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Christine Yen

MCN Alumni Next Gen Awards 2026 · Evidence portfolio

Beyond the Fellowship: Collective Impact, 2019–2026

Christine Yen2019 Millennium Fellow, Western Sydney UniversityVice President, Sydney Rotary Club · Chair, Sustainability Action Group

Since the Fellowship I have worked across student health, university sport, international student life, sustainability research and Rotary. This page sets out that work at a glance, then links to the public evidence for it.

Explore the timeline Go to the evidence

How to read this page

CompletedOngoingProposed, not yet implemented

Each project separates my part from what we achieved together, and names the people who made it possible.

Original group photograph celebrating a University of Sydney graduation in the Quadrangle
Celebrating a milestone with people who supported my academic journey. No achievement here was made alone.

The through-line

How I approach change

The same pattern runs through each role: start something with others, give it a structure, and make room for the next people to lead it.

  1. 01

    Start with others

    Projects begin with fellow students, volunteers, colleagues and mentors, and they get the credit for their part.

  2. 02

    Build a structure

    Committees, governance and clear processes keep the work going after the first enthusiasm fades.

  3. 03

    Hand it on

    Success means later leaders keep it going and shape it themselves.

Timeline

Seven years since the Fellowship

Shared achievements name the people behind them. “I” is used only for my own part. Open a milestone to see who was involved and the evidence.

  1. 2019
    My part
    Initiated the Fellowship project and helped found the association.
    Together
    A student-led space for health education and community engagement.
    With
    Fellow students and academic mentors at Western Sydney University
    Evidence:UN Academic Impact feature(opens in a new tab)MCN profile(opens in a new tab)
  2. 2020–22
    My part
    Communication and engagement as the association grew.
    Together
    An association with enough structure to continue after its founders graduated.
    With
    Association members and the WSU Chinese Medicine Centre
    Evidence:Western Sydney University recognition(opens in a new tab)
  3. 2023
    • Global Admissions Committee: reviewed applications and interviewed prospective Fellows.
    • Program Coordinator (Jul 2023 – Mar 2024): supported Campus Directors and global events.
    • Initiated and edited Grateful (Millennium Fellowship Remix), with music by Nimo and Amelia and footage from Fellows worldwide.
    My part
    Reviewing and interviewing; coordination support; initiating and editing the graduation video.
    Together
    Selection and support of an international cohort; a graduation piece built from Fellows’ own footage.
    With
    Fellow reviewers, MCN colleagues, Campus Directors, Nimo and Amelia, and Fellows worldwide
    Evidence:MCN profile(opens in a new tab)Grateful (Millennium Fellowship Remix)(opens in a new tab)Western Sydney University GradLife 2023(opens in a new tab)
  4. 2024
    My part
    Coordinating committee priorities, supporting event delivery and engaging institutional partners.
    Together
    Stronger club governance and lower barriers for beginners.
    With
    SUAC committee members, coaches, volunteers and Sydney Uni Sport
    Evidence:Sydney University Archery Club(opens in a new tab)Sydney Rotary Club executives(opens in a new tab)
  5. 2025
    • Board Director, Sydney Rotary Club.
    • Beginner-friendly SUAC competitions (Nock Out and Novice Cup); subsequent recognition through the Pat Sharp Trophy.
    • City of Sydney ISLA ambassador, supporting community events for international students.
    • Co-authored a capstone project modelling the carbon footprint of post-bariatric diets.
    • New TCM Students’ Association committees ran their own peer mentoring and welcome events.
    My part
    Board service; club administration; ambassador activities; capstone research.
    Together
    Beginner pathways in sport; welcoming events for international students; and, separately, successor TCM leaders’ own programs.
    With
    Rotary Board colleagues, SUAC committee, fellow ISLA ambassadors and City staff, research supervisors
    Evidence:Sydney Uni Sport Awards 2025(opens in a new tab)City of Sydney ISLA events(opens in a new tab)Professor Xiaoshu Zhu: peer mentoring (2025)(opens in a new tab)Professor Xiaoshu Zhu: student welcome (2025)(opens in a new tab)Dietary carbon footprint research poster(opens in a new tab)
  6. 2026
    • Vice President, Sydney Rotary Club; Chair, Sustainability Action Group.
    • Drafted the Creating Lasting Impact prize proposal to connect Millennium Fellows with Rotary mentors and Rotaract Clubs. (Proposal; seeking Board endorsement.)
    • ISLA Marketing Team, Education stream lead.
    • NSW Health International Student Health Hub advisory group.
    • Supervised review of exnovation: how unsustainable practices are phased out.
    • Recognised as a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), 4 November 2026.
    My part
    Club leadership; drafting the prize proposal; Education stream lead; advisory input; the exnovation review.
    Together
    Rotary’s resources and mentors connected with young changemakers, if the proposal is endorsed.
    With
    Sydney Rotary Club Board, MCN, ISLA Marketing Team, NSW Health Hub team, academic supervisors
    Evidence:Sydney Rotary Club executives(opens in a new tab)ACNC Charity Register(opens in a new tab)AICD digital membership credential(opens in a new tab)Exnovation research poster(opens in a new tab)

Projects

Where the work lands

Filter the work by Sustainable Development Goal or theme. Hover over or tap any SDG tag to see why the work advances that goal.

Sustainable Development Goals

Theme

Showing 10 of 10 projects

  • Completed2019 – present (successor-led)

    WSU Traditional Chinese Medicine Students’ Association

    Grew from my Fellowship project, Getting to Know Traditional Chinese Medicine, into a student association for health education and community engagement.

    My role
    My role. Initiated the project, helped found the association and facilitated communication and engagement. WSU recognised this contribution in 2022.
    Team outcome
    Together. Successive student committees continued it after I graduated. Their 2025 peer mentoring and welcome activities are their own achievements.

