The ACCT Foundation is pleased to present the next session of our Aspire to Act Civic Leadership Training Program, a dynamic, fully virtual and interactive leadership initiative designed to equip emerging and established leaders with the skills, confidence, and insight to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
This multi-session program brings together participants from across Canada to engage in thoughtful dialogue, practical learning, and real-world leadership development. Through interactive modules and candid conversations, participants will explore identity and culture, strengthen core leadership competencies, and gain a deeper understanding of public appointments and civil society.
You’ll leave with valuable knowledge and tools to help dismantle the systemic barriers facing Chinese Canadians seeking civic leadership roles, and create your own leadership action plan.
Upcoming Cohort:
3 VIRTUAL SESSIONS
April 4, April 11, April 26, 2026 (Saturdays)
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (MT)
Plus: Up to 3 days of self-paced online learning
PROGRAM FEE
$350
Youth Rate: $100
Available for participants aged 18–30 through the Youth Participation Grants.
See details below.
The exceptional group of accomplished leaders will share lived experience, practical insights, and candid reflections on leadership across public, private, and community sectors throughout the program.
AND MORE.
Aspire to Act is a unique leadership training program created to address the persistent underrepresentation of Chinese Canadians in leadership roles.
This identity and cultural context–focused program aims to:
• Address the gap in current leadership programs
• Increase Chinese Canadians’ equitable participation and advancements in leadership roles, reducing persistent underrepresentation
• Enhance sustainable civic engagement that contributes to our diverse and multicultural Canada
Through Aspire to Act, participants will gain the skills, confidence and networks needed to step into civic leadership roles and advance equitably within their fields.
Civic leadership is a means of addressing the opportunities and challenges our communities face. While many associate civic roles primarily with elected offices at the municipal, provincial, or federal levels, civic leadership extends well beyond formal political positions.
Civic leaders serve in community associations, advisory councils, public boards, and institutional committees that shape education, public services, culture, infrastructure, and policy. If you are committed to strengthening your community and contributing to the public good, you have the foundation of a civic leader. Below are examples that illustrate the diverse pathways civic leadership can take.
Public Library Boards
Police Services Boards
Housing Authorities and Agencies
Public Health Agencies
Professional Association Boards
Arts Councils
(municipal, provincial, federal)
Environmental and Climate Agencies
Government Advisory Committees
Infrastructure and Economic Development Agencies
Children’s Services and Family Boards
School Councils and Education Boards
Community Associations and Nonprofit Boards
AND MORE.
Implicit and explicit racial bias have created barriers for Chinese Canadians and impacted how many leaders view themselves. We’ll address issues of stereotypes and cultural competency as we forge a path to a more equitable future. We’ll also explore our Chinese heritage and cultural values, as well as issues of democracy and citizenship.
You will gain deeper clarity about your leadership identity and greater confidence in engaging civic spaces with cultural awareness and purpose.
You’ll learn how to position yourself as a leader, and dive deep into concepts such as changing mindsets vs. fixed mindset. You’ll have the opportunity to practice your leadership story and develop your personal vision and goals. We’ll also explore the complexity of the Chinese community and discuss how our cultural heritage can be an incredible leadership asset.
You will leave with a stronger leadership mindset, a clearly defined leadership story, and greater confidence to step forward into civic opportunities.
We’ll explore public appointments and other pathways to civic leadership, including how to navigate opportunities across sectors.
You’ll hear firsthand insights from experienced leaders who have successfully stepped into public and community roles.
You will leave with a defined pathway, practical next steps, and the confidence to actively pursue civic leadership roles.
| Content |
|---|
| Introduction to Civic Leadership |
| Exploring Culture and Identity |
| History of Chinese Canadians and A Critical Examination on Racism and White Supremacy |
| Understanding Power and Combating Racist Ideologies against Chinese Canadians |
| Chinese Culture as Assets & Pathway to Change |
| Understanding and Working with Communities |
| Understanding and Accessing Public Entities and Telling Your Leadership Stories |
Teresa Woo-Paw has dedicated her career to promoting active civic engagement and social inclusion. Over 45 years, Teresa has founded 7 organizations including the ACCT Foundation, and served on over 30 committees and boards.
She is a social worker by training and consultant by profession, offering diversity training to numerous organizations. Teresa’s community service has earned her many awards. She is also the first Trustee and Chair of the Calgary Board of Education of Asian Canadian descent (1995-99), as well as the first female Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and Cabinet Minister of Asian Canadian descent (2008-15).
This program is an ideal fit for diverse leaders of Chinese Canadian descent in all sectors. We will select 30 participants for the program.
Applicants should:
Submit your completed application via this [LINK].
Registration deadline is April 2, 2026
$350 CAD
The fee includes 3 virtual sessions and up to 3 days of self-paced online learning through our digital learning platform.
We’re committed to making this program accessible. If cost is a barrier, financial assistance is available. Please refer to the registration form to learn more.
A special rate is available for ACCT board members, committee members, past sponsors and affiliated partners. For inquiries regarding the ACCT partner access code, please contact: events@acctfoundation.ca
Through a partnership between Action! Chinese Canadians Together (ACCT) and the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, Chinese Canadians youth aged 18–30, Canadian citizens, Permanent residents or Refugee status may be eligible for participation grants and additional leadership opportunities through the National Youth Service Network.
Please follow the steps below:
Step 1 – Register for the GLOCAL’s National Youth Service Network (NYSN) Program
Register for the GLOCAL NYSN program through the Application form to unlock the GLOCAL Participation grants.
Step 2 – Register for the Program
Register for the Aspire to Act Civic Leadership Training Program through the registration platform and complete payment of the program fee ($350 CAD).
Step 3 – Submit the Grant Application Form
After completing your registration, please submit the Youth Participation Grant Application Form.
Eligible youth participants will receive $250 in participation support, which will be reimbursed after completing the training program.
Participation grant eligibility will be reviewed once all three steps have been completed.
For questions regarding youth participation grants, please contact:
events@acctfoundation.ca
Participants of the Aspire to Act Civic Leadership Training Program are highly encouraged to continue their leadership journey by attending the Aspire to Lead© Chinese Canadian Leaders’ Summit.
The summit is a national gathering that brings together emerging and established leaders to explore civic leadership, public participation and community impact.
It provides a platform for dialogue, networking, and mentorship, while highlighting the contributions and leadership of Chinese Canadians across sectors.
By participating in the summit, Aspire to Act participants can:
Aspire to Lead© Chinese Canadian Leaders’ Summit
May 15–17, 2026
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
Youth participants supported through the ACCT × GLOCAL partnership may also be eligible for grants covering up to $800 toward summit registration.
