Heng Gu grew up in Wuxi, China and later studied and built her career in the United States, giving her firsthand experience living across both cultures. She is a design professional and entrepreneur, having worked in the technology industry and founded a design and media company focused on education and career development. Experiencing both countries has made her acutely aware of the growing gaps in mutual understanding, and she believes sustained cultural exchange is essential. Heng brings her background in design, media, and entrepreneurship to Odyssey Project to help amplify youth voices and strengthen cross-cultural connection.

Anthony Leung is a community advocate and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco. With a background in product management and grassroots engagement, he co-founded the Odyssey Project to create meaningful cultural exchange programs that connect rising leaders from the U.S. and China. Anthony has led multilingual civic outreach campaigns, organized youth delegations abroad, and built coalitions across sectors to uplift underrepresented voices. His work blends content-driven strategy with deep cultural insight to drive long-term impact.

Tim grew up in Long Island, NY and refused to attend Chinese weekend school as a kid, a decision he later regretted after visiting Taiwan for the first time upon graduating high school. That eye-opening experience motivated him to study Mandarin in college and move to China for four years afterwards. It also inspired him to promote similarly transformative experiences for young people through a career in education. Tim has taught Chinese and facilitated short- and long-term cross-cultural programs for high school and college students in China, Korea, Japan, and the United States. He currently works as an admission officer at a boarding school in Massachusetts.

Having not returned to China since middle school, Steven’s participation in a 2024 exchange program motivated a new commitment to studying the language and engaging with the culture. This personal experience complemented his academic background in International Politics and his focus on International Law at the University of Michigan Law School.

Following a career as a corporate attorney specializing in private equity and tech law, Steven transitioned into entrepreneurship as a business owner in the real estate sector. He draws on his expertise in global affairs, Chinese culture and professional mentorship to support the mission of The Odyssey Project. By combining his legal and business background with his recent experiences on the ground, Steven helps delegates navigate the complexities of cross-cultural exchange through both a professional and intellectual lens.

Zev has always gravitated toward spaces where people come together – whether in classrooms, newsrooms, on basketball courts, or across cultures – and sees sport and storytelling as powerful tools for building shared humanity.
His career reflects that belief. Zev has coached youth sports across the Bay Area, written stories that elevate underserved communities, and supported civic initiatives through non-profits and local government. He’s also represented the U.S. in youth diplomacy settings in China, working to bridge cultures and foster mutual understanding. Across roles, his compass remains the same: create connection, foster dignity, and invite collaboration.
Grounded in Sociology and Political Science at UC Davis, Zev is committed to cultivating diverse communities. With The Odyssey Project, he focuses on expanding opportunities for young people to learn from one another and engage in global conversations.

Molly was born in Nanning, Guangxi, China and immigrated to the United States at the age of 5. Growing up in Minnesota and then Southern California, her connection to Chinese culture was mainly in the form of watching Chinese dramas and cooking food with her parents. After graduating college was the first time she went back to China to visit her extended family. The experience motivated her to continue to cultivate her Chinese language skills in order to stay connected to her family in China. Molly has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and a MBA from the University of San Francisco. She is passionate about youth mentoring and volunteers with Biotech Partners to help high school students in the bay area learn more about careers and internships in STEM. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family and two pet dogs.