Our Team

Corinne Hua

Executive Director

Corinne Richeux Hua is the Founder and Executive Director of Stepping Stones. Corinne is half British and half French, and graduated in Chinese studies from Cambridge University in 1990. Since moving to Shanghai with her husband in 1993, Corinne has worked in the Commercial Section of the British Consulate General and as H.R. Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and has two children. Corinne has been working in the non-profit sector in Shanghai since 2005.

“When I first visited some migrant schools in Shanghai in 2006 and asked the Principals what help they needed, they all asked me to help them to teach English to their students. I already knew a lot of English speakers in Shanghai who were looking for a meaningful way to help others. Stepping Stones emerged as a neat way to bridge a need in our local community with a valuable resource. I’ve always been passionate about social service, volunteering, education and cultural exchange, and I derive inspiration each day from the amazing people that Stepping Stones brings together from all walks of life and from all over the world.”

Sebastien Carrier

Program Director

Sebastien is the Program Director of Stepping Stones. Sebastien holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Montreal (Canada) specialised in Chinese society, migration studies, ethnicity, and socio-economic development. He has written articles and given several presentations focused on China’s minorities and migrant workers. He contributed to the East Asia Forum Quarterly and published a chapter in a book titled Regional Minorities and Development in East and Southeast Asia.

 

Eva Hua

Operations Director

Eva participated in various volunteer activities before being a member of Stepping Stones. With knowledge of non-profit organizations, she devotes herself to working with caring volunteers and friends who are willing to help others. Eva grew up in Shanghai and graduated from Shanghai University (SILC), majoring in International Economics and Trade. She earned financial experience working for the Bank of China.

“Wherever I go, I have always been keen on getting involved in social volunteering programmes. It’s my great honour and pleasure to contribute to the future of children and of my hometown, Shanghai, by being part of the Stepping Stones team. I first learned about Stepping Stones when I attended a talk given by the Director Corinne Hua. I was deeply touched to hear that Stepping Stones exerts its best effort to improve the education of migrant children in China. I love to devote myself to this meaningful programme and I enjoy facing the challenges we are facing. Stepping Stones volunteers impressed me with their passion and creative thinking. Their ideas inspire the whole team and encourage children to learn in an innovative way.”

Claire Ding

Director of Training & Curriculum

Claire Ding is Stepping Stones’ Director of Training and Curriculum. Claire was first involved with Stepping Stones as a volunteer and saw how the program helped students become more confident about speaking English.

Claire is an experienced TEFL teacher and an in-house teacher trainer. She holds a CELTA certificate and a Trinity Diploma in TESOL. She believes helping volunteers and school teachers to deliver more effective lessons will have significant impact on the students.

Julie Li

Home Classroom Program Manager

Julie Li is the Manager of Stepping Stones’ Home Classroom Program. She is happy to do such a job to help rural school students, especially when she observes the students’ excitement to have lessons from our volunteers. Julie hopes more volunteers will join our organisation to help more students in need.

Sherry Jia

Rural Programs Senior Manager

Sherry, a Shanghai native, is responsible for managing Stepping Stones’ rural programs, including School Videolink Program and rural tours. Before joining Stepping Stones, she worked as an IT support engineer for over 8 years. She started her volunteering career at a community hospital assisting the elderly.

“One of my friends mentioned Stepping Stones by chance. While researching their organization, I was touched by the work they did and noticed there was an open position. I applied and was accepted for the job. I am deeply convinced that there is more happiness in giving than receiving. This is an idea I would like to spread to others, especially my young daughter.”

Teddy Shi

Outreach Director

Teddy is the Outreach Director of Stepping Stones. He, a Shanghai Native, graduated from Shanghai Sanda University, majoring in E-Commerce. He participated in various volunteer work before joining Stepping Stones, he has been very interested in public welfare education since college and enjoys interacting with children. In 2016, he introduced the digital literacy program “Stepping Up” to Stepping Stones. Since then, he has been growing and developing with the program. He is looking forward to meeting more people who are passionate about public welfare education and supporting Stepping Stones.

