BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024
Board of Directors List
UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF:
PRESIDENT
Hon. Philip Lee, CM, OM
VICE PRESIDENT
Mr. Raymond Wan
Mr. Tim Tong
Tim obtained his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the U of Manitoba, and worked at the City of Winnipeg for more than 35 years, specializing in information technology. His specialties include database security, Police Crimestat, audit and spatial data infrastructure. He was promoted to the level of Information Consultant in the Corporate Support Services Department, City of Winnipeg, and retired from the position last year. He has been involved in many community activities, including Treasurer of National Chinese Canadian Council and a director of the Winnipeg Chinatown Development Corporation.
Dr. Patrick Choy, O. M., PhD, MD, FAHA, FIACS
Patrick served as a Board member and then Vice-President of the WCCCC for more than two decades. He was elected as President in May 2017. He is also the Chair of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural Fund, and the Chair of the Board for Peace Tower Housing Corporation.
Professionally, Patrick is Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. He served as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Medicine for ten years prior to his retirement in 2010. He was President of the Canadian Biochemical Society, Vice-President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (CSCI). He was invested into the Order of Manitoba in 2011.
PAST PRESIDENT
Mr. Ben Lee
Born in Winnipeg’s historic Chinatown, Mr. Ben Lee has a broad and diverse record of community service that includes leading projects in the health sector, local community centres, and Chinese community. Ben Lee brings to local community work, immense national and international experience developed through his professional career as an accomplished Project Manager and Engineer (B.Sc, Industrial Engineering, University of Manitoba, 1988). Within the Chinese community, Ben Lee is known for his integrity, passion, and ability to get things done. Ben Lee has been integral to the current reinvigoration of Winnipeg’s downtown core area. For the past decade, Ben has served on numerous boards and committees.
Ben Lee is recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award (2012), City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (2010), Winakwa Community Centre Volunteer of the Year Award (2006), and the Raymond Simard Member of Parliament Volunteerism Award (2005).
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION
Ms. Malinda Lee
Malinda Lee was born and raised in Winnipeg and currently works in public relations as a freelance consultant. In her free time, she volunteers for several not-for-profit organizations and national charities.
Though raised in the suburb of Westwood, Malinda “grew up” in Winnipeg’s Chinatown. A Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre member since 1983, Malinda has been an active community volunteer since childhood. She currently coordinates senior citizen and youth programming at the WCCCC and works with the centre’s communications and program committees on various community relations projects throughout the year. Fluent in English, French and Cantonese, Malinda and her two sisters proudly work as a team to advocate for various causes devoted multiculturalism, diversity and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Malinda graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in 2003. She is currently studying in the public relations professional program at the University of Victoria.
Malinda has been awarded a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She was also named a 2011 Eminent Young Overseas Chinese citizen by the PRC and invited to represent Manitoba at the EYOC International Conference in Beijing and Xi’an.
TREASURER
Mr. Jim Eng
A second generation Chinese Canadian who was born and raised in Reston, a small farm community in SW Manitoba. After high school graduation, Jim moved to Winnipeg to attend University of Manitoba. He holds a BSc. and a variety of professional designations, including CIM (Chartered Investment Manager) & FCSI (Fellow Canadian Securities Institute). Jim started his investment career in 1989 and is a Financial Consultant at MD Management.
Starting from his days as a teenager, Jim has a diverse history of community service, serving both as a volunteer & board member with local & provincial organizations. Jim is recipient of the City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (2020). He was honoured to be asked to join the WCCCC board.
“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can” – George Bernard Shaw
SECRETARY
Dr. Manna Zhang
Dr. Manna Zhang holds MD and MSc degrees from Jilin University Medical School in China. She currently works as a clinician at Health Science Center and is specialized in the diagnosis and treatment for various liver diseases. She is also academically active and has published more than 50 scientific peer-reviewed papers, including high impact factor journals such as Hepatology, Gastroenterology and etc.
Dr. Manna Zhang was previously served on board of directors of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Center for five years and rejoined the WCCCC in 2018. She has also been involved in local Chinese communities as a volunteer and in academic exchange programs between the universities in China and the University of Manitoba.
BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Terry Prychitko
We are proud to present Mr. Terry Prychitko as a recipient of the 2019 Golden Dragon Gala Award.
Dr. Frank Guan
Dr. Xiaofeng Guan D.M.D. Actively practicing dentist. Graduated from the College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba. Long term volunteer and sponsor of various groups in Chinese Community.
Dr. Tina Chen
Tina Mai Chen is Department Head and Professor of History at the University of Manitoba. She holds a PhD and MA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BA in History and Chinese Studies from the University of Toronto. Dr. Chen is a specialist in Modern Chinese History, with specific research interests in the social, political, and cultural norms that structure people’s engagement with society. She is the recipient of numerous international and national grants and awards, and has held visiting scholar positions at New York University, University of New South Wales, Sichuan University, and Beijing University.
