Broken-hearted by the increasing hostility and violence targeting not only her community, but many across the globe, Yue-Sai Kan decided to do what she does best—bridge cultures.
Broken-hearted by the increasing hostility and violence targeting not only her community, but many across the globe, Yue-Sai Kan decided to do what she does best—bridge cultures.
The Inspiration
Having spent a lifetime traveling to countless countries, meeting innumerable people, and sharing these moments with billions worldwide through her award-winning TV shows Looking East and One World, Yue-Sai Kan is ready once again to connect viewers to spectacular people, places, and events that otherwise might be inaccessible.
To do this, she will utilize the power of social media to create a video series free from broadcast agendas to remind us that no matter where we come from, we are all citizens of one world.
MISSION:
Celebrate global diversity in order to inspire curiosity and reveal our shared humanity.
VISION:
Help create a more harmonious, less fearful world.
Yue-Sai's Philanthropic History
Yue-Sai Kan / 靳羽西 – President
Yue-Sai Kan is an Emmy-winning television host and producer, successful entrepreneur, fashion icon, bestselling author and humanitarian. People magazine called her "the most famous woman in China” and Time magazine proclaimed her "the Queen of the Middle Kingdom."
In 1972, Yue-Sai created the weekly television series "Looking East", the first of its kind to introduce Asian cultures and customs to a growing and receptive American audience. The series garnered critical acclaim and won dozens of awards. In 1984, PBS invited Yue-Sai to host the first live broadcast of a television program from China on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Two years later the television series "One World" produced and hosted by Yue-Sai aired on China’s national television network CCTV, with a weekly viewership of 300 million. It was the first time a non-Chinese citizen hosted a TV series in China. At that time with her broadcast in both China and the United States, she was the most watched woman in the world. Yue-Sai’s many other TV credits include the ABC documentary "China Walls and Bridges", which earned her a coveted Emmy Award, "Journey through a Changing China", which was syndicated across the country, and more recent shows including "Yue-Sai's World" and "Yue-Sai's World Expo".
In 1992, Yue-Sai created the Yue-Sai Cosmetics brand which grew into China’s leading Cosmetics Company, selling products in more than 800 outlets through 23 regional companies in China's major markets. More than 90% of the Chinese population today recognizes the brand, which was purchased by L'Oreal in 2004. Additionally, she has written 10 best-selling books, and in 2000, became the first and only living American featured on a Chinese government-issued postage stamp.
Throughout her life, Yue-Sai has been deeply involved in charity work. She served on the boards of a number of prominent charitable organizations in China and the United States, including the Shanghai Soong Qing Ling Foundation, Citymeals on Wheels, the Ellis Island Honors Society and Prince Albert of Monaco's Philanthropy Round Table just to name a few. Since 2011, Yue-Sai has been helming the Miss Universe China Pageant. She uses the final pageant as Shanghai's most glamorous charity ball. Attended by hundreds of who's who of China, the charity has raised millions to support orphanages, cleft lip and palate correction surgeries and scholarships for students in China's best music, TV and film schools. In 2018, Yue-Sai was elected cochairman of China Institute. She is dedicated to spearheading the 90-odd-year old organization’s efforts to move from Upper Eastside to Downtown Manhattan and continue its mission of advancing a deeper understanding of China through programs in education, culture, art, and business.
Board of Directors
Phillip Caputo – Executive Director
Phillip started his career in southern California as an associate attorney with a boutique law firm specializing in sports, entertainment and risk management and, during law school, worked in New York for Loeb and Loeb. Phillip received his BA in Psychology from the College of Wooster, his JD from the Widener University School of Law in 1995 and is licensed to practice law in the states of California and Pennsylvania.
For over 25 years, Phillip D. Caputo has been integral to the formation, development and growth of high-profile public, individual and family foundations. The entry point for his collaborations have been varied and include: initial vision, inception and actualization; restructuring and stabilization; and growth and sustainability. Bringing client goals to realization has involved interface with multi-media outlets and resulted in work throughout the U.S, Middle East, India, Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as interfacing and collaborating with Heads of State, international and national dignitaries, leaders in finance and of varied industries, entrepreneurs and philanthropic minded members of the entertainment and sports communities.
Andrew Sommers – Director, Secretary, Treasurer
Mr. Sommers joined the EHRENKRANZ PARTNERS in 1997 and has been a partner since 2001 and Managing Partner since 2012. Prior to joining the firm in 1997, Andy was an associate with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (New York, NY). He received a J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and graduated with Honors with a B.B.A. from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Andy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he serves on the investment committee. He also serves on the investment committee of the Montefiore Medical Center. Andy is also a member of the Board of Directors for The New 42nd Street where he serves on the Executive Committee as Treasurer and chairs the investment committee. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Child Care Association.
David M. Hryck – Director
Mr. Hryck is a senior partner at Holland&Knight, and he advises clients on the tax and business aspects of structuring their investments for maximum profitability and has in-depth experience with cross-border investments and various licensing structures. David is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French and has a working knowledge of Mandarin and Ukranian. David is a valued and trusted advisor, board member, and mentor to several trusts and global charities. Currently, he serves as a trustee on various trusts of his clients. He serves on the board of directors of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, and was a board member and Chairman of the Happy Hearts Fund, founded by fashion model Petra Nĕmcová. He is a World Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Excellence Fund, founded by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and travels regularly to royal occasions around the world, advising on international interaction in Third World countries. David also served as a U.S. member of the Duke’s Business Advisory Group, headed by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. He is also a board member of the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization, founded by TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia. David is a board member of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, which was founded by Vuk Jeremić, President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 67th Session. David also serves as co-chair of the Board of Directors of Lang Lang International Music Foundation, founded by world-renowned concert pianist, Lang Lang. David is also a board member of Pencils for Promise (POPs), founded by Adam Braun, and he serves as vice chair of the Asia Practice at the Asian American Bar of New York. David joined the honorary board of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, founded by HRH Prince Philip and chaired by HRH Prince Edward. He recently joined the Board of Directors of the Mariano Rivera Foundation (founded by Mariano Rivera), as well as the Advisory Board of Maestro Cares founded by Marc Anthony. David was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Echo Gu – Director
Ms. Gu was born and raised in Mainland China and migrated to the US in 2009. She successfully produced and hosted international meetings and events for over 10 years, possessing a strong background in hospitality management, corporate engagement, sales and marketing and event planning. Her exemplary business experience as the director of catering and events with Hilton Double Tree is well known. Corporate governance is also in Ms. Gu’s vitae as an experienced member of the Hawaii Mainland Chinese Overseas Association (HMCOA) Board of Directors promoting Chinese culture in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ms. Gu balances her dream position with the Yue-Sai Kan organization, family, and community contribution.
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