OFFICERS
Without the dedication of a great team of volunteers, the activities and efforts of BEAN could not be possible. Below is just a little information about the team that runs the BEAN Shanghai chapter.
SHEILA SEILER, President
Hi! I'm Sheila, President of BEAN. I joined BEAN in January 2009 because my New Year's Resolution was to "be more social." Since then, I have met hundreds of people around Shanghai who are BEAN members, who work with charities, or who are just interested in volunteering and socializing.
I am always on the lookout for new opportunities for BEAN and our members, whether in the Service, Social, or Networking sectors. I'm excited about all the new things I've learned and all the different people I have met while at BEAN.
When I'm not having a great time with BEAN, you'll find me drinking Cotton Gin at Cotton's, getting a massage (again!) with friends, and studying Chinese.
If you have any questions about BEAN or would like to volunteer with us, you can reach me at: sheila.beanshanghai@gmail.com
WAN HING CHEUNG, VP Service
Hey all, my name is Wan Hing and I'm the new VP of Services for BEAN. My first experience with BEAN was at an orphanage visit last year--who knew that cuddling and feeding babies would be one of my favorite experiences in Shanghai?
As VP Service, I am responsible for communicating with the charities, liaisons, and project directors at BEAN to help them create and manage projects that give back to the Shanghai community. Through this position, I hope to learn some business skills, meet like-minded folks in the community, and add to my overall experience in Shanghai.
In my spare time, I do what I can to study Chinese, workout, and travel! Feel free to contact me at wanhingcheung.beanshanghai@gmail.com if you would like to find out more about BEAN or are interested in a Chinese/English language exchange. =)
JOSEPH LIM, VP Networking
Hi! My name’s Joseph and I’ve been in Shanghai for over 5 years. Back when I first started working in Shanghai, I tried looking for social, networking and volunteering groups where I could meet new people and join some volunteer activities. But for one reason or another, none of them really felt like a good fit for me. I finally found out about BEAN in 2008, and I’ve been a member ever since. BEAN is a great place to meet all sorts of people both local and foreign with different backgrounds, but all wanting to do some good.
Now as co-VP Networking I help to organize BEAN’s monthly networking nights. The networking nights provide a very chill and laid back atmosphere along with great deals for our members. It’s a great way to meet a vibrant mix of both expats and locals, and learn about BEAN’s volunteering activities. Hope to see you at the next one!
JOYCE ROQUE, VP Networking
I've been in Shanghai for almost 3 years now. I came to the city to learn Mandarin and eventually decided to stay. I now work as a business web/magazine editor for a consulting firm. I stumbled into BEAN in my search for a volunteer organization that would be as socially aware and emotionally satisfying as the organizations I joined back home. BEAN is a great place to meet an interesting mix of people be they from NGOs to business people to artists. Through BEAN, I've made friends and learned more things that's enriched my Shanghai experience.
LYSTIA PUTRANTO, VP Marketing & Membership
Hi there :)
I’m Lystia and I’ve been the VP Marketing & Membership for BEAN Shanghai ever since BEAN was founded in September 08. Aside from my work at BEAN, I’m also the Executive Director of another Non-profit organization and a board member for an International mental health association.
It’s certainly been fascinating to see the organization grow from 5 people to almost 1500 members in a span of less than 1 ½ years. Of course all of this could not have been possible without the support and dedication of members like you and on behalf of all of us at BEAN; I would like to express my huge gratitude! It’s definitely quite a feat and we have shown Shanghai that its young professionals, despite their demanding schedule and frequent travels, are able to make the commitment to give back and make a difference in their community. I hope that you find the volunteering events that we organized worthwhile as much as we do. That being said, I hope to see you around at many of our events.
ALBERT CHANG, VP Social and Charity Liaison
Ni hao! I’m Albert and I was born and raised in the USA. I moved to Shanghai in February 2009, after falling in love with Shanghai while on holiday two months before. I knew one person when I arrived, and decided to join a few activities to meet more people. I’ve always been actively involved with volunteering and community service anywhere I’ve lived, so I naturally gravitated towards BEAN.
