The Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business and University of Waterloo communities were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, Professor Wayne Chang.
Wayne was a beloved teacher, mentor, and champion for students. His passion for entrepreneurship and his unwavering belief in the potential of others inspired countless members of our community. Whether in the classroom, mentoring a startup, or cheering on student successes, Wayne radiated positivity, energy, and care.
He often reminded those around him that “the future is bright.” His optimism and encouragement will continue to shine through the students and entrepreneurs he supported so wholeheartedly.
Wayne’s impact on the Conrad School, the University of Waterloo, and the broader entrepreneurship community is immeasurable. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our hearts are with Wayne’s family, friends, and the many students, colleagues, and alumni whose lives he touched.
To continue Wayne’s legacy of inspiring and supporting others, the Wayne Chang Memorial Fund has been established. This fund will celebrate Wayne’s passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and education—values that shaped his life’s work and the many lives he impacted.
Professor Wayne Chang clapping and cheering on students at a pitch competition.
Below are some of the memories you’ve shared with us which are a beautiful testament to Wayne’s lasting impact on so many. It has been deeply touching to see how widely he is remembered and appreciated across campus and beyond.
If you wish to share a memory or reflection, please email us at conrad@uwaterloo.ca.
The future is bright, and Wayne’s legacy continues to shine through the community he helped build.
The people who were lucky enough to meet Wayne know it’s impossible to put what he meant to us into words.
Life truly blessed me with Wayne, first as a professor in my undergrad and master’s degrees, then as my first mentor when I was starting 1Mentor, later as a colleague at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, and always as a friend.
Wayne had this incredible ability to give, without ever expecting anything in return. He was the kind of person who noticed what people and the community needed and made sure to do something about it. His enthusiasm filled every room, and his belief in others made you believe in yourself. In a world that can sometimes feel rigid and transactional, Wayne simply did the right thing. Quietly. Consistently. Full of Joy.
I still remember him saying, “I won’t tell you your grade until the end of the semester. You’re here to learn, not here for your marks.” That sentence reminded me what education is really about, and his passion made me fall in love with learning all over again. That BET300 class had a greater impact on my life than my entire program.
The world would have truly benefited from a few more decades of Wayne Chang. For those of us who were lucky enough to know him, the best way to honour his life is to carry his light forward through the way we teach, the way we lead, and, most importantly, the way we care for others.
Thank you, Wayne. You reminded us what education, passion, and humanity really look like.
-Esteban Veintimilla
I had the privilege of working at the Conrad Centre for several years, and Wayne and I often crossed paths through overlapping programs. What began as a professional connection quickly evolved into a personal one. He was someone I continued to stay in touch with over the years, and I always left our conversations feeling inspired, grounded, and seen.
Seeing the messages being shared by current students, alumni, and colleagues, people whose lives he touched so deeply, has been both incredibly moving and absolutely heartbreaking. It’s a testament to the lasting impact he made on the community and the countless students he supported, challenged, and believed in.
I still remember when John Z and I first met Wayne at an event shortly after I graduated. We immediately knew he was someone special, and we were thrilled to introduce him to the Conrad team and broader community. To see how integral he became to the fabric of the Centre and how many lives he shaped along the way has been remarkable.
-Margaret Cichosz
I was a student of Wayne’s BET 300 class back around 2012, as well as part of the E Co-op program where I met my first angel investor. Wayne continued to guide me over the years. I’d check in with him every couple of years for help or advice. The last time we spoke was in 2020, when I asked him to join my board of directors. He politely declined, saying it would be a conflict of interest as a professor, even when I offered to pay him! Made me laugh. Just a class act through and through.
Because of Wayne’s help, I was able to start a business, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list a year later, grow that company for over a decade, and eventually sell it. That journey allowed me to start a family and buy a home — none of which would have been possible without Wayne’s influence.
-Douglas Lusted
The first BET 300 class poses for a photo using the peace sign.
I first met Wayne at the Velocity Fund Finals. I had a business idea but had no idea where to start until a friend told me, “You need to talk to Wayne.” Within minutes of meeting him, I understood why.
For so many, Wayne was their first guide into the intimidating and vast world of entrepreneurship. At a time when it was easy to be paralyzed by uncertainty, Wayne made it possible to take that first step. He was endlessly encouraging, deeply curious, and immensely generous. When you spoke with Wayne, you felt truly seen.
