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.

Anita Suen, Program Coordinator

DTES Neighborhood Helpers Project

Anita brings a deep commitment to community care, food security, and senior well-being to her role as Community Outreach Coordinator at the Vancouver Second Mile Society. With a BSc in Food, Nutrition, and Health from the University of British Columbia, where she also minored in Sustainable Food Systems, Anita has built her career around inclusive, relationship-centered programming that empowers individuals.

She has over three years of experience in workshop coordination with seniors across Vancouver and Toronto, creating accessible educational resources and partnering with local organizations to expand outreach efforts.

Beyond her professional experience, Anita grew up in downtown Vancouver, attending Britannia Secondary School and volunteering in the Downtown Eastside. With her upbringing and experience, she has an understanding of the many barriers seniors in this neighborhood encounter; thus, her work at the Vancouver Second Mile Society will focus on furthering the quality of life by building community.

Billy Wan, Program Coordinator

Neighborhood Helpers Chinese Outreach Project

Billy graduated with a Bachelor of Health Education (Honours) from the Education University of Hong Kong. Before joining VSMS, he worked as a stretch teacher to promote health and well being to seniors through health education and stretching sports. As a teacher for over 20 years in elementary and high schools, he received a certificate of commendation award for outstanding professional performance by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong. With his training in production and industrial engineering, he was a member of the UK Institution of Engineering Designers and worked as a project engineer. With his diverse background in stretching therapy, education and engineering, he is enthusiastic to make use of his skills to enhance the health and well being of seniors through health promotion and social connection programs & activities.