Ask questions and be curious.
— Nathan Yiu
Nathan Yiu
Disaster management expert and community leader
BA ’19, Department of Social Science
MDEM ’21, School of Administrative Studies
LA&PS alumnus, Nathan Yiu was named one of York University’s 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, recognized among a distinguished group of young leaders making a meaningful impact around the world. In recognition of his achievement, we connected with Nathan to better understand how his experience as a Law & Society and as a Disaster & Emergency Management graduate contributed to where he is today.
How did your degree in Law & Society and Disaster & Emergency Management help get you where you are today?
Both degrees helped me get where I am today by providing me with the opportunities to learn through internships and by developing a strong foundation in theory that could be used in practice. My Law & Society degree allowed me to understand and analyze complex social issues which then helped my disaster management profession. One of my internships which was with the City of Brampton required a social studies/social science degree and since I had my Law & Society degree, I got an internship with the Community Safety and Well-Being Team, which was a part of Emergency Management at the time. My Disaster & Emergency Management background gave me the required knowledge to help me be proficient in the field which allowed me to stand out when getting hired with the City of Vaughan and gave me an edge when supporting numerous global projects in humanitarian actions with the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
What career did you dream of pursuing in undergrad, and where did your professional path take you after graduation?
During my undergraduate degree, I thought I would become a lawyer. I thought I would graduate and then go to Osgoode Hall for Law School and then continue with the Canadian Armed Forces as a judge advocate general officer. I found a unique area of study, which was disaster management, and I fell in love with the program. I then continued to pursue a Master's in Disaster & Emergency Management, and due to COVID-19, I was hired as an emergency assistant with the City of Vaughan and then as the emergency planning advisor. In September, I am excited to return to York to begin my PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management which is something I never thought I would be doing.
What skills or knowledge from the Law & Society and Disaster & Emergency Management program have been most beneficial in your career?
The skills and knowledge that I gained from the Law & Society and Disaster & Emergency Management program have been more than what I can ask for. The ability to understand complex social issues and identify the potential causes of the situation has given me the capability to think critically and extensively, which is useful in a field like emergency management. Furthermore, the foundation of theory that was provided has proven extremely useful in my role, and the knowledge that the professor has passed on has benefited me by equipping me with the knowledge of what to do and where to find answers. Not every disaster, incident or problem is solvable all at once but with the knowledge given, I am able to help solve part of the problem and then continue to work on the other part.
In what ways have the network and connections you made during your studies helped you in your career?
Without the connections and network I developed at York, I would not be in the role I am currently in. I have a position with the City of Vaughan that started from an internship that I learned about through a friend from York. From 2017 to present, I started as a volunteer, then transitioned to a contract role, and I am now a permanent staff member. Without my friend letting me know about this opportunity, I would have never been where I am today.
What advice do you have for first-year Law & Society and Disaster & Emergency Management students?
Ask questions and be curious. The first year may seem daunting as you enter a new realm of study with a very different style of learning compared to high school, but remember to ask questions. It may inspire you and others, which then creates a place of curiosity. Without curiosity we will never move forward. Another piece of advice is to plan. Plan how you want to see your degree work for you and plan how you want your experience to be. A degree can just be a piece of paper or it can be an adventure where you have learned and grown, and the piece of paper is a way of remembering the adventure/journey.