Board of Directors

Governance and Structure 

At Villa Cathay Care Home, residents are at the heart of our organizational model. Their dignity, safety, quality of life, and overall well-being guide every policy, program, and decision.

Our Ethics Framework ensures fair, transparent, and culturally sensitive decision-making across care and governance, aligning with Accreditation standards and reinforcing accountability and person-centered care.

Villa Cathay is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by Society members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Nomination Committee oversees recruitment and nominations. Newly elected directors receive onboarding and orientation to support their governance role. The Board Chair leads the Board, ensuring effective oversight and supporting directors in fulfilling their responsibilities.

To maintain strong governance, the Board conducts an annual self-assessment focused on:

• Overall Board effectiveness
• Individual director performance
• Board meeting quality

The Board is supported by committees composed of Board and Society members, each operating under approved Terms of Reference and reporting directly to the Board:

• Executive Committee
• Governance Committee
• Finance Committee
• Fund Development Committee
• Care Enhancement Advisory Committee
• Nomination Committee

The Executive Director, licensed to operate Villa Cathay Care Home, reports directly to the Board and leads the management team in overseeing daily operations. All programs and services are delivered in alignment with our resident-centered mission.

Current Board of Directors

Kuo Wong, Chair

Kuo Wong is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in residential construction, having led numerous projects throughout Greater Vancouver.

Since the mid-1990s, he has actively supported Richmond-based non-profit organizations in various leadership roles, including volunteer leader, committee chair, and Board officer—serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Kuo’s involvement with Villa Cathay Care Home Society began in 2015 when his mother became a resident. He has since contributed through the Family Council and Fundraising Committee, helping enhance the facility and launch its formal fundraising program, which successfully exceeded its $5 million redevelopment goal.

Elected to the Board in 2018, Kuo has served on the Development Committee, as Treasurer, and currently as Chairperson since 2022. His leadership has strengthened the organization’s strategic planning, financial oversight, and governance.

Kuo remains deeply committed to accountability and effective governance in all his roles at Villa Cathay.

Dr. Vivian Lo, Secretary

Dr. Vivian Lo earned her Ph.D., MA and BA from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and holds her MBA from University of Leicester and MA from University of Gloucestershire in the UK. She also obtained the Final Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Linguists in the UK and becomes a linguist. Passionate about education, publishing, and community services, Dr. Lo has authored and presented research articles in universities across Canada, France, Australia, China and the USA, and published five books on education and counseling in Vancouver. After acquiring the Teacher’s Certificate in Mandarin in HK, she has also authored and compiled a series of Mandarin textbooks titled “Dinosaur Mandarin” for children. Having earned the Advanced Diploma in Art Therapist in Vancouver, Dr. Lo becomes a certified art therapist in British Columbia. In recent years, she continues to make a meaningful impact on the local community by running an education and counseling center in Richmond, dedicated to supporting individuals and families through educational and therapeutic services. In July 2024, Dr. Lo had successfully established a charitable foundation with friends in Vancouver and becomes the charter president of this foundation which has the mandate of promoting the mental well-being of the elderly and children with disability.

Mabel Tung, Treasurer

Eva Ho, Director

With 38 years of experience in social services and community mental health, Eva has dedicated her career to supporting individuals in need.

Born in Hong Kong, Eva moved to Vancouver, where she completed high school before earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology, Social Work, and Counseling from Washington State University. Upon returning to Vancouver, she began her career serving the Downtown Eastside and Chinatown communities. She later spent 33 years in community mental health with Vancouver Coastal Health before retiring.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eva cared for her elderly father, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges faced by seniors in housing and care facilities. Inspired by this experience, she is committed to using her expertise to enhance the quality of care for the residents of Villa Cathay.

Gordon Yu, Director

I have been a family lawyer for over 30 years. I was born in Hong Kong but grew up in the Strathcona/Chinatown neighborhood of Vancouver. I am married with two adult children and a granddaughter. Both my parents have lived in care homes; my father was in assisted living when he passed away in March 2021, and my mother was in long-term care until she passed away in January 2024. I am familiar with the concerns and challenges faced by seniors and their families, and I hope to make a positive contribution to the Villa Cathay Care Home as a board member.

Wai Young, Director

Wai Young has over 40 years of leadership in civic engagement, public policy, and community development. She has served on local, provincial and national boards such as the YWCA, BC Assessment, and the Mennonite Central Committee contributing her expertise in governance, stakeholder relations and strategic planning and oversight.

