Despite not the largest financial resources or number of projects launched, "Queen of Luxury Homes" from Taichung impressed over 80 countries, earning her a place on "United Nations of Real Estate"
Lily Chang｜Business Weekly Issue 2014 by LIN WEI-ZHEN
1. Lacking substantial financial resources and not being the developer with the largest number of projects, Chang Lily, the "Queen of Luxury Homes" in Taichung, became the first female president of the World Federation of Real Estate Associations, a union with over 80 member countries. How did she achieve this?
2. She won through 14 years of hard work, making nearly 50 trips abroad. From helping Taiwan regain its reputation to supporting international partners through their low points, she transformed the exceptional after-sales service of luxury real estate into a diplomatic weapon, earning the respect of various countries.
Chang Lily, President of the World Federation of Real Estate and President of Treasure Dragon Construction (Photographer: Cheng Sidi)
In a real estate organization with members in more than 80 countries and the most influential in the world, amidst fierce international power struggles, who can help Taiwan regain its reputation and gain the support of more than half of the members to become the supreme leader of this "United Nations of Real Estate"?
This year, 72-year-old Chang Lily, President of Treasure Dragon Construction, the "Queen of Luxury Real Estate" in Taichung, has achieved it! On June 12th, she was sworn in as the first Taiwanese woman to become the World President of the Federation of Real Estate Institutes of America (FIABCI). Before her, Yin Chih-hao, founder of Continental Engineering Corporation and father of the current chairman Yin Chi, also served as FIABCI World President; 37 years after Yin Chih-hao stepped down, a Taiwanese has finally stood on this highest global stage.
Two hundred construction companies across Taiwan rallied to support Taiwan's efforts to gain international recognition
As she entered the inauguration ceremony, Liu Hsuan-Yung, the Republic of China's ambassador to Austria, greeted her. Among those present were Chiu Chung-Che, general manager of Fengyi Group, one of the top construction companies in Central Taiwan, and Chang Chun-Hao, chairman of Chin-Chia Construction. Many leading Taiwanese construction companies were dressed in formal attire. Looking around the venue, Taiwanese people occupied almost a quarter of the seats. It turned out that to celebrate Chang Lily's inauguration, over two hundred construction companies from across Taiwan flew to Vienna to show their support.
It wasn't just Taiwanese construction companies that supported her, but also many core members of the organization. For example, Antonio Campagnoli, the recently outgoing world president, said, "We believe that she is not only the perfect candidate, but also the leader we need most right now."
"I got through this thanks to everyone's support," Chang Lily said happily.
Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Paris, France, this is the world's oldest international real estate organization and the only global real estate organization to have obtained special advisory status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). With more than 80 member countries, it is known as the "United Nations of Real Estate".
It is also a key organization within the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) that promotes concepts such as affordable housing and low-carbon buildings globally. It not only advocates for these issues but also connects resources. For example, last year FIABCI assisted Uganda in attracting long-term European capital to establish a housing guarantee and mortgage loan fund, with plans to reduce Uganda's high mortgage rates of 20% to below 10%. It also collaborates with the Latin American Real Estate Federation (CILA) to establish green building and low-carbon material standards, guiding green bonds and ESG funds into urban development in the region to address the issue of high carbon emissions from buildings.
FIABCI also has the "Outstanding Construction Award," considered the Oscars of the architecture industry, to encourage sustainable innovation in the global construction sector. For example, the Taichung Four Seasons Arts and Children's Education Institution, which won a silver award this year, was recognized for its energy-saving and carbon-reducing campus buildings, which also meet the UN's environmental indicators for biodiversity.
All the past world presidents of FIABCI have been highly accomplished. To ascend to the top position, candidates must first be elected as vice presidents and must have served as members of the International Council or chairpersons of the International Committee for at least two years in the past five years. Even more difficult is obtaining the consent of more than half of the member states to be elected.
