Ching Tien Foundation for Women

Ching Tien Foundation for Women Empowering young women from Asia to become changemakers for the future.

08/05/2026

“Being here, standing in front of all of you, is something I never imagined would happened. I grew up in poverty, my parents had to work full days being away from home for survival, and university was impossible without scholarship. Coming to Canada, being apart of a homestay family, and experiencing the leadership program at Royal Roads University allowed me to expand my horizons as a person, to see the world in a different way, to meet new people, and to further see the gaps that need to be bridged in my country in terms of education and literature, particularly for children. Here, I was able to create connections, develop new perspectives, and then learn what needs to be done. This is all possible because of the Foundation, and also the belief and the trust that you have given us, Miss Ching.”

~ Erica Deliguer, Philippines
Undergraduate Student, Ateneo de Manila University
Ching Tien Foundation for Women 2026 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar

Our 2026 Undergraduate Leadership Program cohort has just completed their studies at the Royal Roads University Leadersh...
08/05/2026

Our 2026 Undergraduate Leadership Program cohort has just completed their studies at the Royal Roads University Leadership Academy and returned to their home countries. In the months to come, each student will develop her own giving back project, marking important steps in her leadership development.

Here is a look back at our scholars’ presentation at our 2026 Leadership Forum. Learning about each scholarship student’s personal journey moved everyone in the room to tears and cheers. We are so proud of all of you, and look forward to the impact you will continue to make!

08/04/2026

“I am the proud daughter of a tricycle driver and a janitress from the Philippines, and I’m pursuing a degree in diplomacy and international relations. After my undergraduate studies, I want to take my chances with law school as I aspire to be an immigration lawyer in order to help Filipinos and other people to move placeS. Dome people might think, “A lawyer? Isn’t that an overreaching dream for someone that is a daughter of a tricycle driver?” But I know people in this room wouldn’t think that.

Before I joined the Ching Tien Foundation program, I would think… I’m not a leader. But now I think we all have a chance to be changemakers. The quietness of Victoria, the love of my homestay family, and the support of all of my classmates, all the good parts of Victoria and all its bad parts, gave me space to take a pause and dream of a world that I want the next generation to live in.”

~ Roan Jessa P. Bodino, Philippines
Undergraduate Student, Ateneo de Manila University
Ching Tien Foundation for Women 2026 Undergraduate Leadership Program Scholar

We were thrilled to have Sally Armstrong - internationally acclaimed journalist, award-winning author, and lifelong advo...
07/28/2026

We were thrilled to have Sally Armstrong - internationally acclaimed journalist, award-winning author, and lifelong advocate for women’s rights - as one of our 2026 Leadership Forum keynote speakers.
For every scholarship cohort at the Foundation cohort, Sally’s CBC Massey Lectures “The Power Shift” serve as essential reading, followed by discussions on women’s advancement journeys throughout history. 

Joining us virtually from her summer home in New Brunswick, Sally challenged our scholars to think critically about the current world and the setbacks women are facing. Meeting Sally for the first time and engaging with her during a Q&A session was an exciting moment for our young women and a highlight of the forum.

It was a special treat to have a workshop presented by Minerva BC CEO Tina Strehlke on “Building Your Network: Strategie...
07/28/2026

It was a special treat to have a workshop presented by Minerva BC CEO Tina Strehlke on “Building Your Network: Strategies for Aspiring Leaders”. This interactive session prompted everyone in the room to reflect on how we show up, spark conversations and create meaningful connections. We all had a great time composing our self-introductions and getting to know everyone else in the room!

Minerva BC is a Vancouver-based charity dedicating to advancing women and girls leadership, and Tina is a formidable social impact leader who has been a cherished supporter of the Ching Tien Foundation for Women. Thank you Tina for spending the day with us and sharing your energy and expertise!

The Ching Tien Foundation for Women is grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Royal Roads University Leaders...
07/27/2026

The Ching Tien Foundation for Women is grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Royal Roads University Leadership Academy. Since 2023, scholarship students from our Undergraduate Leadership Program have spent four weeks at the Leadership Academy which provides a transformative experience combining learning, adventure, and global leadership in a beautiful Canadian setting. It has been thrilling to see how this unique program builds confidence while allowing our students to build cross cultural communications skills and global perspectives. Thank you to Megan Domenichelli and Paula Jamieson for making the trip to present at our Leadership Forum this year to share the impact of our very special partnership.

“Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for giving me opportunities when I needed them most. And thank you for creatin...
07/24/2026

“Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for giving me opportunities when I needed them most. And thank you for creating opportunities for so many other girls and women.

I hope that one day, each of us can pass an opportunity on to someone else. Because that is how change begins—one opportunity at a time.“

~ Huiming Ma, Masters Program Scholarship Alumna

We were honoured to have Rebecca Pang, Regional Vice President of RBC offer keynote remarks at our 2026 Ching Tien Found...
07/23/2026

We were honoured to have Rebecca Pang, Regional Vice President of RBC offer keynote remarks at our 2026 Ching Tien Foundation for Women Leadership Forum.

Originally from Hong Kong, with progressive career experiences in China, Hong Kong, U.S., Rebecca’s keynote remarks - filled with humility and humour - shared the ups and down of building her career in Canada as an immigrant, visible minority and a woman.

Thank you Rebecca for showing us the power of persistence, your willingness to learn and go the extra mile to achieve your goals are an inspiration to all of us!

Here is an excerpt from her remarks:

“Every one of us carries invisible permission slips.
“I’m too young.”
“I’m too quiet.”
“My English isn’t good enough.”
“I’m not ready.”
“I’ll speak up next time.”
Those stories keep us comfortable.
But they also keep us small.
So today, when you go home, I want you to do something.
Take out a piece of paper.
Write down the sentence you’ve been telling yourself.
Then tear it up.
Because leadership doesn’t begin when fear disappears.
Leadership begins when purpose becomes bigger than fear.
There is a dragon inside every one of us.
Not one that breathes fire.
One with courage.
Curiosity.
Compassion.
The question isn’t whether that dragon exists.
The question is whether you’ll let it out.”

We were honoured to have Kim Haakstad, President and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries offer keynote remarks at...
07/22/2026

We were honoured to have Kim Haakstad, President and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries offer keynote remarks at our 2026 Ching Tien Foundation for Women Leadership Forum. Over the course of her career Kim has held leadership roles in the private sector, as well senior advisory roles in the BC government, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier and Chief of Staff to Cabinet Ministers.

In her keynote address, Kim shared a side of leadership we don’t always get a chance to see. What do you do when you can’t clearly see the path ahead? Or when everything goes wrong? She stressed the importance of collaboration and valuing the people we meet on our paths. Accepting help, offering help, and being an empathetic, generous human being are qualities that help build strong and impactful leaders!

Thank you Kim for so honestly sharing personal stories and lessons that resonated with our community. Here is an excerpt from her remarks:

“Today, I almost always say yes when someone asks for a coffee, career advice or an informational interview. Not because I think I have all the answers. Far from it. I say yes because I remember what a relief it was when people said yes to me. And sometimes you cannot pay it forward, so pay it backwards!

When you leave here today, I hope you wil say yes. Invest in time in building relationships. Ask for help when you need it. And, when you have the chance to open a door for someone else... Do it, because you never know where life and work will lead you, and, you never know whose life you’ll change along the way.”

“Throughout the 21 years of my giving back journey, I have been supported by mentors, friends, donors, volunteers, partn...
07/21/2026

“Throughout the 21 years of my giving back journey, I have been supported by mentors, friends, donors, volunteers, partners, and many people who believed in me and my mission. Leadership is never a solo journey. It is built on relationships and trust.

To our scholars and young people here today, I would like to leave you with three thoughts.
 
First, never let your circumstances define your future. Where you begin does not determine where you can go.
Second, every experience - particularly the difficult ones - is preparing you for the person you are becoming.
Third, use your success to create opportunities for others.
 
The world does not simply need more successful people. It needs more compassionate leaders who are willing to serve. This is why the core belief of our foundation is to give back.

When I look at you, I see hope. I believe each of you will not only achieve your own success, but you will also go on to create opportunities for others.”

An excerpt from Ching Tien Foundation for Women Founder and President Ching Tien’s opening remarks at the 2026 Leadership Forum.

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