Executives
| President | Cherry Cheng |
| Vice President | Kester Ng |
| Finance Director | Shirley Ng |
| Public Relations & Marketing Director | Rosana Zeng |
| Sponsorship & Grant Director | Samuel Yim |
| Youth Development Director | Doly Begum |
| Chairperson of Night It Up! | Chris Yau |
| Chairperson of The E3 Challenge | Christina Spinelli |
| Co-Chairpersons of Paint-A-Thon | Jenny Jiang & Doly Begum |
Cherry Cheng
PresidentEducation and/or Occupation: International Bachelor of Business Administration, York University; Accountant at Ernst & Young LLP
Years of involvement with PUYO: 4 years and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Participating in The E3 Challenge 2007 and carrying our 3-ft games booth mascot, Taz-Mania, on our shoulders around Night It Up!, screaming on top of our lungs to try to make a sale
- Seeing my group of mentees walk across the stage to take the winning title home after a long tremendous battle for The E3 Challenge 2008
- Taking part in the first annual Paint-A-Thon as a painter, singing and playing piano for our very own PUYO Rockband and staying out until 4 a.m. to pick up garbage for Night It Up! 2011
- To work closely with Youth Development Director and focus heavily in getting to know the members of PUYO, develop their strengths and weaknesses and see that they foster and grow with PUYO
- To continue moving PUYO forward and to form alliances and liaisons with organizations in the community in creating a strong presence of PUYO
- To keep improving the existing projects PUYO has and to develop potential new projects that would create a strong impact on the community
Kester Ng
Vice PresidentEducation and/or Occupation: Master of Biotechnology, University of Toronto. Medical Affairs Associate, Boehringer Ingelheim
Years of involvement with PUYO: 4 years and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Winning E3 Challenge 2007 with my beloved “Randomly United” teammates, Henry Chak, Johnathan Ku, and Jennifer Tung
- Being the Sales Director of Night It Up! 2011, and phone was non-stop ringing the very next day of the press conference and leading a team of 10 very talented sales representatives to sell a record high 125 booths
- Singing and rapping for PUYO Rockband and staying out until 4 a.m. to pick up garbage for Night It Up! 2011
- To work with all executives to organize social events and speaker series in strengthening members engagement
- To improve existing projects of PUYO by bringing new components and enhancing internal communication across the organization
Shirley Ng
Finance DirectorEducation and/or Occupation: Bachelor of Commerce - Finance and Economics Specialist, University of Toronto; Consultant at Investors Group
Years of involvement with PUYO: 2 months and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Attending Night It Up! year after year and getting hit with a stench wave of stinky tofu within minutes of walking in
- Ensure the success of all our projects in order to continue providing donations to beneficiaries
- Increase awareness of PUYO
Rosana Zeng
Public Relations & Marketing DirectorEducation and/or Occupation: Graduated with a B.A. Hons in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Carleton University. Currently working as an Advisor with Sunlife Financial
Years of involvement with PUYO: 2 years and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Experiencing my first NIU! event as a promotions member, seeing all our hard grunt work coming to fruition in those two days was a giant accomplishment. To be part of something this big was a huge adrenaline rush, and knowing that we devoted all our sweat and blood to give back to the community and having it be a success made me realize that I want to continue working with PUYO
- I want to expand PUYO's media presence with a strategic media strategy and to develop and strengthen its relationship with community members
Samuel Yim
Sponsorship Director & Grant DirectorEducation and/or Occupation: Graduated with a B.Sc. in Medical Radiation Sciences from McMaster University. Currently working as an X-Ray Technologist in the hospital setting. Also studying to sub-specialize in magnetic resonance imaging
Years of involvement with PUYO: Almost a year!
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Attending the youth development retreat at Youth Leaderships Camps Canada where we had an amazing time (especially the high ropes!)