Before long, you became part of Wayne’s vast network, a community he tended carefully and shared freely. Through him, you learned not only the mechanics of entrepreneurship but also the art of building and sustaining genuine connections. He taught you how to set priorities, when to silence your school brain, and how to think like an entrepreneur. The structure and care he put into his programs helped you form deeper relationships with your classmates and collaborators than you ever had before.
Even after graduation, Wayne stayed in touch. He would always be up for a chat despite having a schedule that was often bursting at the seams. He was curious as ever about where your career had taken you, where you were going next and if you had any new ideas percolating in the back of your mind. He was always looking for ways to help you. He would offer invitations to stay involved and give back, never as an obligation, always as an opportunity.
The world is better for having had Wayne in it. The future is bright because of the countless people he inspired, who now carry forward his legacy. I owe so much to Wayne, and I will miss him profoundly.
Confidence is High
-Andrew Leest
Wayne was a powerhouse for E Co-op and BETS. He was such a strong advocate. Many of us had the privilege of working with him in various ways. Some were lucky enough to be taught and mentored by him as an MBET student.
I was part of the part-time MBET class of 2020. It was the restart of the part-time program after several years of not offering it. Wayne taught one of the most fun classes, brought in lots of experts and held many of our classes in the Velocity space in the Communitech Hub.
Following my MBET, his mentorship continued, and we collaborated often while I worked in the Faculty of Mathematics and here in CEE. We regularly met for coffee, he’d pull me back to Conrad for events, he’d connect me to some incredible entrepreneurs and we became friends.
His superpower was as a connector. He’d find connections that you didn’t think made sense at first but inevitably led to productive conversations and projects. Wayne was also someone who loved teaching with all of his being and it showed. The messages spreading all over LinkedIn and personal messages have common themes. Wayne was:
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A champion of students
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Passionate about entrepreneurship
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Someone who believed in the potential of people
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Positive
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Energetic
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Caring and generous
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One-of-a-kind
-Jodi Szimanski
Wayne came into my life when I was midway through my undergraduate degree, feeling lost, unsatisfied, and unsure of the path forward. He had immediate and unwavering belief in me and my project. Despite being an Arts student with no technology background, he was insistent that I belonged in entrepreneurship spaces on campus that were almost exclusively populated by engineering students. His support and confidence in me helped me believe that I belonged there too. He connected me with many opportunities and with people who have become dear friends.
The most remarkable thing is that my experience is not at all unique — there are probably hundreds of people out there whose life Wayne impacted in a similarly positive and pivotal way. He had this unconditional positive regard and belief in students, and it made people believe in themselves. He made sure learning was always more important than grades, and he empowered students to create what they wanted to see in the world.
What an incredible human being he was, and how lucky we all were to know him. My sincere condolences to his family, current students, and colleagues at the Conrad School.
-Lindsay Kroes
I join in mourning the loss of a wonderful human being and exceptional colleague. Wayne had such a far-reaching impact across our campus community. For our Management Engineering students, he was a tireless champion and mentor in their entrepreneurial ambitions. I could always count on him as a trusted advising partner for our capstone design teams. I was always so happy to run into him – I’m not sure when it started, but we had a running gag of jokingly greeting each other “Professor Hurst!” “Professor Chang!” whenever we saw each other. I will deeply miss his infectious positivity and boundless energy.
-Ada Hurst, Management Science and Engineering
Wayne's talent as an amazing entrepreneurship professor was undeniable, yet his impact was much deeper because of how he embodied and role modelled values of respect, generosity, and levity.
Unlike many other professors, Wayne always spoke with students as equals, not as young folks who didn't know better, but as individuals whose viewpoints were valid albeit different. Wayne taught us respect.
Give to get, triangulate, and never keep score. Wayne always preached these three principles to networking and building relationships that were rooted in generosity. Wayne always practiced this by not only being willing to share connections when asked, but proactively connecting those around him to see how they can help each other. Wayne taught us generosity.
Has anyone ever had a conversation with Wayne when a laugh was not shared? There was always something to enjoy regardless of the situation. Gems Wayne dropped on us included "confidence is high" and "keep chopping wood." Wayne taught us levity.
Rest in peace Wayne, know that countless of us who have had the pleasure of knowing you will carry on your legacy and your values. The future is bright because of your spark.
-John Lam