About Us

About Us

Our Mission

The Federation of Asian Canadians Toronto (FACT), a registered non-profit organization, aims to celebrate, empower, and promote the diverse Asian Canadian community in Toronto by creating platforms for vibrant cultural exchange and business networking. Through our initiatives, such as the Asialicious Carnival, AsialiciousTO, and the Asian Trade Mission aims to strengthen bonds within the community and businesses while showcasing the richness of Asian heritage. Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, FACT aspires to be a catalyst for positive change, driving the advancement and representation of Asian Canadians in Toronto’s dynamic social and economic landscape.

Uniting Diversity for Prosperity: FACT's Vision for a Harmonious and Thriving Community

FACT envisions a community where differences are not only celebrated but also harnessed as strengths, creating a harmonious blend that extends from cultural festivities to thriving businesses and interconnected society. Through the Asian Business and Trade Expo, we aim to unite global Asian businesses, technology and cultures, fostering connections among multicultural groups. We seek to promote economic development, facilitate international trade, and empower Canadian small businesses through collaboration and growth opportunities.

Board of Directors

Benny Cheung

President & Treasurer

Cynthia Wong

Director

Danielle Chen

Director

Dolly Shao

Director

Ivan Wan

Director

Jack Xu

Director

Jessie Ma

Director

Jaren Ng

Director

Marcus Lam

Director

Melvin Mariathas

Director

Ryan Lau

Director

Sarah Wu

Director

Thomas Yeung

Director

Business Committee

Closs Tong

Member

David Wang

Member

EunJoo Lee

Member

HyunJoo Chae

Member

Jenny Lam

Member

Maria Onilla

Member

Mila Nabor Cuachon

Member

Young Lee

Member

The Federation of Asian Canadians Toronto (FACT), a registered non-profit organization, aims to celebrate, empower, and promote the diverse Asian Canadian community in Toronto by creating platforms for vibrant cultural exchange and business networking.

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Benny Cheung

Benny is the President of Elegant Financial Inc., a life insurance MGA. She is also a registered mutual fund branch manager. She holds a premier financial planning designation, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), managing over 50 agents and over 5000 clients providing the full range of financial services to help clients meet and achieve their financial goals, including but not limited to estate planning and preservation, wealth transfer, income protection, income replacement, family protection, debt consolidation and tax-efficient strategies.

For over 20 years, she has been an active volunteer working for the community. She is a founding member of the Toronto Elegant Lions Club and was the President of the association during its 9th term. She volunteered with Toronto Chinese Business Association for 14 years. During her tenure at the Toronto Chinese Business Association, she has held the position of Festival Chair 3 times for their signature event, the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. In addition, she was also the first board director to hold 3 consecutive terms as President within the association.

Benny has co-led 2 China Trade Missions, one in 2010 and one in 2012, with a delegation including Municipal officials, Mayors and Councillors and community members. The China Trade Missions were a networking bridge to link China, Hong Kong and Canadian business owners together.

Benny is currently an active Chinese Cabinet member for SickKids Foundation and a co-chair of the annual SickKids Foundation Glitter event in support of raising funds for the new children’s hospital.

In late 2017, Benny founded the Federation of Transoceanic Chinese Canadian Association (FTCCA) with the intent to cultivate a harmonious relationship between Chinese Canadians by creating a platform for members to strengthen economic relations between Canada and China.

Cynthia Wong

Cynthia Wong serves as a key advisor and resource for real estate investors inbound to Canada and outbound globally. Her specialized skills assist Asian clients in establishing a solid foothold in the Canadian marketplace. With over 35 years of commercial real estate brokerage experience, she has completed transactions involving the purchase and sale of office buildings, retail and restaurant properties, enclosed community shopping malls, medical buildings, development land, industrial properties, parking garages, theatres, joint ventures, apartment buildings, schools, Chinatown properties, bulk acquisition of residential and retail condominiums, a trophy mixed-use complex spanning an entire Toronto downtown city block, and tenant representation for Chinese financial institutions in Canadian head office locations.

Leveraging her expertise alongside her collaborators’ extensive resources, Cynthia guides foreign and local investors in navigating and capitalizing on the complexities of Canadian property ownership.

Cynthia is a graduate of the Ivey Business School at Western University, where she focused her studies on International Business and Finance. She further enhanced her professional skills through the Certified Commercial Investment Program (CCIM) and ongoing professional training courses, including Mastering Persuasion Techniques and The Power to Influence. In 2019, she was recognized as a member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) Championship Team by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Toronto.

