Holly Chang, Golden Bridges
Holly is a Chinese-American social entrepreneur based in Beijing with 10 years of large-scale project management experience in both the US and China. She previously worked as a plant engineer, managing fast-tracked projects with budgets up to $1.3 billion at the international operations HQ for UPS. In 2007, she invested her life savings to establish The Golden Bridges Foundation and has since conducted extensive research on NGOs, CSR and philanthropy in China and the US.
Holly is currently a leading advisor and strategist for many nonprofit practitioners in Beijing, working to empower nonprofit leaders to become powerful agents of social change. Former clients include grassroots local NGOs as well as prominent foundation leaders. Holly holds a BS Civil Engineering and BS Psychology from University of Kentucky & MBA with thesis on the China market from Bellarmine University.
webesite: http://www.goldenbridges.org/
Holly is currently a leading advisor and strategist for many nonprofit practitioners in Beijing, working to empower nonprofit leaders to become powerful agents of social change. Former clients include grassroots local NGOs as well as prominent foundation leaders. Holly holds a BS Civil Engineering and BS Psychology from University of Kentucky & MBA with thesis on the China market from Bellarmine University.
webesite: http://www.goldenbridges.org/
Michael Davidson, SustainUS
Michael is the China Climate Fellow at the Natural Resources Defense Council. He recently returned from a Fulbright Fellowship to China where he devoted his time to researching alternative energy policy in Beijing and understanding rural development in the countryside.
He has attended UN negotiations as an Agent of Change with SustainUS -- a U.S.-based youth advocacy organization.
A born and raised Oregonian whose passion for the environment began with his hippie parents and has blossomed into a scientific, social, and political inquiry, Michael is driven by the need to counter global climate change and create a development model that is both equitable and sustainable. Last year he helped organize the International Youth Summit on Energy and Climate Change held in Beijing. There, he met leaders of the Chinese youth climate movement and was inspired.
A graduate of Case Western Reserve University with degrees in Physics and Japanese Studies, he has conducted research into fuel cells and advanced photovoltaic materials as well as Northeast Asian relations.
Prior to NRDC, he was at Asia Policy Point, a non-profit research center studying the US policy relationship with Japan and Asia. When he is not enjoying the outdoors, he is an avid linguist, proficient in four languages and looking for number five.
He has attended UN negotiations as an Agent of Change with SustainUS -- a U.S.-based youth advocacy organization.
A born and raised Oregonian whose passion for the environment began with his hippie parents and has blossomed into a scientific, social, and political inquiry, Michael is driven by the need to counter global climate change and create a development model that is both equitable and sustainable. Last year he helped organize the International Youth Summit on Energy and Climate Change held in Beijing. There, he met leaders of the Chinese youth climate movement and was inspired.
A graduate of Case Western Reserve University with degrees in Physics and Japanese Studies, he has conducted research into fuel cells and advanced photovoltaic materials as well as Northeast Asian relations.
Prior to NRDC, he was at Asia Policy Point, a non-profit research center studying the US policy relationship with Japan and Asia. When he is not enjoying the outdoors, he is an avid linguist, proficient in four languages and looking for number five.
Yupu Zhao, China Climate Action Network
Yupu is a first year master student at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where he concentrates in energy and climate issues. He is a research fellow at the Yale Climate and Energy Institute (YCEI). Yupu has been actively involved in youth climate advocacy work in China, US, and Europe. In his capacity as an international coordinator of China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN), he organized the International Youth Summit on Energy and Climate Change (IYSECC) conference series. Dedicated to foster grassroots diplomacy between young leaders in both China and US, he is also an alumnus of Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford (FACES)
Grown up in Chengdu, China, Yupu has obtained a BA in Environmental Science from Franklin and Marshall College, in Lancaster, PA.
Grown up in Chengdu, China, Yupu has obtained a BA in Environmental Science from Franklin and Marshall College, in Lancaster, PA.
Yiting Wang, China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN)
Yiting is a senior at Mount Holyoke College studying environmental sciences and international relations. In 2009 she joined the China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN) as the international coordinator, including going to Copenhagen as a member in the media team of China Youth COP 15 and participating in the first China-U.S. Youth Workshop. Yiting lingered on in Copenhagen for an exchange semester and was involved with the Energy Crossroads Denmark Chapter, where she had the chance to learn more as to create value and opportunities for the society and youth themselves. The following summer she interned at the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) in Kenya. In the meanwhile, she was working with African Youth Initiative on Climate Change and co-funded the Rural Energy Enterprises Network envisioned to become the network and incubator of young social enterprises for the implementation of clean rural energy.
