More than a thousand students have benefited from our program, with four schools and projects expanding into the surrounding communities. We help with teacher - student sponsorship programs and innovations such as eco-toilets and bio-gas energy systems. We build libraries, in partnership with SF tech companies, to bring technology such as projectors and laptops into schools. We support local educators to reach more students.

Wayne Cheung (he/him)
Tech Lead, Business Technology Solutions, CLS Tech
‌UCSF Information Technology

Wayne's Himalayan Dream  

Tell us about your role. 

‌I have 13 years of experience in digital solutions at UCSF. I currently serve as the Tech Lead for Campus Life Services and head up our digital accessibility efforts. I’ve mentored business analysts and managed cross-functional teams on various projects, such as the UCSF Mobile App. One fun fact is before I joined UCSF, I was part of the team that built the big Coca-Cola bottle slide at the Giant’s Oracle Park. 

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‌I learned so much from the IT Tech Leadership Development Program, in particular from the mentors, and connected with many people across UCSF. From that, I realized mentoring is a two-way street, and both mentors and mentees learn a lot from such relationships. Since then, I have started, both informally and formally, getting involved in mentoring at UCSF. I also had the privilege to participate in the Campus Life Services Leadership Development Program, and now I am supporting the expanded mentoring offerings in CLS.

What drives you to help others? 

‌I was in a terrible car accident about 20 years ago. A drunk driver hit me, and I went to SF General Hospital. I was in the hospital for three months, with four years of rehab. I’m thankful that UCSF doctors and nurses saved my life, and being able to walk again has inspired me to give back.

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Tell us about the non-profit you started after your accident.  

‌About 18 years ago, I witnessed the poverty and challenges people face every day in Nakote, a very small village in the Himalayan foothills. In 2007, I started a non-profit called Nepal Education Initiative Organization (NEIO) to promote education for Nepalese children and the community. I believe in the power of education, and I wanted to bring hope and opportunity to people in the region. 

‌Since NEIO partnered with the local communities in building four schools, our support has expanded to at least a dozen schools and more than a thousand students have benefited from our program. We help with teacher and student sponsorship programs and innovations such as eco-toilets and bio-gas energy systems. We build libraries, partner with SF tech companies to bring technology such as projectors and laptops into schools, and we support local educators so they can reach more students. This is not my area of expertise--and I couldn’t do this without the help of local communities, donors, and hundreds of volunteers around the world. NEIO has an incredible team, and we all play our part in making things happen. I was honored to receive the Chancellor Award for Public Service in 2017 for this work. I am lucky to be able to work for UCSF which provides a great work-life balance that allows me to use my personal time for this cause.

Favorite Cookie Jar Treat?
Chocolate chip cookies

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