Introducing the first Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Edmonton Cultural Society Board of Directors

Written By Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Community

Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Edmonton Cultural Society Board Members (left to right): Stewart Hong, Jessica Truong, Linda Hoang, Dr. Chris Lê, Dawn Graves.

Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau is pleased to introduce our first Board of Directors.

This founding board represents an important step forward in our journey from grassroots initiative to a sustainable organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving Vietnamese-Edmonton culture and heritage.

As leaders, advisors, and community champions, this group will help guide our strategic direction, strengthen governance, and ensure that our programs continue to reflect the voices and needs of the communities we serve.

Together, the board will support the advancement of our mission to create spaces—both in-person and digital—where adult children of Vietnamese immigrants and the broader Vietnamese-Edmonton community can connect with their heritage, share stories, and build bridges across generations.

Our board members’ leadership will play a key role in expanding partnerships, supporting cultural programming, setting direction and laying the foundation for long-term impact.

We are deeply grateful for their commitment, and excited for what we will build—together.

Linda Hoang

Co-President, Co-Founder & Secretary

Linda Cẩm Tú Hoang (she/her), is a second-generation Vietnamese Canadian and experienced storyteller and communications strategist.

An entrepreneur, community organizer and content creator with a background in journalism and television broadcasting, Linda is the founder of a number of cultural and food-focused events and initiatives including the Edmonton International Cat Festival, Stop Race Based Hate, Chinatown Chow Down, Instagrammable Wall and Food Tours.

Linda, commonly known as @lindork, received the inaugural Edmonton Best Tourism Influencer Award in 2024, was part of Edify Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2021, and received the Spirit of NAIT Award in 2019, in part for using social media and her blog to share and advocate for local businesses, food, and art.

Linda grew up serving bowls of phở at her family’s long-standing Vietnamese restaurant King Noodle House Pho Hoang in Edmonton’s Chinatown, enjoys recreating her mom’s Vietnamese recipes, binge-watching TV and film, and spending time with her family including toddler, three cats and a dog.

If Linda could only eat one Vietnamese dish for the rest of her life, it would be: Bún bò Huế (lemongrass beef and pork noodle soup with extra huyết pork blood cubes). It would also be her family’s three-generations phở recipe but wanted to spread the Vietnamese food love.

Jessica Truong

Co-President, Co-Founder

Jessica Truong (she/her), is a second-generation Vietnamese Canadian who shares her love for food and culture online @aspoonfordad, which she started in memory of her late father.

Her passion for storytelling is explored through her co-produced TELUS STORYHIVE docuseries EATING EDMONTON and through her writing found in HUNGRYZINE. She is building the bridge of connection through the Vietnamese community as co-founder and board member of Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau.

Jessica is also an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse and University of Alberta alumni who volunteers for the Oncology Nursing Interest Group of Alberta leadership team which supports education and networking for nurses working in oncology.

During her free time you can find Jessica being creative in the kitchen or through mixed media art and hanging with her HusBen, kids and Old English Sheepdog named Ollivander.

If Jessica could only eat one Vietnamese dish for the rest of her life, it would be her mom’s Bún riêu chả cá (pork and crab meat ball noodle soup with pork ribs, fish cakes, dill sausage, tomatoes, and tofu).

Stewart Hong

Treasurer

Stewart Hong (he/him) is a second-generation Chinese/Vietnamese Canadian. Stewart’s mother was born and raised in Saigon to Chinese parents, escaped the war by boat and lived in multiple refugee camps before coming to Edmonton in the 1970s. Her journey—and the sacrifices that came with it—has profoundly influenced Stewart’s identity and values while instilling a deep sense of gratitude, as it made his life in Canada possible. 

Professionally, Stewart brings a diverse background across accounting, business ownership, logistics, import/export, and warehousing. These experiences have given him a strong foundation in financial discipline, operational efficiency, and cross‑functional collaboration. Stewart currently works at the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, where his focus includes procurement, risk management, and planning.

Outside of work, Stewart enjoys running and training for Hyrox, exploring new places through travel and discovering incredible food. He values spending quality time with his partner, their corgi, and friends. Stewart believes meaningful connections are at the heart of building strong, inclusive communities.

If Stewart could only eat one Vietnamese dish for the rest of his life, it would be Bò Lá Lốt (Vietnamese grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves).

Dawn Graves

Dawn Trang Graves (she/her) is an Edmonton-based, first generation Vietnamese-Canadian photographer, visual communicator, and community storyteller whose work centers on connection, heritage, and nature. Her body of work includes editorial, commercial, lifestyle, and family photography.

Dawn has been telling stories at the University of Alberta for the past 20 years. Her background in visual science communications helps her turn intricate ideas into narratives that feel relatable and engaging.

Whether creating intimate portraits, documenting science, or capturing everyday moments and gatherings, Dawn approaches each story with care and intention. She believes photographs can preserve memory, honour lived experience, strengthen community, and deepen our appreciation of the world around us.

A maker at heart and a lover of all things that bloom, Dawn is also a floral and fibre artist. In addition to her creative practice, Dawn mentors new photographers and artists alike. She is passionate about using the arts to create spaces where stories can be shared.

Through her work with the non-profit sector, Dawn supports initiatives that celebrate culture, education, and community resilience.

If Dawn could only eat one Vietnamese dish for the rest of her life, it would be Phở (Vietnam’s National Dish - a comforting bowl of beef noodle soup).

Dr. Chris Lê

Dr. Christopher Lê (he/him) is a second-generation Vietnamese-Canadian who grew up in Edmonton. He attended the University of Alberta for his undergraduate and medical degrees and completed his Family Medicine residency through Dalhousie University.

Chris eventually returned to Edmonton and works at a private clinic and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, seeing a mix of English-speaking and Vietnamese-speaking patients.

He initiated an online language group for second-generation Vietnamese Canadian healthcare providers to practice medical terminology, and he serves as a mentor for medical students from a Vietnamese background.

Chris grew up experiencing broader Vietnamese culture primarily through his Christian church, where he celebrated festivals, ate traditional food, and practiced his language skills with his faith community.

When Chris is not lavishing his wife and two children with his attention, he finds time to cheer for his favourite team, the Edmonton Oilers, and to play hockey as a goaltender. His latest goalie equipment set features a tiger and snake in navy and orange colours as a tribute to his family, culture, and hometown.

If Chris could only eat one Vietnamese dish for the rest of his life, it would be Hủ tiếu mì khô (Vietnamese dry egg noodles often accompanied with a side of broth).

We are incredibly grateful to each of our board members for their time, care, commitment and belief in Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau. Together, we look forward to working collaboratively to advance our mission of creating spaces for connection, storytelling, and cultural reflection that honour the journeys of our families while strengthening our community for future generations. And eating delicious Vietnamese food, of course!

With this exciting leadership in place, we are excited to continue growing our impact, expanding partnerships, and building a lasting foundation for Vietnamese-Edmonton/Canadian heritage to thrive, together.

About Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau

Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau (We Are Together) is a Vietnamese-Canadian non-profit organization creating opportunities for children of immigrants and the broader Vietnamese community to connect with their heritage and bridge generational divides. Founded in 2025, we are working to preserve culture, increase representation, and help shape the future of Vietnamese-Canadian identity.

All board photos taken by Dawn Graves Photography

Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Community
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