Podcast Summary: Chief Change Officer Episode #200 with May Yeung

Title: Chief Change Officer
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: May Yeung
Episode Title: Art, Advocacy, and a Toddler Takeover in Hong Kong
Release Date: February 25, 2025

In Episode #200 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan engages in a profound conversation with May Yeung, a multifaceted individual whose journey intertwines art, advocacy, and personal resilience. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from their dialogue, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.

1. Introduction to the Episode

[02:31] Vince Chen:
Vince Chan opens the episode by introducing May Yeung, highlighting her roles as the founder of the charity Art of My Family, a teaching artist, a cancer survivor, and a mother. May's commitment to using art to foster an environmentally sustainable, mentally healthy, and socially inclusive society in Hong Kong is emphasized.

"May has experienced many life changes over the years. She's determined to use the power of art in her own way to change lives and create an environmentally sustainable, mentally healthy and socially inclusive society here in Hong Kong."
— Vince Chen ([02:31])

2. May Yeung’s Background and Education

[05:44] Mei Yong:
May provides an overview of her early life, expressing a lifelong passion for art. From drawing on walls at age two to engaging in creative ceramics with her father at five, her artistic inclinations were evident from a young age. Her formal education at the University of Chicago, where she studied arts alongside political science, played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic direction.

"Growing up, I have always really enjoyed art more than anything else. And much some kids prefer playing sports. Art really came naturally to me."
— Mei Yong ([05:44])

3. Artistic Influences and Journey

[07:49] Mei Yong:
May delves into her philosophy of art as a medium for self-expression and communication. Influenced by professors Jeff Oppenheimer and Laura Lepzynski, she emphasizes integrating daily life materials into her artwork. Music, another significant influence, complements her art, leading to interdisciplinary creations like sculptures complemented by musical performances.

"Art is a way of self expression as well as a way of communication with others. And I think the power of art is that even for words, that cannot be expressed, it can be experienced through art."
— Mei Yong ([07:49])

4. Career Transition from Finance to Art

[11:07] Vince Chen:
Vince inquires about May's career shift from investment banking and corporate social responsibility (CSR) roles to dedicating herself to art. May explains that her experiences in finance, particularly her involvement in CSR initiatives like relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy, ignited her passion for social impact. These roles reinforced her desire to leverage her skills for community benefit, ultimately leading her back to her artistic roots.

"My transition from finance to startup and then to art was a kind of gradual realization of my calling in life and what I really wanted to do through my career."
— Mei Yong ([11:49])

5. Personal Challenges: Battle with Cancer

[14:46] Mei Yong:
May candidly shares her battle with cancer, describing it as a transformative experience. Previously a perfectionist who micromanaged every aspect of her life, her illness instilled in her a newfound faith in herself and an appreciation for life's small joys. This period of adversity deepened her commitment to making a positive societal impact and caring for her mental and physical well-being.

"My cancer, my fight with cancer really gave me a new perspective on life. I transformed into someone who really placed emphasis on faith."
— Mei Yong ([14:46])

6. Motherhood and Its Impact on Mei Yong

[17:49] Mei Yong:
As May discusses her recent foray into motherhood, she reflects on how it has inspired a new purpose in her art. The birth of her son, Archer, heightened her desire to create art that enriches the next generation. Her work, such as the "Leap of Faith" sculpture for the Mother Nature Next Generation exhibition, symbolizes growth and the nurturing of young lives through art.

"From my pregnancy to the birth of my son Archer. That's when I realized that my work should be created with the goal of enriching the next generation."
— Mei Yong ([19:55])

7. Art of My Family Charity

a. Mission and Goals

[26:47] Mei Yong:
May elaborates on her charity, Art of My Family, which aims to make art accessible, promote social inclusion, foster cultural exchange, strengthen mental wellness, and champion environmental protection. The charity focuses on educating the next generation of artists and art educators through innovative programs.

"My life mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
— Mei Yong ([34:22])

b. Programs and Initiatives

[28:41] Mei Yong:
The charity's key programs include Artsy Artist Skiing—aimed at nurturing creative talents—and Hearts at Home, which supports the mental wellness of children with disabilities and those lacking family care. Additionally, the organization places sculptures across Hong Kong's districts to beautify the city and enhance mental well-being.

