Emelda Wong and Sheldon Trainor

The Wong-Trainor Welcome Centre is named after prominent UBC alumnus Sheldon Trainor-DeGirolamo and his wife Emelda Wong, whose support is fueled by the strong belief in giving back.

Sheldon and Emelda contributed to the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre because UBC alumni have been the key builders of British Columbia. Sheldon’s family, which includes 13 UBC alumni from various faculties including law, medicine, education and commerce, spans three generations, including his parents, Daniel (BEd 1962) and Dawn (Diploma in Public Health 1959), and his sister Bridget (BEd 1995). Sheldon credits the quality of education, encouragement and inspiration he received at UBC for the success he has had with his career in international finance and business.

Sheldon grew up in Vernon, BC. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC, and was a brother at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Some of his fondest memories are of his time on campus. He also spent a semester abroad at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) in Copenhagen, Denmark. This was a turning point in his life, and it sparked his interest in international finance.

After graduation, Sheldon joined the banking industry, starting his career with Credit Suisse in Australia. He then moved to Asia, where he has worked for over 20 years in various investment banking roles. He has been called one of “Asia’s top deal makers”.

He is the co-founder and managing director of PacBridge Capital Partners, a boutique advisory and principal investment firm. Prior to this, Sheldon was the head of investment banking and vice-chairman at Merrill Lynch Asia Pacific. He was also a managing director at Morgan Stanley and one of the team members who helped establish their business in China in 1994. Sheldon sits on the board of Macau Legend Development, one of the top 10 largest gaming groups globally. He is also the founding donor of the Australian Youth Orchestra International Tour Fund.

Sheldon and Emelda married in 2008. Emelda graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has been involved in media, production, marketing, and communications for several major global media and entertainment companies, including News Corp, Time Warner and Las Vegas Sands. She co-founded PacBridge Capital Partners and is involved with multiple charities.

Through an organization called Project Hope, which brings elementary schools to poverty-stricken rural areas of China, Emelda and her family have helped to finance multiple schools in China. Emelda also serves on the Board of Governors of the ’Iolani School in Hawaii, of which she is an alumna.

Emelda and Sheldon are also active with other educational charities in Asia and North America. Together, they endowed the Wong and Trainor Centre for International Experience at Capilano University.

Sheldon served on the Campaign Cabinet of UBC’s start an evolution campaign. Sheldon continues to make important contributions to the Sauder School of Business and invaluable advice to the Faculty of Medicine.