https://www.linkedin.com/in/yew-thong-leong-53145725/

Provide a brief summary of your practice experience. 

4 decades of contiguous professional practice experience, while concurrently teaching/researching the professional practice of architecture at Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University. My current teaching and research areas are in Urbanism and in Professional Practice: 

Managing Director - ssg architecture inc. (2007 - Current); 

Associate Professor - Toronto Metropolitan University (1989 - Current); 

Senior Director - Robbie/Young + Wright Architects Inc. (1987 - 2007); 

Design Draftsman (Intern) - Richard Williams Incorporated Architect (1986) and Mathers and Haldenby Architects (1985). 

In addition to the above, I have developed professional practice events such as continuing education programs (i.e. the OAA's Starting an Architectural Practice and Fundamentals of Running an Architectural Practice), conference presentations, seminars and webinars for the OAA and the RAIC; and for the Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University. 

Provide a brief summary of your previous governance experience (boards, councils, committees, advisory groups, etc.). 

College of Fellows National Committee (RAIC, current Dean of the College of Fellows) 

Fees and Procurement Committee; RAIC Advisors to Professional Practice; CHOP Editorial Committee 3rd Edition (RAIC) 

Waldorf Academy - Board of Director and Secretary (2022-2025) 

Various Toronto Metropolitan University councils, committees, including two terms as a University Senator (1989 to present). 

Experience Requirement Committee (and Chair); Advisory Task Group - Fees and Services Tool Kit; Advisory Task Group – Membership Models; Advisory Task Group - Information Technology; Committee of Society Chairs (OAA) 

Toronto Society of Architects - Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Chair (1997 - 2000) 

Toronto Preservation Board (3 terms, 2004-2013) 

IPLAN, JVS Toronto (Advisory Committee For Foreign-Trained Architects (2012 – Present)

Why are you interested in serving on Council at this time? 

I had served with the OAA in lower capacities at the beginning of my career and have since served in various greater capacities with other local and national organizations, and it is the correct moment at this time to serve on Council - as a legislated provincial body - having accumulated 4 decades of governance experience, with many years at an Executive level. 

Next March 2027, I would have ran my own companies/practice for 2 decades - this latter half of corporate governance experience has given me real life perspective on running companies and the practice of architecture in the Province of Ontario. 

What do you believe are the key challenges or priorities for Council over the next one to three years? 

The profession is undergoing technological (AI agents, robotics) and economical (slowing economy, climate, intense globalization, tariffs, housing, P3, other emerging "professionals") challenges; and Council should be preparing for these societal shifts. Of course such challenges are nothing new, but I can assist with bringing perspectives to these new challenges from experiences gained from past challenges. As an academic, I am hoping I can also bring an evidence/facts-based approach to all these. 

In summary, I am hoping that I can assist Council with experiences gained from past challenges: That I can bring my academic perspective using evidence/facts-based approaches; my years in governance of organizations; and of course my 4 decades of continuous professional practice experiences to Council.

Questions and Answers