As a Leader

Through ASIP, I had the opportunity to attend a series of Empire Club events and meet people working across public life in Canada. What I valued most was being able to listen to how leaders think through real decisions, ask questions, and connect those conversations back to my own interests as a History student. These experiences pushed me to look beyond the classroom and become more curious about how leadership works in practice.

Through the WongAvery Asia Pacific Peace Museum and Alpha Education UofT Chapter, I have seen how remembering WWII in Asia can give greater visibility to survivors’ experiences while opening conversations about justice and peace. I value being part of a community that asks not only how we preserve difficult histories, but also how we carry their lessons forward. My wider advocacy since 2025 has included campaigns for recognition of the Nanjing Massacre and survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery in Canada.

As a volunteer at MaRS Climate Impact 2025, I supported a two-day summit that brought together hundreds of founders, investors, policymakers, and climate innovators to discuss how technology can respond to challenges such as resilient cities, sustainable materials, and climate adaptation. What I enjoyed most was being able to contribute behind the scenes while listening to conversations that connected research with practical climate solutions. The experience gave me a different view of how large-scale events create space for people from different sectors to learn from one another and turn ideas into action.

Being invited onto More Than Tequila gave me a chance to reflect on a part of my academic journey that does not always fit neatly into a CV. In conversation with Professor Juan Carlos Rocha Osornio, I spoke about how learning Spanish took me from the classroom to experiences in Mexico and Peru, and how those encounters changed the questions I ask about migration, identity, and belonging. I especially enjoyed connecting my own story with the kind of historian I hope to become—one who works across China, Canada, and Latin America.

One of my favorite memories on campus was serving as a University College Orientation Leader for Taylor House in 2024. I helped welcome incoming students, answer questions, and support them as they settled into university life. What stayed with me most was seeing students begin to form friendships and feel more at home on campus. It reminded me how much a strong sense of belonging can shape the start of someone’s university experience.

While working toward my Registered Early Childhood Educator diploma, I joined the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as one of my first volunteer experiences. Supporting runners who were raising funds for community causes showed me how much energy and care can sit behind a public event. I still remember the sense of teamwork at our station and how rewarding it felt to contribute, even in a small way, to something that brought so many people together.