David Lao (BAcc ’16) knew he was interested in finance when he came to Brock University to study accounting, but he didn’t know where that interest would take him.

What he found at Brock was the opportunity to figure it out.

The experiences, relationships and lessons that followed helped Lao launch a career in public service — and inspired a commitment to giving back — that earned him the 2026 Brock University Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

As a second-generation immigrant from Toronto, Lao says coming to Brock gave him independence while helping him build connections he was missing.

“Brock really helped me build the foundation,” he said. “It wasn’t just the academic piece. It gave me the stepping stone I needed to build my career.”

During co-op placements with the Canada Revenue Agency and in public accounting, for example, Lao was able to experience different workplaces and discover which environments aligned with his interests.

“I found the opportunity to experience that early on allowed me to make informed decisions later on,” he said.

He ultimately found his place in public service and values the opportunity to contribute to the lives of Canadians, including championing Indigenous participation in federal procurement processes.

Lao’s sense of achievement, however, extends far beyond his own accomplishments.

A mentor once told him that success is defined by how much success one brings to others. That message stuck with him. So did the impact of Brock volunteers who helped him settle into campus life as nervous first-year student and find his own ways to give back to the community.

Lao continues to volunteer with professional and community organizations. He has volunteered his financial and governance expertise with community organizations such as Queensway Carleton Hospital, where he has contributed to governance and strategic work supporting the delivery of health care. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Volunteer, holding leadership roles as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair.

Alongside his board service, Lao has dedicated time to mentoring aspiring CPAs and supporting professional and community initiatives, using his experience to help strengthen the organizations and people around him. For students beginning their own careers, his advice is to focus less on titles and more on finding work that is meaningful.

“Don’t chase promotions, chase interesting work,” he said. “When you chase things you’re interested in, the titles will come naturally.”

Just as important, he said, is the reputation one builds along the way.

“Reputation travels faster than a résumé,” he said.

For Lao, that means being reliable, collaborative and willing to solve problems. Throughout his career, Lao has built a reputation for being proactive, taking on new challenges and elevating the work around him.

“When people give me an opportunity, I give 200 per cent in everything I do,” he said.

Receiving the Outstanding Young Alumni Award has given Lao an opportunity to reflect on the people and experiences at Brock that have helped shape him.

“It’s a very special recognition,” he said. “I will continue to carry the Badger Values wherever I go.”