- Being in my first client meeting, where I was extremely quiet but learned a whole lot about sponsorship
- Acquainting myself with all the members of PUYO, each being super enthusiastic about volunteering and putting time into creating memorable events
- To successfully apply for grants on behalf of PUYO to allow us to have additional funding for our events
- To create a positive relationship with the public, politicians, local businesses and other third parties to further establish PUYO in the community
- To invest into youth development, regardless of culture, gender and socioeconomic class
Doly Begum
Youth Development Director & Paint-A-Thon Co-ChairpersonEducation and/or Occupation: Political Science and Writing & Rhetoric (Hon.B.A), University of Toronto
Years of involvement with PUYO: 8 months and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- PUYO retreat 2011: Going on blind trail with everyone blind folded
- Singing and dancing (although undoubtedly out of sync) with our PUYO Rockband at Night It Up! 2011
- Watching the Paint-A-Thon team work diligently to make its premier a huge success
- Establish a sustainable system for members’ development and progress throughout their journey in PUYO
- Maintain a close watch over members’ involvement in different teams to promote a healthy and friendly relationship between members in the PUYO family
- Develop a series of events and initiatives that links the PUYO alumni with new members in order to foster a form of communication to pass down their knowledge and expertise
- Work closely with each team leads and the members to organize a successful Paint-A-Thon
- Contribute to the community and be a role model to my team
Chris Yau
Chairperson of Night It Up!Education and/or Occupation: Bachelor of Commerce, Finance and Economics, University of Toronto
Years of involvement with PUYO: 4 years and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Being part of The E3 Challenge as a peer advisor, specifically, witnessing each of my mentee's commitment to the competition, watching their growth throughout the challenge, and ultimately seeing them join the PUYO family
- Seeing the love that each and every PUYOer has for the organization, especially after a successful event. The demonstration of dedication and heart that each PUYOer shows makes me proud to be part of such an amazing organization
- Experiencing the successful launch of our newest project, Paint-A-Thon in 2011
- Foster and sustain the growth of PUYO
- Continuity of PUYO's family oriented style and making sure that everyone is enjoying what they do for the organization
- To be a student and a teacher
- To execute the most awesome Night It Up! night market EVER!
Christina Spinelli
Chairperson of The E3 ChallengeEducation and/or Occupation: Honours Integrated Science, McMaster University
Years of involvement with PUYO: 2 years and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Winning E3 Challenge 2010 with my amazing "Way Better" team mates
- Helping to run E3 Challenge 2011's opening ceremony
- Going on the 2011 Power Unit Retreat and hiking on the blind trail
- To strengthen the ties between E3 Challenge organizers and members of the other PUYO initiatives
- To create a training session for mentors and peer advisors before E3 Challenge 2012 to enhance the development experience for Challenge participants
Jenny Jiang
Co-Chairperson of Paint-A-ThonEducation and/or Occupation: 3rd year, HBA candidate, Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario
Years of involvement with PUYO: 1 year and counting
Most memorable experience working with PUYO:
- Watching a year-long planning process come to life with a dedicated and energetic group of individuals at the Paint-A-Thon, 2011
- Continue Paint-A-Thon's success by working extensively with the PUYO network and the Toronto and Markham community to hold a celebrated, annual event
Board of Directors
| Chairperson | Ling Chung |
| Vice-Chairperson | May Choi |
| Treasurer | Lucy Liu |
| Secretary | Jerry Wong |
| Operational Compliance and Control | Jennifer Chien |
| Youth Development | Cindy Tsoi & Steven Tong |
| PUYO President | Cherry Cheng |
| PUYO Vice-President | Kester Ng |
Ling Chung
ChairpersonLing Chung graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from York University, Schulich School of Business, specializing in Marketing. She currently works in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry as a trade marketing professional. An active community organizer, Ling formerly served on the planning committees of Pride Toronto and many one-off conferences and fundraisers. Ling has assumed roles of increasing responsibility in PUYO since 2003. She chaired Night It Up! in 2005 and the event raised record funds under her leadership. In addition, during Ling’s tenure as PUYO’s Executive Committee President, Ling founded E3 Challenge, a successful recruitment initiative that has put hundreds of youth organizers through the PUYO system. Ling’s tactical background in PUYO has provided Ling with a strong foundation to steer PUYO’s strategic direction. To this day, Ling continues to dedicate weekly volunteer hours to the front-line outside of PUYO. She is an avid advocate of volunteers staying close to the very cause they support. She brings this set of belief to PUYO and encourages all members to balance planning meetings with hands-on, front-line participation.
May Choi
Vice-ChairpersonMay Choi holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies degree from York University with a specialization in Accounting. May has worked in various public companies focusing on international tax and mutual fund accounting. She currently works as a property accountant and is pursuing a Certified Management Accountant designation. With a passion for the community, May has volunteered for Orbis Canada, Under the Banyan Tree and Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care. Within PUYO, May’s leadership involvement tracks back to 2004. She has previously served as PUYO Finance Director, Night It Up! Sales Director, E3 Challenge Team Mentor and Executive Committee President in 2008. May currently sits on the Board as the Vice-Chairperson.
