Sandy So
When Sandy So arrived in Vancouver from Hong Kong in 1989, she was the single mother of a six-year-old child and a recent widow. She had no sales experience and no Canadian work experience. But what she lacked in experience, she made up for with determination and resilience, and her unwavering spirit led her to become one of the leading figures in community service and fund-raising in the Lower Mainland.
Sandy founded her own company Sandy So Realty in 1994 and earned numerous professional awards including a 25-years Lifetime Medallion Club Award with the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board, Re/Max International Diamond Award, Circle of Legend Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Chairman’s Club Award, President’s Club Award, Hall of Fame Award… and Western Canada Community Care Award. Her dedication to excellence in real estate culminated in her retirement from active practice in 2018.
Sandy believes strongly that it is always a blessing to be able to give. “What you give from the heart to other people will come back to you many times over, both in your personal life and in business,” she says.
Apart from her busy schedule, Sandy has always been passionate and active in her community involvements since she landed in Canada. She was Chair of the Ethnic Business Committee and Board Member of The Richmond Chamber of Commerce (1993-1995), President of Sunbrite Business Association (1996-1997) and presided over the largest Chinese New Year Fair at PNE in North America, Chair of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Chinese Community Telethon (1999 and 2000), Chair of Planned Gift Committee of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (2006 and 2007), Board Member of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (2007-2013), Chair of Real Estate Committee of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (2010-2013), Board Member of Richmond Hospital Foundation (2015-2021), Ambassador for YWCA (2021-now).
Sandy was the Recipient of the Outstanding Legacy Philanthropist 2019 Giving Heart Award on AFP National Philanthropy Day, a testament to her contributions to communities and vision to make a difference.
Currently married to Ron Benoit, another devoted community volunteer, Sandy continues to leave a lasting impact on both the real estate industry and the communities she serves.