As a former Member of Parliament, Wai delivered over 60 major infrastructure projects in Metro Vancouver, including new and upgraded community facilities and parks such as the South Vancouver Seniors Centre, and major expansions to highways and ports. She championed city-wide social housing funding and helped establish vehicle charging stations at key public and port locations.

Prior to entering public office, Wai founded Wai Young & Associates, a boutique consulting firm specializing in working with different levels of government to develop social policies and programs throughout Canada. Her work has touched millions of lives for new immigrants, international students, single mothers, youth and local residents. As the founding Executive Director of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance, she represented 450 agencies in Ottawa. In her early career, Wai worked on many Downtown Eastside issues, helped the Chinatown Merchants Association, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses, and collaborated with non-profit agencies to support their growth and expansion.

Wai also founded Canada’s longest-running school food program, advocated for Youth at Risk funding, and led major fundraising campaigns for renovations and new buildings. Her extensive contributions have been recognized with the Volunteer of the Year Award, the YWCA Woman of Distinction nomination, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.

Wai is the mother of twins and has raised 7 foster children in her home, 3 from refugee camps.

Winnie Yuan, Director

Winnie Yuan was born in Hong Kong and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with honors in Ontario. She was a Registered Nurse in hospital acute care settings for 30 years at Vancouver General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria and had 20 years of ICU charge nurse experience during her professional career.

Winnie was also a research coordinator, managing drug clinical trials and collaborating with hospital departments and research staff.

After her retirement, Winnie continues to be active as a volunteer at BC Nurses Union, Villa Cathay Care Home and other care homes. She served as secretary for 9 years for a non-profit organization. While her mother was a resident for 6 years at Villa Cathay Care Home, Winnie was an active member of Family Council. During this time, Winnie gained a clear understanding of the daily operations of the care home and has a strong sense of advocacy and commitment to the well being of Villa Cathay Care Home and its residents.

Davis Yeung, Director

Davis is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of international leadership experience in financial services across Asia and Europe. Since returning to Canada in 2024, he has focused on contributing his expertise to the local community.

Most recently, he served as CEO and Executive Director of a reputable financial advisory firm in Singapore. A Fellow Chartered Management Accountant (UK), Davis has held senior roles including International Commercial Director and Regional Financial Controller at major multinational institutions.

He brings deep expertise in governance, financial transformation, and strategic leadership to the board. Davis is proud to support Villa Cathay’s mission to provide essential long-term care services and foster a compassionate community.

Ella Huang, Director

Wenjun (Ella) Huang is an accomplished healthcare leader and Canadian Registered Nurse with 10 years of experience across professional practice, quality improvement, clinical nursing care, and healthcare operations. She currently serves as a Professional Practice Consultant, leading clinical consultation, policy development, and quality improvement initiatives. Ella has a proven track record in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, project management, and interprofessional collaboration. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Nursing.

The Founding Board Members

Villa Cathay Care Home Society was incorporated under the BC Society Act as a non-profit organization in 1975. A group of dedicated volunteers, comprising of Chinese professionals and entrepreneurs, formed the Society and acted as the founding board that led the development of the Villa Cathay Care home to provide residential care to serve the community.

Dr. Fan’s heart was in serving the Chinese community, especially new immigrants, the marginalized, and seniors housing.  In addition to Villa Cathay, he served on the board of several community associations, including the Chinatown Merchants and Property Owner’s Association, the Christ Church of China in Vancouver, the World Lotus Light Charity Society, the Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada, the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver, and many other social, educational and religious associations.

Dr. Fan passed away in 2018. We are forever in his debt; he will be forever in our hearts.

Dr. Shou Hsin Hsu

Dr. Hsu was a retired anaesthetist, who practised in the Greater Vancouver area for 25 years.  As a long serving Board member at Villa Cathay, he was a tireless advocate for high quality, affordable care for seniors. He established the Hsu & Hsieh Foundation which provides annual grants to support charitable agencies and non-profit organizations across the province.

Dr. Hsu passed away in 2018. Our residents and their families are truly grateful for the enduring community he created over forty years ago.

Mr. Henry Loh

Henry Loh had a business degree from Columbia University, a diploma from the Wharton School of Business, and many years of experience running an import and distribution business with his wife Josie. He was delighted to contribute his expertise and to serve on the board with many of his special friends.

Board Alumni