Above all things, I identify myself as a community builder. I’ve learned more and more through all my experiences the true measure of impact isn’t what we’re set out to achieve; but rather, it lies in the lives we uplift. 

For me, the strength of a community isn't just a concept; it's the heart of all successful ecosystems and movements.

I’ve developed these beliefs through the following experiences:

COMMUNITY BUILDER

HULT PRIZE FOUNDATION

The Hult Prize Foundation is a global organization known for hosting the world's largest student competition for social good, and “the Nobel Peace Prize for youth”. The foundation collaborates with the United Nations and former President Bill Clinton, who selects and announces the annual challenge topic.

WHAT WERE MY OUTPUTS?

First working with the Hult Prize Foundation, I was tasked with building a social entrepreneurship ecosystem first, at my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. I was driven by a deep passion to foster interdisciplinary collaboration; for me personally, this meant successfully integrating sociological insights into our programs, enriching students' understanding of complex social problems. My efforts led to the successful facilitation of numerous workshops and speaker sessions, earning recognition as one of the top 5 Campus Directors globally out of 1,100 in 2016.

Buoyed by my achievements, I presented a bold proposition directly to the CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation: to broaden the scope of social entrepreneurship ecosystems across the U.S., beginning in the Northeast. Impressed by my vision, the CEO hired me to bring this idea to life, leading to the creation of the Hult Prize Ivy Initiative. In this pivotal role, I orchestrated the execution of the following outputs:

  • Established 8 chapters of Hult Prize; recruited and mentored teams on each university campus to grow their social entrepreneurial ecosystem

  • Oversaw organizing and execution of 25 educational workshops across schools

  • Recruited 90 teams across all 8 Ivy universities—an unprecedented number of of submissions—to present their social innovation ideas

  • Organized final regional pitch competition for 45 teams (150 students to travel to Penn’s campus)

  • Project managed and facilitated 30 pitch competitions

Linked above, is a playlist of videos that showcase my work leading Hult Prize Ivy and previously Hult Prize@ Penn

WHAT WERE MY OUTCOMES?

This initiative not only facilitated the expansion of social entrepreneurship but also laid the groundwork for a robust, interconnected community, as evidenced by outputs: 

  • 72% of non-business students report increased interest in starting their own social enterprise

  • 81% of non-business students report Hult Prize Ivy as one of the more valuable resources for interdisciplinary collaboration for entrepreneurship at their school

  • 83% of all engaged students report improved understanding of social entrepreneurship

  • 93% of all competing students report receiving thorough support needed to succeed

  • 100% of top 5 teams report Hult Prize Ivy was among the most valuable resources to meeting the right connections and fundraising beyond the competition

Tiffany went above and beyond to support both winning and losing teams, showcasing her genuine desire to foster social entrepreneurship and address pressing societal challenges. Tiffany's exceptional networking and fundraising skills ensured our team had the financial backing needed for our venture. She consistently displayed a compassionate and caring approach towards everyone involved, emphasizing her commitment to uplifting and empowering individuals irrespective of outcomes.

One specific example that stands out was when Tiffany connected us with Philadelphia's Office of Sustainability connection she had. They expressed interest in our product and provided us with real feedback about quantity, sales cycles, and more. Later, I was able to leverage this connection as a reference during our VC fundraising efforts. I spoke with many other teams, and they all share very similar experiences, if not even more profound ones.

Entrepreneurship alone is already difficult, so we need all the help we can get.

— Michael Wong
Co-founder & CEO, InstaHub
1st place, Hult Prize Ivy

WHAT DID I LEARN?

  • Resources and momentum to flourish: A robust ecosystem provides the necessary infrastructure and resources for social enterprises to thrive. Social enterprises are perhaps one of the most difficult business models to successfully achieve. This support system is vital for nurturing ideas and also sustaining their momentum. Having continuous support and resources keep the excitement alive, driving long-term commitment to social impact goals, and ultimately making a profound impact on communities.

  • Leveraging diverse perspectives for holistic solutions: Diverse ecosystems bring together varied perspectives, fostering more holistic and inclusive solutions to social challenges. Having met individuals from all over the world passionate about a single sector imbued me with a deep appreciation for the importance of diversity. This diversity in backgrounds and expertise is crucial for addressing complex issues in a comprehensive sensitive manner.

ONGOING EFFORTS

Brand Chair @ Venture For America Alumni Association Board (VFAAAB)

VFAAAB serves, engages, and elevates the Alumni community of over 8,000 members and by extension, the Venture For America organization and active Fellow communities. I engage by:

  • Leading Venture For America’s brand strategy to cultivate effective engagement amongst its vast community of alumni

  • Leading communication and storytelling efforts across various domains (social media, media coverage, email communications)

  • Creating an impact report documenting alumni engagements and achievements across the U.S.

Mentor @ The Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF)

The Uncommon Individual Foundation creates dynamic mentoring relationships that support individual and collective growth among UIF stakeholders, students, educators, business professionals, entrepreneurs, universities, colleges, professional organizations, government agencies, and faith-based organizations. As a former beneficiary of UIF, I have continued engaged by volunteering dozens of hours over 4 years through:

  • Advising Philadelphia-based early-stage entrepreneurs

  • Mentoring budding middle and high school entrepreneurs

  • Offering office hours to youth to build career-readiness

Advisory Board Member @ Cosmic Writers

Cosmic Writers is an education nonprofit that provides high-quality creative writing education for kids in grades K–12. Here, my engagement includes:

  • Providing insights into K12 market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes to inform strategies

  • Offering advice and guidance in my area of specialty in operating self-sustaining nonprofits

  • Contributing to strategic planning and decision-making processes to shape organizational strategies and initiatives

Linked above, is a video that recaps my engagements with the Venture For America Alumni Association Board

Linked above, is a video showcasing the impact of the community I have built for students and the social entrepreneurial ecosystem in Philadelphia.

Beyond these primary efforts, I continue to excitedly and actively engage in my community in various capacities.

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FOUNDER