I just kept showing up to events and helping out where I could. Eventually, I was asked to serve as a Charity Liaison Officer and then VP Multimedia, and now VP Social.
As Charity Liaison Officer, I have established good relationships with the Sunshine Disabled Home and the Shanghai Young Bakers. I contact them on a monthly basis to determine how BEAN can best support their needs. After that, I coordinate with VP Service Wan Hing to market the event to our members and to handle event logistics. While at the event, I serve as the contact person in case our members have questions.
As VP Social, I organize social events for members. (Can you say Laser Tag? Go-Kart racing? Paintballing? Drinking events?) If you have any suggestions for future social events, please feel free to contact me and we’ll see if we can make it happen.
Outside of BEAN, I enjoy playing dodgeball, wandering around the French Concession, cheering on my LA sports teams, and meeting up with friends for food (especially Hunanese food!) and drinks.
Shanghai is awesome and BEAN makes it awesomer, therefore BEAN Shanghai is the most AWESOMEST thing in town!
DIRK BEKKERING, VP Multimedia and Project Director
I am BEAN's VP Multimedia and liason for charity events with Habitat For Humanity China. Habitat builds homes for low-income families and helps rebuild disaster-stricken areas. They organize 'builds' all over the country and staff them with volunteers from all over the world, including Shanghai BEAN-members.
I am an architect and moved from Amsterdam to Shanghai to be part of the biggest building boom in history. Life in this city has been great, and even better since found out about BEAN in 2008: I've met an amazing variety of interesting friends and BEAN events have taken me to parts of Shanghai life that I otherwise never would have known about. I have quickly become an active member and help out with much of the behind-the-scenes work, particularly with graphic design. I also enjoy helping out with construction jobs for other BEAN-related charities, for instance at the orphanage and the animal shelter.
SHERRY LIU, VP Finance
Hello Beansters, I am Sherry, VP Finance and former liaison for the orphanage program. Devoting more to the society was my original purpose when I first attended BEAN’s dental education program. And I ended up being more involved in this team because BEAN is such an amazing team, full of great people with strong passions and warm hearts.
I work for one of the big-four accounting firms in Shanghai. Yoga and Latin dancing are what I am enthusiastic to do after work. If you are interested in either of these or learning Shanghainese language, feel free to message me.
AUDREY DU, VP Chinese Relations
Hi, I am Audrey, VP Chinese Relations of BEAN. I joined BEAN last summer and started the fun and enlightening journey with all the nice BEAN members since then. I am currently working as project leader in a U.S. Public Relations Agency.
I enjoy doing volunteering job and meeting new people. With my PR and marketing background, I am so exited to help BEAN develop in China and attract more Chinese members.
In my spare time, I like going out with my friends, reading and practising French and German whenever I have a chance. But my biggest passion in life is travelling. I have travelled to most cities in China including HK and Macau and my next destination is Nepal.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about BEAN or would like to share your fun travelling stories at audreydujiani@gmail.com.
Like what BEAN and all BEAN people try to demonstrate, there is more to life than partying and working. The experience with BEAN will definitely offer you a great and diferent prospective about Shanghai. Hope to see you soon here. Cheers!
ROBERT HARTMANN, Project Director
Im from Switzerland and moved to Shanghai in 2005. In the years here, I learned Chinese got my university degree, and learned a lot about myself and this country. Now I'm working for an international company.
My first event with BEAN was the Dental Hygene Day. It was the first time it was held and I have participarted in every single one since.
Since I am really grateful for the opportunity to serve that BEAN provides, I try to help out as much as I can. If we need to buy some stuff, I go get it. My local supermarket is getting used to me buying 200 toothbrushes. =) Brainstorming and planning future events are also a fun way to get involved.
