The Foundation’s Council is a dedicated group of goodwill ambassadors who work closely with the Foundation’s Chairman, Board of Directors, and team to provide advice and assist with raising funds and building awareness. We are pleased to announce that four professionals with a wide array of expertise have joined the Council.
Jessica Che-yi Chao
Jessica Che-yi Chao was born and raised in Taipei. She received her Bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan University and her MBA from Columbia University. Jessica has worked in different capacities in the financial industry for 15 years, across banking, equity research, and strategic investment. Most recently she was an Executive Director of Firmwide Strategy at Goldman Sachs (Asia) based in Hong Kong. She now resides in Taipei.
Rick Hamilton
With expertise in cloud, internet-of-things (IoT) technologies, and artificial intelligence, Rick Hamilton is an Optum Distinguished Engineer, and formerly the most prolific inventor in IBM history. He is currently recognized as the 20th most prolific inventor in world history, with more than 900 issued US patents. Rick now works broadly across UnitedHealth Group’s strategic imperatives, including machine learning, genomics, blockchain, IoT, and cybersecurity, to help people live healthier lives and make healthcare work better. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas.
Rick has presented two webinars on behalf of the Foundation. In December 2017, he spoke on “The Rise of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence,” and in April 2018, he gave a “Healthcare Focused Introduction of Blockchain.”
He shares, “I’m intrigued by focused ultrasound’s possibilities and have a deep appreciation for the Foundation’s mission and people. I’ve long provided technology advice and perspectives to the Foundation, and I look forward to continuing this relationship in this new capacity.”
Harry Lester
After graduating from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, Harry Lester served as an officer in the US Navy, and has lived in Virginia Beach since 1970. His career in commercial and industrial real estate was enhanced by community engagement, including chairing the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the Chrysler Museum and the Hampton Roads Business Roundtable and leading or serving on a variety of other boards and commissions. He served as President of the Eastern Virginia Medical School for eight years, retiring to community activities including Chair of the Lynnhaven River project that he co-founded in 2000 and Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Board of Trustees.
Bernice Szeto
Bernice Szeto has worked in the finance industry for 20 years in various capacities across family office, private equity and investment banking. She currently heads the strategic development efforts at Olympus Capital Asia, a Pan Asian private equity and private credit investment firm. She is also a consultant to a few single family offices in Asia. Her previous roles include Managing Director at Peace Field Ltd., where she headed their placement team and led deal sourcing efforts, and also as the Chief of Staff and Head of Fundraising at FountainVest, a Greater China private equity firm. Prior to that, Bernice was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs and an investment professional at Sun Hung Kai Properties family office as well as at PAMA, a Pan-Asian private equity firm. Bernice graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Economics, and graduated with distinction from the University of Hong Kong with a master’s degree in International and Public Affairs. In her spare time, Bernice enjoys pursuing personal growth opportunities and doing life coaching and meditation. She also took a sabbatical from finance to teach at Diocesan Girls’ School in Hong Kong. Bernice currently resides in Hong Kong.
She shares, “I am grateful to Shirley [Lin] who very kindly introduced me to [Foundation Chairman, Neal Kassell] when I was looking for non-invasive options to treat uterine fibroids. Through Neal, Shirley, and his team, I learned so much about focused ultrasound, its many applications and its evolution and advancement. I was in awe of focused ultrasound’s ability to improve people’s lives in so many different ways and its potential to revolutionize treatments of previously untreatable illnesses globally. Hence, I would very much want to help the Focused Ultrasound Foundation in continuing its efforts and hard work in the advancement of focused ultrasound and to bring awareness to all those who are unfamiliar with the Foundation and the rapid development of this brilliant technology, especially to Asia. Thank you Focused Ultrasound Foundation for having me on the team.”