Leilany Chan
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Occupation: Product Marketing Manager
Raised in Vancouver by immigrant parents, Leilany’s childhood playground was her father’s grocery store, where she played hide-and-seek in the freezer and recommended her favorite fruits to any customer who would listen. It was a place that gave her everything: a love for people, a respect for hard work, and a gift for making anyone feel seen. Earning a spot at a private school meant stepping into a world that looked nothing like home. With time, that distance became perspective. Watching her parents build a life from the ground up gave her a truth she has never let go of: circumstances do not define us. Our values do.
Those values carried her far. A classical ballet dancer who trained under the Royal Academy of Dance for over a decade and competed across Canada and the United States, she brought that same discipline into every room she entered next. She went on to earn a degree in Design Media Arts from UCLA, taught English in China, and built a career as a consultant turned product designer/marketer in AI and the creator economy, developing tools designed to help everyone from Gen Z to Gen X build a platform, find their voice, and advocate for what matters most to them. She has hosted events for over 300+ founders and creators, and lives colorfully and intentionally, seeking out people from all walks of life and embracing every experience as an opportunity to grow.
At the center of it all is a mission she has lived personally. As a Chinese Canadian woman who grew up rarely seeing herself reflected, Leilany knows what it costs to love the features the world tells you are wrong. The belief that “unconventional is beautiful and different is powerful” is what brings her to the Miss Universe Canada stage. She is not here simply to pursue her own dream. She is here so that every girl who has ever felt too different, too in-between, or not enough, knows that she belongs exactly as she is.
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What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
My interests sit at the intersection of art, technology, and community. I am passionate about using digital innovation to bring people together and make ideas more accessible. Whether through technology, event curation, or creative projects, I love building experiences that foster meaningful connection and inspire others. What motivates me most is transforming ideas into experiences and experiences into opportunities for people to feel seen, heard, and empowered. Above all, I enjoy living a colorful life—embracing new experiences, meeting people from all walks of life, and having the courage to take risks, including stepping onto the stage as a contestant in Miss Universe Canada!
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
The arts have always been an important part of my life. I trained in classical ballet for over a decade at Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver. Today, dance remains a meaningful part of my life. Most recently, I volunteered with the International Dance League, helping coordinate dance teams from around the world, including Canada, the USA, Norway, New Zealand, and Singapore. The experience deepened my appreciation for how the arts can unite people across cultures and reinforced my belief that art is a powerful force for connection and community-building.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I enjoy challenging myself through new athletic pursuits. Growing up, I competed in track and field, specializing in the 100-meter sprint, long jump, hurdles, and the 4×100-meter relay. I also participated in competitive swimming, junior varsity basketball, and varsity ultimate frisbee. Athletics taught me resilience and the value of teamwork, while fostering a deep appreciation for the energy and camaraderie that come from working toward a shared goal.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My older sister has had the greatest influence on my life. As a child, I followed in her footsteps in everything she did, but as we grew older, I learned one of the most important lessons she could teach me: there is more than one way to live a meaningful life. She is naturally bold and adventurous, while I am more creative and introspective. Watching her approach life fearlessly showed me that growth comes from taking risks, while her support gave me the confidence to embrace my own path. Because of her, I learned that success is not about becoming someone else—it is about becoming the best version of yourself.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment was organizing and hosting a community event for founders, creators, and entrepreneurs. I led every aspect of the experience—from securing the venue and coordinating sponsors to curating the program and designing the attendee experience. As part of the event, I also hosted a live interview series featuring inspiring entrepreneurs and content creators from my community.
Standing on stage and leading the event with my own voice felt like the culmination of years of hard work, creativity, and community-building. The most rewarding moment was watching strangers walk into the room and leave with new friendships, collaborations, and opportunities. It reinforced my belief that when people are given a space where they feel they belong, meaningful connections can flourish. That experience showed me the power of community and reminded me that bringing people together can be a catalyst for lasting impact.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
The most interesting thing about me is my ability to embrace contrasts. I feel equally at home training in a ballet studio, competing in sports, exploring art and design, or camping outdoors. Living between these worlds has made me comfortable with change, passionate about learning, and deeply curious about the people and experiences around me.