As part of her engagement with the Chinese business community in Toronto, Cynthia served on the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association from 1990 to 1994 and again from 2020 to February 2025. She also participated as an Asian Business Committee member for Junior Achievement. In recognition of her sustained commitment to volunteerism, Cynthia received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Province in April 2009. Her notable voluntary roles, in addition to serving as the Regional Vice Chair (Canada) for a Fortune 500 Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Asia Pacific Network (APN), include contributions to the SickKids Foundation, Scarborough Health Network Foundation, and Mon Sheong Foundation.

Danielle Chen

B.Eng. (Telecommunications)
IT Channel Business & Marketing Development Specialist
Dame of The Order of St. George

Danielle Chen is a seasoned business development leader affiliated with a Global Fortune 500 company, where she specializes in digital signage solutions across public and private sectors. With a strong track record of driving growth and building trusted industry partnerships, she is widely recognized for her professional excellence and personal brand.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Danielle is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and inclusive innovation. She actively contributes to the advancement of immigrant professionals in the Greater Toronto Area by moderating international forums, innovation summits, and workshops. She is a
regular speaker for TRIEC and has been featured at Women’s International Day and other civic events.

Danielle also serves as Co-Vice Chair of the Veteran Bridging Homes Canada initiative, supporting the development of modular housing for unhoused veterans. In her role as Vice President of the Canada-China Economic Trade and Cultural Exchange Promotion Alliance (CCEA), she works to build meaningful cross cultural and economic ties.

Honored as a Dame of The Order of St. George, Danielle brings a values-driven approach to every initiative she undertakes—championing ethical leadership, sustainability, and social equity. She is deeply committed to empowering the Asian Canadian community and looks forward to contributing to FACT’s mission of cultural celebration, business engagement, and positive change.

Dolly Shao

Dolly Shao brings over 20 years of transformative leadership experience in empowering brands across China and Canada. Her expertise in multicultural marketing has benefited prestigious clients such as Holt Renfrew, Chatime, Huggies, Jack Daniel’s, Simplii Financial, and Porsche, enabling them to forge authentic connections with Asian markets.

As a proud Schulich alumna, Dolly has overseen branding, marketing, and operations in China for the Schulich Executive Education Centre and built and nurtured employer partnerships for the Centre for Career Design at Schulich.

In addition to her industry roles, Dolly teaches marketing at Centennial College and the Schulich School of Business, inspiring hundreds of international students to navigate the Canadian landscape.

Dolly holds an IMBA degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a BA degree from East China University of Political Science and Law.

Jack Xu

Jack Xu is a highly passionate and detail-focused senior commercial banker
with over 10 years banking experience. With extensive experience in the
industry, Jack possesses a deep understanding of various banking sectors,
including Small Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, and
Capital Market. He is a strategic advisor to business owner.

Jack is known for his exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work
collaboratively with colleagues at all levels within an organization. He thrives in
a team environment and is committed to achieving business goals through an
innovative and result-oriented approach.

One of Jack’s key strengths is his professional written and verbal
communication skills in English and Mandarin. This language proficiency
enables him to effectively engage with diverse clients and build strong
Relationships.

With a strong foundation in quantitative analytics, financial risk assessment,
and credit analysis, Jack demonstrates advanced knowledge of commercial
credit lending structure, business risk monitoring and control, and
financial/industry analysis. He is adept at assessing credit risks, evaluating
financial statements, and providing comprehensive financing solutions.

Throughout his career, Jack has successfully developed and managed
relationships with mid-market and senior market commercial clients. He excels
in new business development and has a proven track record of delivering
exceptional customer service and maintaining client portfolios.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jack holds a Master of
International Business degree from Queen’s University, specializing in
Management and Financial Accounting. He also completed a Bachelor of
Management and Organizational Studies with a specialization in Finance from
Western University.. His excellent credit acumen, problem-solving skills, and
commitment to delivering legendary customer experiences set him apart in the
commercial banking industry.

Jessie Ma

Jessie is the founder and principal lawyer of Castle Law Professional Corporation. She focuses her practice areas in real estate and corporate law.

Prior to Jessie’s legal career she was a Realtor at Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage and was involved in the buying, selling, leasing and management of real estate. She was also a Research Associate at Paradigm Capital Inc., an institutional investment dealer focusing on equity research and financial analysis of publicly- traded mining companies.

At her leisure, Jessie acts as Legal Counsel to the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs.

Marcus Lam

Assurance Partner, MNP
Marcus is a Partner in MNP’s Private Enterprise team in Toronto, and the office’s Real Estate & Construction industry niche leader. He leads audit teams and brings more than a decade of assurance experience to his role, with extensive knowledge of financial reporting for both private and public companies. His  clients include those in the real estate, manufacturing, and consumer products sectors. As a recognized expert, he has shared his knowledge through articles and at conferences across North America. Proficient in Cantonese and Mandarin, he
helps clients navigate their companies’ growth locally and abroad.

Marcus holds an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) with a specialization in finance and a Master of Accounting (MAcc) from the University of Waterloo. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2012.

