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about US
we are senior level nonprofit professionals
bridging the gaps between worlds
Nonprofits with culturally driven missions typically have unique gaps within the philanthropic sector. Social psychology research tells us that understanding cultural bias is paramount to creating effective teams, designing innovative programs and impacting organizational culture. Bridging these gaps is the expertise of Y Chen & Associates.
cultural synergy by design
Cultural Synergy is cross-cultural collaboration at the highest level. Now, more than ever, we believe it is essential to invest in a critical mass of people with adaptive global skills who can build new channels to solve complex global challenges. With one part business acumen and two parts cultural innovation, we design the organizational capacity necessary to have measurable social impact.
meet the team
Yafonne chen
PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER
A Stanford graduate with over 20 years experience in the nonprofit sector, Yafonne is dedicated to helping social change organizations bridge their socio-economic gaps that impede sustainable regional, national or global impact. As an institutional grant writer and strategist, she has helped steward many organizations started by visionaries from Azerbaijan, China, India, Tibet, Taiwan, Vietnam, Turkey and Iran. Yafonne has secured grants from more than 50 regional and national governmental and private foundations.
michael J. santoro
SENIOR STRATEGIST
With over 25 years experience, Michael designs international cause marketing campaigns, global branding initiatives and innovative fundraising strategies for non-profit cultural arts organizations, foundations and educational institutions around the world with an expertise in navigating the China and US markets. Having lived in Asia for a decade, Michael is an accomplished cross-cultural negotiator in Taiwan and China, working with nationally acclaimed arts, cultural, governmental and educational institutions.