About Kathy Ma
Hi, I’m Kathy (she/her), a racialized, middle-class, non-disabled-ish settler. I’m a justice-oriented co-creator, transformation seeker, systems disrupter, accountability partner, discomfort facilitator, liberatory educator, and abolitionist dreamer. My journey touches career, employment, learning/education, yoga, healing, and soul work across various settings.
I believe we’re always changing. As I continue through life, who I am will inevitably evolve and this page will be updated to reflect that.
My Settler Story
Unraveling my ancestry is an ongoing journey but my ancestors trace back to China and due to circumstance, relocated to South Vietnam for some generations. My parents travelled to Canada as part of the second wave of the Boat People. I was born on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda, and Métis Nation, Region III (so-called Alberta, Canada). I lived for most of my childhood on unceded Stó:lō, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla nations (so-called Aldergrove and Abbotsford, Canada). I became the first in my family to gain a university education. Now, I live, work, and play on stolen Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh & Squamish lands. I continue to explore how to be in solidarity with Indigenous self-determination. Learn the true name of the lands you occupy.
Why I Do This Work
I’ve walked the paths of uncertainty, burnout, and self-discovery. I know what it’s like to feel unsure, seeking external validation or fearing change. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to ask deeper questions: What do I want out of work and life? How can I better align with my values?
These reflections inform my perspective when supporting others. I approach this work not only as a coach, but as a human being who has asked many of the same questions. I’ve seen firsthand how unjust systems can shape our experiences, and I’m passionate about helping others find clarity, confidence, and agency in their journeys.
Together, we’ll explore strategies that are both realistic and liberatory, creating space for courage and curiosity rather than fear or shame.
What I Offer
My focus is on 1:1 coaching, helping individuals explore purpose, career alignment, and how to navigate unjust systems. Part of my approach is helping clients reality their personal agency and how to get more comfortable acting in greater alignment with their values.
My coaching practice operates separately and independently from any affiliations with Vancouver Foundation. Clients working with me are not eligible to apply for positions at Vancouver Foundation for six months following our coaching sessions.
What I Do For Fun
I strive to balance the seriousness of social justice work with joy and connection because I believe it sustains us. For the astrologically curious, I have a quintuple Capricorn stellium in the 10th house of career, an Aquarius moon, and an Aries rising.
When I’m not working, I love practicing yoga, singing, enjoying delicious meals with loved ones, and diving into rabbit holes. These practices remind me of the importance of balance—between mind, body, and spirit—and the small, steady ways we nurture ourselves in our busy lives.
My Guiding Principles
Social Justice in Any Role
Every role offers opportunities to work toward justice and liberation.
Your Role in the Collective Struggle
Your strengths, skills, and experiences matter in creating change.
Radical Imagination & Hope
Envisioning liberatory futures with grounded hope helps us navigate challenges and move toward healing.
Practicing Self-Reflexivity
Understanding how our actions connect to larger systems is essential to meaningful growth.
Nurturing Somatic Awareness
Staying attuned to the body fosters resilience and balance in moments of stress or transition.
Practical and Actionable Steps
Through prioritizing clarity and direction, our time together provides tangible ways you can meet your goals.
Kathy Ma 