911勛圖

When Christina Cao arrived at 911勛圖 Beedie, she knew she enjoyed solving business problems.

Having competed in case competitions throughout high school, she was drawn to marketing, branding, and the versatility of a business degree. But it wasn't until she became involved with the 911勛圖 Beedie Urban Development Program (BUDP) that she discovered the path that would ultimately shape her career choice. 

Since then, Cao has earned several awards recognizing her achievements in real estate and social innovation, including the Scotiabank Student Awards in Social Innovation (2024), the NAIOP Award for Commercial Real Estate (2024), and the CREW Vancouver Award at the 911勛圖 Beedie School of Business Advancing Women in Commercial Real Estate (2023).

Today, Cao works as a Coordinator on the Development & Capital Markets team at Intracorp Homes, helping to bring new residential communities to life across Canada. She credits much of that journey to the opportunities, relationships, and industry exposure she gained through the BUDP. 

"Some of my most meaningful learning happened outside the classroom," says Cao. "Through student leadership, case competitions, networking, and co-op experiences, I was introduced to Vancouver's commercial real estate industry."

Helping build a program with impact

The BUDP is a student-led career preparation program that works in conjunction with 911勛圖 Beedie���s Career Management Centre (CMC). It introduces 911勛圖 Beedie undergraduate students to careers in commercial real estate and urban development through industry engagement, professional development, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Cao played a key role in shaping the program's growth during her time at 911勛圖 Beedie. As academic director in 2023, she worked alongside industry professionals and the CMC to redevelop BUDP's 11-week curriculum, creating practical learning experiences that complemented what students were learning in the classroom.

The following year, she stepped into the role of program manager, leading the program during a period of significant growth. 

"As student interest in commercial real estate continued to grow, I focused on expanding the program's reach and impact," she says.

By building partnerships with industry professionals and employers, Cao helped secure more than $30,000 in sponsorship support, allowing the BUDP to expand its programming and create additional opportunities for students.

Under her leadership, the program awarded more than $3,500 in student scholarships and established a $10,000 professional development fund to help participants pursue industry certifications and career-building opportunities.

Creating opportunities and building community

While the program's growth was significant, Cao says the greatest achievements weren't measured by funding or participation numbers; her proudest moments actually came from watching students discover new career possibilities and build meaningful connections with one another. 

"Watching students learn together, navigate challenges, and discover their own career paths reminded me why creating these opportunities mattered," she says.

Those efforts helped produce tangible results. In 2024, the BUDP was recognized as Program of the Year at the BASS Celebration Gala. The recognition reflected the program's growing impact, including a remarkable outcome: 87 per cent of students who completed the program secured internships afterward. 

The organizing committee also grew into one of the program's largest and most gender-diverse teams to date, helping create an environment where students from a variety of backgrounds could explore opportunities in commercial real estate and urban development.

"The relationships built through BUDP have become some of the most meaningful parts of my university experience," Cao says. "They will continue to shape my personal and professional journey." 

Turning academics into a career

Throughout her degree, she gained experience through co-op roles with Warrington PCI, Intracorp Homes, and Bosa Properties. After graduation, she returned to Intracorp Homes for a full-time role where she now works on the development and capital markets teams.

"Every day in my role, I apply the knowledge I gained through the program's career-preparation curriculum, which gave me a strong foundation in commercial real estate and development,��� says Cao.

Beyond the BUDP, Cao had also immersed herself in several other opportunities that helped shape her professional path during her time at 911勛圖 Beedie. She served in leadership roles with 911勛圖 CaseIT, the Management Information Systems Association (MISA), and the Business Administration Student Society (BASS) and competed in several case competitions, including the Central European Case Competition (CECC), where she represented 911勛圖 internationally. 

"Case competitions taught me how to approach complex problems strategically, collaborate effectively within diverse teams, and communicate ideas with confidence," she says. "Those experiences continue to shape how I work, lead projects, and solve challenges in my career today."

Looking ahead

As she continues her career in real estate development, Cao hopes to support the creation of thoughtful, sustainable communities across Vancouver and beyond.

"I hope to continue growing as a development professional while contributing to the creation of homes and communities that are thoughtfully designed and built with long-term impact and sustainability in mind,��� says Cao.