Working with surgeons in her previous job inspired MBA student Fay Zhao to help children who are born without a hand. She bought a 3D printer and taught herself how to use it. She now wants set up an NGO to recruit volunteers and teach them how to make these hands, to help as many children as she can.
What is it about your effort that makes a positive impact?
“I want to use my business knowledge that I’m learning in the MBA to do something good. I want to set up an NGO with people that will be able to print 3D hands to give to children who don’t have one. They will literally be getting a body part that can enable them to do more in life. The more people I get on board that are able to 3D print hands and to fund this, the more children we can help.”
I really want to help people, especially children. It gives me a great sense of achievement.
Why do you do it?
“My dream is to have my own business one day. I worked with surgeons a lot when I represented Johnson & Johnson in a collaboration with Operation Smile, which does free surgeries for children. This led me to think about life. I really want to help people, especially children. It gives me a great sense of achievement. I’m a big fan of high tech, so I want to start a company that uses cutting-edge technology to better people’s lives.”
What have you learned that might be useful for others?
“I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about authority. And business is not only about money. Real leadership is when people are willing to follow you, not just because you have power and authority. A great leader should be a great coach: you serve people to succeed and bring out the best in team members.”
