ABOUT
SECO is a World Life Institute Centre of Excellence youth organization with a vision and mission in align with those of WLI-COE, focusing specifically on the role of the youth in shaping and enhancing our shared community. Through the guidance of our parent WLI-COE, SECO aims to achieve the same breadth of global influence and depth of wisdom while advancing our mission.
Vision​
​
SECO has aims to fulfill three main goals in our engagement with the global community. These are to
​
Immerse curious minds in cross-cultural knowledge
Innovate ethical and scalable solutions
Impact collective abilities and actions
​
​
​
Organizational Philosophy
Every project SECO undertakes is guided by a set of beliefs that reflect its core values. Instead of focusing exclusively on a particular type of program, educational background, or sector, SECO aims to foster a particular kind of member: visionary and idea-driven, yet anchored by pragmatism.
SECO workshops address real-world problems while advancing its members. SECO believes in thoughtful design that solves complex, global challenges through projects that contribute to a larger purpose. The team is committed to innovative thinking and will state its beliefs through its work.
Core Values
-
Empathy
-
Acceptance
-
Curiosity
-
Passion
-
Transparency
-
Integrity
-
Respect
-
Optimism
World Life Institute - Centre of Excellence​
​
Vision​
Life-long learning and transformation
​
​
​
Mission
​
World Life Institute Center of Excellence is a non-profit and collaborative academic community dedicated to teaching, scholarship, research, and service. Our goal is to provide relevant and globally-accessible educational programs of the highest quality. To do this, we draw on a full range of scientific, management, behavioral, and creative disciplines to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.
Our Team
Executive Director
Tristen Huang
tristen.huang@gmail.com
Tristen is currently a Life Science student at the University of Toronto. She is very passionate about psychology and understanding the intricacies of the mind, and she also believes in the importance of being able express yourself and your ideas. If you're ever looking for Tristen, try the kitchen--she'd bound to be trying out a new dish that popped into her head.
One of the founders of SECO, Tristen believes in the ability of education to change people, and consequently the world. She hopes that through SECO, she can help to shape an international community characterized by openness and acceptance. Within SECO, she mainly oversees strategic plans, coordinates and manages the committees, and liaisons between the organization and a variety of external stakeholders.
​
​
Executive Officers
Rui Gao
​
Rui Gao is an Engineering Student at the University of Toronto, working towards his undergraduate degree. In both his studies and other pursuits in life, he believes in continuous learning, unique perspectives, and contributing value back to the communities we belong to. He loves keeping up with his personal fitness and exploring all the cuisines available in the vibrant city of Toronto.
In SECO, his role in Research and Outreach is to develop materials for course and workshop content, as well as form relationships to outside parties to elevate the performance of SECO.
​
​
Jessie Li
​
Jessie Li is currently working at World Life Education Centre as the administrative coordinator. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto in Linguistics and Psychology. Jessie is very flexible and open to cultures. She is extremely passionate about her dad's cooking. She loves travelling, photographing, and drinking coffee. You can also find her listening to all types of music at any location. She is fascinated by languages, and she hopes to take this passion to pursue a career in education and research in the near future. SECO is a place that nurtures her passion for education, self-development and openness. As the committee coordinator of SECO, Jessie works closely with the committee members to maintain the committee’s goals.
​
​
Zahra Zaidi
​
Emily Huang
​
Zahra is a Marketing Graduate from York University, currently works at the Sick Kids Foundation and also engages in teaching formal public speaking to kids. She spends the majority of her time working with non-profits as a corporate coordinator, events fundraiser for various causes. She has a passion for the culinary arts, interior and graphic design. So, you may find her creating promotional material for companies and websites, perusing international fashion blogs or reading for spiritual exploration when she has time!
​
Her role at SECO is Operations based, from logistics to the corporate coordination and will also be liaising with departments for the professional development of its dedicated members.
​
​
​
​
Emily Huang is a Software Engineering student at the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about music, history, and addressing complex and global issues with local solutions. She spends her free time escaping through novels in local coffee shops and tasting obscure cheeses with friends.
​
Through SECO, Emily aims to unite young minds and empower them with the skills and perspectives necessary to enact a positive difference on our communities. Through working with the communications committee, Emily wishes to expand SECO's membership and presence.
Committees
Committee Coordinator: Jessie Li​
​
Research and Outreach Committee
Chair: Rui Gao
​
Finance Committee
Chair: Tristen Huang
​
Professional Development Committee
Chair: Zahra Zaidi
​
Social Media Support
Emily Huang
​
Our Parent
World Life Institute