One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was volunteering to teach English to children in China. Although we did not share a common language, we connected through patience, creativity, and kindness. The experience taught me that communication goes far beyond words and reinforced my belief that human connection can transcend cultural, linguistic, and geographic boundaries.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to be a voice for women and young girls, helping them recognize their potential and pursue opportunities with confidence. I want to empower the next generation to embrace their unique strengths, trust their abilities, and define success on their own terms.
Growing up in an immigrant family, I learned that building a life requires resilience, creativity, and courage. I’ve always believed that immigrants are artists at heart because they have the ability to build something meaningful from nothing. This perspective has shaped my passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-building.
Through my work in technology, the creator economy, and advocacy, I hope to help others create opportunities for themselves and their communities. I also believe that sustainable success begins with well-being, which is why mental health is central to my mission. When people feel supported, confident, and empowered, they are better equipped to pursue their goals and make a meaningful impact.
Ultimately, I hope to inspire young women not only to pursue their dreams, but to create new possibilities for those who come after them.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
I am someone who is constantly inspired by people. I’m endlessly curious about the journeys that shape us, and I believe every person has a story worth telling. By creating spaces for authentic conversation, I hope to amplify voices that may not always be heard and help others feel seen, valued, and understood.
My dream is to become an inspirational speaker, traveling the world and using my voice to empower others. I hope to interview people around the world and share their stories through a publication, online platform, or documentary work.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in Vancouver, Canada, the daughter of immigrant parents who built their life from the ground up. My childhood playground was my dad’s grocery store in the heart of Vancouver, where I played hide-and-seek in the freezer and recommended my favorite fruits to any customer who would listen. It was a place rich with culture, community, and the values of hard work, resilience, and generosity.
When I earned a spot at a private school, I became more aware of the differences between my upbringing and that of many of my classmates. For a time, I felt self-conscious about where I came from. But with age came perspective. Watching my parents work tirelessly to create opportunities for our family taught me that our circumstances did not define us; our values did. Looking back, I realize that my upbringing gave me more perspective, greater gratitude, and a stronger sense of purpose. Those lessons continue to shape how I approach challenges, opportunities, and the people around me.
That grocery store gave me a curiosity about people, a love for community, and an appreciation for the stories that shape our lives. It taught me that true wealth is not measured by what we own, but by the values we carry, the relationships we build, and the impact we have on others. This experience continues to guide me today.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
In high school, I worked at McDonald’s as a front cashier, where I met a constant stream of people and learned patience, communication, and how even a small interaction and a smile can improve someone’s day. Behind the counter, I prepared orders, flipped Big Macs, and served McFlurries while learning to thrive in a fast-paced environment. It was one of the most valuable jobs I’ve ever had because it taught me that every role deserves respect and that great service starts with caring about people.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered in a variety of spaces centered around community and education. I have worked as a babysitter and camp counselor, helping create safe and supportive environments where children can learn, grow, and build confidence. I have also contributed design and website support for local community gardens, helping strengthen their outreach and engagement efforts. Most meaningfully, I volunteered to teach English in China, an experience that deepened my appreciation for language as a bridge between cultures and reinforced my passion for accessibility, education, and connection across borders.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is working with my hands. I have a natural spatial awareness that allows me to build and create in ways that even surprise me. As a furniture design student at RISD’s Summer Program, I built a bench from scratch, and in college, I designed and assembled an LED lamp. On the more technical side, I coded and built a robot capable of picking up and dropping items, and later interned at a robotic food delivery company, where I saw the intersection of design, engineering, and everyday life come to fruition at scale. Coming from a creative background, I think people are often surprised by how much I thrive in hands-on, technical spaces where I can build things from the ground up.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
I’ve traveled to over 30 cities across four continents, and my love for travel continues to grow. One of the most memorable places I’ve been is Morocco, where I road-tripped through cities like Marrakech and Tangier, each feeling like its own world. The highlight was the Sahara Desert, where I rode camels across the dunes and camped under an unforgettable night sky. The experience reminded me how vast and beautiful the world is, and how important it is to embrace the unfamiliar.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years, I hope to have a deeper understanding of myself and to be living a life that reflects my values. Most importantly, I hope to be someone young girls can genuinely look up to, not because of a title or achievement, but because of the example I set and the impact I make.
I hope to have built something meaningful at the intersection of technology, creativity, and community, while using my platform to inspire young women to embrace their individuality and pursue lives that are truly their own. Whatever I accomplish, I want young girls to see themselves in my story and believe that their dreams are possible too!