Alyssa Lai

Public relations and communications professional, McMaster University

philanthropy, issues confronting millennials, diversity and inclusion, gender equity, nonprofit leadership, liberal arts education, decent work, and precarious work.

Media

Vital Signs-- Philanthropy Month 2018 -- November 28, 2018

For this special philanthropy-focused episode of Vital Signs, Sheree Meredith hosts Alyssa Lai (HCF donor), Paul Nazareth (Canadian Association of Gift Planners) and Fred Losani (Losani Homes) to talk about why and how they give.

Vital Signs - Millennials in Hamilton - January 3, 2017

Terry Cooke hosts Alyssa Lai (Past Chair, Hamilton HIVE) and Jeffrey Martin (Work and Society Researcher, McMaster University) to discuss the demographic growth of millennials in Hamilton and the unique challenges they face.

Mac10 Young Alumni: Two Minute Tips video series (Alyssa Lai)

Alumna Alyssa Lai has jumped around doing many different media and communications jobs, both paid and volunteer. These experiences helped her to build a toolkit of skills that prepared her for her current role as a nonprofit communications coordinator. Here's Alyssa's advice for new grads starting their careers.

1 Billion Rising

CHCH NewsTelevision

URL: https://www.chch.com/1-billion-rising/

Sadly, violence against women continues in our society – but one local group is standing up in protest. 1 Billion Rising is a global initiative but will have a local feel on Friday. Joining us today are Maria Isabel and Alyssa Lai, communications coordinator from the Immigrant Women’s Centre, to tell us about it.

The rising population of millennials in Hamilton

CHCH NewsTelevision

URL: https://www.chch.com/rising-population-millennials-hamilton/

The first time in Hamilton’s history Millennials are beginning to out number other demographics. It also means many millennials will be facing challenges from housing to job opportunities.

Precarious work poses ‘serious consequences’ for millennials’ mental health, report says

Branch out your career path by sitting on a board

University AffairsOnline

URL: https://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/careers-cafe/branch-out-your-career-path-by-sitting-on-a-board/

The composition of the board plays a large role in determining who they’d like to add to the mix. It’s best not to make assumptions about what a board needs. Alyssa Lai, one of the authors of Next Generation Governance report, notes that you needn’t always be an expert. She joined an environmental sustainability board as a non-expert – a role the board sought to fill. The board I’m on is looking for people with communications strategy knowledge – something that will change once the board fills that role.

A precarious life: Survey of 1,200 Hamilton millenials ‘not a nice picture’

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/living-story/7083561-hamilton-gets-ready-to-celebrate-lunar-new-year/

Precarious work, precarious health and disturbingly precarious mental health.

Those are the key findings of a large Hamilton survey of nearly 1,200 millennials in the workforce conducted by a McMaster University researcher.

Hamilton gets ready to celebrate Lunar New Year

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/living-story/7083561-hamilton-gets-ready-to-celebrate-lunar-new-year/

Each year, after the confetti and empty champagne bottles are cleared away on Jan. 1, thousands of Hamiltonians gear up to celebrate a different start to the year.

The celebration of the Lunar New Year — the first day on a calendar based on the phases of the moon — is celebrated all over the world (this year on Jan. 28), with each country and culture having its own traditions and celebrations. And this is the year of the rooster.

500 people to attend CivicAction summit to look for solutions to GTHA's problems

CBC NewsOnline

URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/500-people-to-attend-civicaction-summit-to-look-for-solutions-to-gtha-s-problems-1.5113756

Five hundred people from various sectors will converge on the Art Gallery of Ontario Monday to look for solutions to some of the biggest urban challenges facing the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

From listening and talking about failures — what everyday leaders need to know

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/9499404-from-listening-and-talking-about-failures-what-everyday-leaders-need-to-know/

During times of uncertainty, we turn to leaders for guidance and courage. Implications of recent world tragedies have made us pause to think: what should everyday leaders do to inspire others to keep hope and come up with creative and innovative solutions to challenging problems?

Advancing diversity in leadership

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8082400-advancing-diversity-in-leadership/

Hamilton prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community and we can all identify many areas where successes can be celebrated. How inclusive is our region when it comes to diversity and leadership? Not as much as we would hope. A survey by CivicAction and Environics found that 45 per cent of rising leaders have directly experienced racism and/or discrimination in the past year.

Why LRT matters for today’s and tomorrow’s young professionals

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6722728-why-lrt-matters-for-today-s-and-tomorrow-s-young-professionals/

While the debate on LRT has been centred on its affordability, feasibility, the downtown-uptown divide and influence on local businesses, there is little discussion on how LRT would affect young adults.

Why is this important? Because young adults are coming to Hamilton. In 2013-14, the growth rate of young adults (aged 20-29) more than doubled the average for the general population and was even higher than the average for Ontario, stated Hamilton Community Foundation's 2015 Vital Signs report.

Key issues for YPs to remember in 2017

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7006878-hamilton-hive-key-issues-for-yps-to-remember-in-2017/

What were the highlightsof 2016?

Hamilton opened its heart, mind and doors to Syrian refugees looking to rebuild their lives and call this city "home." Just as a single image of the drowned Syrian boy prompted a rapid response, we reacted strongly to the accidental death of kindergarten teacher and cyclist Jay Keddy on the Claremont access and called for better road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. A majority of Hamilton councillors also backed Mayor Fred Eisenberger's proposal to invest $50 million to tackle homelessness and poverty in the city, although a plan hasn't been solidified yet.

Where public good and values intersect

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6954238-where-public-good-and-values-intersect/

Few of us would call ourselves philanthropists. Even fewer young people are likely to describe themselves that way.