“I first joined Stepping Stones on May 8, 2016 as a volunteer. Being a photographer for Stepping Stones’ 10 years anniversary reinforced for me how important education is in changing children’s lives. And it was the best anniversary party I have ever seen in my life. I discovered a lot of interesting projects, other non-profit organisations and dedicated people in this anniversary party, and the smiles of children were just like angels. I decided then to change my career to be a full-time teacher, as I always dreamt when I was a child. I hope Teacher Teddy can bring love and joy to these children in the future.”

Yili Huang

Events Manager

Yili Huang is born and raised in Shanghai, she pursued her MBA degree in the US and ended up graduating from University of Washington in Information Management. She has traveled in a lot of countries, from India and Nepal to Brazil and Argentina. This experience has broadened her mind and helped her to see the world differently. After returning to Shanghai, Yili decided to do some charitable work and give back to the community. She joined us in 2019 as Events Manager.

“Education inequality in China is one of the biggest threat for migrant workers. I see the importance of improving those children’s welfare and education. I believe Stepping Stones is definitely making a valuable impact in our community.”

Ann Zhao

English Teaching Programs Manager (Offline)

Ann Zhao is the manager for Shanghai English Teaching and Rural Individual Volunteer Programs, main responsibilities: coordinating with local schools, community centers and volunteers, assuring projects are formed and executed properly and improvements are put in place over the long term. Her purpose is very much aligned with Stepping Stones mission which is to improve the education and general welfare of disadvantaged children in China. She likes seeing students express themselves in English bravely and confidently. Ann is a new Shanghainese, before joining Stepping Stones, she worked in some MNCs as Service Manager and Project Manager. She was a Stepping Stones volunteer before joining as a staff member.

Viviana Chen

Communications Manager

Viviana Chen is Stepping Stones’ Communications Manager. She has over 10 years’ working experience in international companies and global leading PR agencies with the major responsibilities and achievements in Corporate Communications/Branding and media. She volunteered in various orphanages and rest homes when she was a student, assisting them with different needs.

“The first time I heard Ms. Corinne Hua telling the story about her journey and Stepping Stones, I was deeply intrigued by this. I’m very happy to have joined Stepping Stones, and to have had a chance to make my contributions to the migrant workers’ kids’ welfare and education.”

 

Miki Gu

Social-emontional Learning Program Officer

Miki Gu is Stepping Stones’ Social-emoltional Learning Program Officer. She graduated from New York University with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Her previous experience includes care management and school counseling in NGOs. Her role as a school counselor allowed her to see the need for and the importance of mental health support to children, especially children with special needs. This experience urged her to continue working in the NGO sector and provide accessible education services to children in need.

Nova Shao

Volunteer & Internship Manager

Nova Shao is Stepping Stones’ Volunteer and Intern Manager, responsible for the recruitment and management of volunteers as well as interns. Nova is a Shanghai native. She holds an MPhil degree in social anthropology from University of Bergen (Norway), and an undergraduate degree in sociology from ECNU. Nova once worked as a volunteer teacher and an anthropological fieldworker in a migrant school in Shanghai in 2005 and 2006. When Nova worked as a staff member for various study abroad programs before joining Stepping Stones, she loved building bridges between international students and local disadvantaged Chinese youth. She feels lucky to be able to contribute to the education and general welfare of the disadvantaged community through Stepping Stones again.

Stella Wu

Volunteer Operations Assistant

Stella is a volunteer of Stepping Stones, who is responsible to assist with office operations, and involved in many programs since 2021. Stella holds a Masters of Public Accounting and has accumulated more than 20 years working experience in management accounting. Years of project management background makes her realizes the importance of consistent engagement and devotion to achieving a mission. She hopes to do something to help more students to access developmental resources.