Dr. Chen is also an engaged community volunteer. Since moving to Winnipeg in 1999, she has been active in the Winnipeg Chinese community, playing a central role in cultural programming, historical preservation projects, youth mentorship, and building ethno-cultural relations in Winnipeg and provincially.Dr. Chen’s community service further includes youth sport, primarily with Skate Winnipeg as a certified Skate Canada coach and volunteer.
Tina Chen is recipient of the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award (2012), City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (2009), and numerous University of Manitoba awards for teaching, research, service, and community outreach.
Mr. Frank Lavitt
Frank is a Partner of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman. Frank’s very active practice has been restricted exclusively to corporate and commercial, tax, tax dispute resolution, wills, estates, corporate governance, charities and not-for-profits, and trust law from its inception. In addition, he has taught taxation law for the Law Society of Manitoba, the University of Manitoba Law School and elsewhere in various capacities since 1980. He is currently the Law School’s Course Head for its third-year Corporate Tax course. He was also a Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation and Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba.
Frank is recognized as a trusted adviser. He is well known and sought out for his proactive, innovative and creative tax, charities, not-for-profits, corporate and commercial, corporate governance, trust and will advice that is considered to be ahead of the curve. He is also a strong believer in Philanthropy and giving back to the community.
Frank is both Judicial and Peer Rated with the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell.
Frank has thrice been the Best Lawyers™ Tax Lawyer of the Year (Winnipeg), receiving the award in 2012, 2016 and 2018. He is consistently recognized by his peers as a Best Lawyers™ lawyer in the area of Tax, Trusts (Wills) Estates, and Corporate Governance.
Dr. Songyan Liu
Songyan obtained his MD and PhD in China and worked at the University of Manitoba as a Scientist and Adjunct Professor in Pharmacy until his retirement this year. His expertise is in functional genomics and regenerative medicine. He was also the coordinator of the UM/China (NBUMS) medical exchange program. He is currently the Executive VP of the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association and the VP of the South Winnipeg Community Centre. He has participated in Folklorama-Chinese Pavilion drumming group for the last decade and organized the 2022 Canada Day Celebration in Bridgwater. He was awarded the Platinum Jubillee Community Leadership Award in 2022 for his community service.
Mr. Allan Chan
Allan Chan is currently the Law Librarian at Fillmore Riley LLP. He holds a MLIS from Emporia State University and a BA with a major in Asian Studies from the University of Manitoba. Allan was previously the Outreach librarian with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Education and Technology librarian at the University of Manitoba Health Sciences Library and Occupational Health Librarian with the University of Calgary.
He is currently in his 23rd year producing automotive trade shows nationally and locally with the title of Manitoba Director for Driven Automotive Culture and Tradeshow. He is responsible for sales, production, logistics, activation, business development and marketing.
In his spare time Allan gives back to the community as a hockey coach for the River East Minor Hockey Association in Winnipeg. Allan grew up a stone’s throw away from Chinatown in the Central Park area. He is a champion for Chinatown and the Downtown areas.
Mr. Norman Yee
Norman came to Canada in 1962 and obtained his Engineering degree at the U of Manitoba. After graduation, he decided to take his career in real estate sales and development. With the help of Hung Lee, Norman focused on the real estate market in Chinatown. His knowledge and involvement in the Chinese community spanned over the last 50 years. He was elected as President of the Tai Shan Association from 2009-17, and he has been involved in the development of the National Chinese Canadian Council since its infancy years. He has been an active participant of Folklorama and the Street Festival.
Mr. Albert Lee
Albert obtained his Business Administration Diploma at Brandon U, worked as a banker before taking up the position as Senior Accountant at the Westfair Food (Superstore) for more than a decade. He then joined the IG group as a Certified Financial Planner before his retirement. He is a Master Mason at the Phoenix Masonic Lodge, a member of the Khartum Shriner Club and Secretary/Treasurer of the Ruffrider Motor Unit. He is also a director of the Winnipeg Non-Profit Housing Corp, and participates actively in the Folklorama and other Chinatown events.
Mr. Xue Yong Zhang
- President of Canadian International Education Service Center
- Masters degree in Geography from the University of Manitoba
- Associate of the Asper Business School Foundation of the University of Manitoba
- Civil servant with Mineral Resources Department of the Manitoba Government for 20 years
- Recipient of the Queen’s Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Community Leadership Award
- Regulated Canadian immigration consultant since 2004
- Vice Chair of the National Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants Club
- 中国侨联第十一届委员会海外委员
- 中国侨联国际文化交流促进会第四届理事
- 河北省侨联第八九十届委员
Ms. Jieying Chen
Ms. Dion Cheung
Ms. Amy Zhang
Amy received her Bachelor degree in Finance in China, and her Business Administration Diploma at the Red River College. She worked with Winplus before joining the WCCCC as office manager. She took a leave of absence to visit China, and due to Covid, was unable to return to her WCCCC position in a timely manner. Subsequently, she was recruited by the U of Manitoba and is currently working as an EDI coordinator. As a former staff of WCCCC, Amy has extensive experience in dealing with various communities and organizations in Winnipeg. She is now serving as a volunteer for many Chinatown organizations, including the WCCCC.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Ms. Helen Wang
Ms. Mia Wang