When Simone Chiang came to Canada looking for a fresh start, she did not expect that she would become a student leader in the BCIT community.
A BCIT Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies graduate, 2026 BCIT School of Energy valedictorian, and advocate for equity and inclusion, Simone has demonstrated commitment to service, inclusive leadership, and collaboration through her impact across student organizations and campus projects. These qualities have established her not only as an impactful leader, but as an inspiration to those around her.
“I love to inspire people, to empower people,” says Simone.
Choosing a new path
Before Simone arrived at BCIT, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Taiwan and started her career developing apps as an iOS software engineer.
But Simone was always looking for new challenges and opportunities to broaden her perspective. That drive eventually led her to China, where she supported her aunt in the traditional metal manufacturing industry, an experience that exposed her to a completely different side of business and operations.
Yet even with the opportunity to explore a new industry and career path, she still felt that something in her life was missing.
After her aunt’s passing, Simone returned to Taiwan where she took time to reflect on her career and what she wanted the next chapter of her life to look like.
“I was about to turn 29 and I wanted to give myself another chance.”
Determined to start fresh, Simone set her sights on Vancouver, having always wanted to experience life in North America beyond the brief visits she had made in the past. The move marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Recognizing that Canadian credentials would help her establish herself in a new country, Simone began exploring graduate programs. Her search led her to BCIT’s Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies program, which aligned with both her technical background and her growing interest in sustainability. Shaped in part by firsthand experiences with extreme flooding in Taiwan, she saw the program as an opportunity to combine her engineering expertise with her desire to contribute to clean energy solutions and a more sustainable future.
Taking that first step
Simone’s enrolment at BCIT marked a turning point, not only in her academic journey, but also in the development of her leadership within the BCIT community.
Despite being a self-proclaimed introvert, she joined various clubs and became heavily involved in volunteering, embracing new opportunities, and making the most of every experience.
She embraced the belief that the only way to discover new passions was to give them a chance. Rather than letting fear hold her back, Simone approached each opportunity with curiosity and an openness to learn.
“I learned to never say no to opportunities,” she says. “Just say yes and give it a try. You might learn more about yourself.”
Guided by this mindset, Simone went on to take on leadership roles across the BCIT community. She became the Chair of BCIT’s Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE), a student branch of a global non-profit organization uniting engineering professionals to solve real-world technological issues. In this role, she led planning for the RC Classic, the organization’s largest annual event.
She also contributed towards the opening of the Digital Twin Innovation Hub at BCIT, a collaborative research facility enabling industry partners to test and validate technologies for critical infrastructure risk-free.
Through these initiatives, Simone helped create meaningful opportunities and experiences for students and community members across BCIT. While these positions regularly put her in front of large audiences, well beyond her comfort zone, she saw them as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to hold back.
“I was very shy and English was not my first language, so speaking in front of 200 people was very uncomfortable,” says Simone. “BCIT was a safe place to express myself, so I had to exercise my soft skills and harness them. I know it sounds cliché, but I feel like I’m growing every single day.”
A future built together
Beyond her leadership roles, Simone was also a champion for inclusion and collaboration within the BCIT community.
She was committed to uplifting those around her, particularly when opportunities arose to represent underrepresented groups. She approached these roles with the understanding that representing others came with both privilege and responsibility.
“I don’t like putting labels on myself or other people,” says Simone. “If I am able to represent a group of people and even speak for them, I don’t want to waste that opportunity.”
Simone also joined the Pride BCIT committee where she led event planning and advanced 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion through external partnerships. As a Councillor with the BCIT Student Association, she represented international students, and as an International Peer Mentor, she helped newcomers navigate the challenges of adapting to life and studying in Canada.
Underpinning Simone’s impact across BCIT is her belief that meaningful growth happens through collaboration. She understands that every voice and experience contributes to meaningful progress.
“I know my limitations, and I know other people have their own limitations as well,” says Simone. “But there’s a reason we are supposed to work together. We each have something unique to bring to the table.”
Leadership from here and beyond
Simone’s story is one of transformation. From pursuing a new beginning in Canada to leading initiatives across the BCIT community, Simone Chiang has grown into a student leader, advocate, and role model for others.
She leads with empathy, acts with purpose, and believes in leaving every community stronger than she found it. Rather than waiting for opportunities to arrive, she creates them. For herself and for others.
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Invest in yourself, meet new people, and do what you feel passionate about. It’s always about learning something new.”
As Simone steps into the next stage of her journey, her story and impact will continue to inspire the BCIT community for years to come.
Simone Chiang will be recognized with the BCIT Outstanding Student Leadership Award at the 2026 Vision Awards on October 29, 2026.
Purchase tickets to attend the 2026 BCIT Vision Awards by Oct. 15, 2026.