Timothy Lan is a young professional working in healthcare education and program management. Since joining the YCPA Board of Directors in 2024, first as an Administrator and currently as Vice-President, he has gained experience in organizational leadership, event planning, and advancing initiatives that support the association's mission and members.

His time at YCPA has been a journey of personal growth, from learning to navigate the challenges and responsibilities of Board service to discovering the value of teamwork and shared purpose. These experiences have shaped his approach to leadership: building on individual strengths, encouraging members to take initiative, and remaining adaptable in the face of new challenges.

As a candidate for President for the 2027–2028 mandate, Timothy hopes to strengthen YCPA's organizational foundations, establish clearer pathways for individuals to join the association and become involved, and reinforce YCPA's position within the greater Montreal and Quebec ecosystem. He envisions a place where members feel connected to the organization, have meaningful opportunities to contribute, can develop into future leaders and are encouraged to grow into the next generation of leaders.

My name is Christine Gao. I am currently a Technical Consultant in patents within the Intellectual Property group at BCF Business Law, where I help innovators, entrepreneurs, and companies protect and commercialize their innovations. My professional journey has taken me through the fields of artificial intelligence, healthcare, biotechnology, and intellectual property, allowing me to work with individuals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds.

Fluent in English, French, and Mandarin, I am passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and community building. Several years ago, I founded and captained a competitive dragon boat team with the goal of bringing people together and fostering a strong sense of community and belonging within the Asian community.

My first experience with YCPA was attending the Orchid Ball in 2026. I was inspired by the scale of the event, the energy of the community, and the strong sense of connection among young Asian professionals. As someone who values both professional growth and cultural identity, I immediately saw the importance of organizations like YCPA in bringing people together and creating opportunities for the next generation.

I hope to contribute to YCPA's continued growth by strengthening professional development opportunities, fostering meaningful connections among members, and helping build an inclusive and vibrant community where young Asian professionals can thrive.

I'm a McGill University graduate with a major in Accounting and a concentration in Marketing, and a CPA candidate planning to write my CPA exams in fall 2027. My focus is on compilation engagements, review engagements, and corporate tax (T2) preparation. I strive to stay motivated and improve every day. Years of customer service experience have given me a strong understanding of today's market and of the qualities it takes to be an effective professional. 

As Treasurer, I'd use my accounting background to keep YCPA's finances accurate, transparent and well managed. That includes preparing budgets, tracking income and expenses, and giving the committee clear financial reports so it can make informed decisions. My marketing training and experience organizing events would also help me support the team beyond the numbers. I can plan cost-effective events that give members real value, and promote our activities to reach more students and young professionals. I'm excited to help YCPA grow sustainably while building a strong, welcoming community for future CPAs.
 

I hold a Bachelor of Laws in Civil Law from the Université de Montréal and was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 2026. I primarily practice in labour and employment law and commercial litigation at Dunton Rainville, a leading regional law firm.

My parents immigrated from China with limited knowledge of French and English. Their journey led me to develop a strong sense of independence from an early age and to gradually build my own footing in the professional world. It also made me understand the importance of having a platform like YCPA that brings together and supports the Asian community.

As an active member of YCPA, I have participated in several of its activities, including the Lunar New Year Cocktail and the Orchid Ball, and have also volunteered as a lawyer with the Tax and Legal Information Clinic. These experiences have allowed me to discover a dynamic and engaged community, driven by the strength of the connections among its members.

My practice as a lawyer has allowed me to further develop my problem-solving, management, and organizational skills. I am confident that these skills, combined with my diligence and attention to detail, will enable me to effectively support the Board of Directors and contribute to YCPA’s continued growth.

YCPA’s mission is deeply meaningful to me. I want to contribute to its development so that I can, in turn, inspire and support members of our community. With this in mind, I hope to collaborate with the other members of the Board of Directors to expand YCPA’s network, foster innovation, and strengthen its position as a leading organization within the professional community.
 

Yu Chen joined Barsalou Lawson Rheault in 2021 and was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 2023. Yu Chen obtained his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) at the University of Montreal and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Tax Law from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal (HEC). He also holds a certificate in Chinese law from the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing.

Throughout his studies, Yu Chen worked as a research assistant in tax law at the University of Montreal. He also worked on international business cases as a law student in a law firm in China.

