In a world more globally connected than ever before, leaders need to be well prepared with the right knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to be successful. Asia Society's Young Leaders Institute (YLI) is a week-long summer program for high school students that promotes global competence, elevates leadership skills, and connects students from across diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Since launching in 2016, the Young Leaders Institute has provided new perspectives and strengthened skills for over 300 students. The Institute's sixth year explores some of the most timely, relevant global issues for young leaders facing a world transformed by COVID-19.

What skills will students learn from the Young Leaders Institute?

During the Institute, students will engage in the four tenets of global competence, as defined by the Asia Society Center for Global Education: investigating the world, recognizing perspectives, communicating ideas, and taking action.

Throughout the week, students will deepen their knowledge of the global policy issues of the day, then work in teams to research and develop solutions for challenges facing the world. In their groups, students will practice their communication and collaboration skills, strengthen their written and oral presentation skills for the future, and engage respectfully and thoughtfully with peers to expand their views and understanding of the world.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn new approaches to leadership and practice the different skills demanded of leaders — not only taking initiative but also collaboration, empathy, and overcoming differences.

What activities should students expect during the Institute?

During the Institute, students will hear lectures from experts in the field, engage in team-building or leadership activities, and work in groups to research, debate, and present policy solutions for challenges facing the world. While students will be provided time to work during the session, some work outside of Institute hours will be expected.

On the Institute's final day, student groups will present their policy recommendations developed from all they have learned throughout the week before a panel of impartial judges. A top group will be selected and honored for their policy presentation. Students will be mentored throughout the week by Asia Society staff, receiving feedback on guidance on topics, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Session 2: Public Health

Schedule: Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16, 2021; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT Daily
Place: This session will take place virtually via Zoom

Students accepted for this session will receive an email approximately one week before the start date with an informational packet and a Zoom link.

What topics might be discussed during the Public Health session?

• Intersection of different roles played by scientists and researchers, healthcare, government officials, community leaders, media, and the public
• Roles of federal, state, and local actors in coordinating and addressing public health
• Conveying public health information through scientific journalism, public officials, and community partners
• Impact of misinformation and how it spreads, and the role of trust
• Factors contributing to inequity in health impacts and outcomes, as well as unequal access
• Supply chain logistics, competing interests, and other challenges
• Equity and fairness across disparate communities and countries
• Role of international organizations in global health

Learn about additional YLI sessions »

About the Speakers

Michael Ha joined Harris County Public Health (HCPH) as the Division Director of Disease Control and Clinical Prevention (DCCP) in 2019. His responsibilities include overseeing a diverse spectrum of clinical and administrative programs, and providing the strategic vision for the Division. Michael joined HCPH with over 12 years of health-care experience, including over a decade of management experience. He was a licensed pharmacist and pharmacy manager for many years before moving to Harris County and focusing on health-care management and administration. Recently, Michael was a Pharmacy Operations Manager at a federally-regulated compounding pharmacy and Healthcare Operations Manager at DaVita Kidney Care, where he managed multiple outpatient dialysis clinics. Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta, Canada, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston.

Sonia Garza-Monarchi is a leading expert in the specialized world of protocol and diplomacy. She started her company Garza Protocol Associates in 2004 after working 16 years with the City of Houston’s protocol office in various positions and serving as the chief of protocol for ten years. She helped coordinate over 2000 visits, events, and meetings, from Queen Elizabeth II to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, President Putin, and the Economic Summit. Ms. Garza-Monarchi has advised hundreds of government officials and corporate leaders on matters of protocol, diplomacy and cross-cultural issues. Her small business specializes in creating customized solutions for her clients including several Fortune 500 corporations. Project highlights include: coordinating the visit of a chief of state and the ceremonial opening of a consulate in two weeks’ time; overseeing the protocol aspects of a gala dinner for 300 business leaders, ministers of energy and ambassadors in Barcelona; training medical professionals on cross-cultural issues to make them more effective when dealing with international patients and spearheading Houston’s Latin Grammy host committee. Ms. Garza-Monarchi believes that better understanding of people’s cultures leads to better business and a better world. With her help Garza Protocol’s clients apply key protocol, diplomatic, and cross-cultural skills that lead to long-term success in today’s global economy. She serves as a trustee on the board of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and is on the advisory board of the Asia Society Texas Center.

