Selena Woo embodies the notion that life’s path is never linear, whether it be professionally or personally. For her, what does matter is the people she’s surrounded by, the upbringing that’s shaped her, and a commitment to radiate positivity and growth in all corners of her community.
In her role as vice president, private wealth – associates with Nicola Wealth, Woo leads a large team within one of the company’s biggest divisions and plays a vital role in its management: developing and driving strategic initiatives aimed at fostering business growth by recruiting, nurturing and developing talent, building a robust leadership bench and supporting the success of client-facing teams.
Her successful career trajectory can be distilled down to two major contributing factors: immigrant parents who instilled in her a mindset she likes to call “immigrant grit” and the expertise and nimbleness afforded to her through her training as a chartered professional accountant (CPA).
That her career truly transformed in her late 30s and after two kids, matters not.
“Ultimately, the combination of my technical skills, leadership abilities, and strategic mindset developed through my CPA designation enables me to navigate the evolving demands of my role, deliver results and drive positive change within the organization,” Woo says.
That positive change has been evident as she’s played a key role since 2017 in growing the associates team from 15 members to more than 70 nationally, creating an internship program, building out new roles and future wealth advisor pipeline and developing a management team who are critical to the success of the team.
But beyond the technical facets of Woo’s job comes an underlying commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, while being a champion for all women. Woo proudly supports JA British Columbia, Dress for Success, CPABC and the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, along with mentoring with VersaFi's Mentorship Program.
“As a mother and a BIPOC woman, my commitment to empowering youth, women and marginalized groups reflects the values that define me, it is who I am,” Woo says.
As co-chair of Nicola’s inclusion committee, Woo and the committee are driven by an underlying commitment to cultivating a space where belonging and authenticity thrives, enabling individuals to bring their whole selves to work.
Woo deeply believes that mentorship is invaluable, but sponsorship is transformative. It’s an ethos that means decision-makers actively advocating for diverse voices, opening doors to new opportunities and paving the way for meaningful change.
“True equity requires leaders who recognize the importance of championing talent and ensuring workplaces reflect the communities we serve,” Woo says.
The CPA designation is a versatile and empowering credential that encourages women to pursue leadership roles with confidence, backed by the credibility and business acumen it provides.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Woo adds. “By being visible and giving back, I hope to inspire the next generation to rise, lead and create a more equitable world.”
For more information on CPABC, visit www.bccpa.ca.
