Program leaders

Program Leaders & Senior Facilitators

Agnes

  • Co-founder  & head teacher of LEAP Studio (www.leap-studio.com)
  • Carlyle Group, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, IFC World Bank
  • Harvard Business School, Yale Undergrad (summa cum laude & phi beta kappa)

From Agnes:  Being brought up in a traditional Chinese family, I was taught to persist and excel in whatever I do. This has led to academic success throughout my 13 years of school in Hong Kong, then at Yale and Harvard.  Professionally I also excelled at what I did – having worked at some of the most prestigious companies in the finance industry. However I was constantly struggling to fulfill my inner desire to make real impact, to be happy, and to feel truly motivated and passionate about my job. Founding LEAP was the turning point in my life when I realized I could bring a new dimension to teaching, leveraging my unique educational and professional experience and network. My aspiration is to inspire and develop children and teenagers into global-minded, socially responsible, and happy individuals who are well equipped to succeed in whatever career they pursue when they grow up.

Huijin

  • Leadership development entrepreneur and consultant/coach
  • SCMP Group, McKinsey & Company
  • Harvard Business School Baker Scholar, Wharton Undergrad (4.0 GPA)

From Huijin:  I was born in mainland China, and grew up in Vancouver, Canada.  Life was a never-ending series of challenges to be defeated – from mastering English in a year and half, regaining my academic confidence in a Canadian high school, becoming the best among the best at Wharton, and proving my distinctiveness at McKinsey…until I realized I wanted meaningful life and work, and it was not the path I had been on.  That led me to leave McKinsey, become a media executive, and now an entrepreneur devoted to realizing my calling of supporting people’s development as leaders.  Along the way, I discovered myself beyond work, with richer relationships with friends and family, and new hobbies (notably photography).  Academic and early professional success came easily to me.  Figuring out what I want to focus my life on, and overcoming fears, was much harder.  Life is not necessarily easier now, but I am happier and more at peace with myself.

Yvonne

  • Co-founder & head teacher of LEAP Studio (www.leap-studio.com)
  • Asia Pacific Land Real Estate Fund, Sino Land, Goldman Sachs
  • Columbia MSc, Cornell BSc

From Yvonne:  Born and raised in Hong Kong, I spent 12 years away from home to complete my education and enrich my professional experience. My academic training and career pursuits have taken me to Vancouver, New York, Singapore, different cities in China and ultimately back to my home in Hong Kong. Founding LEAP Studio has been one of my most rewarding and challenging experiences. As I mature as an educator and entrepreneur, my conviction for teaching grows as I see the value and impact of supporting students’ development through curriculum that promote character development and cultivate a service mindset.

Other Senior & Junior Facilitators

Marcie

  • Full time teacher and college consultant for high school students
  • Seasoned marketing and business development (TVB, NBC Studios)
  • Harvard Undergrad (cum laude)

From Marcie:  Originally from Southern California, I grew up playing competitive golf at the national level.  I was the team captain and played the #1 position for the Harvard Women’s Varsity Golf Team.  Interviewing prospective college students has given me the opportunity to learn how future, young leaders can shape society.  My hobbies include traveling, cooking, and hiking.

Jia Li (Lily) Zhu

  • Senior at Harvard College, majoring in government with minor in environmental science and public policy
  • Co-President of Harvard China Forum for 2010-2011, one of the most influential China-related conferences in North America
  • Passion: Education and Environmental Protection (in the form of social enterprises)
From Lily: Hey fellow leadership aspirants! I grew up in Shenzhen, China with a humble family background, came to the States for public schooling since age 14, and became the first college student of my family four years later. I love teaching so much that I have basically taught students ranging from kindergardeners to professors in both urban rural settings. I also care very much about technology and energy efficiency and hope to run an energy-related company within the next ten years.

Robbieana Leung

  • University of Utrecht (Conflict Studies and Human Rights; graduate)
  • Pepperdine University (International Studies major; undergraduate)
  • Projects: Blanket Project & The Good News (positive news from around the world) Facebook page
  • Lifelong pursuits: Serving others using art and education, and exploring and bridging communities through travel

From Robbie:  Having grown up in Hong Kong, Singapore and Hawaii, I love traveling, exploring new places and encountering new cultures. Some of the best things about traveling are meeting a diversity of people, realizing all the ways that we are connected and experiencing kindness from strangers! This shows me that a more compassionate and connected world is not as abstract a concept we are taught to believe – it is definitely within our reach! I love working with people who innovatively seek to create the ‘better’ world that they imagine through service and am excited to pursue this with all of you!

Laura White

  • University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2011 ( International Relations and French)
  • Mentor/Teaching Assistant at Wilson Elementary School, Marketing Intern at Women’s Campaign International, Small Business Trainer at the National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (Kampala, Uganda)
  • Lifelong pursuits: Promoting educational opportunities for all, women’s empowerment in developing countries.
From Laura: Before moving to Hong Kong this year, I grew up and attended university in Philadelphia, USA. My desire to give back to my community led me to become a mentor at an urban elementary school during college, where I discovered my passion for teaching. I also have an interest in promoting the role of women in international development, and have applied my teaching experience as an assistant instructor in a small business training session for women in Uganda. I look forward to working with fellow young leaders to develop their talents while supporting the work of socially-minded organizations this summer!