{"id":87039,"date":"2026-02-06T15:32:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/?p=87039"},"modified":"2026-02-09T14:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:11:14","slug":"building-legacy-institutions-culture-capital-and-the-future-of-chinese-canadian-belonging-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/zh-hans\/ccbc-past-events\/building-legacy-institutions-culture-capital-and-the-future-of-chinese-canadian-belonging-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Legacy Institutions: Culture, Capital, and the Future of Chinese Canadian Belonging Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/hero-single-event-1.jpg” custom_padding=”||75px|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” text_color=”light” disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”50px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”||on” admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/hero-single-event-1.jpg” custom_padding=”||75px|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” text_color=”light” disabled_on=”off|off|” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title – mobile ” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font_size=”18px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”50px|||” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” z_index_tablet=”500″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

The Canada China Business Council and the Chinese Canadian Museum<\/span><\/span> brought together business and community leaders on February 6, 2026, for Building Legacy Institutions: Culture, Capital, and the Future of Chinese Canadian Belonging<\/em>. The discussion examined why cultural institutions matter in shaping Canada\u2019s future and their role in fostering long-term engagement and resilience.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Building-Legacy-Institutions-CCBC-x-Chinese-Canadian-Museum-1.jpg” title_text=”Building Legacy Institutions – CCBC x Chinese Canadian Museum (1)” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

The event opened with remarks from Bijan Ahmadi<\/span><\/span>, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council, and featured insights from Grace Wong<\/span><\/span>, Board Chair of the Chinese Canadian Museum, and Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee<\/span><\/span>, Chief Executive Officer of the Chinese Canadian Museum. Speakers highlighted the Museum\u2019s national significance as Canada\u2019s first museum dedicated to Chinese Canadian history. Rooted in redress, resilience, and community leadership, the Museum serves as a platform for preserving history while advancing dialogue on identity, belonging, and inclusion.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”87054,87057,87045,87051,87048″ posts_number=”50″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/Qy0S3tLXNUA” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Located in Vancouver\u2019s historic Wing Sang Building, the Museum tells the story of more than 230 years of Chinese presence in Canada\u2014from early migration to contemporary contributions across business, science, sport, and culture. Speakers underscored the Museum\u2019s growing national impact, including welcoming more than 60,000 visitors in its first two years, receiving the Governor General\u2019s History Award for Excellence in Museums, and developing travelling exhibitions such as The Paper Trail, Odysseys & Migration, and A Seat at the Table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The discussion also explored the connection between business and culture, illustrating how trust, historical understanding, and cultural literacy shape economic relationships. Participants also discussed how the business community could contribute more actively to supporting cultural institutions and advancing the Museum\u2019s long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Museum\u2019s strategic priorities\u2014including national partnerships, youth and education initiatives, diaspora exchange, and long-term sustainability\u2014were outlined, alongside opportunities for engagement through events, leadership programs, delegations, and philanthropic partnerships.<\/p>\n

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Special thanks to the Venue Host, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada).<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”87060,87063,87066,87078,87081,87084,87087,87090,87093,87069,87096,87099,87102,87072,87075″ posts_number=”50″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Special thanks to:” admin_label=”Thank you to our Sponsors” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#E3002B” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Venue Host” admin_label=”Venue Host” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u52a0\u62ff\u5927-2.jpg” title_text=”\u52a0\u62ff\u5927-2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Speakers:” admin_label=”Speakers” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Grace-Wong.webp” title_text=”Grace Wong” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image – Grace Wong” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ animation_direction=”off” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Position – Grace Wong” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Grace Wong<\/span><\/strong>
Board Chair
<\/em>Chinese Canadian Museum<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Biography” open_toggle_text_color=”#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#e3002b” open_icon_color=”#e3002b” admin_label=”Biography – Grace Wong” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_font_size=”14″ body_text_color=”#141011″ body_font_size=”15″ border_color_all=”#cccccc” border_style_all=”solid” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#cccccc” border_style=”solid” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Grace Wong is currently serving as the Chair of the Chinese Canadian Museum, the first such museum in Canada.\u00a0 She served on the Working Group to help establish the museum and then became the inaugural chair in March 2020.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grace Wong\u2019s professional experience spans over three decades at the University of British Columbia, serving in roles such as Senior Advisor International in the Office of Provost & Vice President Academic, and Assistant Dean in the Sauder School of Business.\u00a0 She worked extensively on developing international partnerships and initiating new programs.\u00a0 In 2018, she received the UBC President\u2019s Staff Award for Creativity and Innovation.\u00a0 Grace retired from UBC in January 2020.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grace Wong has been active in the community for many years.\u00a0 She served as public representative on the board of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC and is currently on the board of the CPA Education Foundation.\u00a0 Past roles include Chair of SUCCESS, member of Mobility Pricing Independent Commission, BC Expert Panel on Business Taxation, BC Immigration Task Force, BC Premier\u2019s Asia Pacific Trade Council, and others.\u00a0 Grace has been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the BC Community Achievement Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grace has a MBA and B.Ed(Sec) from UBC.\u00a0 She was born in Vancouver and grew up in the Chinatown area.\u00a0 She is married with three grown daughters.\u00a0<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dr.-Melissa-Lee.jpg” title_text=”Dr. Melissa Lee” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image – Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ animation_direction=”off” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Position – Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee<\/span><\/strong>
CEO
<\/em>Chinese Canadian Museum<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Biography” open_toggle_text_color=”#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#e3002b” open_icon_color=”#e3002b” admin_label=”Biography – Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_font_size=”14″ body_text_color=”#141011″ body_font_size=”15″ border_color_all=”#cccccc” border_style_all=”solid” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#cccccc” border_style=”solid” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee (Ph.D) \u674e\u6797\u5609\u654f is an arts and culture leader with research interests in public art and social practice.<\/p>\n

