Prior to founding Shanghai Ethno Philanthropy Fund, Yuan Jiakai is the former Vice President and China Chief Representative of United Way Worldwide, world’s largest privately funded non-profit organization with a focus on improving early child education, financial stability and health in 40 countries and territories. Jiakai served leadership positions at both leading domestic and international nonprofit organizations including China Red Cross Jet Li One Foundation, Beijing Youcheng Entrepreneur Poverty Alleviation Foundation, Arlington based Rare Conservation and World Wildlife Fund for Nature China Representative Office. Before his nonprofit career, Jiakai worked for Credit Suisse’s Leveraged Finance Group within Investment Banking Division in New York. Jiakai received his undergraduate degree (BBA) from University of Toronto and his master’s degree (MBA) from University of Michigan. Jiakai was accepted by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and awarded full entrance scholarship for its DBA program. Jiakai was nominated and selected as a member of World Economic Forum Global Young Leader Class of 2019 and Global Future Council on China, and the "Future Leader of the Year" award from American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai in 2019.