Before taking up the position of Deputy Director in the HKU SPACE, Professor Chan served as the Deputy Commissioner of Transport, in the Hong Kong SAR Government and has published several papers on Hong Kong’s public transport development. She was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star for meritorious service in transport. She regulated the operation of public transport services in Hong Kong and was also the Departmental Manager responsible for manpower development, contingency traffic co-ordination and management of transport related contracts. With her 30 years civil service career, Professor Chan has rich experience in public administration. She promotes the development of professionalism in transport management through her involvement in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong. She served as the President of the Hong Kong Branch in 1989 and became the International President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in 2013-14 overseeing 31 member countries.  In 2015, Professor Chan became the Hon. Fellow of the Institute which is the highest honour given in recognition of her contribution.  She is an Advisor to the Council of Trustees of CILT and also the Emeritus Global Chairperson for Women in Logistics and Transport in the Institute.

Apart from serving as Deputy Director of HKU SPACE, Professor Chan is closely involved in training and professional development in the field of transport and public administration. She is an Adjunct Professor in the University of Hong Kong delivering the Master of Arts Programme in Transport Policy and Planning and a Fellow of Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning.

Professor Chan is an Independent Non-Executive Director of AMS Public Transport Holdings Limited and a Board member of the Hong Kong Airport Authority. She is also a member of the Commercial Letting Panel, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, a Council member of MTR Academy (HK) Company Limited, a Director of the TWGHs E-Co Village Board, a Board member of the Chinese Occupational Education Association of Hong Kong and a member of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Institute for Public Administration.

She was an Independent Non-Executive Director of MTR Corporation Limited (2013-2024), the Chairperson of Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund Advisory Committee (2016-2022), a Board Member of Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre Limited (LSCM) (2011-2018), a Member of Social Welfare Advisory Committee (2009-2014), a Member of Advisory Council on Environment and the chairperson of the Environmental Impact Assessment Sub-Committee (2007-2014).