Our Organization's Leaders

Our Founder

We hope to instill confidence and hope within youth!

Athena Yu

Founder, Co-President

A current grade 12 student at Magee Secondary School, Athena is a dedicated social advocate who views social service as an act of bridging communities, empowering both those who give and receive, and connecting with the beauty of life and giving. Over the six years since she initiated the foundation, Athena has witnessed the lasting impacts of small acts of kindness and been motivated to commit to empowering youth service and civic engagement. She sees the 31 clubs as spaces that encourage members to embrace their values and talents while finding their own unique style of service and leadership.

Athena has not only been dedicated to social service within society, but also in her school community. Her leadership journey began in eighth grade, serving on the Magee student council in several roles, including grade representative and district council representative. Currently the Vancouver School Board’s Student Trustee, Athena also serves as the editor-in-chief of two student publications: Voice of the Lions, a magazine focused on celebrating and enriching the district community, and The Young Historian, a teen history journal dedicated to promoting youth interest in history and deriving wisdom from its stories. Additionally, Athena serves as the co-president of Math Attack Society, co-organized TedxYouth@Magee Secondary, and received the Outstanding Youth Ambassador Award from the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation for her academic achievements and contributions to the community. Her experiences have taught her to believe in the power and efficacy of the rising generation, as well as the power of collaboration between diverse perspectives.

Athena is also an active member of the Building Youth Action Collective, contributing to the City of Vancouver’s Building Safer Communities Program. Her leadership achievements have been featured on various media platforms, including Phoenix TV, Rise Weekly, Talentvision TV, YouTube, and the Richmond Hospital Foundation website.

Through the Sunshine Foundation, Athena wishes to bring together youth worldwide to create tangible and positive impacts on their local and global communities. As she continues her education, Athena is fueled by her passion for social equity and community empowerment to drive meaningful change. With the Sunshine Foundation’s global network, she hopes to build a community that nurtures empathy through shared stories, empower emerging youth leaders to become compassionate global citizens, and inspire a spirit of collaboration as we work, together, towards a common and brighter future.

Cynthia Yu

Co-Founder, Outreach Director

A grade 12 student at Magee Secondary School, Cynthia is a dedicated social advocate who views service for the community as an act of bridging communities, alleviating academic stress, and connecting with the beauty of life and giving. At the Sunshine Foundation, Cynthia strives to promote the sunshine community as a collective where everyone carries a mission— to spread kindness, light, and warmth to the world. She sees the 31 clubs as spaces that encourage members to embrace their values and talents while finding their own unique style of service and leadership.

In her other leadership capacities, Cynthia serves as the director of Math Attack Society Team Vancouver and is a founder of The Young Historian youth-published history journal. Additionally, she is an avid squash player that has represented Team Canada at various international tournaments including the US Junior Open and British Junior Open. The diverse cross-disciplinary, and cross-cultural perspectives that she has encountered reaffirm her belief in the value of multiculturalism and collaboration, which she strives to highlight at the Sunshine Foundation.

Cynthia believes that the act of service allows us to not only witness the beauty of care but also experience the joy of being on its receiving end. She advocates that when given the right tools, knowledge, and networks, young people can be empowered to become emerging world leaders. As the Outreach Ambassador at the foundation, she is committed to hearing the voices of those in need and also those who can give. As a leader, team collaborator, and friend, she aspires to inspire the rising generation to embark on a journey filled with positive change and endless possibilities.