Image: Harvard Angel—Lena Young



    Taiwan's business tycoon Wang Yung-ching has a granddaughter, Lena Young, who is a rising star in science and literature. She is the eldest daughter of Yang Dingyi, Chairman of Chang Gung Biotechnology, and Wang Ruihua, Vice President of the Formosa Plastics Group. Currently a sophomore at Harvard University in the United States, she is pursuing a dual degree in biochemistry and Eastern philosophy. She has been honored with the 2002 National Latin Exam Gold Medal and the 2004 Russ Nell Award for Leadership and Character.
 
    Under the strict and disciplined upbringing of her parents, Lena has set a good example for her two younger brothers, Yang Yuanping and Yang Yuanpei, fostering a habit of kindness and helping others. Despite being the daughter of a billionaire family, she lacks the arrogance and extravagance often associated with such backgrounds. Instead, she is extremely frugal, even reporting to her parents when using her allowance to buy a gift for someone else.



Image: Harvard Angel—Lena Young



    Over the years, the three siblings, Yang Yuanning, have utilized their winter and summer vacations to participate in their father, Yang Dingyi's, charitable town-building projects in Central and South America, such as Guatemala, where they assist the poor in constructing eco-friendly homes. Additionally, they advocate for the reading of classics, using book donations, reading sessions, and guided readings to transform the lives of underprivileged children and the world. Through their personal experiences of helping underprivileged and sick children, they were inspired to create and publish works such as No Longer Afraid, The Laughing Old Man, Remembering Happiness, The Earth Doctor, Living in Stillness: Praising the Earth, Holistic Therapy, and Karma: A Seed Sown, a Harvest Reaped. These works, rich in both text and illustrations, celebrate the brightness of human nature, encourage facing difficulties with a smile, advocate embracing challenges with optimism, and remind readers that good and evil lie in a single thought. They truly deserve the title of “Harvard Angels.”



Image: Harvard Angel—Lena Young



    Literature + Remarkable Talent in Biochemistry currently pursuing a double major in biochemistry and Eastern philosophy at Harvard University, Yang Yuanning not only inherited his parents' intelligence and composure but also their physique. Her father, Yang Dingyi, stands at 180 cm, and her mother, Wang Ruihua, is 168 cm tall. Both parents have tall, slender builds, making Yang Yuanning naturally well-proportioned. With an Eastern face and Western physique, she exudes elegance in traditional Chinese attire. Thanks to her natural advantages, Yang Yuanning is not only a top student at a prestigious university but has also worked as a model.
 
    When Yang Yuanning walks the runway, she exudes the poise of a professional model. She revealed that her path to modeling was a serendipitous turn of events. During her high school years, her friends all felt she was suited for modeling, which led to her being discovered and cast as a model for fashion magazines like VOGUE, as well as walking the runway in formal fashion shows. However, due to her busy academic schedule, she treated modeling as a part-time job, something to try out, but not something she could pursue as a career. Yang Yuanning had already set her sights on her future goals.



Photo: Harvard Angel—Lena Young
 
 
    When asked what she wants to do in the future, Lena Young replied, “I hope to continue my father's legacy as a social entrepreneur and do more for Taiwan and society.” From her dual majors, it is clear that she has inherited her father Yang Dingyi's talent for biochemistry and, as an Asian, her passion for Eastern philosophy.
 
    Flipping through the children's books written by Lena Young and her younger brother, Yang Yuanpei, it is clear that family education has had a profound influence on the two siblings. Lena Young's mother, Wang Ruihua, was highly regarded by Wang Yung-ching, while her father is the renowned Dr. Yang Dingyi. Lena Young demonstrated remarkable talent and interest in biochemistry from a young age, and she pursued biotechnology at Harvard, clearly the best candidate to carry on her father's legacy.
 
