Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Hong Kong’s May Yeung: Creating Art’s Brightest Magic from Life’s Deepest Struggles
Host: Vince Chan
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes May Yeung, a multifaceted individual from Hong Kong. May is the founder of the charity Art of My Family, a teaching artist, a cancer survivor, a dedicated mother, and the wife of one of Vince’s good friends. The episode delves into May’s journey of utilizing art to foster environmental sustainability, mental health, and social inclusion in Hong Kong.

May’s Background and Artistic Journey

[04:24] Mei: May introduces herself as a teaching artist and the founder of Art of My Family, a charity focused on organizing community art events with sustainability elements.

Early Passion for Art:

• [05:15] Mei: "Growing up, I've always really enjoyed art more than anything else... Art really came naturally to me."
• From a young age, May engaged in various art forms, including drawing, photo origami, and ceramics, which strengthened her bond with her parents and solidified her passion for art.

Educational Pursuits:

• Attended the University of Chicago where she majored in visual art and also pursued political science.
• Influenced by Professor Jeff Oppenheimer, whose lecture on integrating art into daily life shaped May’s artistic philosophy.

Integration of Music and Art:

• [08:16] Mei: May highlights the significant role of music in her art, having received musical education and awards in piano performance.
• Created sculptures and directed performances that blend visual art with musical elements, aiming to calm minds and encourage reflection.

Transition from Corporate to Art

Corporate Experience:

• May held positions in investment banking and worked in the CSR/ESG space within a tech company.
• [11:20] Mei: "My transition from finance to startup and into art was a kind of gradual realization of my calling in life."

Impact of CSR Initiatives:

• Worked on community relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy while at Goldman Sachs, which inspired her to focus on social impact through art.
• Launched food recovery programs and provided free meals for the community, reinforcing her commitment to using art for social good.

Founding Art of My Family:

• Dedicated her career to providing creative opportunities for underprivileged youth in Hong Kong, emphasizing values like affirmation, resilience, and faithfulness.

Personal Challenges and Growth Through Cancer

Cancer Diagnosis and Transformation:

• [13:18] Vince Chen: Vince inquires about how battling cancer impacted May.
• [14:18] Mei: "My cancer, my fight with cancer really gave me a new perspective on life. I transform into someone who really places emphasis on faith."

New Perspective on Life:

• Shifted from a perfectionist mindset to embracing imperfections and celebrating small joys.
• Developed a greater sense of conviction to serve the underprivileged and prioritize mental and physical health.

Life Lessons:

• Emphasized the importance of resilience, faith, and perseverance in both personal and professional realms.

Motherhood and Its Influence on Art

Welcoming Motherhood:

• May shares her experiences of becoming a mother and how it inspired her artistic endeavors.
• [18:24] Mei: "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."

Artistic Inspiration:

• Created pieces like "Leap of Faith" and the largest handmade bamboo steamer to symbolize growth, cultural heritage, and the nurturing of the next generation.
• [19:49] Mei: "I really hope that he could aspire to be like the artist Marc Chagall... who managed to get through challenges and become celebrated."

Intergenerational Care:

• Focuses on creating art that fosters intergenerational connections and supports underprivileged youth.

Art of My Family Charity

Mission and Goals:

• [24:26] Vince Chen: Vince highlights the charity’s goals, including making art accessible, promoting social inclusion, fostering cultural exchange, strengthening mental wellness, and championing environmental protection.
• [29:46] Mei: Emphasizes the expansion of programs like Artsy Artist Scheme in collaboration with various universities to nurture creative talents.

Key Programs:

1. Artsy Artist Scheme: Partners with educational institutions to nurture the next generation of artists.
2. Hearts at Home Program: Focuses on strengthening mental wellness for children with disabilities and those lacking family care.
3. Environmental Initiatives: Projects like recycling seashells into artwork and promoting sustainable seafood.

Impact and Future Goals:

• May assesses progress by the growth and expansion of the charity’s programs.
• Aims to integrate art into societal well-being and mental health support, especially post-COVID.

Impact of COVID and Mental Wellness

Mental Health Advocacy:

• [32:42] Vince Chen: Discusses the importance of mental wellness in the face of global challenges like COVID-19.
• [29:46] Mei: Highlights the Hearts at Home Program aimed at improving mental health for children and youth in Hong Kong.

Early Intervention:

• Recognizes that mental health issues often trace back to childhood experiences.
• [32:42] Mei: "We help to integrate them into society and walk out from the shadow of family negligence."

Global Perspective:

• Acknowledges projections by the World Economic Forum on the rise of mental health conditions.
• Emphasizes the role of art in mitigating mental health challenges.

Balancing Roles and Life Mission

Balancing Multiple Roles:

• [35:27] Mei: Discusses managing roles as a charity founder, mother, teaching artist, and maintaining personal health.
• Utilizes structured approaches like co-design, co-create, and co-learn to manage responsibilities.

Life Mission:

• [35:27] Mei: "My life mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
• Focuses on leveraging her professional experiences to bridge creative processes with art-based learning.
• Aims to diversify the creator community and foster an environment of creativity, dialogue, and growth.

Future Aspirations:

• Continue expanding Art of My Family’s programs to more educational institutions.
• Develop specialized curriculums to engage diverse and underprivileged groups.
• Strengthen intergenerational and cross-cultural artistic collaborations.

Conclusion

In this compelling episode, May Yeung shares her transformative journey from a corporate professional to a dedicated teaching artist and charity founder. Her resilience in overcoming personal health challenges and her commitment to using art as a tool for social change and mental wellness in Hong Kong provide inspiring insights into harnessing change as a superpower. May’s life mission to nurture the next generation of artists and foster inclusive, sustainable communities embodies the essence of what it means to be a Chief Change Officer.

Notable Quotes:

• Mei at [14:18]: "My cancer, my fight with cancer really gave me a new perspective on life."
• Mei at [35:27]: "My life mission is to inspire the next generation of artists and art educators."
• Vince Chen at [32:42]: "Wellness is crucial for everyone, from the elderly to the children who are the pillars of our future society."

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