Dr. Brigham Walker is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He conducts applied economics research in health and equity. The health economics arm of his research focuses on provider and patient responses to incentives or information. The equity arm of his research focuses on racial and gender discrimination in access to healthcare, education, and jobs. He is also a Research Affiliate at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA). Dr. Walker received his B.S. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, a Masters in Management from Harvard University, a Masters in Finance from University of London, and a Masters in Economic Analysis and Policy and his Ph.D. in Economics from Tulane University.

Dr. Gordon Shen is an Assistant Professor of Health Care Management at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. He is a member of its Management, Policy, and Community Health Department and an affiliate faculty of its George McMillan Fleming Center of Healthcare Management. Prior to joining UTHealth in 2019, Dr. Shen was an Assistant Professor at the City University of New York (Brooklyn College, 2015-2016; Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 2016-2018). His research agenda is broadly focused on managerial innovations that are introduced to health care organizations. This entails a deep understanding of culture, customization, and context. His empirical examinations include the deinstitutionalization of mental health care globally, hospital management in China, and kaizen's adoption by the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation. Across cases, he offers theoretical explanations drawn from organizational theory. Dr. Shen holds a B.S. in psychobiology and public health (2005, University of California, Los Angeles), a S.M. in epidemiology (2007, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), and a Ph.D. in health services and policy analysis (2013, University of California, Berkeley). He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Yale School of Public Health in 2014. 

Testimonials

“I would definitely recommend the Young Leaders Institute to friends. YLI offers such a unique opportunity to hear from speakers on subject matters that interest you, and you get to engage in conversations you really can't have elsewhere. It's a great way to spend your summer and grow as a leader.” — Arfa Momin, Stephen F. Austin High School, YLI 2020

“I loved hearing from the expert speakers and working with different groups each week. I, especially, enjoyed the diversity of high schoolers in the makeup of our groups. The inclusion and sharing of different ideas expanded my knowledge and skills that I know will serve me well.”  — Anna Lyons, Clear Lake High School, YLI 2020

“[The most important thing I learned from YLI is] that there are things we can do as young adults to solve issues happening in the world right now.” — Biruk Gizaw, Westside High School, YLI 2020

“I would definitely recommend YLI to my friends since it helped me grow not only as a leader, but as a team member as well.” — Emmy Li, Clear Lake High School, YLI 2020

“It’s been very fun working with three groups and I have learned so much. Working with each group taught me a lesson about teamwork that I will carry on to future ambitions and am glad I did this program. I look forward to doing this next year as I feel I will only improve as time progresses working in these kinds of environments.” — Shaan Singh, Awty International School, YLI 2020

“I enjoyed learning about the wide range of topics this year’s sessions had to offer, and I really appreciate the organization and thoughtfulness of the program.” — Niels Levy-Thiebaut, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, YLI 2020

Additional YLI Sessions

Session 1: U.S.–China Relations
Monday, June 21 – Friday, June 25, 2021 | Virtual: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
Explore the nuanced and evolving relationship between the world's two largest economies with an eye toward the future, including issues of trade, regional security, technology, and human rights.
The application deadline has been extended to midnight on Monday, April 12, 2021.

Session 3: Social Justice and Civic Engagement
Monday, July 26 – Friday, July 30, 2021 | In-person only at Asia Society Texas Center: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT
Deepen your understanding of social and systemic inequities in Houston and across the country, while exploring the importance of civic engagement and active participation in finding solutions.
This session is full; applications are no longer accepted.

The Young Leaders Institute is presented by BP America and Chevron. Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas Center are presented by Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by​ Margie and Joe Blommaert, Cathay Bank Foundation, Chevron, the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, and H-E-B. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas Center, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston.

Presenting Sponsors