THANK YOU AND ALL THE BEST
It was with mixed feelings that the Garden’s Board of Directors announced last week that our Executive Director Vincent Kwan would be moving on from the Garden to join the City of Vancouver’s Chinatown Transformation Team.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, President John Atkin stated “The board is sorry to lose Vincent to the City of Vancouver, but happy to see him join the Chinatown Transformation Team to further our common goal of developing the Chinatown Heritage District.”
“Vincent has served as the Executive Director of the Garden for four years and brought professionalism, a sense of community and unique humour to his position.” Added Atkin. “During his tenure Vincent has sought to involve the Garden in the larger Chinatown community and various community initiatives, has made the Garden available for community events, meetings and gatherings, co-sponsored the Beyond Pender program series of talks examining the future of Chinatown, and has been an advocate on important neighbourhood-focused, as well as city-wide, cultural and tourism-related committees.”
“Furthermore Vincent has set in motion the future work and planning for the conservation needs of the Garden’s cultural space and has navigated the current pandemic situation with thoughtfulness and care.” Concluded Atkin.
“It has been a tremendously rewarding experience serving Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden as the Executive Director over the past four and a half years.” Stated Kwan. “It has been a privilege to work alongside so many incredibly brilliant and passionate staff, Board members, volunteers as well as community partners, to fulfil the mandate of driving intercultural learning.”
As Vincent continues to build his legacy as a future member of the City of Vancouver’s Chinatown Transformation Team, the Board and staff enthusiastically look forward to continuing to work with him in his new civic role.
“I am truly grateful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of an organization whose work exemplifies the beauty, significance and potential of Vancouver’s Chinatown as a unique cultural heritage gem.” Added Kwan.
It is a bittersweet farewell, however we are very happy to see him take on a significant role in Chinatown’s future as a member of the City of Vancouver’s Chinatown Transformation Team.
Vincent’s last day with the Garden will be on the 31st of October 2020 and the Board of Directors has announced that the Garden’s Head of HR, Administration, and Operations Lorraine Lowe, will step into the position of Interim Executive Director.
Please join us in wishing Vincent all the best in his new role.