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BEEDIE LUMINARIES — When Jason Pang joined Beedie Luminaries in 2019 as a graduate of Richmond Secondary, he became one of 80 students that made up the very first cohort of our SHINE program. With a clear passion for Global Resource Systems, Jason went on to earn his Bachelor of Science at The University of British Columbia, diving into opportunities that challenged and inspired him along the way.
During his undergraduate years, he competed in case competitions and hackathons, gained professional experience through internships at TD Securities and Deloitte, and even saw his collaborative work published in the Journal of Public Value.
After graduating in 2024, Jason set his sights on the next chapter of his academic journey. With the support of the Beedie Luminaries Graduate Studies Award, he continued his studies at the University of Toronto, pursuing an MSc in Sustainability Management.
Now living across the country, Jason reflects on his upbringing, the path that led him to where he is today, and the unwavering love and support of his parents that continue to guide him. Read his heartfelt letter below.
“Thank you for the sacrifices you made, the resilience you modelled, and the unwavering support you continue to give me.”
Jason Pang on his parents
Dear Mom & Dad,
It has now been one year since I moved to Toronto to begin my Master of Science in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto. Adjusting to life here has not always been easy. The city’s glass towers and aging brick buildings pale in comparison to Vancouver’s mountains and forests. Even the subway system, which seems to break down every other week, has been a constant reminder of what I took for granted at home. This past winter was especially difficult, with blizzards reaching up to my waist! On those cold mornings, bundled up in too many layers, I often thought of you both navigating your first Canadian winters, how strange and overwhelming they must have felt at the time. Remembering that gave me comfort and reminded me that resilience can be learned, step by step.
And yet, through all of this, I have grown in ways I could not have imagined. Leaving Vancouver pushed me far outside my comfort zone, and it made me reflect deeply on the courage it must have taken for you to move from Hong Kong to Canada, building a life from the ground up. This postcard is not just an update on my first year; it is a reflection of how your sacrifices continue to shape my journey and how I am learning to transform them into meaningful action in my new communities and beyond.
My Graduate Life at UofT: Rolling Up My Sleeves
Year one has been eventful. I continued my fourth year as a Residence Advisor (or “Don,” as they are called here). At the start of the year, I helped new students move into their residence halls. Watching nervous parents say goodbye to their children reminded me so much of the day I left for Toronto, when you both stood at the airport trying to smile even though I could see the worry in your eyes. Now, I find myself on the other side, offering reassurance to students and families that everything will be okay. Those moments always remind me of the love you showed me when I first left home during my undergrad!
Early on, I noticed significant gaps in waste management compared to Vancouver. Compost bins were rare, recycling opportunities were inconsistent, and garbage bins often overflowed. What seemed like a small inconvenience quickly revealed itself to be a systemic challenge. Through my role as one of seven student representatives on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS), I was able to turn these observations into action. I initiated a student-led Campus as a Living Lab project, where we conducted waste audits at student residences. This meant literally rolling up our sleeves and sorting through bags of waste to measure contamination and diversion rates.
Our audits showed that residence systems were not aligned with university-wide standards. Each building had created its own program, leading to inconsistency and inefficiency, particularly in older residences without proper waste infrastructure. By collecting data at Chestnut and University College residences, our team laid the groundwork for a best-practice guide that will soon be shared across campus. It was messy work, but also deeply rewarding. For me, it showed that meaningful sustainability action can start in the most unexpected places—even my residence waste room.
Turning Manure into Momentum: Winning the A4S International Case Competition
This year also allowed me to step back into the world of case competitions. In my second semester, I joined the 2025 Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) International Case Competition, competing against 80 teams from 63 universities across 25 countries. I’m proud to share alongside my wonderful friends Melissa and Janine, our team placed 1st!
Our project tackled agricultural emissions, focusing on reducing methane from manure management through biodigesters. We developed a cost-benefit analysis, proposed a sustainable financing framework, and mapped our solution against the UN SDGs using a Theory of Change model.
What made the competition especially meaningful was not just the outcome, but the process. We met teams from around the world, each with different presentation styles and approaches. It reminded me that there is no single “right” way to solve a problem. For me, the key lesson was balancing ambition with practicality: bold ideas must also resonate with stakeholders, whether they are farmers in the field or executives in the boardroom.
Winning A4SICC 2025 was more than just a proud milestone for our team; it highlighted the value of collaboration, creativity, and purpose-driven problem-solving. It showed me that real impact comes from solutions that are not only bold but also actionable. Walking home that night with the trophy in hand, I thought about how proud you would be—how this win, though mine, was really a reflection of the values you instilled in me: hard work, humility, and perseverance.
Representing Canada in Korea: Cross-Border Collaboration
After my final exams, I flew to Seoul to participate in the inaugural Korea University Climate Corps. The theme, “Cross-border Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis,” brought together 127 students and faculty from 35 universities across six continents.
Walking through the bustling streets of Seoul, the neon lights, night markets, and the smell of street food instantly reminded me of childhood trips to Hong Kong. I caught myself missing you both, wishing you were beside me to try the food stalls or laugh at my clumsy attempts at bargaining in Korean. But it also made me realize that the cultural ties you passed down to me are never far away, even when I’m across the world.
Working with teammates from Korea and Hungary, I co-developed the KU Climate Class, an interactive course designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea access climate advisory services. Our pitch placed 1st out of 20 teams worldwide. More than the recognition, it was the spirit of collaboration, ideas growing quickly as diverse perspectives came together, that made the experience unforgettable.
Throughout the week, I was inspired by cutting-edge research and thought leadership. Site visits to LG’s Sciencepark and the Korea National Arboretum were eye-opening, but it was the quiet moments, sitting in a café after long days of collaboration, reflecting on how far I’d come, that made me feel closest to you. In those moments, I thought about your journey: how you once left everything behind in Hong Kong for a future in Canada. In a way, my steps through Seoul felt like a continuation of your story.
The 2025 Climate Corps left me with both hope and urgency. Hope, because I witnessed the brilliance and commitment of young leaders from across the globe. Urgency, because the realities of climate change are no longer distant. As I return to my research in ESG and sustainability, I carry with me the lessons of collaboration, practicality, and innovation that this experience instilled.
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Mom and Dad, every step I take in this journey is built on the foundation you created. You crossed oceans to provide me with opportunities you never had. I crossed provinces, and now continents, to carry that legacy forward. From residence basements to international stages, I am learning that sustainability is about both small actions and large collaborations.
Thank you for the sacrifices you made, the resilience you modelled, and the unwavering support you continue to give me. I hope this first-year postcard brings you pride, because everything I do is rooted in the courage and love you have always shown me.
Lots of love,
Your son Jason