Marcus is an active volunteer, focused on the growth and development of professionals in the Asian Canadian community through MNP’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee, and is a Board Director of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) as well as an Ambassador for the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys travelling the world, tasting different cuisines, and spending time with his wife, two sons, and extended family.

Melvin Mariathas

Melvin Mariathas is Tamil Canadian, He is currently working with the Ontario government for the past 16 years as Application Tester. He is involved in many community organizations. He lives in Scarborough and contributes towards the community.

 

Ryan Lau

Embarking on my journey from Malaysia to Canada in 2013, I’ve cultivated a
professional narrative centered on cultural connectivity and global business
integration. Settlement in Halifax and later Toronto in 2018 enriched my role as
a Commercial Banker at RBC, leveraging fluency in English, Malay, and Chinese
(Cantonese and Mandarin).
Key Roles:
• Empowering local businesses to expand their reach, both domestically and
internationally, through strategic financial guidance and support.
• Tailoring bespoke financial solutions for enterprises, locally and globally, to
optimize growth and navigate complex financial landscapes.
• Serving as a trusted strategic advisor to entrepreneurs, offering expert
guidance to fulfill their aspirations through sound financial planning and
execution.
• Facilitating foreign investment initiatives including and cultivating strategic
partnerships with esteemed institutions including Export Development Canada
(EDC).

Outside of work, I hold multiple key volunteer positions, including Director at
the Malaysian Association in Canada and Director at the Federation of Asian
Canadians Toronto (FACT), contributing to community development and
cultural integration efforts.

Recognizing the critical role of supply chain management and foreign
investments in facilitating seamless cross-border transactions, I’m steering my
professional trajectory towards the dynamic supply chain and foreign
investment sector, with a special emphasis on the ASEAN region. This strategic
shift aligns with the economic dynamism and growth potential within the
Supply Chain & Foreign Investment Industry and ASEAN business landscape.

By integrating financial expertise with supply chain understanding, I strive to
enhance success in both the Supply Chain & Foreign Investment Industry and
the ASEAN Community. This endeavor represents more than career
advancement; it’s a dedication to fostering cultural exchange, economic
collaboration, and leveraging the supply chain as a conduit for business
growth.

Sarah Wu

New Role with Continued Partnership, from Signage to Flooring, Wall Paper & Covering and More!!

With more than 5 years of sales, marketing and project management experience with Forward Signs, I am transitioning to a new role as Sales and Marketing Director at Floors @ Works (FAW), with a mission to set up a new Commercial and Contract Division.

While I’m excited with this new chapter at Floors @ Work where I can renew my skills and knowledge as well as the business relationship I have built in the commercial construction and development industry, I would really appreciate if you could connect me with your estimators, architects, designers, flooring trade and electrician trade please!

We are wholesaler and supply all kinds of flooring, tiles, carpet, vinyl, laminates and water proof laminates, solid and engineered wood flooring, window blinds, high-end wall papers, vanities, interior doors, toilets, bath tubs, shower stall and all accessories and building products, cement and glue, and also DB2 conduit pipes to many retail floor companies for more than 30 years, check out our website at www.floorsatwork.com for details.

I can offer special WHOLESALE PRICING for these products for you!! We also have installers if you would like to get the installation cost as well.

Thomas K.K. Yeung

Architect, M.Arch., OAA, MRAIC, AIA, HKIA-Assoc.
E: thomasykk@gmail.com ; Mobile : 416-998-8818

Principal – TY Architect, and Senior Project Director of TopFar Developments Ltd.
Thomas Yeung has over 35 years of international experience and practice in architectural design and land development projects respectively in Canada, USA., Hong Kong, and Mainland China. Thomas was one of the top ten selected students in graduated school program by famous International Architect: Gunnar Birkerts in the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Since then, he has been involving in and leading a lot of award-winning projects. His solid knowledge and expertise in architecture and building sciences enable him not only to maximize the efficient use of land in development projects, but also to achieve the highest aesthetic value of architectural design within budget. His global experience also leads him to play
a significant consultant role in the fields of architecture, real estate, and building industries worldwide. Thomas used to work in New York City with job offered by international renowned Architects: I.M.Pei, Richard Meier and Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Architects. He has been the Associate Director of famous Dr. Tao Ho and Southern China of Chief Representative of Aedas Group ( Ranked top 2 in the World that time). Thomas has gone beyond his professional ethics and contributed his experiences and knowledges into Community services.

In September 16, 2023, Thomas has been nominated and officially become the Chevalier for the high Order of St. George. He also received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Platinum Award as well the King Charles III Award and Coronation Medal for his outstanding Community services recognitions and to our Nation.

