The Multicultural Association of Cape Breton is a grass-roots, volunteer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ethnocultural community development in Unama’ki Cape Breton.
Lan Zheng is an Economic Development Officer for Cape Breton Regional Municipality with Cape Breton Partnership. Since moving to Cape Breton in 2012, she has earned a Master's in Community Economic Development and has worked in various roles, including as a Business Growth Advisor and Export Growth Project Coordinator.
Lan has over 10 years of international business experience and has managed her own trading company and marketing consulting business. She is passionate about helping local businesses expand and supporting newcomers in Cape Breton. Since 2019, she has been a proud member of the Immigration Advisory Table with Cape Breton Immigration Partnership Program, working to assist newcomers in the community.
Lan has been actively involved in supporting newcomers in Cape Breton through her roles in economic development and as a member of the Immigration Advisory Table. Her efforts aim to integrate newcomers into local communities and facilitate their economic participation and growth.
Ocean Le plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and cultural diversity within the community. He works at the Cape Breton Partnership, overseeing the Connector Program—an island-wide initiative dedicated to helping newcomers and local graduates build strong professional networks across Cape Breton.
Ocean is the co-chair of the Belonging Working Group part of the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership, working to create a more welcoming environment for all newcomers. Ocean is also the Director of Junior Programming at Cromarty Tennis Club and Sydney River, where he combines his love for sports with his skills as a certified tennis instructor.
Kalie Wang is a business faculty member at NSCC Marconi campus, an entrepreneur, and a dedicated volunteer. She founded Urban Grow Farms in 2019 to support the local food community and has received several awards for her entrepreneurial efforts, including the 2022 Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Kalie came to Cape Breton from China in 2012, to pursue her Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development. She graduated in 2015 and decided to stay in Cape Breton, receiving her Canadian citizenship in 2022 and is passionate about helping other newcomers. She also serves on the boards of New Dawn Enterprises and Cape Breton Food Hub, bringing leadership and insight to these roles.
Des Ong was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and moved to Cape Breton in 2019 as an international student.
Using her lived experience in immigration and personal commitment to support newcomers like her, Des is always seeking ways to use her skills, background and culture to support local immigration on the island. She is currently co-chair of Immigrant Advisory Table - Local Immigration Partnership.
Des is also a communications strategist and visual storyteller and the co-owner of Sari-Sari Story, a visual storytelling company in CBRM.
Vicki Clough is a new Canadian citizen and settler in Canada via Ireland and originally South Africa. She works at the intersection of Craft, Art, and Creative Entrepreneurship through her writing and consultancy company, Side Hustle Arts. Vicki has extensive experience with grassroots organizations gained through her time in Toronto where she worked with Figment Toronto, Museum of Toronto and The Bentway Conservancy, among others; as well as her time in Cape Breton where she worked with the Centre for Craft and was on the Immigrant Advisory Table for two years. Vicki is continuing her investment in the communities of Cape Breton through her work with the MultiCultural Association, and hopes to help build a stronger social fabric for us all.