JUCCCEr Spotlights
Chenyu Zhang, former intern and Community Relations Manager at JUCCCE
Our previous Community Relations Manager, Chenyu Zheng, started out with JUCCCE as an intern from Princeton University in summer 2010. Ever since, she has played an invaluable role in our organization. Check out her reflection on her 3 years with JUCCCE and what she learned about aligning motivation and convening resources to facilitate effective collaboration.
To read more about Chenyu's experience working with JUCCCE, check out her blog post here!
Jesse Chang, former volunteer at JUCCCE and leader of JUCCCE's tech transfer program
How did you hear about JUCCCE/come to work with JUCCCE?
As a Chinese-American working in US cleantech investment banking, I wanted to connect my cultural heritage with my professional interests and skills. I first came across JUCCCE during a late night web search for US-China cleantech opportunities. I reached out directly to Peggy Liu to get involved, and, only a few short weeks later, I was on a flight out to Shanghai and Chengdu, where I coordinated JUCCCE's 2011 clean energy forum. I now work with JUCCCE's tech transfer program. In this role, I help facilitate partnerships with top tech companies and VC's to bring clean technologies to China. In this role, I am able to act as a cultural bridge between the US, which has engineering talent and technology solutions, and China, which has capital and a willingness to experiment. I feel really fortunate to have found Peggy and JUCCCE. Thank you, Peggy!
What was a notable moment at JUCCCE?
Not long after starting to work at JUCCCE, I found myself at NASA Ames in Mountain View, making a speech about JUCCCE's China Dream initiative. Charlie Mathews and I won the award for most outstanding sustainable solution. This was an amazing opportunity, which I never would have had without JUCCCE.
What did you learn by working at JUCCCE?
The power of collaboration. At the 2011 JUCCCE Energy Forum, we brought together business and government leaders from 8 countries. JUCCCE is the platform that convenes all these experts and leaders. I saw how much could be accomplished when people share their knowledge and resources.
What would you say to people thinking about working with JUCCCE?
The sky is the limit here. Be proactive and define your own opportunities to contribute to JUCCCE and, no matter your background, there will be someway for JUCCCE to makes use of your skills. We are a volunteer-based organization, and you’ll be working with high-level people on big problems.
Elizabeth Campbell, former Intern and Chief of Staff
Elizabeth Campbell interned with JUCCCE, then worked as Chief of Staff for JUCCCE's Chairperson Peggy Liu. She went on to work at Facebook and Dropbox, and now leads business development at a software startup in the Bay Area.
How did you hear about JUCCCE/come to work with JUCCCE?
I began working with JUCCCE as an undergraduate intern.
What was a notable moment at JUCCCE?
Late nights helping write the Economist debate series!
What did you learn by working at JUCCCE?
Knowledge is power -- but the ability to convene people can be truly game-changing.
What would you say to people thinking about working with JUCCCE?
Dive in!
Diana Lee, former intern at JUCCCE
Tell us about yourself...
I'm a graduate student at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, pursuing my MPA in Environmental Science Policy.
How did you find out about JUCCCE?
A friend found JUCCCE via an online article and recommended it to me. I was very interested in environmental problems in China and thought it'd be a great opportunity to learn more.
What was a notable moment at JUCCCE for you?
Interning at JUCCCE was the first time I had to evaluate my assumptions when it came to environmental problems. Since I'm American, I had always evaluated these problems from an American perspective, but those assumptions don't translate over when working in a different country. Understanding the local culture plays a huge role if you want to persuade people to change their lifestyle.
What did you learn at JUCCCE and how has it impacted your life today?
The internship strengthened my interest in China's environmental problems. I was able to see and experience these problems firsthand during my summer in Shanghai. It was here that I became curious about particulate matter and air pollution. After I finished my internship, I conducted more hands on environmental health research, which culminated in my senior year research project on characterizing Shanghai's particulate matter. After graduation, I moved to Shanghai for two years. Now, I'm back in the states pursuing my graduate degree in an environmental field.
What did you learn about China?
I learned that China can get things done much faster than the US. China is still developing at a rapid pace and making strides in becoming more environmentally conscious.
What would you say to people thinking about working with JUCCCE?
Interning at JUCCCE was a pivotal experience for me. I learned a lot in and out of the office from Peggy, environmental leaders who came to speak with us, the other interns, and from interacting with the locals. I made lifelong friends during this summer and still keep in touch with the other JUCCCE interns. If you have the opportunity to work with JUCCCE, go for it!
Diana Lee, former intern at JUCCCE
Finola Hackett, former intern at JUCCCE
Tell us about what you are doing now...
I'm currently in medical school at the University of Alberta and after graduating in 2019, I plan to pursue a career in public health and/or family medicine. I have a keen interest in work addressing the social determinants of health, health promotion and prevention of disease. Most recently in June 2017, I completed an elective in public health at the Centre for Disease Control in Darwin, Australia.
