Rene Lo Chung Man is a 2014 BYU–Hawaii graduate in business management with an emphasis in operations and supply chain. She is the president of the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Chapter in Guangzhou, China and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education. Lo lives in Singapore with her husband and regularly goes back and forth between Singapore, China, and Hong Kong for her studies and alumni service.
Discovering Faith and Education
Lo was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by a close friend during her school years in Hong Kong and was baptized in 2010, becoming the first in her family to join. That same friend later encouraged her to apply to BYU–Hawaii. “I never thought I would come to Hawaii for school,” Lo shared. “But through my friend’s encouragement, I decided to attend BYU–Hawaii, and it changed everything.”
At BYU–Hawaii, Lo discovered a global community that expanded her perspective. “Before attending the university, life just seemed normal. But in Hawaii, I met many wonderful friends from different cultures. That really made me feel happy because I was able to build good relationships with people from all over the world,” she recalled.
Lessons in Service and Ohana
During her time as a student, Lo worked at The Willes Center for Entrepreneurship at BYU–Hawaii. The experience left a lasting impression on her. “I didn’t expect entrepreneurs to be so willing to help students,” Lo shared. “In Hong Kong, not all entrepreneurs are open to sharing their success. BYU–Hawaii’s willingness to serve really touched my heart.”
The spirit of ohana also shaped her. “In Hawaii, there are people from all over the world. Even though we may see things differently, we remember that we are ohana. That taught me patience and how to better communicate with others,” she explained. Lo also found examples of strong families that inspired her. “My family is imperfect, but in Hawaii, I saw so many good examples of how to build a good family, which totally changed how I see things.”
Missionary Service and Family Life
After graduating in 2014, Lo served in the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission and the California Oakland/San Francisco Mission until 2017. Shortly before leaving on her mission, she was introduced to Dave Lee in Hong Kong through her Young Women president. “He loves serving and teaching people to cook,” she said with a smile. At that time, their friendship was just beginning, but after her mission, their relationship became official and later led to marriage.
Today, Lo and her husband live in Singapore, where she balances her doctoral studies while supporting his entrepreneurial ventures. She believes the lessons of patience and love she learned at BYU–Hawaii will bless their future family.
Leading the Guangzhou Alumni Chapter
In 2023, Lo was invited by fellow alumnus Peter Chan to help establish the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Chapter in southern China. She now serves as its president. “At first, I wasn’t sure if I could handle it,” Lo admitted. “But Peter encouraged me, and the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Association—including Lei and Benjamin in Hawaii—has supported us a lot. Even though we’re far, I can feel their encouragement.”
The chapter began with small gatherings, but now Lo is leading efforts to organize a conference this upcoming summer in 2026. “One of the blessings of serving is being able to connect with so many people,” she said. “I’ve grown a lot learning how to deal with people, be more patient, and improve my socialization skills in China.”
For Lo, BYU–Hawaii continues to guide her in her role as chapter president. “By serving in the alumni chapter, I’m practicing [BYU–Hawaii’s mission]. Even though I still have much to learn, I feel satisfied seeing our chapter grow.”
Looking back on her journey, Lo hopes current students will embrace every opportunity BYU–Hawaii offers. “Try to learn as much as you can at BYU–Hawaii,” she reflected. “Not just academically, but in connecting with people and participating in activities. It’s a short time but it can completely change your mindset.”