Yu Chen has participated in many extracurricular activities, including Model United Nations simulations, during which he took on a leadership position and organized many committees. He has also participated in the Donald G. H. Bowman National Tax Moot. Yu Chen is fluent in French, English and Chinese.

Nancy Ha enjoys bringing people together around meaningful ideas, projects, and causes. As an impact strategy and sustainability consultant, she works with businesses, social organizations, and Crown corporations on initiatives aimed at maximizing their positive impact on society.

Engagement has been a common thread throughout her journey. Through her many volunteer commitments, her role leading Membership within the B Corp community in Quebec (B Local QC), and her work with mission-driven organizations, Nancy strives to make a positive contribution to the communities around her.

Of Cantonese Chinese and Vietnamese descent, Nancy grew up at the intersection of several cultures and languages. She hopes to contribute to a professional community that reflects the diversity of backgrounds, industries, and Asian communities.

As a candidate for the YCPA Board of Directors, she hopes to help grow and diversify the membership, create even more value for members, foster meaningful collaborations, and strengthen mutual support within the network.
She hopes to encourage a culture where being part of a network also means giving back—by getting involved in one’s community, professional environment, or neighbourhood. For Nancy, a strong community is one where people support one another, create opportunities together, and use their talents to make an impact in the world around them.

My name is Shania and with a bachelor in statistics & computer science I work as a Data Scientist in P&C insurance. I have always been someone centered around community. I thoroughly believe that it takes a village and my goal as a villager is to create communities where people can build meaningful connections and find new blossoming opportunities.  

My CV highlights my extensive work with my community, whether it was girl scouts in my teenage years, working as a resident assistant in University and now taking on the role of lead of the recruitment committee at work. In University, I fostered the development of a community among 42 residents by creating, marketing and leading students centred hall programs to promote social, education, diversity, health & wellness. Now, I liaise with universities in Montreal to recruit aspiring actuarial students and organize activities within the office like welcome lunches, networking cocktail and volunteering for incoming interns.  

When I joined my first YCPA event by myself, I was surprised to have walked out of that event with familiar faces that would later welcome me with open arms at the summer YCPActive events. I found YCPA to be a community where I want to contribute. YCPA’s message resonates deeply with me and I want to add valuable impact to the broader Asian diaspora in Montreal.  

Stefanie is a Montreal-based accounting professional currently serving at MNP, where she specializes in accounting and taxation for privately owned businesses. A graduate of a leading communication and media university in Beijing, Stefanie began her career in public relations before transitioning into accounting after settling in Canada.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stefanie co-owned a business, gaining firsthand experience in managing cash flow, navigating uncertainty, and accessing government relief programs as an entrepreneur. This experience strengthened her interest in helping entrepreneurs navigate the practical challenges of building and growing a business. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, she brings a combination of financial expertise, entrepreneurial experience, communications skills, and cross-cultural perspective to YCPA’s Board.

As Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives, Stefanie hopes to help strengthen connections between entrepreneurs and professional talents, create practical opportunities for business learning and collaboration, and build stronger bridges between the Chinese and Canadian business communities. 

I am a Senior Auditor with five years of experience managing risk and internal controls across diverse industries. A Concordia graduate working seamlessly across English, French, and Mandarin, I am passionate about strengthening Montreal’s professional fabric. As a frequent attendee of YCPA events and an active community volunteer, I am excited to support YCPA’s mission to inspire, connect, and empower young Asian professionals throughout Montreal. 
 

I hold a law degree from the Université de Montréal and am currently a candidate for the Quebec Bar. I currently work in tax law. My day-to-day work requires rigor, organization, and great attention to detail, as well as creativity when it comes to finding solutions tailored to complex situations. I would like to put these qualities to work for the Orchid Ball and the team responsible for organizing it. As a Director, my goal is to ensure structured planning and bring the team together around a shared vision in order to deliver an edition that is inclusive, distinctive, and true to YCPA’s mission.

Community involvement has long played an important role in my journey. I co-founded and served as President of the Asian Law Students’ Association at the Université de Montréal, an experience that showed me the importance of creating spaces where young Asian professionals can see themselves reflected, build connections, and grow together.

Fluent in French, English, and Mandarin, I am particularly attuned to the richness of the backgrounds and cultures that make up our community. Through the Orchid Ball, I hope to celebrate this diversity while fostering meaningful and lasting connections.