History
Ed and Michelle started the ME & Lau Family Foundation (ME) to support other charitable or non-profit organizations. They believe in supporting the community, and specifically, people with intellectual disabilities. The fruit of their passion and efforts resulted in the (1) String Music Art Exhibition, (2) ME & Lau Family Foundation Scholarship & (3) Income Tax Filing Clinic for People with Low Income and Families of People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Proceeds from our fundraisers and funds donated by members of the ME & Lau Family Foundation go toward charitable or non-profit organizations that Ed and Michelle resonate with and wholeheartedly support. These organizations include: Community Living Toronto, Community Living York South, APTUS Treatment Centre, & ME & Lau Family Foundation's future events.
Ed and Michelle also recommend donors to donate directly to the above noted organizations that support people with intellectual disabilities and people with low incomes.
board of directors
Michelle lau
Michelle Lau is the co-founder of ME & Lau Family Foundation.
Michelle graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University with Distinction.
She has over 17 years of experience in the Capital Market in supporting 2 major Canadian financial institutions.
As the Lead Business Analyst, Michelle is currently leading a number of corporate system implementation and migration projects.
Michelle oversees all administrative & sponsorship functions of the String Music & Art Exhibition | 弦美音樂藝術展. Michelle is also the ME & Lau Family Foundation Scholarship Review Committee Chair.
Michelle is dedicated to support (1) people of visible minorities with emphasis to help women and children, (2) people with low income, (3) new immigrants, and (4) people with intellectual disabilities.
Edward Lau
Edward Lau is the co-founder of ME & Lau Family Foundation.
Edward has 25+ years of community volunteering experience for people with intellectual disabilities.
Currently, Edward is a Board Member of Aptus Treatment Centre for Complex Disabilities (2020-Present) and Community Living Ontario (2023-Present).
Edward is also the Chair of the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee on Accessibility, City of Markham. Edward has been a member of this committee since 2021.
Edward was a Board Member for Community Living Toronto (2013-2022), Community Living York South (2018-2021), DD Community Connector (2014 to 2024) and Spirit of Life (2006-2013). Edward was also a Community Rocks 2019 Fundraising Committee Member.
While at Spirit of Life (the President was Anny Chow), Edward co-authored with Taylor Hui the "Moving Forward: A Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study for the Establishment of the Chinese Developmental Disability Services Council in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)" in 2011. This projected was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Edward graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Arts, Public Policy & Administration program in 2009. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Edward was a volunteering dragon boat coach (2003 to 2013) and coached many Toronto based intellectual disabilities service providers (i.e., Community Living Toronto, Surrey Place Centre, Spirit of Life etc.) to compete at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival - Spirit Challenge Division. During that same timeframe, Edward was also an active member of the St. John Ambulance D433 Medical First Respond Unit. The D433 Unit Chief was Ben Lo.
john lau
John Lau has 30+ years of experience in board governance and management for Chinese fine dinning cuisines and banquet halls in Canada and Hong Kong.
At his down time, John is an active community participant and donor to the Toronto Chinese community for cultural arts including: Chinese opera, Chinese orchestra, choir, writing, calligraphy & traditional Chinese martial arts - wing chun. John is a disciple of 詠春 - 招鴻鈞師傅 and a visiting associate of the 招洪國詠春體育會 Chiu Hung Kwok Wing Chun Association. 招鴻鈞師傅 and 招洪國師傅 are the sons of 詠春 - 招允師傅.
John is currently the Treasurer and Board Member of the Toronto Chinese Writers Association| 安省華人作家協會 (2022-Present) .
John has a daughter with intellectual disabilities.
Photo taken on October 27, 2022 at the National Bank's String Music Art Exhibition Press Conference.