How did you come to work with JUCCCE?
I was working as an intern at the World Health Organization in Geneva in 2014, in the Department of Public Health and Environment. My project there was related to the global health co-benefits of sustainable food systems; my supervisor had heard about JUCCCE's healthy, sustainable food program and suggested I contact them as I had a strong interest in working in China. That's how I ended up at JUCCCE for 3 months in the spring of 2015 and again for 6 weeks in 2016.
What was a notable moment at JUCCCE?
One of my most proud and memorable times at JUCCCE was in June 2015, when I worked very closely with Peggy Liu and the JUCCCE team to put together a comprehensive summary of the Food Heroes program (then A New Way to Eat). The program was in its pilot stages, and was to be presented at the EAT Forum in Stockholm, a gathering of global leaders working towards healthy and sustainable food systems. It was extremely gratifying when Peggy presented our work to this community and garnered widespread support and momentum for the program, as a leading example of an innovative way to engage families in holistic behaviour change towards healthy food habits.
What did you learn at JUCCCE and how has it impacted your life today?
I learned a great deal about the importance of building strong relationships, both within and outside one's organisation, in order to gain momentum towards innovative change. I also learned how a lot can be accomplished with a dedicated team and a lean set-up - the importance of taking initiative and simply doing it, when you have an innovative idea that could spark change. As a future medical professional, I also learned the importance of collaboration across sectors to improve health and the environment; JUCCCE engages with leaders in business, academia, politics, and the non-profit sector.
What did you learn about China?
I learned that many people under-estimate Chinese people's and organisations' willingness to lead in change for sustainability. China may sometimes be seen as an environmental laggard, but frankly this is not true. For instance, JUCCCE was working with the China Nutrition Society to revamp the national dietary guidelines, and forged partnerships with leading food or media industry members (like Danone and Peppa Pig) in order to promote its message of eating in a way that is good for you and good for the environment.
What would you say to people thinking about working with JUCCCE?
Be prepared to work in a dynamic environment with a range of team members with very diverse skills and interests. Communicate your own interests clearly and early so that JUCCCE can find something for you to work on that aligns their current projects and your background. Every day at JUCCCE is different and there are many chances to attend or host amazing events and meet some incredible people in Shanghai. Keep an open mind and have fun!
Latoya Abulu, former intern and current Summer Assistant Manager at JUCCCE
Tell us about yourself
I started working as an intern for JUCCCE in the Fall of 2019 and decided to continue working for the Food Heroes project as a Curriculum Developer and assistant project manager in China into the first half of 2020. Years prior to this, I started working in multiple countries such as Ecuador, Nicaragua, Japan, Greece, South Korea, Poland and others as an aid worker and researcher, as well as within various programs in the United Nations, such as the UNPFII and UNFCCC. My passion for environmental issues, international relations and journalism propelled me to begin writing as a contributor to multiple platforms such as Mongabay, Asia Times and The Diplomat. Some of my pieces have attracted attention and brought me to conferences as a speaker and developed my resources as a translator, where I also work as a freelance French and Spanish translator for African human rights and indigenous organizations - as I also learn to master Mandarin Chinese.
How did you come to work with JUCCCE?
After working within the UNPFII, UNFCCC and other international spheres and seeing the leading role China was playing in international and domestic environmental policy, I wanted to further learn and develop my experience working in the country. After multiple searches and references, I discovered JUCCCE and felt inspired by the drive and solutions-based philosophy of the organization.
What was a notable moment at JUCCCE?
It's difficult to name just one! However, the first that comes to mind, would have to been attending the Shanghai Fashion Week runways and shows with colleagues that focused on sustainable fashion, its role in China and the emerging high fashion market in China. Also, another notable moment at JUCCCE are the morning team meetings where we would discuss together ways in which to bring effective change in the world on the subjects of sustainability, international relations, urban living etc.
What did you learn at JUCCCE and how has it impacted your life today?
The importance of perseverance and believing in yourself. Though aspects that seem to be a bit personal, through the challenging tasks that pushed me to fulfill my potential and the trust the team had in me, they are also lessons that became invaluable to give me enough confidence to continue embarking on my future career path as a journalist and changemaker.
What did you learn about China?
Though I've read and studied on the topic before arriving to China, I saw for myself the power and depth that relationships, connectivity and harmony played in the country, and how all this came together to create a genre of social balance. Though everything is constantly changing - especially in Shanghai -, the changes tend to be synchronized and harmoniously moving forward, like a dynamic ball of energy moving forward.
What would you say to people thinking about working with JUCCCE?
Always challenge and push yourself to fulfill your potential - don't be scared and hold yourself back.