Government data seems to support that notion. Statistics Canada reported in 2013 that 82 per cent of Canadians donated to charities. However, just 17 per cent of them were between the ages of 25 and 34. Thirty-five per cent of all donors to charities were 55 or older. The top 25 per cent accounted for 84 per cent of all donations.

Engage and connect at the sixth annual HIVEX

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6905551-engage-and-connect-at-the-sixth-annual-hivex/

What can possibly come out of hundreds of young people getting together on a Saturday?

Networking. Collaboration. Engagement. Lasting impact.

That’s the value of HIVEX, Hamilton’s largest conference for young professionals and emerging leaders. Hosted by Hamilton HIVE, the sixth annual HIVEX on Nov. 5 will focus on an “Engage” theme as a sequel to last year’s “Connect” theme. The goal is for young professionals to establish meaningful connections, understand civic issues and get involved in their community to advance the city.

Investing in development helps grow strong leaders

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-hamilton-spectator/20160914/282458528417777

Young professionals are already taking over.

By 2025, those born during the 1980s and 1990s will represent 75 per cent of the workforce, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Canada, they have become the largest cohort of workers since 2015.

They are the ones shaping our city’s economy today and in decades to come.

The two-wheeled solution: bikes are key to our future

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6803299-the-two-wheeled-solution-bikes-are-key-to-our-future/

One of the best ways to see the city is through a bike tour.

It’s fast enough to get around, but slow enough to observe the details along the way. Because you are exposed to traffic and your surroundings, you get to see the city on ground level.

You get to see what the city is made of.

How do we morph into “magnet cities”?

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-hamilton-spectator/20160713/282415578621906

Cities are like magnets. They pull in or push away residents, investments and visitors.

The question that Hamilton and Burlington need to ask is: how well are we attracting, instead of repelling, people and businesses?

A better community is as simple as ABCD

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6457463-volunteering-a-better-community-is-as-simple-as-abcd/

Community starts with you.

Those who are involved in community activities in their childhood or adolescence are more likely to be engaged in their community as adults, suggests Statistics Canada. Additionally, volunteering cultivates a sense of belonging and increases social trust and social cohesion.

We shouldn’t stop fighting for women just because it’s 2016

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6375066-hamilton-business-we-shouldn-t-stop-fighting-for-women-just-because-it-s-2016/

Mentoring makes a difference.

A study by the Canadian Women's Foundation found that 83 per cent of mentored young women believe they were more confident because of it.

The budget needs to consider millennials for the country’s future

Hamilton SpectatorOnline

URL: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6268811-hive-the-budget-needs-to-consider-millennials-for-the-country-s-future/

With a new year comes a new federal budget from the new Liberal government.

As a nonprofit dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing young professionals in the city, Hamilton HIVE is looking at the budget with the needs of young people in mind.

Next Generation Governance: Emerging Leaders’ Perspectives on Governance in the Nonprofit Sector

by ASIYA BARAKZAI Public Policy Fellow, London Youth Advisory Council in collaboration with the Pillar Nonprofit Network; ALYSSA LAI Co-Chair of ONN’s Connect the Sector. LINDA MOLLENHAUER Chair, Ignite NPS.

Published by Pillar Nonprofit Network and Ignite NPS

This research is part of Reimagining Governance, which is a collaborative initiative designed to advance new approaches to the governance of nonprofit organizations. In response to a changing environment, it aims to help nonprofit leaders to reimagine a more effective way to fulfill organizational governance, including its structures, processes and practices.

URL: https://pillarnonprofit.ca/sites/default/files/website_files/reimagining_governance_next_generation_governance_final_october_2018.pdf

Setting the Stage for Intergenerational Leadership: Attracting and Retaining Young Workers in Non-Profit

Published by The Philanthropist

This article is published in The Philanthropist as part of my Connect The Sector fellowship, an initiative of Ontario Nonprofit Network.

URL: https://thephilanthropist.ca/2017/08/setting-the-stage-for-intergenerational-leadership-attracting-and-retaining-young-workers-in-non-profit/

Biography

Alyssa Lai is a cross-sectoral communications professional whose work includes chairing one of Ontario's largest young professional networks, stage-managing an LGBTQ dance show, and leading strategic communications for McMaster University's $2-million pilot, The Socrates Project. Since arriving to Canada in 2008, she has worked and volunteered for more than 15 non-profits. She brings together leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors towards a shared purpose. Lai received awards for the 40 under Forty (2019), YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction (Public Affairs, 2014), and McMaster University Hamilton Community Impact (2015). She was one of 25 rising leaders selected for the CivicAction DiverseCity Fellowship (2017), a regional and award-winning leadership program.

Recognition/Reconnaissance

40 under Forty - Hamilton | Professional

One of Hamilton’s most prestigious awards, this annual program recognizes 40 business people under the age of 40 who have demonstrated an extraordinary level of success in the private, public and non-profit sectors.

McMaster Alumni Hamilton Community Impact Award | Professional

The award recognizes outstanding contribution by McMaster graduates to the Hamilton community. The award will recognize individuals who have made a positive impact on the Hamilton community within the past three years, enhancing the quality of life while reflecting the values of McMaster - integrity, quality and teamwork.

YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction Award (Public Affairs) | Professional

Awarded to women who have made a commitment and a significant difference in her community by
showing vision, creativity and initiative.

Public Affairs category: This woman has demonstrated noteworthy achievement in the public or not-for-profit sector through participation with public boards, civic affairs, agencies or commissions, political organizing or government involvement at any level, or by serving in any capacity in media, journalism or communications.

Expertise

  • immigration
  • philanthropy
  • millennials
  • international students
  • diversity and inclusion
  • gender equity
  • nonprofit
  • liberal arts
  • decent work
  • precarious work

Education/Éducation

  • McMaster University
    Communication Studies, Theatre and Film Studies
    B.A. (Hons), 2012