    Despite her youth, Yang Yuanning exudes a low-key and composed demeanor, rarely discussing matters related to the Formosa Plastics family. However, she frequently mentions her parents, particularly her father, who has had a profound influence on her. Yang Yuanning once modeled for a magazine, and she mentioned that her parents respected her choices, allowing her to pursue her interests freely. Her parents take pride in her achievements, though her mother has never witnessed her runway performances.
 
    Despite being part of the third generation of the Formosa Plastics family, Yang Yuanning and her brothers, who are worth at least 10 billion, show no signs of the arrogance often associated with the third generation. This is largely due to their upbringing. Yuanning said, “My parents told us that since we were born with more than others, we should know how to give back.” Yang Yuanning's children's books are filled with the bright side of humanity. The book “No Longer Afraid” encourages children to face difficulties and accept challenges; “Karma” uses ripples as a metaphor for human actions, emphasizing that whether an action is good or evil depends on a single thought, and it will inevitably create a huge wave; “The Laughing Old Man” reminds everyone that no matter what situation they face, they should smile and remain optimistic and proactive.



Image: Harvard Angel—Lena Young



    Knowing and cherishing blessings, understanding the importance of giving back
Lena Young, Yang Yuanping, and Yang Yuanpei studied in the United States, where they were required to complete summer homework assignments daily, including meditation, book reviews, and reflections on their daily experiences. In particular, Lena Young's creative works were inspired by these unconventional summer assignments, which she first wrote in English and then translated into Chinese.
 
　　The Yang family has quite a bit of family work to do; besides studying and writing books, the entire family also engages in charitable work together. Yuan Ning said, “We all participate in our father's project in Guatemala, hoping to give back to the local underprivileged residents.” It turns out that Yang Dingyi has a town-building project in Guatemala, using affordable prices and durable materials to help local residents build houses and develop the town. A 22-ping (approximately 72 square meters) bungalow costs only around 300,000 Taiwanese dollars, serving as both a form of giving back and a means to revive the local economy.
 
　　Fearing that the local poor couldn't afford the homes and that no banks were willing to lend to them, they also arranged loans themselves to ensure the project benefited more Guatemalans without homes. Education isn't just about studying; the Yang family also has a deep religious upbringing, which has shaped Yang Yuan-ning's maturity and stability beyond her years.



Image: No Longer Afraid



    It all began on Thanksgiving when Yang Yuanning was nine years old. Yang Dingyi took her to participate in a five-day Zen retreat. At the time, Yang Yuanning was quiet and composed, behaving like a little adult. Her meditation and walking meditation movements were those of a seasoned practitioner. When reciting mantras, her lips and teeth moved in rhythm with the slow beats and fast tempos, showing a level of focus and composure that did not seem like that of a nine-year-old child. At the end of the retreat, Yang Yuanning burst into tears and told her father, “Life is empty.”
 
    Yang Yuanning's father, Yang Dingyi, once commented on Taiwan's emphasis on academic achievement: “We seem to believe that as long as children outperform their peers at a young age, they will become more productive and successful adults. We apply adult perspectives, such as the competitive nature of the job market and the need for a smooth career trajectory, to design and evaluate children's curricula.” In his eyes, children understanding and cherishing blessings is more important than anything else. The Yang siblings have inherited their father's values through their upbringing.
 
 
Photo: Remember to be happy.



Yang Yuanning Personal Profile
 
Age: Born in 1988
 
Height: 174 cm, Weight: 52 kg
 
Education: Pingry School, New Jersey; Taipei American School; Harvard University
 
Awards: Russ Neil Award, Gold Medal in the 2002 National Latin Exam
 
Interests: Long-distance running, outdoor sports, writing
 
Experience: Former Vogue magazine model
 
Mother: Wang Ruihua, Vice President of the Administrative Center at Taiwan Shuo Group
 
    Father: Yang Dingyi, Chairman of Chang Gung Biotechnology Corporation and Chairman of Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, and Ming Chi University of Technology
 

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