Their destinations may differ, but they all began at the same place. A look at alumni stories of success that started at Ivey.
Josephine Chiu, HBA ’11
I grew up in Hong Kong and am now based there. I am currently on the Asia Advisory Board of Ivey Business School, and I serve as co-president – with Cydon Choi – of Ivey’s Hong Kong alumni chapter.
In my spare time, when I’m not taking care of my two-year-old, I work on redeveloping one of our family’s commercial properties.
Cydon Choi, HBA ’12
I was born in Hong Kong and lived there until I immigrated to Toronto at age eight. After graduating from Ivey, I joined Unilever’s rotational leadership program, then spent three more years at Clorox. I eventually chose to return to Hong Kong 10 years ago, where I’ve decided to build my career in commercial real estate.
Today, as a freelance agent, leveraging my experience with JLL and Colliers, I advise both international and local clients on strategy and negotiation across Hong Kong’s commercial property market. Beyond my work, I’ve found real fulfillment in the Ivey community – creating opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, and grow. I’ve always believed that success is shaped as much by who you know as by what you know, and that conviction has fueled my passion for the past five years as co-president of the Hong Kong alumni chapter.
What led you to your career, and how has it evolved over time?
(Josephine) I started my career at Morgan Stanley in Calgary as an Investment Banking Analyst. Later on, I continued to work in finance when I returned to Hong Kong at institutions such as CLSA and American Century Investments. Now I focus part of my time on the redevelopment of one of my family’s commercial properties.
(Cydon) From age 15 onward, my jobs have consistently revolved around sales and marketing. So when I arrived at Ivey, I already knew that this was the career path I wanted to explore in greater depth. During my HBA1 year, Unilever came to Ivey to recruit for the first time, and I was fortunate to secure a trade marketing internship that summer in the company’s downtown office. After a few years in consumer packaged goods, I felt ready for something more fast-paced and dynamic. That desire led me to Hong Kong’s commercial real estate industry – and I’ve been in Hong Kong ever since.
Who inspired you?
(Josephine) My grandfather inspired me. He was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and a real estate investor.
(Cydon) Without a doubt, my mom and dad. My mom worked as a legal secretary, and my dad was an in-house accountant – both working long, full-time hours to ensure we had access to the best schools possible. More than that, they set the tone for me on how to meet life’s challenges: with determination, resilience, and a willingness to keep going. Those values are what gave me the confidence to move to Hong Kong, even without a job lined up.
How did Ivey play a role?
(Josephine) Ivey brought me into the world of business and investment banking, which I didn’t have much prior exposure to, as most of my family members worked in the medical field. That’s why being able to break into the finance industry on my own was something my parents were very proud of.
(Cydon) Most importantly, Ivey gave me a strong network of friends and classmates – people who consistently help you show up and bring your A-game every day. The challenging cases and countless late nights truly test you, stretching you past what you thought you were capable of. And that resilience doesn’t stay confined to the classroom; it shows up clearly in the workplace and across every other area of your life.
Why did you choose the HBA program specifically?
(Josephine) The Ivey HBA, in my opinion, is the best pathway to get into investment banking. I was impressed by the number of investment bankers in Hong Kong – especially from renowned institutions such as UBS, J.P. Morgan, and Citi – who were graduates of the HBA program. Looking back at my career, my stance remains the same.
(Cydon) I was deeply interested in media studies, and that’s exactly why the 2+2 program with MIT and the Ivey HBA appealed to me. In my four years at university, I wanted an experience that went beyond theory – one that would sharpen my perspective, broaden how I think about media and communication, and give me the tools to apply it in real-world contexts.
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
(Josephine) Being able to break into finance and investment banking. This led to my dad entrusting me with handling the redevelopment of our family’s building.
(Cydon) I ran the Spartan Race in Hong Kong and – right at the very first obstacle – accidentally partially tore my meniscus. It was completely unpredictable, but I’m still proud of what I managed to do next: I adjusted on the fly and relied primarily on my upper body to power through the remaining 19 obstacles. It was quite a painful experience, but definitely well worth it!
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
(Josephine) I enjoy meeting new people and forming meaningful connections, so I organize Ivey Hong Kong alumni events and bring people together.
(Cydon) I aim to complete three to four high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions each week, because I find them incredibly rejuvenating – physically and mentally. To balance out the intensity, I make time for at least one yoga session to help keep my body flexible and aligned.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
(Josephine) Investment banking and finance were at the centre of my former life; now, aside from helping with the family property, I spend most of my time taking care of my two-year-old daughter.
(Cydon) I earned my National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Personal Trainer certification in 2020, when COVID kept most of us at home. I saw it as the perfect time to get into the books and learn how to train – both myself and my friends – because I genuinely loved group training.
What is your favourite memory from your time at Ivey?
(Josephine) The various all-nighter group projects, and travelling to Toronto as a group to consult companies during the final year.
(Cydon) Thursday nights at The Barking Frog were, without question, one of the most memorable parts of the Ivey experience for me. After a long week, most classmates were ready to unwind – grabbing a drink or two and sharing stories – especially because we’d be in the same classes again the very next day. Of course, the added energy (and the occasional late night) also made those Friday classes a little tougher to get through.
What is the most important takeaway from your Ivey experience?
(Josephine) Never be shy – speak up without hesitation.
(Cydon) Be truly open-minded and make an effort to understand things from another person’s perspective. You’re surrounded by some of the smartest students, in and outside of Canada, and when you genuinely listen to their viewpoints, it doesn’t just expand what you know – it deepens how you understand the world.
Are you still connected to the School in any way?
(Josephine) I am currently on Ivey’s Asia Advisory Board, and I serve as co-president of the Ivey Hong Kong Alumni Association. The Association hosts events throughout the year to keep alumni connected and informed of how Ivey can continue to further advance their careers or business opportunities. We also host social events, regular hikes on Hong Kong’s famous hiking trails, and even play dates for alumni with children.
(Cydon) As co-president, I help create memorable experiences for our Hong Kong chapter – home to more than 700 active members, the largest chapter outside of Canada worldwide. We also collaborate closely with the Hong Kong campus to bring Ivey’s academic spirit to life through events such as Case Nights and Thought Leadership Panels, featuring topics that are especially relevant today.