MADELINE SHAW, Intern
Hi ya'll! I am Madeline from Dallas, Texas. I am a student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in International Relations & Global Studies with minors in Spanish, Asian Studies, and Business Foundations. This summer I am taking Chinese and economics classes at Donghua University and am interning at BEAN.
I am working on a lot of the social aspects of BEAN, but will be at many volunteer events as well and am really looking forward to meeting everyone involved in the organization. So far in Shanghai I have enjoyed going out with my fellow study abroad students to various bars and restaurants, shopping, attempting to learn at least some Chinese, and trying bizarre foods. I absolutely love Shanghai and am sad that I will only be here for two months!
Back in America I love getting into shenanigans with my roommates (I have 7, plus our hunting dog Cooper), being outdoors, attending various concerts and music festivals, watching movies and HBO tv shows, cheering on the Texas Longhorn's football and basketball teams, eating Mexican food, and making the most of my college experience.
ETHAN WANG, Project Director
Hi! I’m Ethan and I’m originally from California. I came to Shanghai two years ago and wanted to find ways to give back to the community during my spare time. I was introduced to BEAN by one of its interns and found that BEAN offers interesting events every weekend that accommodates my sometimes crazy schedule. In addition, I get to meet and network with like minded people with similar interests during these volunteering events.
I never imagined I would be asked to start a new program in Elder Care (Adopt a Grandparent) but I guess anything is possible in this dynamic city. If you are browsing through these pages, chances are you are looking for an organization / club that meet your needs and interests. Give BEAN a shot and you may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of these events and the people you meet!
JOEY GU, Official Photog
Born laughing, Joey started running at the age of one. He left his home of Southern California in 2004 to explore his family's cultural background in China. His experiences in the Entertainment and Creative industries with companies like SPIN and Innodio sharpened his wits for achievements such as organizing the largest rock music festival to date in the city of Nanjing. He continued to work with both local and multinational firms such as LOTA, Nokia, and J&B .. focusing in areas such as entertainment, editorial journalism, HR, PR, business development, training, and events, also as a freelance consultant in marketing and communications.
Amateur photographer, Joey currently represents CareerEngine.org as Communications Manager; he adores pizza, photography, and people and was once described as being "... breathlessly in love with the world."
CAROLINE SHELDON, Project Director
Hi I’m Caroline and I’m originally from California. I’ve lived in China for 2 years (1 year in Beijing and now a little over a year in Shanghai) and I feel very lucky to have found BEAN. I joined BEAN back in January ’10 and immediately found a diverse group of friends who shared some of my interests – being active through volunteer, social, and athletic events. I currently work for English First as a teacher recruiter and with BEAN I lend my teacher training to develop an English program for Fenfa migrant school. While we do 2 events per month I have to say I love the sports & English days – it’s a great way to bond with the kids while acting silly throwing a Frisbee or playing some basketball. If you have any questions feel free to contact me anytime. I hope to see you in the future at a BEAN event! cjsheldon@gmail.com
RICHARD SCOTNEY, Project Director
I'm Richard and I'm helping manage the Dongjiadu School Program. If you've got any questions or suggestions about the programme you should come to me. I work for a carbon offsetting company in Shanghai, Emissions Zero, where I try and do my best to save the planet! When not thinking about green things, I like playing squash, learning Chinese (I started studying 8 years ago and I'm still battling with it), travelling round China (14 provinces and counting) and attentively following QPR, the world's greatest football team, from afar. Hope you get involved in volunteering, either with BEAN, or elsewhere. You won't regret it!
MELISSA TOON, Project Director
Ni Hao! My name is Melissa Toon; I am originally from Vancouver, Canada, where I studied Fine Art at the Emily Carr University. I moved to Shanghai around 1.5 years ago and have been loving it ever since. After living in Shanghai for about one year, I started to seek out a volunteer organization that would be suitable for me; I finally came across BEAN! It was love at first sight. It was exactly what I was looking for: a chance to help people and have fun at the same time. I think the most rewarding part of being a volunteer at BEAN is seeing those we help smile at the end of the day. Also knowing they will take away new knowledge regarding important issues like Dental hygiene, Art, environmentalism and so on!
