Vivienne Poy


Vivienne Poy is a Canadian businesswoman, author and philanthropist. She served as a member of the Senate of Canada from 1998 until her retirement in 2012.

Early life and education

On May 15, 1941, Poy was born in British Hong Kong. She is the daughter of Richard Charles Lee Ming-Chak and Esther Yiu Pik Huang. Poy's paternal grandfather was Hysan Lee, who was tied to the Hong Kong opium refinery business and also land development in the early 1900s.
In 1959, Poy was a student in Canada. She is a graduate of St. Paul's Co-educational College, McGill University, Seneca College and the University of Toronto.

Achievements

On her appointment, Poy became the first Canadian senator of Asian ancestry.
For 14 years, Poy served as president of Vivienne Poy Mode, a fashion design company that she founded in 1981. She was selected as Chancellor of the University of Toronto in December 2002 and served until 2006.

Personal

Poy's husband is Dr. Neville Poy, a retired plastic surgeon, and they have 3 sons. Poy's sister-in-law is Adrienne Clarkson, who served as Governor General of Canada from 1999 to 2005.