FOUNDER
Through my community building efforts, I learned the power of an engaging ecosystem and also the power of social entrepreneurship. This realization inspired me to create become a founder.
Below, I have including highlights from my founding journey:
FULPHIL
Fulphil is an education nonprofit that teaches high school students social entrepreneurship. The mission of Fulphil is to empower all to build compassion through creating equitable and inclusive access to fun and impactful education content.
I founded Fulphil while pursuing my M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership, hoping to learn everything I could to start my own social enterprise.
WHAT WERE MY OUTPUTS?
Through Fulphil, I have had the privilege of accomplishing the following outputs:
Distributing curricula teaching 5,500 youths
Creating 120 compensated jobs for underrepresented students
Developing courses and media content across the following topics:
Social Entrepreneurship
Sustainability
Financial Literacy
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Mental Health and Wellness
Fundraising
Transforming our all curricula into best-selling books available to a wider audience, including incarcerated individuals
Leading regional and national educational partnerships with major organizations
Awarded Milken-Penn GSE Osage Venture Award, Penn Wharton Startup Challenge Social Impact Award Semi-finalist, 2019 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation Award, 2019 SustainPHL Social Impact Award
Recognized in NASDAQ, Forbes, Wharton Business Radio SiriusXM Dollars and Change, TEDx, and more
WHAT WERE MY OUTCOMES?
This journey was not just about teaching others; it was a process of creating opportunity and value for others for their futures. Fulphil has achieved the following outcomes under my leadership:
70% of students report feeling more invested in their local communities;
84% of students report feeling more motivated to make a positive social impact in their future careers;
80% of students report believing more in their ability to make a tangible impact on the world;
86% of students report gaining confidence in their ability to start an impactful initiative;
70% of students report learning new meaningful skills that will help them succeed in their future careers.
Here is a teacher feature/testimonial to speak on the impact of Fulphil’s work
Access work samples from my Data Room
(NOTE: It is password encrypted—please email me if you need access)
“I first met Ms. Yau in 2019…She and Fulphil are making a huge impact on disadvantaged youth around the nation, including my own classroom…The entire staff of marketing teachers at the EAROP have benefited from her classroom presentations and curriculum that she has designed to help our students prepare for 21st Century careers, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. Ms. Yau has also provided countless hours working individually with students to help develop their business ideas and master their presentation skills. She goes above and beyond when it comes to helping students and teachers.”
— Rick Charles
Distinguished Entrepreneurship Teacher, Hayward High School
"I used to think of my company as nothing more than a little lemonade stand on the corner of your street that makes a buck or two for every sale. With the help of Fulphil, I now see it as more of a company and threw away the thought of a little lemonade stand.”
— Freya Busser
Founder, Anubis
Student of Fulphil, 2019
WHAT DID I LEARN?
Educators have perhaps the most important role in society: In running Fulphil, I quickly realized that educators hold one of the most influential yet challenging positions in society. Their role extends far beyond the confines of traditional teaching; they are shapers of minds, influencers of futures, and custodians of society's intellectual and ethical development. This understanding profoundly influenced my approach to social entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need to support and collaborate with educators to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.
To make a truly intentional impact, you have to meet people where they are: The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point in my understanding of social impact. It highlighted the stark disparities in resources and access among different communities. This period taught me the critical importance of meeting people where they are, both in terms of their physical circumstances and their unique cultural and social contexts. I learned that to make a real difference, one must first understand and empathize with the specific needs and challenges of each community. This approach ensures that solutions are not only effective but also resonate deeply with those they aim to help.
Social entrepreneurship is filled with unique challenges: Running social enterprises is an endeavor filled with complexities and multifaceted challenges. It's a balancing act of maintaining financial sustainability while staying true to the social mission. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the need for a strong, supportive network. It's crucial to have a team that shares the vision and is committed to the cause. I also learned the value of continuous learning and staying open to new ideas and strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social entrepreneurship.
Read more refelctions in my Substack
Linked above, is a sample of the type of media content I’ve produced in Fulphil’s curricula
PROJECT SHIELDS
Amidst the pandemic's onset, I co-founded Project SHIELDS—a COVID-19 response initiative to mass-produce face shields to our frontline workers.
I united and c0-led an interdisciplinary team of Penn alumni social entrepreneurs, engineers, and educators, and led all fundraising, partnerships, marketing, and communications.
WHAT WERE MY OUTPUTS?
All within the first 3 months since the March 7th lockdown, I achieved the following metrics:
Raised over $200,000 before April 2024—from crowdfunding, corporate partners, philanthropic organizations, and VCs—to fund all operations
Mass-produced 150,000+ face shields
Distributed to 400+ healthcare facilities in 45+ states
Pitched and received recognition in local and national press/media: Ad Week, ABC 6, Fox 29, WHYY, Metro, Penn News, and more
Read more in my impact reports:
Linked above, is a playlist showcasing all my fundraising efforts in leading Project SHIELDS
WHAT WERE MY OUTCOMES?
Under my leadership, Project SHIELDS achieved the following outcomes:
Contributed directly to the safety and well-being frontline workers across the U.S. during a critical time
Raised awareness about the needs of frontline workers
Spurred increased collective action through community involvement and volunteerism in a time of crisis
Demonstrated fundraising and resource management to scale operations
"You’ll probably never know the names of the people you help – and their families & friends – but know what you are doing is huge… Your initiative and the work of your colleagues are truly making a difference in the world and, for that, I cannot ever thank you enough."
— Anonymous Nurse Practitioner
WHAT DID I LEARN?
Where there are problems and crisis, there are solutions: My time with Project SHIELDS taught me that crises, while daunting, are fertile ground for innovative solutions. I learned the importance of looking beyond the immediate chaos to find opportunities for impactful action. This experience showed me how resilience and creativity can turn challenging situations into avenues for positive change, reinforcing my belief in the power of proactive problem-solving during tough times.
Interdisciplinary collaboration can breed remarkable results: Collaborating with a team from varied disciplines was an eye-opening experience. It taught me the incredible value of bringing together different viewpoints and expertise. This synergy of skills, ranging from engineering to marketing, was pivotal in achieving our goals. It deepened my appreciation for diverse perspectives, highlighting how collaborative efforts can transcend individual limitations and lead to outcomes that are both innovative and effective.
There is always a way to make a difference, no matter how big or small: Leading this initiative underscored a fundamental truth: the size of an action does not determine its impact. Every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the greater good. This journey reminded me that change often starts with small steps, and collective small efforts can culminate in significant societal impact. It was a powerful lesson in the value of commitment and the collective power of individual actions towards a common goal.