SPECIAL OFFER

Youth aged 18–30 might qualify for sponsorship from the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada's National Youth Service Network (NYSN) leadership initiatives.

 View the details and apply here.

About the Summit:  

The Aspire to Lead is Canada's premier national platform dedicated to strengthening Chinese Canadian civic participation and leadership. Since it's launch in 2019, the Summit has brought together established and emerging leaders from government, business, academia, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs to advance a shared goal: expanding representation and participation in Canada's civic and institutional leadership.

The Summit integrates thought provoking keynotes, intergenerational dialogue, roundtables, mentorship circles, and action-oriented workshops designed to move beyond inspiration toward measurable advancement. Participants include senior executives, policymakers, board members, mid career professionals, entrepreneurs, and post secondary students, creating a dynamic intergenerational leadership pipeline.

The theme for this summit is Chinese Canadian Leadership, Belonging, and the Future We Shape. Topics include: 

• First Nations and Chinese Canadians: our shared journey, relations and cultural beliefs
• Pathways to Leadership for Chinese Canadians
• What is this moment asking of us?
• Having a seat at the table
• Belonging and Leadership
• What does belonging look like for Chinese Canadians?
• Navigating belonging, visibility, and intersecting identies while exercising authority
• Questions I wished I had asked at the start of my career
• Changing the metrics on public appointments and formal and informal civic action by 2030

At this summit you will:

• be engaged in thought-provoking dialogue with leaders and trailblazers
• make meaningful connections
• be supported by a community of mentors to support your personal leadership journey
• be inspired to lead

Summit Date & Location: 

• Date and Time*:  May 15- 17, 2026 

• Location: Federation Hall

• Address: University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
• Pay parking avaliable at University of Waterloo. Visitor parking | University of Waterloo

Accommodation & Location: 

• On Campus Accommodation Front office Location : Ron Eydt Village (REV)
• Off Campus Accommodation Option : Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo St. Jacobs (10-minute drive from the Summit site)

Registration Deadline:

NOTE:

• The deadline to select an accommodation option is  April 30, 2026 EDT.

Registration Fee:

NOTE:

•  All fees are in Canadian dollars.

•  All prices are subject to a 13% tax, applied at checkout.

•  The registration fee includes three breakfasts, three lunches, and one dinner.

Cancellation Policy:

•  Registration cancellations less a $45.00 cancellation fee will be accepted on or before Thursday, April 30th, 2026.
•  No refund on or after May 1, 2026.
•  To request a refund, please contact accombook@uwaterloo.ca.  

Contact Information:

• For any conference-related inquiries, please contact us at events@acctfoundation.ca
• For registration inquiries, please reach out to accombook@uwaterloo.ca.  

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