Songqiao Yao

Founder and Chief Explorer @ WildBound

About

Songqiao Yao is an activator, facilitator and supporter for the resilience of change leaders and networks in the climate and nature field, in China and globally. She is the founder of WildBound, an innovative social enterprise based in China and the UK. WildBound cultivates sustainability leaders and systems transformation through deep ecology experiences, activating networks of change and engaging intergenerational, cross cultural and interdisciplinary stakeholders. Before setting up Wildbound, Songqiao Yao was trained in critical social theory, geography and management, she helped build two healthy food brands, was a Chinese youth delegate to UN Climate summit, wrote reports that affected water policy in China, facilitated policy dialogues and philanthropic partnerships between China and US, China and EU. Over the past 15 years, she has led and advised youth climate organisations and projects, worked to conserve China’s rivers as a National Geographic Global Explorer and consulted on agricultural development projects in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

Country

China

City

Beijing

Industry

Education Management

Skill

Fundraising, Filemaker Pro, Environmental Policy, Event Management, Community Outreach, Teaching, Conferences, Events, Management, Sustainability, Research, Social Entrepreneurship, Editing, Writing, Entrepreneurship, Public Relations, Policy, Public Speaking, FileMaker, Grant Writing

Experience

Founder and Chief Explorer

WildBound

2017-2 - Present · 9 yrs 8 mos

Beijing, China

WildBound is an innovative nature-inspired education and sustainability venture. Through education, advocacy and creative expression, we cultivate sustainability leaders who strive to achieve harmony between human beings and the living planet. We organize learning expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic, Bhutan, and other destinations where we learn from nature, connect with ourselves and others. We believe information is power and a salience experience can inspire long-term change.

Richard Rockefeller Fellow

Rockefeller Brothers Fund

2022-9 - 2023-1 · 5 mos

New York

RRF fellowship is endowed by RBF for climate and sustainability practitioners in Asia to deep dive about climate philanthropy and strategic grantmaking. During the fellowship, I conducted a mapping of Climate philanthropy and impact investing in China and identified needs for ecosystem infrastructure.

Diversity and Outreach Specialist

Homeward Bound Projects

2016-10 - 2018-5 · 1 yr 8 mos

Facilitate communications on board the largest female expedition to Antarctica, Homeward Bound's inaugural trip. As first Chinese participant of Homeward Bound, expanded the project's visibility in China. Currently HB China is a team of 15 female scientists and actively organizes projects on women in science and sustainable development.

Consultant

Adam Smith International

2017-4 - 2017-6 · 3 mos

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Conduct research and develop strategies for Chinese-owned businesses in Sierra Leone to better integrate local suppliers of goods and services. Identified potential areas of collaboration between international and Chinese DFIs and the Chinese-owned business sector.

Sustainability Partner

Etho Capital

2017 - 2017-2

Beijing City, China

Program Consultant

Rift Valley Corporation

2016-9 - 2016-10 · 2 mos

Zimbabwe

Help Rift Valley Corporation develop a farmer business school that aims to help smallholders better manage personal finances, increase agricultural productivity and community resilience.

Program Consultant

Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI)

2016-6 - 2016-8 · 3 mos

Ethiopia

Develop project plan and conduct interviews and field trips to build a sustainable horticulture retail system in Ethiopia that benefit smallholder farmers.

Board Member

China Youth Action Climate Network

2012-8 - 2014-10 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Beijing

National Geographic Global Explorer

National Geographic China Air and Water Fund

2013-11 - 2014-6 · 8 mos

Rest of Yunnan, China

Received award of $20,000 to conduct Independent research project on cultural and ecological conservation of ethnic minorities along the Nu-Salween river.

China Program Consultant

International Rivers

2011-7 - 2013-11 · 2 yrs 5 mos

Berkeley

• Strategically support the green movement in China and build capacity of civil society groups. • Research and disseminate information on Upper Mekong/Lancang watershed management • Assist the China Global Team in communications, policy advocacy and campaign efforts against destructive dams in China and globally