In face of crisis, the world is one. Yiting believes in learning from the different perspectives and building relationships to come up with holistic solutions that recognize the interconnectedness of the world.
In face of crisis, the world is one. Yiting believes in learning from the different perspectives and building relationships to come up with holistic solutions that recognize the interconnectedness of the world.
Chen Yingao,CDM Club
Yingao is a graduate student of Peking University, majoring in Environmental Economy. Her background in environmental research has made her an active leader in youth actions such as “Protect Our Mother River” volunteering, the Urban Plant Census Experiences, survey and research of the natural forest carbon sinks functions.
Yingao had served as the Vice president of the Beijing University Environmental Union (BUEU), President of student of East China Normal University (ECNU). She is now the vice president of the CDM Club, which is a student society focused on environmental issues and campus activities including low-carbon campus research, rework China contest, and the Young Leadership Project. A beautiful life with enthusiasm is always in her pursuit of lifestyle.
Yingao had served as the Vice president of the Beijing University Environmental Union (BUEU), President of student of East China Normal University (ECNU). She is now the vice president of the CDM Club, which is a student society focused on environmental issues and campus activities including low-carbon campus research, rework China contest, and the Young Leadership Project. A beautiful life with enthusiasm is always in her pursuit of lifestyle.
Nala Rongtai, China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN)
Marvin is senior student at Renmin University of China and majoring in Diplomacy. As a typical Chinese, Marvin was brought up with the education of environmental protection. At very young, he started to pick litters in his community with his friends. At the 2nd year of high school, he co-founded a environmental protection club and take the responsibility of Executive President. In 2010, he joined COP16 China Youth Delegation and later China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN). Marvin is quite interested in climate politics, especially regarding to international relations between China and United States. He believes that climate change is most difficult challenge the human kind ever faced and will trigger an fundamental shift of international power balance. Marvin also believe in the power of civil society and his life vision is "to grow with the emerging Chinese civil society".
Xiangying Shi, China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN)
Irene is a senior student at the Department of Development Economics, School of Economics in Peking University. Growing up in Shanxi Province in the middle of China, Xiangying Shi didn't follow the typical way an economics major student to pursue Fortune 500 companies, but to take active roles in Youth Environmental Movement in China. She co-organized the Rework China – Low carbon initiative competition and Low carbon city US – China Mayor workshop in Beijing. She has participated a few research related to climate change.
In 2010, she joined COP16 China Youth Delegation and is responsible for financial controlling, policy and actions. She is especially interested in cultural and economic perspective of climate change between the two countries in China-US Youth Climate Exchange. She believes in the trend of sustainable development, and the power of proper institutional design in climate change governance. Irene is really happy to have spark of thoughts and “AHA!” time with US youth!
In 2010, she joined COP16 China Youth Delegation and is responsible for financial controlling, policy and actions. She is especially interested in cultural and economic perspective of climate change between the two countries in China-US Youth Climate Exchange. She believes in the trend of sustainable development, and the power of proper institutional design in climate change governance. Irene is really happy to have spark of thoughts and “AHA!” time with US youth!
Caroline Henderson, Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)
Caroline Henderson is originally from Keene, New Hampshire. She lives in Washington, DC and entering her senior year at University of Maryland in College Park. She is a Government and Politics major with a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. Caroline recently included completing my yoga teacher certification program. She is also absolutely excited about COP16 and the difference youth can make on the negotiating process and international progress on a climate treaty. She's been involved in the climate movement since her freshman year at Smith College and it's taken her many places- attending Power Shift, taking a semester off to work on the 2008 elections in New Mexico and Power Shift 2009 in DC, transferring schools, going to Copenhagen, with lots of work, play and friendships along the way. She is enjoying working with Chinese and US youth in Cancun, and grateful to have the opportunity for increased collaboration and trust-building.
Ethan Buckner, Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)
Ethan is originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota, and is a Sophomore International Studies Major at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. In recent years, Ethan has been involved in various local, regional, and national organizations working on issues of social justice, ecological sustainability, and youth empowerment. As a coordinator for the SSC's delegation to COP15, Ethan worked tirelessly in Copenhagen with youth from around the US and the world in support of a fair, ambitious, binding climate treaty. He was inspired by the US-China Workshop at COP15 and is honored to be a member of the US-China Youth Climate Exchange Core Team this year.
