The Board of Directors
Director and Founder Franklin Young earned a BS and MS in Economics from the Universite de Paris, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is retired from United Airlines where he managed Industrial Engineering. He led the company efforts to improve financial and operational performance and played a significant role in its Lean Six Sigma practice. He has extensive experience in international business including in the Far East.
Director Minglei Blumenthal (黄明磊) earned a BA in French from Yunnan University in China, and a MA in French Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After almost a decade in retail, she has decided to focus her energy on more meaningful non-profit work. She's active in non-profit organizations in Chicago. She currently is the editor of the Facebook page of Chicago Art Deco Society. Her focus is to publicize and market the Society through social media. As a native of China and a speaker of three languages, she excels in a cross cultural setting where language skills are needed. Coming from a family of teachers, she finds especially fulfilling to join the TC Young Foundation and help students in China. Minglei resigned from the Board on March 28th, 2021. In her place, Ran Cheng joined the Board on October 17th, 2022. See her biography.
Director and Treasurer Howell Evans obtained his B.S. in Mathematics from Knox College, and MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a certified public accountant. He is retired from Molex as Director of Quality Improvement. Molex of Lisle, Illinois is the world's second-largest manufacturer of electronic, electrical and fiber optic interconnection products and systems. Mr. Evans is a former Peace Corps volunteer who has extensive work experience in the Far East.
Director Deborah Dunham received her B.A. in English from Hillsdale College and a master’s degree in corporate training from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She was a Vice President of Forum International, a consultancy organization in corporate and cross-cultural training. She is currently a self-employed consultant with a focus on organisational consulting and development. She has work experience in the Far East as well.
Director Donna Lewis received a B.S in Computer Management from Eastern Illinois University. She is a certified Project Management Professional. She has worked for United Airlines in Information Technology since 1984 with emphasis on Project and Program Management, Systems Development and Project Management Best Practices, and Process Improvement. She has made numerous trips to China beginning in 1987. She has experience managing projects with international business partners in the Far East and around the globe.
Director Minglei Blumenthal (黄明磊) earned a BA in French from Yunnan University in China, and a MA in French Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After almost a decade in retail, she has decided to focus her energy on more meaningful non-profit work. She's active in non-profit organizations in Chicago. She currently is the editor of the Facebook page of Chicago Art Deco Society. Her focus is to publicize and market the Society through social media. As a native of China and a speaker of three languages, she excels in a cross cultural setting where language skills are needed. Coming from a family of teachers, she finds especially fulfilling to join the TC Young Foundation and help students in China. Minglei resigned from the Board on March 28th, 2021. In her place, Ran Cheng joined the Board on October 17th, 2022. See her biography.
Director and Treasurer Howell Evans obtained his B.S. in Mathematics from Knox College, and MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a certified public accountant. He is retired from Molex as Director of Quality Improvement. Molex of Lisle, Illinois is the world's second-largest manufacturer of electronic, electrical and fiber optic interconnection products and systems. Mr. Evans is a former Peace Corps volunteer who has extensive work experience in the Far East.
Director Deborah Dunham received her B.A. in English from Hillsdale College and a master’s degree in corporate training from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She was a Vice President of Forum International, a consultancy organization in corporate and cross-cultural training. She is currently a self-employed consultant with a focus on organisational consulting and development. She has work experience in the Far East as well.
Director Donna Lewis received a B.S in Computer Management from Eastern Illinois University. She is a certified Project Management Professional. She has worked for United Airlines in Information Technology since 1984 with emphasis on Project and Program Management, Systems Development and Project Management Best Practices, and Process Improvement. She has made numerous trips to China beginning in 1987. She has experience managing projects with international business partners in the Far East and around the globe.