Karen Tsang

Karen Tsang brings her zeal for social change and community development to improving the lives of people in crisis, both through her volunteer and professional roles.

As a Board member for the Asian Community AIDS Service (ACAS), Karen works to keep information about HIV/AIDS and sexual health in general accessible to Toronto’s Asian population. Karen, who was born in Hong Kong, points to ongoing stigmatization as one of the major issues specific to AIDS in the Asian community, as well as “the overlapping issues of poverty, English language fluency, disabilities, ageism and fear of immigration repercussions” as major concerns surrounding AIDS awareness. The group’s work goes beyond the borders of Toronto to include an AIDS prevention program for Thai and Filipino migrant workers in Southern Ontario.

Karen’s volunteer efforts have focused on other marginalized groups, including homeless and low-income women. A volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross since 2008 when she was earning her Honours B.A. at York University, Karen is currently the Personal Response Disaster Management Team Lead with the agency.

Her risk management and grassroots community experience have stood her in good stead since she joined the Rouge Valley Health System in 2012. Karen is Business Continuity and Emergency Preparedness Lead for Rouge Valley which encompasses two hospitals in Scarborough and Ajax.

She enjoys her role at Rouge Valley very much, but Karen’s volunteer efforts also pack a big punch. “While my work at Rouge Valley Health System is challenging, volunteering with my personal time on the front lines really gives me a sense of meaning and appreciation for the power of humanity.”

Karen continues to advocate for social justice and anti-oppression through public speaking at schools and agencies in Southern Ontario, as she has done over the past eight years.

Learn more about Sheridan’s Emergency Management Program.