Jacqueline “J” Wan brings experience across workforce strategy, talent acquisition, and immigration consulting. Her approach is shaped by a BA degree in design and technology, alongside certifications as a coach and a Scrum Master — a combination that translates into creative problem-solving, one-on-one coaching conversations, and a clear eye for how teams can collaborate more efficiently and transparently. It’s a unique blend that has let her build solutions supporting individuals to thrive and do their best work. Her track record includes saving an organization roughly $500k in recruitment costs, turning around a disengaged workforce to achieve zero voluntary departures. Beyond the numbers, she’s built systems and career matrices to structured feedback frameworks that have helped 50+ hires (often with limited upward mobility) grow their full potential.
More About Me
Prior to Canopy, I’ve worked in tech start-ups, helped refugees, with a journey spanning the UK, China, and Canada. I’m genuinely curious about the world — whether that means exploring different cultures, finding better ways to do things, or falling down unexpected online rabbit holes. I truly believe that the best ideas in people and culture rarely come from HR/People & Culture textbooks alone. I love hearing individual stories, building systems and environment that help great people thrive while critical impactful work.
Why forests are important to me
As a city-dweller, a walk in the woods is a sanctuary. It's where I can find calm and grounding. I was fascinated to learn that trees actually talk to each other through underground networks. Long before we had the internet, the oldest and biggest "Mother Trees" were already using this "wood wide web" to take care of everything around them. Nature figured things out way before we did, and I have a lot to learn from it.
Why Canopy
II was specifically looking for an NGO with talent-related work. Having previously helped refugees before, I sought out mission-focussed orgs that brings people together. The kind of purpose that changes everything about how a workplace operates and how people can be more human.
Ask me about
Bisou, my tuxedo cat. My favourite dishes and eateries. Paddleboarding, my community garden plot, the ukulele.
What ruffles my feathers
Close-mindedness, rigid thinking, lack of empathy, wasted potential, and contentedness with the status quo.
If I were a wild animal, I'd be a red wiggler — a type of worm prized for its efficiency to turn decaying matter into rich castings. Red wigglers are quiet, tireless workers who turn what others overlook into something genuinely valuable. (Known as Black Gold!) They thrive beneath the surface, supporting the conditions around them for growth without needing the spotlight.
