Pro+ Initiative Launched to Pioneer a New Era of Financial Leadership and Collaboration

Dec 10, 2023, Toronto, ON, Canada] – The Canadian-Chinese Finance Association (CCFA) hosted its grand Christmas Gala on December 10, 2023, bringing together 260 distinguished guests from the finance sector. This annual event underscored CCFA's mission to “Engage, Empower, and Enrich” finance professionals with Chinese roots, Canadian connections, and global aspirations. The gala was a celebration of milestone launches, prestigious awards, and captivating performances, symbolizing the community's dynamic spirit and talent.

Visionary Leadership and Keynote Insights

Emily Gu, the newly-elected President of CCFA, shared her inspirational journey and vision for the association. Her commitment to elevating Canadian finance professionals through global market access and professional development opportunities is set to propel CCFA forward.

The gala also featured a keynote address by John Christofilos, a renowned finance expert with three decades of experience. His insights on navigating the evolving market landscape, with a focus on balancing "Recency bias vs. long-term fundamentals," resonated deeply with attendees.

Pro+: Elevating Financial Excellence

One highlight of the evening was the launch of the Pro+ consortium (金融加), an exclusive network for mid-level business leaders and seasoned professionals. As the latest embodiment of CCFA’s mission to “Engage, Empower and Enrich” the local finance community, Pro+ aims to foster high-quality networking, business investment, and cross-industry collaboration.

The gala witnessed some cornerstone members kick-start this initiative, a significant milestone in our journey towards global finance excellence. By invitation only, the program offers premium networking, professional development, real business case reviews, and on-site tours and learning. The pilot phase invited 20 professionals for a three-year engagement, including roundtables, virtual salons, and business excursions, strengthening connections with influential financial capitals worldwide.

Celebrating Achievements: CCFA Annual Awards

The CCFA Christmas Gala was also a moment to honor outstanding individuals in the finance community. The Mentor Award was bestowed upon Henry Tse, recognizing his exceptional guidance and support to emerging professionals. Jason Ruan received the Young Talent Award for his innovative contributions as an emerging leader. The Innovative Fintech Award was awarded to Spencer Xu, highlighting his groundbreaking work in financial technology. Hao Tian was honored with the Woman in Finance Award for her significant impact and leadership in the finance sector. Zibo Zhou received the Community Spotlight Award for his remarkable involvement and dedication to the volunteer works at the association. Last but not the least, the Partner Excellence Award was presented to the Deloitte FEM Team, led by Ivy Hou, for their outstanding collaboration and support to the CCFA.

The CCFA community's talents shone brightly, with memorable performances by Fei Ye and Cathy Xi Chen on the violin, Ariana Tianai Wang's Latin dance, and a band performance led by Alex. The event thrived on the support from the following sponsors: Surfin, TD, Equitable Bank, Enoch Wealth, TopCareer, North Horizon, iDC, Chinada, CCIA, ChinaTelecom, XINFLIX ENTREPRENEUR CLUB, Nature Financial, LE BLANC, flow alkaline spring water, VirgoCx, Spark Show Production. 

Looking ahead, CCFA continues to be committed to its mission, playing a pivotal role in the global financial landscape while enriching its members' professional and personal lives.