Purpose Business and Philanthropy

An Interview with Yue-Sai Kan

EDITORS’ NOTE Chinese-American Will you provide an overview of unknown to the West, but are definitely Yue-Sai Kan (yuesaikan.com) is an your philanthropic work and worth our efforts to highlight them. So far, we Emmy-winning television producer, your main areas of focus? have showcased the works of couturier Guo best-selling author, entrepreneur I’ve been involved in charities Pei, designer Grace Chen, and photographer and humanitarian. Her Looking East all my life. Living in the United States, Chen Man, just to name a few. On April 29th, television series was the fi rst nation- giving is a way of life. Through the our China Fashion Gala 2020 will introduce ally syndicated program to intro- years, I’ve been involved with many designer Xiong Ying. Her Dun Huang-inspired duce Asian cultures to American different kinds of charities in both collection is breathtakingly beautiful and will audiences. Following her success in China and the U.S., mainly focusing on blow your mind. the United States, China’s national children, educa- network, China Central Television, tion and women invited her to produce and host One empowerment. World, giving millions of Chinese Yue-Sai Kan I set up many their fi rst look of the outside world. In scholarship pro- 1992, she successfully transformed herself from a grams in both countries. TV personality to an entrepreneur by creating the For example, the Jin Yu Yue-Sai Cosmetics brand, which is recognized by Xi Scholarship at Peking over 90 percent of the Chinese population today. University to reward the She has written nine best-selling books, spread- female champion of the ing the knowledge of beauty, etiquette, health and national college entrance success among Chinese readers. Her humanitar- examination from different ian efforts have primarily been focused on edu- provinces and regions in cation and children. She has built schools and China; the Yuxi Scholarship libraries in her hometown of Guangxi and in at Beijing Film Academy and other underprivileged regions throughout China. Shanghai Theater Academy; China Fashion Gala 2019 She awarded scholarships to students in a num- and scholarships at Hunter ber of colleges in China as well as Hunter College College and the Fashion Institute of Technology, The China Fashion Gala is also a fund- and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New among others. raiser. Last year, we were able to raise nearly York. Since 2018, she has served as the Co-Chair As the first ever Chinese-American $850,000 to benefi t the China Beauty Charity of China Institute in America. She also sits on Ambassador of UNESCO’s Say YES for Children Fund Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of the boards of the Ellis Island Honors Society, campaign, I helped launch a global commit- Technology, an executive education program in Committee of 100, and Prince Albert of Monaco’s ment to children with many world class celebri- sustainable fashion, as well as China Institute’s Philanthropy Roundtable. Yue-Sai Kan is the fi rst ties, calling for healthy, peaceful and beautiful Fashion Design Competition Award. and only living American featured on a Chinese living environments for children. I have been the National Director of Miss postage stamp. In 2011, I set up my own foundation, Universe China since 2011. Starting in 2013, we the Yue-Sai Kan China combined the Miss Universe China fi nal with a Beauty Charity Fund, charity gala dinner. Over the years, we raised because I realized that millions of dollars by selling tables and hold- we can harness the ing raffl es and auctions. These funds were all power of beauty to donated to the Operation Smile and Smiling accomplish so many Train projects. The donations were used to fund good things. As the fi rst repair surgeries and comprehensive treatments order of business, the for children suffering from cleft lip and palate. Foundation hosted the They give these unfortunate children the chance China Fashion Gala in to change their fates and give them a reason to New York, a platform smile. to recognize remarkable I’ve also served as co-chair of China talents and emerging Institute together with Chinese-American archi- Chinese designers who tect Chien Chung Pei since 2018. Founded in would carry Chinese 1926 by Chinese reformers Hu Shi, K.P. Wen, aesthetics and inspira- and American scholars John Dewey and Paul tions to the world. Monroe, China Institute is the oldest bicultural, The talents and design- nonprofit organization in America to focus Jin Yu Xi Scholarship recipients at Peking University ers may be known or exclusively on China. It’s New York City’s 28 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2020 LEADERS MAGAZINE, LLC VOLUME 43, NUMBER 2 preeminent center for insight and access to Having an extensive network of friends is poverty. Just drive around downtown Los China through education, art, business and cul- of utmost importance when it comes to devel- Angeles. The homeless tents extend for miles. ture. My goal is to bring in more trustees and oping business and doing charity in both China The more you know about how China took secure funds for a historic capital campaign and the United States. Cold calling is really hard. more than 800 million people out of poverty, to build out China Institute so it has a much Your network will help you succeed. the more you will appreciate how extensive the bigger and modern space in line with its mis- A strong leader can build a strong team and program is. By the end of 2020, the goal is to sion. It will be the only such home for Chinese motivate and guide them to success. To be suc- have no more poverty in China. The alleviation culture in the United States. cessful in philanthropy is actually more challenging program is truly grassroots. To give you two What are the keys examples, last year I was to being effective in with the publicity chief of philanthropy? Lijiang, Yunnan Province. I’m a strong believer He said he was going to that charity is not about take a week off to go to how much money you work with the poor family give away, but how he was assigned to help to effective your donation bring the members out of can be. Choose wisely poverty. I was really sur- whom or what organi- prised. A leader is given zation to support. Do the specifi c responsibility your research. In China, to help. Another German I work with the Soong friend who is in charge of Qing Ling Foundation government relations of because I know they his company told me he have a strong infrastruc- was really busy because ture and tons of experi- he has to fi nd a poor vil- ence in helping women lage to help fi ght poverty. and children. When I do Do you take moments hands-on charity work, I to refl ect and appreciate really try to understand the impact that your phil- what the problem is and anthropic work has had listen to the profession- on so many lives? als and insiders, and I hardly have the then fi gure out how I can China Insitute’s Blue Cloud Gala 2019 time to do so, but every leverage my resources now and then, in a really and my capabilities to help the best way I can. because you are oftentimes equipped with mini- sweet and heartwarming way, I’m reminded Do the same skills that are needed to mal staff and volunteers. You need to bring out how my small contribution can completely be successful in business translate to being the best in every single team member. That’s what change a person’s life. A couple years ago successful in philanthropy? a great leader is about. when I had surgery in the Hospital for Special Absolutely. Communication skills, network- Is there a major focus and commitment Surgery, a nurse came to my room and told ing skills, organization skills, and leadership skills to philanthropy in China? me that when she heard that I was in her are some of the most important and transferable Poverty alleviation has always been a focus in hospital, she decided that she must see me skills that you need in order to succeed in both China and will remain so. My friend Robert Kuhn and say thank you in person. She was one business and philanthropy. did a brilliant documentary on this subject. Voices of my scholarship recipients in the English Effective communication can make from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty docu- Language Program of Hunter College. The so much difference. I always like to invite ments some real-life cases of poor people being scholarship was set up to help new Chinese donors and supporters to my house so that lifted out of poverty via micro-business, edu- immigrants. She said my scholarship was a I can have a face-to-face conversation with cation and relocation. The grassroots campaign game changer for her and that mastering the them. I share my mission, vision, and values is mounted in the poorest counties, townships and English language opened so many doors for with them and also learn the stories behind villages in China. It is truly amazing. her in America. She was able to choose a them so that people will feel valued and The United States is the richest country career she’s passionate about and support her inspired to support the causes. in the world, but it does not do much about family all because of me.•

2016 Miss Universe China Smile Train Charity Gala Yue-Sai with 2017 scholarship winners at the Fashion Institute of Technology