Lucy Liu
TreasurerLucy Liu is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Toronto, specializing in Commerce and Finance, and Majoring in Economics. She started her career as an external audit in public practice with experience in public and private sectors, and currently works as an operations and controls analyst at a public company. In her job, she conducts operational and financial controls audits as well as monitor internal control compliance and design effectiveness of control processes. With an enthusiasm for serving the community, Lucy works with a visually impaired individual on weekends and co-coordinates a local tax clinic. At work, she has initiated a corporate public speaking club to develop transferable skills amongst professionals. With her experience in accounting processes and internal controls, Lucy is now the Treasurer on the Board of Directors, with a focus on financial and organizational governance.
Jerry Wong
SecretaryJerry Wong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University majoring in Economics. He is currently a Team Manager at TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage, pursuing his Options Supervisory and Branch Manager designations. With a passion for the community, Jerry’s volunteer engagements span across Asian Business Network Association, Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association and Chinese Martyrs Catholic Church. Jerry joined PUYO in 2007. Within PUYO, Jerry served as the Leadership Development Director and sat on the organizing committee of E3 Challenge in various capacities. Jerry hopes to strengthen PUYO’s workflow and policy review processes by leveraging related volunteer experiences.
Jennifer Chien
Operational Compliance and ControlA graduate from the University of Waterloo, Jennifer Chien holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Human Resource Management certificate from Seneca College. At present, Jennifer is an Analyst with CMI Insights Inc., a market analytics firm that provides business advisory services to companies within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. Prior to full-time employment, Jennifer has worked in co-op positions at Industry Canada, EDS and IBM. Jennifer’s PUYO involvement began in 2002 as a Night It Up! on-site volunteer. Since then, Jennifer has taken on various leadership roles within PUYO. Within the Board, Jennifer focuses on operational governance, with emphasis on process compliance and control.
Cindy Tsoi
Youth DevelopmentCindy Tsoi is an Advertising Design graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) with a degree in Bachelor of Design. Currently, Cindy holds a full-time position in a non-profit organization. Her drive for community service and youth development has led her to take on various leadership roles within the community. Her community involvements include the Toronto Youth Chapter of Chinese Canadian National Council and Impact Entrepreneurship Group. She is the distinguished recipient of the Toronto Cathay Lions Club Community Involvement Award, as well as Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Citizenship Award and Scholarship. Since 2005, Cindy has taken on various leadership roles within PUYO including Night It Up! Director of Promotions, E3 Challenge Project Chairperson, PUYO Leadership Development Director and PUYO Executive Committee President in 2009. She currently serves as Director of Youth Development on the Board of Directors, focusing on volunteer training and engagement.
Steven Tong
Youth DevelopmentA graduate of the University of Toronto, Steven is currently a Master of Science candidate in Neuroscience - Pharmacology collaborative program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Steven’s first involvement with PUYO was as a competing participant in the inaugural year of the E3 Challenge. Since then, Steven has actively participated in various PUYO projects including Night it Up! and E3 Challenge. In 2008, Steven served as the E3 Challenge Project Chairperson. Steven currently sits on the Board’s Youth Development Committee. He helps develop training curriculums within PUYO to equip youth organizers with necessary skills to succeed in their projects.
Cherry Cheng
PUYO PresidentCherry Cheng is a graduate from York University's Schulich School of Business with an International Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She is currently working as a staff accountant at Ernst & Young, pursuing her Chartered Accountant designation. With a belief that youths can make a difference in the community, she became involved with PUYO through participating in the E3 Challenge in 2007, and then taking on organizing roles including E3 Event Partnership in 2008, E3 Mentor in 2009, E3 Chairperson and Executive Committee Vice President in 2010, and becoming the Executive Committee President in 2012. Cherry is also involved with other community events such as Milliken Children's Festival. Her personal commitment to leadership, community service and innovation resulted in her receiving the Canadian Millenium Excellence Award. Cherry strongly believes in the values of PUYO and finds joy in working with youths, seeing them develop and being a motivator to the people around her.
Kester Ng
PUYO Vice-PresidentKester Ng is a candidate in Master of Biotechnology from University of Toronto. He currently works at Boehringer Ingelheim as a Medical Affairs Associate. His community involvements include the Yee Hong Foundation, Under the Banyan Tree Centre for Mental Disabled. Kester's first involvement with PUYO was as a participant in the E3 Challenge five years ago. In 2009, Kester became the Sales Director of Toronto Night Market, now recognized as Night It Up! Kester currently sits on the executive team as Vice President with a goal to recruit talented and dedicated youths to join PUYO and to provide opportunities to them to develop their professional skills.