We are Women’s offers the WCH community a chance to get to know each other and share our stories. This month, we’re celebrating Asian Heritage Month by highlighting our Asian Canadian team members!
Name: Yonda Lai
Pronouns: She/Her
Title: Project Manager
On the WCH team for: Almost 3 years
1. What does your typical workday look like?
When I’m feeling motivated, my day will start off with a sluggish workout at the gym. I then reward myself with a LARGE cup of coffee (maybe 2) and then fire up my laptop to prepare myself for the day ahead. The rest of my day is usually spent in meetings, responding to emails, and collaborating with people across the hospital. I try to fit in a walk at lunch which is usually motivated by my teary dog whining patiently beside me.
2. What excites you the most about working with WCH?
The most exciting part of my work is being able to learn about what my fellow WCH colleagues do and how we can find synergies. What I love most is everyone’s shared passion and vision for providing high quality and equitable care for our patients and communities.
3. Tell us something(s) you want us to know about your Asian Heritage.
During Asian Heritage Month, I’d like to share a glimpse into one of the most important aspects of history in Hong Kong that occurred in my lifetime. In 1997, Britain handed over Hong Kong back to China which marked the end of over 150 years of colonial rule. Despite the transition, British influences lingered in Hong Kong’s culture, architecture, and legal system. For instance, my mother was taught English in school and to this day she has a slight English accent. The handover also allowed Hong Kong to be the perfect gateway to the rest of China resulting in a lot of economical growth and prosperity for many people in my parent’s generation. This historical connection with Britain added a depth to Hong Kong’s cultural landscape, enriching its identity as a vibrant metropolis at the crossroads of East and West.
4. What does Asian Heritage Month mean to you and to your work?
As a second-generation Chinese woman living in Toronto, Asian Heritage Month holds profound significance for me. It’s a time to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Asian cultures that have shaped my identity and enriched the multicultural fabric of this city. Growing up, I learned to speak Cantonese, ate at authentic Chinese restaurants, and celebrated century-old traditions in a city that fortunately had a very large Chinese community. Asian Heritage Month also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations, the resilience of our community, and the importance of preserving and sharing our cultural heritage.
5. What is something interesting that people would be surprised to learn about you?
Instead of sharing an interesting thing about myself, I thought I would share an interesting fact about Hong Kong. While Hong Kong is usually recognized for its bustling streets, very densely populated apartments, and soaring skyscrapers, it also contains vastly serene rural landscapes and breathtaking natural attractions. Surprisingly, approximately 40% of Hong Kong’s land is designated as country parks and nature reserves.
Learn more about Asian Heritage Month on our Web Hub.