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 grew up in Vancouver and has over 30 years experience as a successful entrepreneur in the residential construction industry. He designed and built residential projects across Greater Vancouver.

He was introduced to the Villa Cathay Care Home community when his mother was admitted as a resident in 2015. Since then, Kuo has continued to be a tremendously active and committed volunteer. He has been a strong community advocate in Vancouver and Richmond.

Kuo brings a wealth of contemporary governance and accountability skills to 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.

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