habits we build into our everyday lives ultimately leads to more meaningful and long-term growth.

• Where is your happy place?

  Either Hong Kong or a squash court. Both are places that instantly ground and excite me. Aside from the incredible food, Hong Kong represents my roots. My parents immigrated from Hong Kong over 30 years ago, and being Cantonese Chinese is a core part of my identity and culture. On the squash court, I’m always reminded of the wins, the setbacks, and the countless hours of training that shaped my discipline, resilience, and competitive spirit!