However, due to the sensitive cross-strait issue, Taiwan only has twelve diplomatic allies left in the international arena. Furthermore, although Chang Lily is a well-known luxury real estate developer in central Taiwan, her wealth and project scale are far inferior to many real estate tycoons. So what exactly makes her worthy of the respect of this international organization with over eighty member states? First, in 2017, she changed the name of Taiwan from "Chinese Taiwan" back to "Taiwan," and then this year she assumed the position of World President.
The answer is to personally engage with countries around the world to build relationships.
She has flown nearly 50 flights to participate in events, and he is not absent even during wartime
According to statistics compiled by Chang Lily's secretary, since joining the organization in 2012, she has made nearly 50 international trips over a total of 14 years to participate in real estate activities in 27 countries around the world.
Even on the eve of the most dangerous Iraq War, when the Middle East civil war caused flight disruptions, she still attended the 2026 Real Estate Future Forum organized by the Saudi Arabian branch. She shared her architectural philosophy that she was not just building houses, but cultivating a "happy lifestyle," supporting her members and friends while also letting the country see the strength of Taiwan's architecture.
Furthermore, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Chang Lily also took the initiative to raise funds in Taiwan to compile Kateryna Pylypchuk, the representative of the Ukrainian branch who was also a member of the organization, into a book and hold a book signing event in Taiwan, demonstrating Taiwan's willingness to help.
Industry peers point out that what's most difficult to emulate about this "Queen of Luxury Homes" isn't the high-end hardware or elaborate design, but rather her unwavering commitment to comprehensive warranty service. Her relationship with residents goes beyond simply buying and selling houses; she's willing to personally fund any improvements after residents move in, even down to the cost of renovations. She also organizes annual resident meetings and sports events to listen to customer feedback firsthand. Furthermore, each project includes a basement storage space for DIY parts, ensuring residents have a reserve of consumable building materials for future replacement.
The same tender companionship also appeared in her international diplomacy. For example, during her trip to New York, her good friend in Taiwan, Susan Greenfield, the honorary president (PWP) of the World Federation of Real Estate, mentioned that this Taiwanese friend had been like family to her from the time her daughter fell ill until her death, and was an important help in helping her get through that painful and helpless period.
Following her inauguration as the new World President of the World Federation of Real Estate Associations, Chang Lily (center) celebrated the successful completion of the event by cutting a cake, surrounded by representatives from its global chapters. (Source: Provided by the Taiwan Chapter of the World Federation of Real Estate Associations)
"Once I decide to do something, I will definitely fight to the end," Chang Lily said.
Why would she work so hard, even to the point of sleep deprivation and illness, to do things that seem unrelated to the company's growth and profits?
She failed miserably in swimming but won applause. Being affirmed made her want to do more
Her motivation came from a disastrous swimming race. Chang Lily, a former member of the school swimming team, said that her coach knew she couldn't finish the 40-meter race, but still signed her up for the 50-meter race. As a result, she not only came in last place, but also couldn't swim the last 10 meters. Just when she was most disappointed, the audience cheered her on. When she finally reached the finish line in a clumsy, doggy-paddle manner, she received even more applause than the first-place swimmer.
She gradually came to know herself. "I think I care a lot about other people's affirmation of me, and I care a lot about other people's applause." The applause back then inspired her, which not only led her to break the national college sports swimming record for three consecutive years, become the world president of the real estate industry, but also become an international representative who signed an agreement with UN-Habitat to promote policies such as affordable housing.
After assuming the presidency, she further aims to showcase Taiwan to the world. This September, she will host the World Real Estate Federation International Trade Exchange Conference in Taichung, allowing the world to witness the professional strength of Taiwan's construction industry. At the same time, she also wants to introduce international public-private partnership experience to establish a more complete affordable housing supply chain, gradually addressing Taiwan's social problems of high housing prices and unaffordable housing, and giving back the warm applause and support she received years ago to more people.