Reviving Heritage with Heart

Revival begins with vision — and for Carol Lee, that vision has always been rooted in the belief that Chinatown’s past holds the key to its future.

A recipient of the Order of Canada (2023), Carol is the Founder and CEO of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, where she has devoted her life to preserving and reimagining one of Canada’s most historic cultural neighbourhoods. Her work extends far beyond architecture and economics — it’s about identity, memory, and the shared spirit of a community.

Through the Foundation’s transformative initiatives, Carol has brought new light to Chinatown’s legacy. Projects such as the award-winning Chinatown BBQ and the vibrant Light Up Chinatown! festival have reignited local pride, celebrating Chinese culinary heritage and the communal joy it inspires.

Her leadership embodies what it means to be a cultural craftsman — not of food, but of connection. Carol bridges generations, telling the story of Chinatown through the flavours, faces, and traditions that define it.

In honouring Carol Lee as Cultural Ambassador of the Year, we celebrate her unwavering dedication to the revival of Chinatown and her lifelong mission to ensure that the soul of Chinese culture continues to shine brightly in the heart of Vancouver.

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