"Art of My Family actually has launched programs like Hearts at Home program the past year and they helped to further expand this program to help strengthening the mental wellness of children with disabilities."
— Mei Yong ([28:41])

c. Assessing Progress

May humbly assesses the progress of her charity, expressing gratitude for its growth and the ongoing expansion of its programs to more universities and communities in Hong Kong. She acknowledges the increasing need for mental health support among youth and the integral role art plays in addressing these challenges.

"There's always room beyond growth. And I just feel so blessed to be part of the Art of My Family and also the family just continuing to grow."
— Mei Yong ([28:41])

d. Future Plans

Looking ahead, May intends to expand her charity's reach, partnering with additional educational institutions and launching more programs focused on mental health and community integration. She emphasizes the importance of early intervention in children’s lives to foster resilience and well-being.

"We want to continue to expand that to other universities in Hong Kong... Art of My Family actually has launched programs like Hearts at Home program..."
— Mei Yong ([28:41])

8. Impact on Community and Mental Wellness

[31:37] Vince Chen:
Vince discusses the broader implications of mental wellness, especially in the context of global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. He commends May for her focus on intervening early in children's lives, highlighting the invaluable impact of her work beyond financial metrics.

"Art of My Family actually has launched programs like Hearts at Home program... it's truly invaluable."
— Vince Chen ([31:37])

9. Balancing Multiple Roles

[34:22] Mei Yong:
May addresses the challenge of balancing her roles as a charity founder, mother, teaching artist, and healthcare advocate. She underscores the importance of her mission to inspire future artists and integrate creative processes with art-based learning, fostering a symbiotic relationship between teaching and personal growth.

"I always try to develop specialized curriculum approaches to engage diverse groups... to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
— Mei Yong ([34:22])

10. Life Mission

[34:22] Mei Yong:
May defines her life mission as inspiring and educating the next generation of artists and art educators. Through her role as a teaching artist, she aims to bridge the gap between creative processes and educational frameworks, fostering creativity, dialogue, and growth in both herself and her students.

"So your teaching artist role is one of the provocation inspiration, using my artistic experience to diversify the creators and also to achieve my mission to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
— Vince Chen ([36:20])
"My life mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
— Mei Yong ([34:22])

11. Conclusion

[37:08] Vince Chen:
Vince wraps up the episode by expressing his admiration for May's work and looks forward to her future endeavors. He encourages listeners to subscribe, review the show, and follow him on social media for more inspiring conversations.

"Thank you so much for joining us today... I'm this Chen, your ambitious human host. Until next time, take care."
— Vince Chen ([37:08])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Art as Communication:

   "Art is a way of self expression as well as a way of communication with others."
   — Mei Yong ([07:49])

2. Career Calling:

   "My transition from finance to startup and then to art was a kind of gradual realization of my calling in life."
   — Mei Yong ([11:49])

3. Transformation Through Adversity:

   "My cancer... gave me a new perspective on life."
   — Mei Yong ([14:46])

4. Mission to Inspire:

   "My life mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
   — Mei Yong ([34:22])

5. Impact Beyond Financial Metrics:

   "The impact you're making goes beyond what can be measured financially. It's truly invaluable."
   — Vince Chen ([31:37])

Key Takeaways

• Integration of Art and Life: May Yeung exemplifies how art can be a powerful tool for personal expression, communication, and societal change.

• Resilience and Transformation: Her battle with cancer catalyzed a shift from perfectionism to embracing faith and celebrating life's small moments, influencing her artistic and philanthropic endeavors.

• Commitment to Community: Through Art of My Family, May is actively working to make art accessible to underprivileged youth, promote mental wellness, and foster environmental sustainability in Hong Kong.

• Holistic Approach to Education: As a teaching artist, May integrates creative processes with educational practices to nurture the next generation of artists and art educators.

• Balancing Multiple Roles: May successfully balances her roles as an artist, mother, charity founder, and advocate, driven by a clear life mission to inspire and educate.

Final Thoughts

Episode #200 of Chief Change Officer serves as an inspiring testament to May Yeung's unwavering dedication to leveraging art for social good. Her journey from finance to art, coupled with personal challenges and a deep-seated mission to inspire, offers valuable insights into the transformative power of resilience and creativity. Listeners are left motivated to harness their own potential for change, embodying the podcast's ethos: "Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself."