06/03/2026
How can we support more Asian Canadians to advance to leadership positions?
This panel moderated by Loewe Ke, invited three Chinese Canadian executives, Mo Chen, MBA, Helena (Qiaoshan) Yu and Jason Zhu, CPA, CGA, PMP to weigh in with their reflections. !
Here are some gems from our wise speakers:
1. Being a leader is not restricted to the most senior titles. Many of us have the opportunity to exercise leadership in different roles and we should seize these opportunities to create impact and help others become the best versions of themselves.
2. Don’t underestimate the power of connecting with your roots and your cultural community! When we give up pieces of ourselves in order to belong, it’s easy to end up somewhere we don’t want to be. Having clarity around our self identity is a source of strength for career development.
3. As Asian Canadians, and as women in the workplace, we often find ourselves facing bamboo and glass ceilings. It’s important to take stock of what traits each of us has, share our unique visions and values, and use them as tools to influence others and propel ourselves forward.
4. Take action! As Asian Canadians, many of us are brought up to be humble and play it safe. Instead of always waiting for the green light, sometimes we need to take bold action in order for our ideas and potential to be seen. You can apologize later!
5. Yes we are all feeling threatened by AI, but there are many skills that humans still do best. Emotional intelligence, cultural literacy, empathy, effective communications, relationship building with our colleagues and clients etc. - the path to leadership roles still relies heavily on these abilities.
Thank you to our fantastic speakers for sharing their wisdom!
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