Kar-Lai and her three younger siblings (Wai-Yip, Kar-Man, & Kar-Kate) were born and raised in Syracuse, NY. Her parents originally came from Hong Kong, and her mom was the first in the family to learn what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Kar-Lai came to Christ at the early age of 7 or 8 and always longed to have a spiritual mentor but didn't find one until later in life. As a result, she saw the great need for youth to have mentors and be discipled, especially in light of Ephesians 4:11-14*. After spending 5 years as a college admissions counselor, recruiting for Syracuse University, God led her to join Cru's ministry to high school and middle school students by entering full-time ministry in 2010. 

After serving 13 years with the High School Ministry, she took on the new role of Cru's Mobilization Director of Campus Field Strategies**. She now mentors, equips, & coaches key staff who are recruiting countless leaders for campus-based ministries for all ethnic backgrounds and ages (jr/sr high, college, graduate students, & faculty). She currently works at Cru's world headquarters in Orlando, FL, and helps leaders across the country with recruitment efforts to reach every student and faculty of all backgrounds and ages for Christ.