Shirley Sio is running for Vancouver School Board Trustee with ABC Vancouver.

Shirley Sio is an educator, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to creating opportunities through education. She is the Founder and Principal of DriveTreck Driving Academy and the Founder of The Circle of MA, a volunteer-led nonprofit organization that supports mental well-being, helps individuals settle during life transition, provides entry-level job readiness workshops, and equips individuals with the skills and confidence needed for career readiness and success.

Born in Macau, Shirley Sio immigrated to Vancouver with her family in 1992. Raised by a Shanghainese father and a Cantonese mother (both born in Shanghai) she grew up speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghainese and learning from the traditions of each culture.

Her experience adapting to life in Canada strengthened her appreciation for multiculturalism, inclusion, and education, inspiring her to help others build the confidence and skills needed to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to society.

A graduate of SFU with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Shirley has worked across the technology, healthcare, education, film and entertainment, design and construction, and curriculum development sectors in both North America and Asia. She later received a full scholarship to pursue her MBA in China, gaining a global perspective on leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning.

Following a difficult period in her life as a new single mother, Shirley transformed adversity into purpose by founding DriveTreck Driving Academy. Under her leadership, the academy has achieved an approximately 98% first-time road test pass rate and has become one of the few newly established driving schools approved to deliver British Columbia’s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP).

Throughout her career, Shirley has worked with youth, newcomers to Canada, seniors, individuals recovering from driving-related trauma, and students with special needs, helping them develop the confidence, skills, independence, and job readiness to achieve their goals. Guided by the belief that the right support, education, resources, and opportunities can help people build stable, successful, and independent lives, Shirley is committed to empowering individuals to overcome barriers, realize their potential, and participate fully in society.