BIO | Ms. Helen Ching-Kircher

Helen Ching-Kircher, Dealer Principal, President & CEO of DFC Auto Group Inc., comprising of Downtown Porsche and Audi Uptown hails from Toronto, Canada. Helen’s business career stems from humble beginnings in her native Hong Kong, where she worked in retail, marketing and eventually started an international trading partnership that operated in the United States, Australia and the Far East. Helen was a Director of a major toy manufacturer (Tolly Tots International) which she supported as a start-up and after many successful years, was acquired by Jakks Pacific Inc. Some of their notable clients were Toys ‘R Us, Walmart, and K-Mart in addition to many others. Helen is a strong believer in supporting the vision of others, both financially and professionally, providing guidance and direction to help get them off the ground. Continuation of education and training throughout your career is something Helen is an advocate of and she completed the Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Executive Management Program (OPM).

Aside from her business, Helen has a strong passion to assist, promote and support arts and culture through young, upcoming talent such as Patrick Chan, a 2-time Silver and 1-time gold medalist at the Olympics, and Susanne Hou, a world-renowned Violin Virtuoso. Her undying support of their dreams and efforts from the very beginning has helped them attain both personal and career goals respectively, while making a name for themselves on an international scale.

In late 2004, the Government of Ontario appointed Helen as a Member of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a provincial body that distributes grant funds to deserving organizations. Throughout her life, when asked what her motivation is behind all of this, Helen’s answer is always that if you are able to do well in life, you need to become a custodian of that wealth, be it financial or otherwise, and to share it through promoting good causes. Helen has contributed generously to the David Foster Foundation by sponsoring a family that had a child needing an organ transplant. She’s also supported children from poor minority communities both here and in the US, through a number of ongoing efforts. Helen’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed as she was most recently being honoured by the naming of a Boardroom at the Sinai Hospital in her honour. Helen sits on the Board of Governors for Mount Sinai Hospital, the Chinese Cultural Centre and a Member of the Board of Governors for the Yee Hong Foundation. For many years, she has given away a brand-new luxury car to the Yee Hong Foundation for fundraising for its Geriatric Care. Helen was honoured by the Government of Canada being awarded the Queen Elizabeth II – Diamond Jubilee Medal for her dedication and generosity toward the charity. Some other organizations she’s involved with are B’nai Brith Canada, HSBC, Tzedakah CHW (Children Health Women) Toronto Chapter, Tzivos Hashem, Princess Margaret Hospital and etc.

For excitement she is the owner of a GT3 Cup Race Car, that is managed by an all Chinese/Canadian racing team, and most recently also is sponsoring a 2018 Audi R8 LMS Race Car that won the Canadian series. An avid traveler, and adept at discovering new business opportunities, Helen embodies the hopes and aspirations of many immigrants who come to Canada with a vision, and who ultimately turn that vision into a reality. As head of DFC Auto Group, she brings enthusiasm, dedication and strong commitment to all aspects of her business with a goal of achieving the highest level of customer satisfaction. Downtown Porsche has been awarded the coveted Premier Dealership designation by Porsche Canada Limited while Audi Uptown is the Number One Audi dealership in Toronto. Helen is married to Dr. Peter Kircher, a Director of the DFC Auto Group. The couple have two grown-up children who also live and work in Toronto, and are active in managerial roles of the business.

Honours And Awards

 

Volunteer & Charity Activities

Dealer Principal, President & CEO

DFC Auto Group Inc. 1993 to present  

Executive Vice President

1375620 Ontario Limited 2000 to present  

President & CEO

HCSH Management Company Inc. 2004 to present  

Partner

May Union International 1992 to 1997  

Managing Partner

Samalco Company, Hong Kong 1976 to 1985