Mina Chang became involved with Linking the World during her career as an international recording artist. Chang released two successful albums and became a brand ambassador for a number of global brands. At the peak of her career, Chang was invited to become an ambassador for Linking the World, which operated in over 40 countries. With her international recognition as a recording artist, Chang was able to bring widespread attention to the organization’s humanitarian efforts. Her desire to alleviate suffering and inspire hope motivated her to retire from the music industry to work full-time with disaster response teams and Linking the World.
In 2011, Chang took the reins of Linking the World. As the new leader, she reorganized the organization and founded Linking the World International. As part of her strategic initiatives to continue the organization’s fast growth, Chang moved its headquarters to the United States. She attracted key stakeholders and created important partnerships such as Operation Handclasp, a program developed with the Department of Defense. Chang also led the development of the Global Social Leadership program, whose curriculum is based on UNICEF initiatives. In 2014, Chang launched HALO (Help and Locate Operations), which saw Linking the World’s use of drones and UAVs in humanitarian aid and disaster response. The program garnered international attention after its application in the post-disaster Philippines and won the 2014 National Social Innovation Award at the drone operators’ National Conference. Chang serves on the Panel of Experts for UAVs for the United Nations. Today, she continues to propel Linking the World forward with a passion for relieving suffering and breaking cycles of poverty.