Susana Yang: Intercontinental Experience Driving Customer-Centric Immigration Services

Susana Yang is a citizen of the world. Having lived across continents, her exposure to diverse cultures and languages has shaped her life and work. Susana’s life story reads like a multicultural novel; born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada and cultured in between, she not only learned but also mastered English, Cantonese and Mandarin over the years.

After graduating from the University of Toronto, Susana led a remarkable career in marketing and communications, working with top global leaders such as Hutchison Telecom, Huawei, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Her formative years exposed her to the rigors of strategic thinking and the finesse of cross-border dealings, traits that she eventually leveraged to become an entrepreneur.

In 2018, after relocating to Portugal as an immigrant, Susana witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies within the country’s immigration ecosystem. Motivated to create a more transparent and client-centered alternative, she founded The Golden Portugal — a firm dedicated to delivering trustworthy, responsive, and personalized immigration solutions. Drawing on her close relationships within the investment and fund community, she built the company from the ground up. Today, The Golden Portugal is widely recognized for its speed, integrity, and depth of client care.

Today, Susana stands as a shining example of how women can redefine entrepreneurship while making a meaningful impact across industries and geographies.

How did your early life and career experiences shape your path to entrepreneurship?

I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada at the age of 9, an experience that gave me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and adaptability from an early age. My early education at the only Mandarin-speaking school in Hong Kong helped me develop fluency in Mandarin an asset that would later bridge opportunities across continents. At the University of Toronto, I followed my curiosity for global systems, courageously switching my major from science to economics, and built lifelong networks that became instrumental in my later business ventures.

My professional journey began at Hutchison Telecom in Hong Kong, followed by Huawei in China, where I managed global events. I later held marketing roles at Standard Chartered Bank, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, navigating both North American and Asian business cultures. Before moving to Portugal, I joined Banco National Ultramarino Macau where I had my first experience working closely with Portuguese professionals and within a Portuguese community.

What inspired you to establish The Golden Portugal? What makes the company unique?

Having experienced Portugal’s immigration process firsthand, I recognized a clear market gap the lack of professional, transparent, and responsive services. This realization inspired me to create.

The Golden Portugal, a customer-focused immigration consulting firm dedicated to delivering faster, high-quality solutions. Portugal’s traditionally laid-back work culture contrasted sharply with my experiences in Asia and North America, underscoring the need for greater efficiency and accountability.

Driven by a deep sense of purpose and commitment to excellence, we built an efficient system, assembled a dedicated and responsive team, and invested strong personal effort to ensure clients felt supported at every stage. Over the years, this approach has paid off clients consistently praise our clarity, speed, and care, values that now define The Golden Portugal’s reputation.

How has your role as CEO evolved over time?

Like many founders, I initially managed every aspect of the business myself from building the website, creating content, and leading marketing, to handling client servicing, sales, and coordination with property developers and investment funds. Those early years gave me a deep understanding of every function and reinforced the importance of maintaining a client-first approach.

It’s important to know that this is not just a man’s world, women can achieve as much, if not more, while balancing roles like motherhood

As the company grew, my role evolved from execution to leadership. Today, I focus on management, strategy, and brand direction, while remaining closely involved in client experience and marketing. My current priority is steering The Golden Portugal toward its next phase of expansion broadening immigration services to other countries and developing property projects that align with our clients’ long-term relocation and investment goals.

What challenges do you encounter as an entrepreneur? How do you keep clients informed and confident?

In the immigration industry, processes and regulations naturally evolve over time. For many clients, these transitions can feel complex or uncertain, which is why clear communication and consistent guidance are so important.

At The Golden Portugal, our focus is on transparency and trust. We provide regular updates, set clear expectations, and communicate openly throughout every stage of the journey.

Ultimately, our goal is to make the immigration process as smooth and reassuring as possible. By staying proactive and transparent, we help clients move forward with confidence, even in a changing environment.

What key lessons from university guide your career? What’s your mantra for growth?

The University of Toronto taught me to think independently, embrace diverse perspectives, and approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear. Being part of such an international environment shaped my ability to navigate across cultures and adapt quickly skills that have proven essential in entrepreneurship.

These lessons continue to guide how I lead The Golden Portugal. Our team today reflects that same spirit of diversity and collaboration, with professionals from multiple nationalities working together to serve clients worldwide. Having immigrated twice—first to Canada and later to Portugal—I understand the hopes and uncertainties that come with starting over, and I strive to lead with empathy and clarity.

My mantra for growth is simple: “Stay curious, stay genuine, and never stop evolving”.

Susana Yang, CEO, The Golden Portugal

Susana Yang is the Founder and CEO of The Golden Portugal, a leading consultancy in residency and citizenship services. With over 25 years of working experience spanning Asia, North America, and Europe, she has held senior marketing roles at Hutchison Telecom, Huawei, Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Banco National Ultramarino. Her global background and entrepreneurial vision drive The Golden Portugal’s mission to provide transparent and client-centered immigration solutions.