Asia 21, the preeminent network of young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, today announced its 2016 class. Comprised of 32 emerging leaders from 24 countries representing the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, this year’s class is a remarkable group focused on shaping a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific region.
The 2016 class was selected through a highly competitive process based on outstanding achievement, commitment to public service, and a proven ability to make the world a better place. Among the newly-minted Asia 21 Young Leaders are two global Australians working to change our region for the better, who are also ACYD alumni:
Shuyin Tang (Australia | Vietnam)
Principal, Unitus Impact
Shuyin Tang is one of the pioneers of impact investing in Southeast Asia and is passionate about developing the entrepreneurship sector in the region. She currently leads Unitus Impact's investing activities for Vietnam and the Philippines, identifying and supporting scalable business which improve the livelihoods of the working poor. She has experience spanning strategic consulting (Bain & Company), development consulting (TechnoServe) and impact investing (Unitus Impact, LGT Venture Philanthropy), across Australia, India and Southeast Asia. She has also worked in U.S. Congress and the Australian public service, as well as at The Lowy Institute for International Policy and UNICEF. Shuyin was named one of Australia's "100 Women of Influence" by the Australian Financial Review in 2015. She graduated summa cum laude from Australian National University where she was also awarded the University Medal.
Mimi Zou (Australia)
Assistant Director, Centre for Rights and Justice, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Mimi Zou is Associate Director of the Centre for Rights and Justice and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Mimi is also a senior consultant to the International Labor Organization's East Asia, China, and Mongolia offices and a practicing lawyer admitted in England, Wales, and Australia. Prior to joining CUHK, Mimi taught law, business, and social sciences at the University of Oxford, Utrecht University, and University of Sydney. She has worked in corporate legal practice, financial institutions, public sector, and NGOs in Asia and Europe for over 13 years. Mimi completed her Doctor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford. Mimi’s achievements in legal education and community service were recently recognized by the British Council's Education U.K. Alumni (Social Impact) Awards. She was also a former Young Australian of the Year finalist.
Now in its 11th year, Asia 21, named for the need to cultivate a new generation of leaders for the 21st century, has become a robust network of more than 800 young leaders from 30 nations. The network’s alumni are proven leaders representing a variety of professional backgrounds and serve as mentors and potential collaborators.
Members of the 2016 class and select Asia 21 alumni will gather at the Asia 21 Summit this December in Seoul, which hosted the inaugural Asia 21 convening in 2006. The young leaders will share best practices in leadership and develop group public service projects.
Congratulations Shuyin & Mimi!