On May 15, 2025, TMU presented Thomas the G. Raymond Chang – Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Volunteer Positions:

  1. Toronto Metropolitan University (Former named Ryerson University) in Toronto, Canada, Mentor of Master degree student from Architectural School.
  2. Syracuse University, New York, Environmental Design Faculty – Design Critic.
  3. Canada Chinese Construction Association in 2018 – Founder and Vice President.
  4. Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association (50 years on non-profit organization) Board Director and the Chair of its Building Committee, starting in September of 2020, leading the first and the best 124 beds – Long Term Care home model built – Campus of Care, in Richmond Hill.
  5. Veteran Bridging Homes Canada project for Veterans Retreat project – Board Director and Co- Chair, focusing on mental health healing system.
  6. OAA – Ontario Association of Architects Vice President & Councillor member.
  7. The Chinese Martyrs Catholic Church – Retreat Project Advisor.
  8. 11th Scout Troop in Agincourt – A Scout Leader for 5 years.
  9. Hong Kong Salesian School Alumni Association Ontario– President over 10 years.
  10. Royal Commonwealth Society-Life Member/ St. John Ambulance Fellowship Member.

HyunJoo Chae

Owner of 

  • MeNami Udon & Sake Bar: 5469 Yonge
  • Han Ba Tang Restaurant(Korean Restaurant and Bar): 4862 Yonge
  • KoKo Share Bar(Korean Restaurant and Bar): 81 Yorkville Avenue

Board Member of Yonge North York BIA

President of KCBA(Korean Canadian Business Association of Ontario)

Born in Korea, graduated from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, Immigrant to Canada in year of 2005

Jenny Lam

B. B. A.; B.A.; CISA.; CGEIT; CRISC

Jenny is a seasoned Information Technology and Systems Audit, IS Risk Management and
Governance practitioner specializing in assessing risks and controls over informational
assets/systems. She has also held senior management positions in both IS audit and risk
management capacities in major Canadian and Global financial institutions including major
banks, trust companies, and insurance companies; as well as companies in retail and
manufacturing industries. In addition, Jenny had also worked in consultancy capacity and
supported major US and Canadian organizations in completing Y2K readiness assessments and Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) or Bill 198 IT compliance assessments.

Prior to return to Toronto in mid-2018, Jenny was the Executive Manager, Audit in Hong Kong
Jockey Club and reports directly to the Head of Audit. She had accountability for leading and
managing audits in the Information Technology, Finance, Membership and Charities divisions,
as well as Property and Legal & Compliance Departments. Jenny is now retired and
volunteering her effort in supporting Carefirst Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, to raise
funds for projects and operations of Carefirst Seniors and Community Services and Family
Health Team.

Jenny graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in
1980 and a Bachelor of Arts degree (major in Computer Science). She is also a Certified
Information Systems Auditor and Certified in Risk and Information System Controls.

Mila Nabor Cuachon

Mila Nabor Cuachon wears multiple hats at Casa Manila, serving as its CEO, Executive Chef, and Creative Director right here in Toronto. Since it first opened its doors in 2010, Casa Manila has been a culinary beacon in our city, recently expanding its reach with a second location on the Danforth in 2022. Renowned for pioneering the “KAMAYAN” style dining experience, Casa Manila offers a unique taste of Filipino culture.

Mila’s journey to Casa Manila is a testament to her deep connection to her Filipino roots. Having immigrated to Canada in 1966 at the age of 6, she carried with her a deep longing for the vibrant culture, sumptuous cuisine, and heartfelt warmth of the Philippines she left behind. Before venturing into the culinary world with Casa Manila, Mila became Miss Philippines for Miss World 1980 and stayed for 3 years, based in her motherland where her title offered the opportunity to reclaim her roots and her quest for world travel. At age 23, Mila bought Palma Brava, a furniture business which grew into 3 locations in GTA to Boca Raton Florida specializing in Filipino wicker, wrought iron , rattan products and interior accessories from Bali, Mexico and Indonesia exporting across North America and Europe. At 40, studied at University of Toronto, Toronto School of Theology and graduated with a Masters in Ministry and Spirituality and acdiploma in Spiritual Direction and eventually facilitated youth and adult retreats. With the growing restaurant business, she decided to focus on her passion for her homeland products this time wholesome Filipino food driven by faith which moves her forward to the mission of sharing the beauty of the Philippine Islands with people of all cultures. She is a mother of 3 daughters and has one granddaughter and many four legged family members. She is married to Rizalde Cuachon and together they own and operate Casa Manila and continue to enjoy travelling to the Philippines and wherever the Spirit moves them.

Young Lee

General Manager,  KCBA of Ontario in North York   2007~ Present

Mortgage Broker, Huntington Cross Mortgage in Markham   2010 ~ Present

Former TV News Producer from Arirang Korea TV (OMNI TV)  2002 ~ 2005