About The Foundation
One Woman’s Vision for One World
Started by the legendary Yue-Sai Kan—“the most famous woman in China”— as a natural evolution of her China Beauty Fund, the Yue-Sai Kan One World Foundation’s mission is to celebrate global diversity in order to inspire curiosity and reveal our shared humanity.
This 501(c)(3) organization follows Yue-Sai’s vision for a united world by fostering respect, tolerance, and cultural understanding worldwide.
The Foundation will achieve this through the production and distribution of social media videos, television content, radio broadcasts, and books that showcase the history, people, and traditions of different cultures across the globe.
Furthermore, One World is committed to:
- promoting creativity in the arts, humanities and culture.
- supporting education by cultivating rich, innovative experiences for youth through scholarships and other programs, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4: “inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
- working against discrimination, bias and prejudice by promoting the value of tolerance and respect through the production and distribution of content.
- Inspiring action that connects people worldwide.
The Yue-Sai Kan One World Foundation, a U.S. charity, was formed in New York State. This entity is qualifies as a 501 (c)(3) organization with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is intended to give U.S. donors a tax deduction for their contributions.
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 11 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.
Yue-Sai's Philanthropic History
Yue-Sai becomes the title sponsor for the UN World Conference on Women, hosted in Beijing.
Yue-Sai creates a scholarship program for women at Peking University and raises funds to build an elementary school in Lipu and several libraries in rural areas of China.
Her work improving children's access to education and healthcare leads UNICEF to name Yue-Sai the first Chinese “Say Yes for Children” Ambassador. She also becomes one of the first Chinese at the U.N.
Yue-Sai is named a board member of the Soong Ching Ling foundation and raises millions to upgrade 14 hospitals in remote parts of China. This multi-year project also includes the Children & Pregnant Women Safety Program, improving the mortality rate of mothers and babies by building clinics and providing transportation.
Yue-Sai establishes the China Beauty Charity Fund to advance women and children through education, health, and cultural programs worldwide.
She starts providing scholarships to talented Chinese creatives to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
Yue-Sai creates a week-long seminar in China for fashion companies to learn about sustainability to address pollution.
National Director
As the national director, she turns the finale into a charity event, and through 2018, annually raises $1.5M (USD) for Operation Smile and Smile Train to help children with cleft lips.
Yue-Sai is named the pro bono ambassador of the festival. Over the course of 12 years, she brings 54 A-list Hollywood stars to participate in the event.
She creates four scholarships so female directors can create films that speak to issues affecting society and women.
Started by Yue-Sai, this annual event promotes talented Chinese designers, exposing them to the American public while raising funds for the China Institute in America.
Yue-Sai becomes trustee and later co-chair of this century-old non-profit dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of China through programs in education, culture, art, and business. Throughout the years, she both donates and raises millions for the organization.
Yue-Sai creates the Outstanding Asian American Women Who Dared Gala in response to anti-Asian hate during the Pandemic. The event highlights notable Asian American women who, despite the opposition, have made tremendous impact,
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.
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.
John Muskus – Director
Mr. Muskus is the founder of Muskus & Partners, LLC, a business and tax consulting firm located in Fairfield, CT, since 1995. John received a B.S. in Accounting from Fordham University and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the bar in the State of Connecticut. Through his practice, John has worked extensively with not-for-profit organizations and family foundations, from start-up companies to established entities. This work encompasses board-level responsibilities. Mr. Muskus has worked closely with Yue-Sai Kan for over 25 years.
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.