When we first meet, people often like to ask: “What do you do?” Right! Whenever I’m faced with this question, I find myself momentarily lost in thought.Trying to offer a specific answer to that is no easier than condensing the moisture from the air to form a river. But who really knows what they are truly doing? (At least I don’t.) So, regarding this question, I’d like to say…

I love music, so I’ve spent over a decade learning piano and guitar, becoming a musician who savors every 2/4 jazz beat on stage. I love literature, and I’ve read over ten thousand novels, becoming an amateur essayist, engaging in conversations with myself through words. I love drammar so I ventured into the world of stage acting, gracefully treading the boards and eventually ascend to the realm of directing. I love food, not just for eating, but for the joy of cooking itself. I spent time learning from Michelin-starred chefs, experiencing the myriad possibilities of ingredients. I love photography, using colors and shapes to capture the emotions of every moment. I’ve also worked as a photo editor for DIOR and Tom Ford, using colors to imbue each photo with the right atmosphere. Lastly, I love painting, and I’ve been painting continuously. After graduating from OCAD University with a major in illustration, I’ve been exploring and creating various art pieces as an independent artist. I’ve even been twice recognized as the Creative Quarterly Runner-Up and received the 3X3 World Illustration Merit Winner award in 2019.

I believe that each person comes into this world with a different purpose, just as Chekhov said: “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.” Now that I have graced this world's stage, I must endlessly seek and create, for without it, my life would be meaningless.

So, coming back to the initial question: “What do you do?”

Me? I am an artist.

Dana is a graphic designer currently dwelling in Metro Vancouver area. With a bachelor degree majoring in Industrial Design from Beijing Science & Technology University in China, and a master degree in Fine Art, major in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design in USA. Dana is interested in crafting beautiful and meaningful things, and has years working experience in graphic design. She has good sensibility of beauty and understanding of usability. She designs experience that connect brand with clients through visual language.

I’m constantly told I’m a good boy. But I’m not sure what that means because it doesn’t score me any extra treats. My dad says my job is office security but I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like, which may be why I’m a good boy? Every day, I look forward to lunch and my afternoon walk. I love hanging at the office because there’s always lots to do and I get pets all the time. Plus, all the toys — yes toys! And balls, lots of them! I have an instagram page: @einsteinthepom where I have lots of fans downtown and around the world.

I’m a Vancouverite who moved away and am happy to again reclaim this city as my home. My time away — three years in China working at major agencies and international brands — has instilled in me a global orientation with a local focus, all of which contributes to my role at Hamazaki Wong. In China, I worked at leading media and communications agencies as account manager where my primary responsibilities included the development of brand and media strategies (digital, social, eCommerce, CRM and traditional media) as well as overall project management, execution and business development. I’ve worked with global marketers and brands in sectors including baby care, skin care, personal and hair care, automotive, consumer packaged goods, technology products, and pharmaceutical.

While abroad, I also completed my eBusiness concentration from Shanghai AnTai Business Management School. My fluency in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, along with my meticulous and detail-oriented personality are assets I bring to every assignment. My other passions include the Vancouver Canucks (bah to bandwagoners!) and taking advantage of everything the West Coast lifestyle has to offer whether it’s the Grouse Grind, volleyball, fencing, golf, hockey, or dragon boating. I love to tweet about #marketing and sometimes about beer — depending on how much of the latter Ive imbibed! I graduated from the Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Marketing and International Business.

I have many passions — among them creativity, design, and coffee in varying orders of importance depending on the time of day. I am a seeker of knowledge and creativity in all its forms, looking to see how these elements fit into and contribute to the fabric of the world around me — and sharing these discoveries with others. But it’s in the area of art and design that I find my expression in practice. My incessant doodling, tattoo drawing and visual curiosity while growing up would inevitably lead me to my career based in art.

At Hamazaki Wong, I am a veteran creative, having worked on virtually all our client assignments over the past decade and a half. You name a client category, I’ve likely worked on it and won awards and accolades in the process. Naturally, I keep abreast of design, branding, advertising trends and solutions to keep me nimble and ahead of the young people around me! I originally hail from Hong Kong where I worked on some of the largest global brands in airlines, financial services, and retail. Now, about that other passion: coffee. I often muse, ‘What makes coffee so good, and why does it often smell better than it tastes? How do I make my coffee better?’ The creative exploration continues…

When you combine creativity and technology with design, you get Nana Ichikawa. Nana began her design career in the IT industry, developing skills not only in creativity but also in user experience, programming languages, and marketing. With educational background in Denmark and Canada, combined with job experiences in Tokyo and Vancouver, she brings a global perspective to her work. Today, Nana seamlessly integrate these skills to achieve project objectives with finesse and aplomb.

Says Nana: “I believe in the transformative power of design. It goes beyond aesthetics; it has the ability to influence people's behaviour and drive impactful marketing outcomes. I approach each project with a commitment to purposeful design.”

Outside of work, Nana finds inspiration and passion in an ancient Asian board game called Go. For her, it’s not just a game; it's a profound reflection on life. Analyzing moves in Go teaches valuable lessons about strategy, decision-making, and the intricate ways that life unfold. It's both a source of relaxation and excitement, helping to shape Nana’s perspective on design and life. Creativity is etched into Nana, expressed in design, aligning with strategy where every move counts. Nana’s work will indeed, move you.

