Foundation > About Us > Board of Directors 2022-2023
Board of Directors 2022-2023
Michael Ma
Vice Chair:
Warren Yu
Emily Lee
Meilin Ma
Annie Hu
Dr. Ted Lo
John Chemillian
Julia Zhang
Michael Ma has been in the Information Technology industry for thirty years globally. His experience spans many industries including financial services and public health care. He has held senior executive positions including as the Chief Information Officer for the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, and a corporate Vice President for RBC Financial Group and TD Bank Group. Michael currently owns a management consulting practice. He is passionate in volunteer work where he has served on boards of many Not-For-Profit organizations, universities and government bodies. He is currently a Board Vice Chair in the City of Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square. Michael holds Fellowship and membership in two Institute of Corporate Directors (FHKIoD and ICD), Fellowship at Hong Kong Computer Society (FHKCS), B.Sc. and MBA degrees, and other professional titles.
Warren Yu trained as an auditor and received qualification training in Australia. He has been in the real estate industry since he immigrated to Canada in 1987, working as an independent real estate broker since 1999. He regularly volunteers in his church's children ministry and participates in various charity fundraising events. Warren has been involved with Hong Fook since 2017, after having witnessed first-hand the impact that this organization and its services have had on some of his close associates and friends. Warren believes that Hong Fook fills an important niche in the GTA, one that puts an emphasis on the well-being of the community. Given the traditionally taboo nature of mental illness in certain ethnic communities, Warren hopes that, through his work with Hong Fook, he can help promote mental health awareness and encourage open conversation.
Peter Lee started volunteering for Hong Fook in 2013 as a tax volunteer clinic. In September 2014, Peter joined the Board of Hong Fook Mental Health Association, in which he served for 6 years, 3 of which in the capacity as Treasurer. Being a CPA and CFP by trade, Peter was able to leverage his experience to provide financial and accounting advise to management of the Association. Peter has over 23 years of public accounting experience and have extensive experience in various industries, including the not-for-profit sector. Prior to starting his own practice, Peter K.C. Lee Professional Corporation in April 2014, Peter was an audit senior manager with EY. Peter believes in giving back to the community and that mental health is important to the society as a whole, thus he is contributing his expertise and time to Hong Fook. Peter also volunteered in other organizations and currently, he also serves on the board of a non-public mortgage investment corporation. When he is able to do so, Peter enjoys watching sports, taking dance lessons and travelling to Asia.
Emily Lee worked as a corporate tax manager. She is an Ontario Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Her interest in Hong Fook started in early 2010s by following Vivian Thom to a fundraising meeting. She finds that even though Hong Fook is not a mainstream charity yet, it is a very worthy organization that helps marginalized or not so outspoken groups when it comes to mental health. Her satisfaction comes when she sees and hears community members coming to Hong Fook to reduce and confront their problems, with the aim of living a mentally healthier life. Community building is her passion and hopes that others will join as well. Her interests include gardening, swimming, biking, summer camping, and turning fruits into jam and preserves.
Annie Hu, since 1987, has volunteered at various charitable organizations, including the Mon Sheong Foundation, North York General Hospital, etc. She joined the Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation Board in 2012 and started to focus her volunteer work on Hong Fook. She feels that mental health is a very important cause and Hong Fook is uniquely positioned to champion this cause. Since joining Hong Fook, she has made positive contributions, including broadening Hong Fook's support and recognition in the corporate community. She is also an active member of the Fundraising Committee for Hong Fook's annual Gala. Annie has been a banker for 35 years and is currently a Managing Director at Citibank Canada.
Dr. Ted (Hung-Tat) Lo
Dr. Ted Lo is a community psychiatrist in Toronto, active in ethno-cultural mental health. He was the founding member of Hong Fook Mental Health Service (now the Hong Fook Mental Health Association) and is the Medical Director of the Asian Clinic. He also consults to Across Boundaries Ethnoracial Mental Health Centre and provides cultural competence education for health professionals through courses, lectures and publication. He was given the Educational Excellence in Community Care award. His initiatives in alternative and complementary medicine also led to the Prix Clarite Award by the Canadian Complementary Medicine Association. He was an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and developed the cultural curriculum in the training of psychiatric residents. He was a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award.
Mr. Chemilian arrived to Canada in the 78' with his family from Lebanon. Like many immigrant families, he was attracted by the beauty and peacefulness of this country. A proud father of two lovely and brilliant daughters, he builds his home in Toronto. Started out as blue-collar worker, and later rooted in the construction industry, John always take ownership of his works. Hard working and always optimistic, he devotes himself to a new residential development company for the past 13 years. With great interpersonal and leadership skills, he connects to the outside parties and build a strong industry network. The company he works for, JD Development has been a visionary developer and started the trend of high-quality student residence. In 2020, the company successfully completed five first-class high-rise student residence in Waterloo; have projects spread across London, Waterloo, Cambridge, Barrie, Mississauga and GTA. John's contributions play a big part to this achievement. He helps build the JD team by recruiting resourceful team leads. He believes that each person can extend their potentials and grow in the company if opportunities arise. To people around him, he is a funny and selfless friend. Never shy to extend a helping hand. It's his nature to ensure his co-workers are supported and treated like family. John is kind and generous with his time. He actively participates in community events and support local charity fundraisings, hospital researches, non-profit organizations, homeless shelters and many more.
Julia Zhang obtained a Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Beijing Foreign Studies University and a Master's Degree in Law from Peking University. From 1991 to 1994, Julia worked with many international organizations to assist companies to enter into China. In 2010, she established JD Development Group in Markham, Ontario. Currently, she has been managing the company as a team leader to design, build, and operate over 1700 Rez-One student bedrooms in Waterloo, Ontario. She joined Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation since October 2011. She was the Gala Co-Chair in 2017 and 2018.
Meilin joined Hong Fook in 2006 as a volunteer. In recent years, she has been actively involved in multiple programs at Hong Fook. Meilin took on the leadership role in the mandarin volunteer group and was the Chair of the Mandarin Advisory Committee. Before coming to Canada, Meilin was a TV journalist working for the largest TV Station in China, CCTV. During her journalist life, Meilin researched and produced award-winning programs in different categories and won the title of "outstanding employee" of CCTV. These were later released on DVD nationwide across China. She also participated in the planning work to launch programs for a new CCTV Channel. After her move to Canada, Meilin continued work as a journalist for different media but also took an active role in mainstream and Chinese community public welfare. For more than a decade, Meilin has worked as a volunteer for various units, such as Scouts Canada, United Way, Ontario public elementary and secondary school, etc., and spared no effort to contribute her strength to the construction of a beautiful social environment. While continuing her volunteer work, Meilin is currently studying journalism at Ryerson University.
Recent Fundraising Event
Hong Fook Radiothon 2022
In The Foundation, in partnership with Sing Tao A1 Radio, hosted the Radiothon fundraising week from July 15 to July 22. Thanks to the 300+ sponsors and donors, together we have raised over $210,000.
3320 Midland Avenue, Suite 201, Scarborough, ON, M1V 5E6
Email: foundation@hongfook.ca
Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation Charitable Registration No: 862514932RR0001