She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Chinese Canadian Museum, which was successfully opened on July 1st 2023, showcasing 3 inaugural exhibitions in a 27,000 square foot space in the heart of Chinatown. Since it’s opening, the museum has presented six featured exhibitions at its main location and its two temporary sites in Vancouver and Victoria and offered numerous in-person and online programs to communities across Canada.<\/p>\n

From 2019-2022, she was the Director of Education and Public Programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In this position, she oversaw public programs designed for diverse audiences of all ages to enhance the understanding of the Gallery\u2019s over 12,000-piece art collection and of travelling contemporary and modern exhibitions.<\/p>\n

From 2016-2019 she was on the founding team to open Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art, Hong Kong\u2014a UNESCO heritage site\u2014serving as the Education and Public Programs Curator and led over 200 programs with a robust team of full-time staff and part-time docents. In 2016, she was the Scholar in Residence at the David Lam Centre, Simon Fraser University. From 2008-2015, she was on faculty as Senior Lecturer at the English Department of Chinese University of Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

She was born on\u00a0 x\u02b7m\u0259\u03b8k\u02b7\u0259y\u0313\u0259m (Musqueam), Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), and s\u0259l\u0313ilw\u0259ta\u0241\u026c (Tsleil-Waututh) territories in Vancouver, Canada. She holds degrees from McGill, Canterbury and Lancaster Universities.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bijan-Ahmadi-square.jpeg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image – Bijan Ahmadi” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ animation_direction=”off” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Position – Bijan Ahmadi” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Bijan Ahmadi<\/span><\/strong>
Executive Director & COO
<\/em>Canada China Business Council<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Biography” open_toggle_text_color=”#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#e3002b” open_icon_color=”#e3002b” admin_label=”Biography – Bijan Ahmadi” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_font_size=”14″ body_text_color=”#141011″ body_font_size=”15″ border_color_all=”#cccccc” border_style_all=”solid” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#cccccc” border_style=”solid” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

Bijan Ahmadi is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), where he leads the Council\u2019s strategic direction, operations, and programming across all seven chapters in Canada and China. In this capacity, he also serves on CCBC\u2019s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.<\/p>\n

As a recognized voice in Canada\u2013China relations, Bijan works closely with senior executives, policymakers, and institutional partners to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, advance member services, and position Canadian companies for success in the Chinese market. His work focuses on translating policy and regulatory developments into practical insights for business leaders and supporting high-level commercial engagement between the two countries.<\/p>\n

Prior to joining CCBC, Bijan co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) from 2018 to 2024, where he helped build the organization into a respected binational foreign policy think tank operating in Canada and the United States. During this period, he launched IPD\u2019s Asia research program and its annual flagship conference, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF) in Ottawa, now widely regarded as Canada\u2019s leading platform for policy and economic dialogue on the Asia-Pacific region. He was also co-editor of Canada\u2013China Brief, an online policy publication covering political and economic developments in the bilateral relationship.<\/p>\n

Throughout his work on China, Bijan has advised multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises on navigating Canada\u2013China trade, regulatory, and policy environments. He has led Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogue initiatives in partnership with Chinese, Canadian and American institutions and he regularly delivers lectures and professional training on Canada\u2013China economic relations for public and private sector audiences.<\/p>\n

Bijan also serves on the Advisory Board of the Canada China Forum, a platform dedicated to nurturing the next generation of China-competent Canadian professionals.<\/p>\n

He holds a Master\u2019s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Earlier in his career, he worked in strategy and management roles in the financial services and real estate sectors and has served on the boards of several Canadian non-profits and NGOs, including the Toronto branch of the Canadian International Council.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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