Shelley is a versatile copywriter with a passion for storytelling and cultural exchange. She is not confined to the written word; her portfolio extends to web and video, including a piece showcased on STORYHIVE by Telus. Whatever the style and medium, Shelley can find a suitable voice and angle to tell the story. Her professional journey had a global touch, including an internship at CCTV Creative Media in Beijing, China, where she was part of the production team for Impossible Challenge Season 4. With a Master's in Journalism from the University of British Columbia and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Toronto, Shelley seamlessly combines her bicultural expertise and linguistic skills. Her proficiency in Mandarin and English has been a cornerstone of her career, shaping a unique perspective in her creative work. Shelley is a member of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia.

I’m a marketing practitioner with a sense that marketing can do good in the world. By day as creative director, with an equally strong strategic streak, I have been fortunate enough to work on major brands — globally and locally — in sectors including airline, automotive, financial, packaged goods, resources, retail, telecom, service industries, and more. But, by night, I have an affliction that I call the ‘caring gene’, and it’s this greater sense that manifests itself as an engaged, community-minded individual who has helped establish some of Canada’s most prominent institutions including Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival, Leo Awards, Board of Change and others. I’ve served on multiple community and not-for-profit boards and continue to do so.

I follow my passions — marketing, creativity, sustainability, arts and culture, social change — and these pursuits typically lead to some entrepreneurial marketing machinations. I’ve always got something(s) on the go and am an always-on personality! Oh, and I’ve also won awards for my work, including an achievement award, 40 Under 40 by Business in Vancouver, given to top business leaders under the age of 40. I also taught marketing in the Faculty of Commerce at the University of British Columbia and think, whenever I decide to retire, that teaching might be a worthwhile endeavour. I enjoy cycling and keeping active. I think of myself as a work in progress.

My professional designations of CPA and CGA may stem from the world of accounting but my experience is more versatile and expansive than that. My role at Hamazaki Wong is preceded by a 20-year career in the corporate and high technology start-up world of Silicon Valley. Over that time, my body had become accustomed to the California sunshine where I enjoyed the great outdoors filled with days of tennis, volleyball, and cycling. While I don’t think I can ever get used to the Vancouver clouds, my days of grey are compensated by my recent marriage and the precious time catching up with friends and family. My other passions include experimenting in the kitchen and travel, where I’m always trying to cross another country off my bucket list. My varied role at Hamazaki Wong is a perfect complement to my intellectual musings such as:

• Why does the belt colour have to match the shoe colour?
• If a man and a guy is the same, why is a ‘wise man’ and a ‘wise guy’ opposite? And how can a ‘slim chance’ and a ‘fat chance’ mean the same thing?

One of my favourite rules to live by: Always be compassionate and considerate of others because no matter how bad my day is, there’s someone out there having a worse day.

Collaborative and results-oriented lawyer, owner and founder of law firm, Amrana LLP, with 11+ years of experience practicing law and ensuring legality of commercial transactions. Amber, is an advocate/lawyer/ qualified from one of the pioneer law schools in India (ILS) Pune. An effective communicator and seasoned executive, Amber Rana, is renowned for building strong relationships across diverse clients from indigenous and minority communities, government agencies, and businesses, managing large teams, executive stakeholders, and competing priorities to solve complex issues and co-create legal policies and programs. 

He is a member of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber and also the host of the podcast – KnowYourKanoon – with 100k+ listeners to drive legal awareness on public issues. 

He is also a specialist in Crimes against women(Women rights) & Diversity Inclusion dealing with LGBTQIA rights (Inclusion in workforce). AM Rana has been engaged in Corporate board room training with respect to the same and pro bono work for NGO’s as well.

He has his own Talk show named “Know Your Kanoon “airing every week on IVM Podcasts and is an avid podcaster & show host. He takes up legal issues from listeners on various legal issues affecting daily lives, ranging from Civil, Criminal, Consumer, Constitutional and so forth so on other areas of law

He, has also been associated with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He has a total work experience of over 7+ years with the firm. He was a part of Indirect Taxation team and Tax (SME) Subject Matter Expert in Risk Assurance Services team during his stint. He has thorough knowledge of  Manufacturing Industry/Service Contract Management. He was handling department work for all the clients at PwC and was the focal point of connect between government department’s and PwC.

In his professional stint he has been instrumental in developing interdepartmental and government  Liaison team, has been awarded for client appreciation many a times by many manufacturing and service industry clients.

I am an ambitious, bilingual digital content creator with branding and marketing experience in both Hong Kong and Vancouver. I thrive in a fast-paced working environment and strive to deliver results by applying my creativity to find novel solutions.

Before moving to Vancouver, I worked as a branding executive in the Hong Kong branch of a leading global health supplements company. There I developed my expertise in social media and retail marketing by working closely with leading advertising agencies on widespread marketing campaigns. My experience in Vancouver includes working for culinary, fintech, and charitable organizations, with a focus on social media expansion.

I am lucky enough to be at Hamazaki Wong, an innovative, allcultural marketing agency, where their creative ideas and determination to push boundaries makes working here very exciting.

My creativity flows from my memories and experiences. So, in my free time, I like to travel to new cities and experience different cultures.