YCYW established the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020 to honour graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the community and epitomise the YCYW spirit. Each year, YCYW presents the awards on Founder’s Day.

On 9 October 2026, the YCYW Alumni Hall of Fame welcomed three distinguished alumni: Ms Luye Yang, a graduate of YCIS Hong Kong; Ms Mabel Chan and Mr Nicholas Synn, graduates of YCIS Shanghai.

The stories of these three alumni inspire the entire YCYW community: they face challenges with resilience, champion inclusivity, support sustainability, and, through innovation, co-create a brighter future.

Diagnosed with severe hearing loss at the age of two, Betty Yang has faced life's challenges with remarkable determination and resilience. After graduating from YCIS Hong Kong, she studied Architecture at Tsinghua University before earning a Master's degree in Urban Design from the University of Sheffield.

Over the years, she has worked for international companies in both Beijing and Hong Kong. In recent years, she has embarked on a new venture in Shenzhen, where she uses art therapy, public education, and advocacy for accessibility to help young people build confidence and resilience while promoting a more inclusive society.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Betty expressed her gratitude for the support and inspiration she received at YCIS. She shared that YCIS not only nurtured her academic development, but also helped her develop strong character and values.

"The purpose of education is not to define a person by academic achievement, but to shape a whole person. YCIS gave me confidence, critical thinking skills, and the courage to explore, shaping the person I am today."

It is this belief that continues to inspire her to break through barriers and pursue new possibilities. Through her own experiences, she hopes to encourage more young people to follow their dreams with courage and contribute to building a more inclusive and compassionate society.

During her years at YCIS Shanghai, Mabel Chan developed a strong sense of curiosity, creativity, and social responsibility. These values not only shaped her personal growth but also laid the foundation for her future career. After graduating, she pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, earning a degree in Computer Science from University College London.

Combining strategic vision with strong marketing leadership, she has dedicated herself to transforming complex environmental issues into engaging learning experiences for young people. In recognition of her entrepreneurial achievements, she received the Young Entrepreneur Enterprise Award at the Golden Bauhinia Women Entrepreneur Awards in 2024.

Today, she co-founded Carbon Linking with her husband and business partner, Nicholas Synn, with a mission to advance sustainability education through innovative technologies and inspire young people to engage with environmental and social issues. In her acceptance speech, she reflected on how she had harboured entrepreneurial ambitions since her school days. YCIS, she noted, gave her not only knowledge, but also the confidence to take risks and the courage to create.

“YCIS never made me choose between pursuing my ambitions and remaining kind. It taught me that the two belong together.”

Mabel believes that truly meaningful innovation does more than create value; it also creates positive impact. As she shared in her remarks, many dreams begin not with a perfect plan, but with the courage to take the first step. She encouraged current students to remain curious, embrace new possibilities, and forge their own paths with confidence.

Nicholas Synn attended YCIS Shanghai from 2006 to 2010, where he developed the global outlook that would become a defining influence on both his personal and professional journey.
 

After graduation, he studied Biochemistry at Imperial College London and went on to work in biomedical research. He later gained experience in systems engineering at HSBC UK, further expanding his expertise across science, technology, and innovation. As a UNESCO Hong Kong Green Citizen Youth Ambassador and a certified Carbon Literacy practitioner, he has long been committed to sustainability and environmental education.

Today, he co-leads Carbon Linking alongside Mabel Chan, applying his technical expertise to develop scalable artificial intelligence systems and exploring how technology can drive educational innovation, creating more impactful learning experiences for future generations.

Reflecting on his academic and professional journey, Nicholas believes that every chapter of his experience has helped shape the person he is today.

“Science taught me how to solve problems. Technology showed me how to scale impact. Entrepreneurship gave me a platform to contribute to the future of our planet.”

He credits YCIS with instilling in him a global perspective, an open-minded approach to thinking, and a spirit of service. These qualities continue to inspire him to explore new possibilities and transform knowledge into meaningful action that benefits society.