Finding your chosen family: building cultural community and representation at DeGroote

As a second-generation Chinese Canadian starting my journey at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, I often found myself searching for a space to connect with other Asian-identifying business students. I felt like my experiences and struggles were uniquely mine, and it wasn’t until one snowy day in November 2024 that I realized how wrong I was. When one of the founders pitched the idea of a safe space where all Asian-identifying students could feel a sense of belonging and empowerment, I knew I wanted in.

My name is Vanessa Zeng, and I’m Co-Founder and the first Vice President of Marketing for the DeGroote Asian Student Association (DASA). This is the story of how we built a cultural community at DeGroote from the ground up, and how we turned a shared need for representation into a chosen family.

Once our group of co-founders was complete, the intense behind-the-scenes work began. After successfully pitching to the board of presidents at the DeGroote Commerce Society (DCS) and officially getting ratified, we recruited our incredibly talented executive team. Alongside our president, we brought on vice-presidents and directors to lead operations, external relations, finance, and marketing, and hired two ambitious first-year representatives. Our goal was to position ourselves at the exact intersection of business and culture while establishing a supportive environment built on authentic connections. Instead of focusing on traditional networking, our executive team prioritized genuine mentorship and worked to cultivate an atmosphere of deep inclusion, ensuring every student felt the genuine sense of belonging and empowerment that first inspired us to start this club.

With our foundation in place, we launched events that bridged the gap between professionalism and cultural celebration. The Asian Markets Case Competition challenged students to navigate international business expansion, while our Taste of Asia Cafe brought bubble tea, banh mi, and momos from local Asian-owned businesses directly to campus — a vibrant initiative that ultimately earned us Best New Initiative.

Yet, out of everything we accomplished, hosting our very first Annual General Meeting (AGM) remains my favourite memory. Seeing the community fill the room proved that our initial prediction was right: DeGroote needed a space like this.

I realize now that whenever I enter a room, I represent so much more than just myself. Fully embracing that identity has been the most transformative part of my journey, both as an individual and as a leader.

Leonardo Lu Wong, the DeGroote Asian Student Association’s incoming president for the 2026-2027 academic year, recently noted that representation means looking beyond the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and beyond surface-level visibility. It is about taking on the responsibility to bridge cultural gaps and truly understand the deep-rooted values behind our diverse backgrounds. I couldn’t agree more.

We also knew, however, that we couldn’t build this community alone. Our early allyship culminated in the EDI Coffee House, a four-way collaboration with the DeGroote Pride Association, DeGroote Women in Business and DeGroote Black in Business that won Best Collaborative Initiative and proved the true power of underrepresented communities rising together — a lesson in inclusive leadership that applies not only here on campus, but in the professional world as well.

In the end, none of our success over the past year would have been possible without the support of the broader DeGroote community and the DeGroote Commerce Society. Winning Club of the Year, along with Best New Initiative and Best Collaborative Event, is a beautiful testament to the love we’ve received. While I am incredibly grateful for the impact we have already made, looking ahead, my hope for the DeGroote Asian Student Association’s legacy goes beyond accolades. I want it to be a space defined by young ambition, professionalism and genuine care. If I had to describe the mark I want this club to leave at DeGroote, it wouldn’t just be a legacy — it would be a lifelong community that feels like a chosen family.