Who we are

The people behind Umbrella4U.

A small, youth-led team of students, builders, and advisors, all working so no young person has to face the hard stuff alone.

Ricky, founder of Umbrella4U
Ricky Chen🇨🇦
Founder · CEO · CTO

I'm Ricky, a 15-year-old student entering Grade 10 at St. George's School in Vancouver and the founder of Umbrella4U. I'm passionate about challenging the stereotypes and social norms that stop young people from expressing who they truly are. Growing up, I never quite fit the social norm, I wasn't the "typical" boy people expected me to be, and I got judged for it, labeled "feminine," "gay," "zesty," "weird," and more. I know what it feels like to be looked at differently for simply being yourself. Those experiences inspired me to start Umbrella4U. My hope is simple: to help build a world where no one feels alone or pressured to hide who they are. You may know me as a volleyball player, a swimmer, an amateur pianist, an anime enthusiast, or even a mediocre cosplayer. But this time, I want to be someone that can change the world for the better, and make acceptance the norm.

Kaylee
Kaylee Hu🇺🇸
Art Director · Washington Chapter President

Hi, I'm Kaylee! I'm 15, and I go to Mercer Island High School in Washington. I love all forms of art, volleyball, music, my friends, and learning new things. I lead the Umbrella4U Chapter in Washington, and I hope that this organization reaches the people who need it. I'm not comfortable being vulnerable because it was always easier figuring things out myself. I didn't have the resources to help me develop good coping mechanisms, but a few simple words from others helped me break them. Because of this, my goal is to spread that same support to as many people as I can.

Kevin
Kevin Qian🇨🇦
Outreach & Advocacy

Hey guys, my name is Kevin. I'm a 15 year-old student from West Vancouver. One of my core beliefs is that a person's experiences play a huge role in shaping who they are. That's why I'm so passionate about challenging the pressure society puts on each and every one of us to fit in. Umbrella4U really resonated with me because it creates a space where people have the opportunity to express themselves freely without the fear of being judged. And aside from these beliefs some of the more interesting things I'm passionate about include photography, music, philosophy, films, and so much more.

Sophie Zou
Sophie Zou🇨🇦
Marketing & Social Media

My name is Sophie. I am currently a student going into grade 10 at West Vancouver Secondary School. I'm always open to new opportunities and forming connections to individuals extracurricular. I focus mainly on debate, public speaking and any activities where I am able to vocally share my voice. In general, I enjoy fencing, visual arts, and also play some instruments. I'm very excited to be a part of Umbrella4U, and I'm ready to give it my all!

Kasra
Kasra🇨🇦
Head of Events Coordination & Networking

My name is Kasra, I am head of events coordination and networking. My naturally talkative personality is complimented by a quick and concise nature. I am very social and always inclined to grow and learn.

Blake
Blake🇺🇸
Business & Strategy

I'm Blake, a high school junior at Wayne Valley High School in NJ. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my time focused on business, finance strategy, and running e-commerce projects. When I'm not working on that, you can usually find me playing soccer, golf, or running track, talking to people, or playing an instrument. Excited to be part of the team!

Norman
Norman Huang🇨🇦
Backend Developer

Hi, I'm Norman. I'm 15 years old and currently a Grade 10 student at West Vancouver Secondary School. I've always been interested in electronics, technology, drones, and understanding how things work behind the scenes. I'm excited to join Umbrella4U as a backend developer and aerial photographer, using my skills to support the team in both technical and creative ways. I hope to help build a community where no one feels alone, and where people can express themselves freely without fear of being judged.

Want to help hold the umbrella?

We're a small volunteer team growing city by city. If you'd like to lead a Chapter or join the crew, we'd love to hear from you.