Staff Members
Steve Chan, Executive Director
As the Executive Director of VSMS since 2000, Steve Chan oversees VSMS’ organizational operations, identifies opportunities, and manages change.
He is a SFU graduate with a BBA degree, double majoring in Business Administration and Economics. He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Management Certificate in Facilities Management from BCIT.
Prior to working in VSMS, Steve had over 10 years of experience in hospital planning and administration. He was the administrative head of a 1,400-bed regional hospital extension project in Hong Kong. When he moved to Vancouver in the mid 1990’s, he helped built the first Chinese Museum in North America when he worked for the Chinese Cultural Centre as the Administrative Manager.
Steve is passionate about supporting isolated seniors in Vancouver’s Downtown core, which includes Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods. He sees that many seniors are forgotten in today’s fast-paced society and has observed that many live and die alone. Through his work, he hopes to help seniors achieve a higher quality of life through social connections.
When he’s not providing leadership to VSMS, you can find Steve singing, gardening, or even traveling with his family.
Caleb Nakasaki
Program Coordinator, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Helpers Project
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Caleb moved to Vancouver in 2015 to get a B.A. in Geography. He strongly believes “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono”: that the life of the land is upheld by the goodness of its people. In my downtime, Caleb loves cooking, trying new hobbies, and wandering around town without a map.
Vicky Wu (on leave, filled in by Lillian Wong)
Program Coordinator, Downtown South Neighbourhood Helpers Project
Vicky earned her B.Sc in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta in 2019. After graduation, Vicky gained various experiences from both working and volunteering in the hospital, senior care home and the Food Bank. As she saw the need of helping marginalized and isolated seniors living in the communities, Vicky started working as a program coordinator for the Downtown South Neighbourhood Outreach project to support elderly individuals living in the urban core. As a program coordinator, Vicky coordinates the downtown south Neighbourhood Helpers outreach project which includes the outreach program and the New Continental Senior Centre.
Vicky is passionate in empowering and improving the quality of life of seniors living in the marginalized community. Vicky is certified in Mental Health First aid and Mandt System Non-violent crisis intervention. With her background in Food and Nutrition Science, Vicky is keen on running community kitchens, community gardens and special events in the community. She believes community capacity building and engaging can make a huge difference in reducing isolation and loneliness of the senior population.
Aside from working, Vicky also likes natures and adventures. She likes snowboarding, hiking, biking and travelling in her spare time.
Wanda Ho
Project Coordinator, Neighbourhood Helpers Chinese Outreach Project
Having worked at VSMS since 2016, Wanda serves Chinese seniors living in Downtown Eastside through outreach programs at affordable seniors housings and the Downtown Eastside Seniors Center. She also oversees the associated volunteer training program and one-on-one services.
Prior to working with VSMS, Wanda had completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from SFU as well as a joint Executive MBA through Peking University and Fordham University. She's launched groundbreaking digital multimedia projects in Asia, advocated for migrant children in Shanghai, and had helped victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake re-build their homes. Upon her return to Canada in 2009, she served church communities, helping people explore the meaning of life. Currently, she's called to VSMS and finds joy through interacting with the seniors, whom she has the privilege to hear their amazing stories, learn from their wealth of knowledge, and gain insights into life.
When Wanda isn't working, you can find her watching movies, enjoying the local arts and culture, meeting with friends, and walking in nature.