Yena graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in History and holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. She is a certified and registered teacher with a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong, specializing in teaching English at the secondary level and supporting students with special learning needs such as ADHD and Dyslexia. 

With over fifteen years of experience in education, she taught English and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, local curricula at St. Paul’s Co-educational College and privately for individualized programs. Her teaching practice focuses on identifying each student’s strengths and supporting their individual growth. She encourages learners to develop a love of reading and to engage thoughtfully in discussions through the lens of positive education. Her warmth and enthusiasm help children see reading not just as a skill, but as a lifelong adventure. 

Beyond the classroom, Yena has contributed to the local and international debating community for nearly a decade, mentoring students to become confident, independent, and analytical thinkers and presenters. In addition, she served the Hong Kong community on the board of Bring Me A Book Hong Kong to encourage family literacy. In addition to working with younger children, Yena volunteered as an independent interviewer for the University of Hong Kong’s admissions and collaborates to support her husband in UC Berkeley’s Asia Council initiatives. She enjoys community outreach and volunteers at Food Angel and is an active contributor in both of her children’s school. 

As a mother of two, Yena fosters a love of reading at home through daily routines, such as sharing a short chapter at breakfast and engaging in lively book discussions with her children. 

Yena is currently a Board Member of Bring Me Book charity.