Upon completing her legal education at The National University of Singapore and successfully passing the Bar examinations, Sulian Tan Wijaya undertook a short tenure at Hongkong Bank (Singapore), where she managed high-net-worth clients before relocating to Indonesia. In Indonesia, she became a part of Standard Chartered Bank, contributing to the establishment of its branch in the nation’s third-largest city. Sulian ascended through the ranks to ultimately oversee the branch, which provided comprehensive banking services to both corporate and retail clients. Her role as a senior banker presented a significant learning opportunity, as she was responsible for leading all facets of banking operations in a foreign environment.