Bo Ra Kim, Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)
Bo Ra is a first-year student at Bates College double majoring in environmental studies (with a concentration in global environment and social change) and music composition. Bo Ra has worked with the Sierra Student Coalition since the summer of '08 when she attended SPROG in Virginia. She was a co-founder of an SSC chapter at my high school, Choate Rosemary Hall, and was co-president of the chapter for two years. She also plays the violin, piano, and sings. She is the current concert master of the Bates College Orchestra. Bo Ra was also the concert master of the Choate Rosemary Hall Chamber Orchestra, which went on tour with this orchestra in France, Italy, Greece, and performed in the White House. The two main issues that she is am actively passionate about are climate change and the homeless.
Kevin Osborne, Cascade Climate Network (CCN)
Kevin Osborne is a Washingtonian and a graduate of Seattle University (SU) in Environmental Studies and Chinese. Kevin is the facilitator for the Cascade Climate Network Delegation and helps lead the China-US Youth Collaboration Project for COP16. Kevin comes with strong background in international experiences and leadership. He has done a study abroad at a Chinese sister-school program; won a language scholarship from Hanban Institute; interned for Yunnan EcoNetwork. He was the SU President of the Global Business Club and recipient of the club’s leadership award. All of these experiences have helped him develop critical skills for innovative leadership, multi-cultural collaboration, teamwork and initiative. For example, as President of the Global Business Club he brought together a diverse group of team members, rebranded the club and its mission and engaged top leaders from the community. Kevin is currently working with SU to develop a sustainable urban farm on a industrial site, attending a local college to gain certification in sustainable business practices, and a recent applicant for a China Fulbright Scholarship.
Jared Schy, Cascade Climate Network (CCN)
Jared Schy is taking some time off of school to get his head back on straight and pursue the things most meaningful to him. While he grew up in Newton, Massachusetts he often tells people he hails from the Pacific Northwest because he went to school at Lewis & Clark for the past two years. His interest in environmental organizing represents a broad shift in his activism focus; during his first year and a half in college, he organized mostly around the genocide in Darfur. His passion for the environment has its roots in Boy Scouts in his childhood, solo-hiking large sections of the Appalachian Trail, and canoeing as a wilderness guide at a YMCA camp in the stunning boundary waters of northern Minnesota. His critical consciousness of environmental problems has slowly emerged over the years but truly blossomed this summer when he threw himself into environmental organizing, attending the Sierra Student Coalition’s organizer training, SPROG, and coordinating a “Summer of Solutions” project in Corvallis, Oregon. He prefers to think of his organizing work as focused around changing systems instead changing climate and feels that solutions must be inclusive of all. Jared also has a giant passion for China which is often difficult to explain even. His freshman year of college he started studying Chinese language and has continued to be fascinated by it’s history, the people, the culture, and the language ever since. Given his newfound involvement in the environmental movement and his passion for China, it seems only natural that those two passions collide into beautiful synergy on which he works furiously on in the days leading up to COP16. He is extremely excited to collaborate with Chinese youth around climate change and has continually awestruck by just how small the organizing world is (thank you internet). Currently, Jared works with Grand Aspirations, a burgeoning non-profit committed to training the next generation of innovators to create holistic climate and energy solutions; he serves on the Energy Action Coalition Council; and has worked extensively with The Northwest Institute of Community Enrichment (The NICE) on community based solutions around reducing carbon footprints. He resides in Newton with his family but dearly misses the Pacific Northwest.
Summer Zhao
Summer is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in environmental science with a minor in political science. Coming from Shenzhen, China, she cultivated a strong love for nature and obtained a patent for the invention of a portable chopsticks sterilization box when she was young. She is strongly passionate about energy and climate issues, and serves an active role in promoting international environmental collaboration. In 2009, she co-founded and served as the president of Washington University Students for International Collaboration on the Environment (WUSICE), which is known for the U.S.-China Undergraduate Conference on Climate change and Sustainability and the Memorandum of Understanding created in 2010. She joined Sierra Student Coalition in 2010 and attended the COP16 representing both SSC and WUSICE in 2010. There she met with these awesome friends and got involved with the founding of CUYCE. She has interned for U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Alliance and will be working for the Brookings Institution in D.C. this summer.