Meet our Board of Directors
Gary Ma
President
Gary Ma
President
Gary is the founder of Gary Ma Accounting and Consulting Ltd., a CPA firm that serves clients across a variety of industry sectors including retail, real estate, technology, hospitality, financial services, consumer goods and entertainment. He is a designated Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Management degree (Honors) from University of British Columbia. As an auditor and a business consultant, he brings with him experience in both corporate and not-for-profit environments. Previously, he worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers and a medium-size professional services firm, where he specialized in providing audit, accounting and advisory services.
Gary is committed to giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of youth. He has volunteered with Connections Community Service Society (previously RYSA) since 2010. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures.
Jerry Huang
Finance Chair
Jerry Huang
Finance Chair
Mr. Huang is an experienced finance and capital markets professional in the natural resources, banking & tech space. He has extensive experience in corporate development and investor relations roles with mining and resource companies globally. He has over 10 years of public companies experience, executing on strategic and financing initiatives for junior companies on joint ventures, financings, and deals over $90M to date. Previously he worked with CIBC in Financial Advisory roles managing high networth portfolios. He graduated with Masters of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia jointly with Jiaotong University in Shanghai. He has also completed the Chartered Professional Accountant PEP program. He has been on the board of Connections since 2011, having other volunteering experience with Pearson hospital, Marpole Community Center, and helping raise $50K for scholarships for Kwantlen University College.
Brian Xie
Director
Brian Xie
Director
Brian is currently a member of TikTok’s Strategy and Business Operations team, responsible for high-level business planning and internal strategy for the company. Prior to that, he was an investment banker based out of Los Angeles, advising on mergers & acquisitions, capital raises and strategic investments for clients on deals totalling over $15B.
Brian obtained his Bachelors from the Richard Ivey School of Business with an Honours in Business Administration, and joined the Board in 2022.
Michelle Zhou
Director
Michelle Zhou
Director
Michelle is presently serving as an Employment Assistance Worker at the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in British Columbia. Prior to her tenure in the provincial public service, Michelle dedicated three years to Connections Community Services Society (CCSS), from 2019 to 2022, where she excelled as an employment counsellor. In this role, she focused on providing vital support to youth with government care experiences, navigating multiple barriers on their path to employment and self-sufficiency.
Before venturing into the realm of employment counseling, Michelle cultivated 13 years of experience as a lecturer at the School of Business, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China. In addition to her teaching position, Michelle also served as Foreign Affairs Assistant at the same school for three years and contributed to international cooperation and oversea programs development. Her wealth of knowledge and diverse background adds a unique perspective to her approach in supporting individuals in their career journeys.
Michelle holds a Master of Education from Simon Fraser University, Canada, and a Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Eager to make a meaningful impact, Michelle has rejoined the CCSS family as a board member, keen on contributing to the organization’s growth and continued success. She cherishes this opportunity to give back to a community that she holds close to her heart.
Outside of her professional commitments, Michelle values quality time with her cherished family members. Committed to community service, she actively seeks opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Michelle’s multifaceted background, paired with her passion for community engagement, makes her a valuable asset in both her professional and personal endeavors.
Peng Wang
Finance Chair and Vice-President
Peng Wang
Director
Peng is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in technology development and consulting, bringing a wealth of expertise to the board. Proficient in corporate accounting, Peng combines his technical acumen with financial savvy to drive organizational success. As a former team lead for the Vancouver chapter of Data For Good, Peng has demonstrated a strong commitment to using data for social impact. He is also dedicated to empowering others through his mentorship role at Canada Learning Code. Having lived in Richmond, BC since 2010, Peng is deeply passionate about building connected communities and fostering collaborative environments that drive positive change.
Dr. Ben Choi
Director
Dr. Ben C Choi
Director
Dr. Ben C Choi finished his undergraduate and doctoral study in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Having a lengthy career in the education and social policy sector serving as an academic and social researcher in tertiary institutes and government offices, Ben also served as NGO Board member in Vancouver, Hong Kong and Macau. Before COVID-19, Ben was the vice-president of the Thompson Community Association and member in the Children’s Committee, Finance Committee, and Human Resource Committee of a community centre in Richmond, BC. He was also a delegate to the Richmond Community Centres Meeting. Ben had volunteered in the archive section of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, Soong Ching Ling Children Foundation of Canada and the Association of Children Education International. He was the founder of the Vancouver Sowers Society of Education. Ben is now retired in Vancouver and continues passionately committed to community services and connections.
Cora Lai
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Leader
Cora Lai
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Leader
Cora holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Diploma in Financial Planning from the City University of Hong Kong. She has extensive experience working in audit firms, banks, and financial institutions, gaining a wide range of expertise in operations, customer service quality assurance, sales management, internal control and compliance.
As a mentor to her coworkers, Cora enjoys sharing knowledge and learning from others. She joined the Board in 2024 in addition to be a volunteer. She aims to add value to CCSS by shaping a secure and sustainable future through the implementation of sound procedures and financial management policies.