My job at BEAN is the Project Director of the Art and English program at the Fenfa School in Minghang district. At the school, kids have a chance to interact with volunteers in English and explore their imaginations with fun art activities. Coming up in June we will be starting an exciting new project: mural paintings! The school and its classrooms are very dull and colorless. A new paint job and some nice murals would spruce up the place to make it a more enjoyable place for learning! I am sure the volunteers and students will have an amazing time revamping the school. I can't wait!
FELIX SIBARANI, Project Director
Hi! My name is Felix and I'm a Project Director with a special interest in BEAN's orphanage visits.
My first BEAN activity was a clothes-sorting party that opened my eyes to the warm-hearted volunteers in Shanghai. Knowing that I can play a part in helping others and meeting other like-minded "BEANies" adds a dimension to my experience in Shanghai that will keep me smiling a long time after I move on from here.
If BEAN offered me a full-time job, I would say "sign me up" quicker than you can say "Sherpa's". But until we get picked up by a wealthy philanthropist with limitless 'guanxi', I'll continue teaching kids in one of Shanghai's international schools.
In my spare time I like to keep my creative side active through travel, photography and learning Mandarin. I also like to get my regular adrenalin fix through Yinqixin Indoor Snow Park, SMP skatepark and racing e-bikes through traffic on my trusty Dutch bike.
AMANDA AU, VP Logistics and Project Director
Hi all, this is Munmun; my English name is Amanda. I am Cantonese and was born in Guangzhou (yes, that means I eat everything). I joined BEAN in Feb 2009 by accidentally joining one of their officer meetings and found out it's such a cool organization. Since then I have become the Charity Liaison for the below projects/organizations: Marine Dreams, River of Hearts, and Fenfa Migrant School (now we have two monthly events going on). I am enjoying every minute with BEAN and it's making my life in Shanghai super fun!
This is my third year in Shanghai and I work for a British Recruitment firm as a professional "headhunter" in the Environment and Energy sector. ***The following is advertisment*** if you are looking for a career move or you are hiring (even better), you can always grab my shoulder and talk to me. : )
I love traveling and I like to get a lot of people to go with me. Yes if you are on my mailing list you will receive my "travel plans" almost every week. Welcome on board! I also go out a lot in Shanghai, sports, clubs, movies, shops. See you around in the city and please send me an e-mail if you are a hardcore diver or traveler and looking forward to explore fun fun fun!
JOHN YUAN, Charity Liaison
Hi, I am John Yuan, who joined BEAN Shanghai since its founding in 2008 and who is now a BEAN's Shanghai Charity Liaison. I am rsponsible for two events, Xinhua Hospital visits and the Cerecare program, which works with children with cerebral palsy. Aside from charity events, I always come to BEAN networking events, which I think is everyone's favorite.
Outside of BEAN, I work in the IT profession as a Technical Consultant for Global accounts. Six years on, I found myself quite like this city full of energy and people from across the globe. I also run on weekends with a regular running event and have a couple of drinks with other runners.
LAURA COFFIN, Intern
Hello everyone! I am currently a student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, and considering a double major in the two subjects I can't get enough of: Economics and Chinese.
I'm here for the summer thanks to CET Shanghai, a program that combines an internship with classes (you guessed it...I'm taking economics and Chinese). I'm overjoyed to be working with BEAN, an organization that has connected people from all over Shanghai is a really exciting way! Even after a short amount of time, I can tell BEAN has a lot of heart. I'm looking forward to the next few months, during which I hope to explore Shanghai, travel the surrounding area, speak lots of Chinese, and meet as many of BEAN's fantastic volunteers as possible!
