André Rubin

Former Board Member & Mentor
Former Mentor Relationship Manager

I was forged in the fiery pits of southern Brazilian hilly flat lands, where my aptitude for Math and exact sciences got me a bachelor's degree in Brazil and master's in the U.S., both in computer science.

I was not really exposed to diversity until I moved to the U.S., where my interest in languages and the environment spiked. I got involved with Greenpeace and 350.org, and was working for a promising Green Tech company in the Silicon valley, where I met Yin! A series of fortunate events made me quit my job and travel the world. My 5-month travel plan became 2.5 years (so far) of exploring the world outside, and the world within! I'm currently still on my never-ending sabbatical. I'm now living in Taiwan and learning Chinese.

Traveling has further deepened my multiculturalism and understanding of the world. I see a world where a multitude of problems can be solved with more love, not more wars; with more sharing, not more wealth accumulation.

I'm an environmentalist, we now understand that this planet's resources, such as water, forests, clean air, are scarce and we need to start acting this way. I'm a feminist, this patriarchal society is a legacy of older, darker ages, and its beliefs are now obsolete and should be changed by our now understanding that those ideas were wrong. It is the 21st century after all. We need to remove those people that still think the old way from decision-making positions. I'm a humanitarian, we are emotional and social creatures and investing time and effort on our own well-being (for example through a healthy social life, or doing what makes you happy) is as important as a higher education degree.

This is where QianZheng Scholarship comes in. By empowering bright, young women in China to go into a STEM education in a foreign country, I believe we are achieving all of these, and more!

It's such an honor to be part of this foundation and these inspiring group of people.