    With thanks to Fellow students, academic mentors and later committees

    HealthEducationCommunity
    Evidence · 5 sources
  • CompletedMay 2023 – Mar 2024

    MCN Global Admissions and Program Coordination

    Returned to the Millennium Campus Network to help select and support new cohorts of Fellows.

    My role
    My role. Reviewed applications and interviewed prospective Fellows; as Program Coordinator, supported Campus Directors and global events.
    Team outcome
    Together. An international committee selecting a diverse cohort; local student leaders and staff guiding Fellows through the program.

    With thanks to Fellow reviewers, MCN colleagues and Campus Directors

    EducationCommunity
    Evidence · 2 sources
  • Completed2023

    Grateful (Millennium Fellowship Remix)

    A collaborative graduation music video built from footage Fellows had already contributed about their projects and lives.

    My role
    My role. Initiated the concept, organised the material and edited around 60 GB of submitted footage.
    Team outcome
    Together. A shared celebration in which a geographically dispersed cohort could recognise itself.

    With thanks to Fellows worldwide, Nimo and Amelia (music) and MCN colleagues

    CommunityEducation
    Evidence · 1 source
  • Ongoing2024 – present

    Sydney University Archery Club

    Strengthening how the club is run and lowering barriers for students new to archery.

    My role
    My role. As President (now Vice President): coordinating committee priorities, supporting event delivery and engaging institutional partners. Recognised with the Pat Sharp Trophy for club administration.
    Team outcome
    Together. Beginner-friendly competitions (Nock Out and Novice Cup) and stronger governance, shaped by members’ and volunteers’ feedback.

    With thanks to Committee members, coaches, volunteers and Sydney Uni Sport

    SportGovernanceCommunity
    Evidence · 2 sources
  • Ongoing2025 – present

    City of Sydney ISLA program

    Community events and storytelling that help international students connect with civic life in Sydney.

    My role
    My role. Ambassador contributing to event operations, audiovisual support and photography; now Education stream lead on the ISLA Marketing Team.
    Team outcome
    Together. Welcoming events delivered by ambassadors and City staff together, including the Green Square Moon Festival.

    With thanks to Fellow ambassadors and City of Sydney staff

    CommunityEducation
    Evidence · 1 source
  • Ongoing2026 – present

    NSW Health International Student Health Hub advisory group

    Advising on how health information reaches international students.

    My role
    My role. Advisory group member giving structured feedback on resources and outreach.
    Team outcome
    Together. Hub resources shaped by student perspectives. Decisions rest with the NSW Health Hub team.

    With thanks to NSW Health Hub team and fellow advisory members

    HealthCommunity
  • Completed2025 · Master of Sustainability capstone

    Quantifying carbon footprint from dietary shifts

    Modelled the carbon footprint of baseline, energy-dense and post-bariatric Australian dietary profiles using EEIO modelling.

    My role
    My role. Presented the research; constructed and compared the dietary profiles under supervision.
    Team outcome
    Together. Scenario estimates of 1.4, 1.7 and 2.1 kg CO₂-e per day, a starting point for health–climate co-benefit research. These are modelled estimates, not measured savings.

    With thanks to Supervised by Fabian Sack and Louise Hansell (Sydney Environment Institute); special thanks to Raymond van der Zalm and Navoda Liyana Pathirana

    SustainabilityHealth
    Evidence · 1 source
  • Completed2026 · Master of Sustainability capstone

    Exnovation in sustainability transitions

    A semi-systematic literature review of how unsustainable practices are challenged, phased out and reconfigured.

    My role
    My role. Conducted the review and thematic coding under supervision.
    Team outcome
    Together. A synthesis of 24 studies identifying four stages and showing the literature’s concentration in the Global North. It is an academic synthesis, not evidence of institutional adoption.

    With thanks to Supervisor Dr Sabrina Chakori; mentor Prof. Anne Marie Thow (Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics & Data)

    SustainabilityGovernance
    Evidence · 1 source
  • Ongoing2024 – present

    Sydney Rotary Club: Sustainability Action Group

    Club governance and sustainability leadership, previously the Climate Action Group.

    My role
    My role. Board Director (2025); Vice President and Chair of the Sustainability Action Group (2026).
    Team outcome
    Together. The club’s collective sustainability and service work, led by its Board and members.

    With thanks to Sydney Rotary Club Board and members

    SustainabilityGovernanceCommunity
    Evidence · 2 sources
  • Proposed, not yet implemented2026 · proposal

    Creating Lasting Impact prize

    A Rotary × MCN micro-grant paid to Rotaract Clubs, so Fellowship projects keep their governance and momentum after the Fellowship.

    My role
    My role. Drafted the proposal as Vice President and Chair of the Sustainability Action Group.
    Team outcome
    Status. Not yet implemented. MCN has expressed interest in a Rotary-aligned initiative; the next step is Board endorsement.

    With thanks to Sydney Rotary Club Board; Millennium Campus Network

    GovernanceEducationCommunity
    Evidence · 1 source

Impact

What changed, and for whom

Numbers alone don’t show impact. Choose a lens to see what each figure shows about access, voice, credibility, evidence and continuity. Open a card for what it does and doesn’t show, and its source.

Five questions about the difference the work made, each answered with evidence.

  • What changed: Students and community members could learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine through student-run events.

    Read with care: Per-event audiences, not unique beneficiaries. Do not add them together.

    CompletedUN Academic Impact feature(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Later committees launched their own peer mentoring and welcome activities.

    Read with care: Successor initiatives belong to the students who delivered them.

    CompletedProfessor Xiaoshu Zhu: peer mentoring (2025)(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Fellows’ own recordings became the graduation piece, rather than a few highlighted stories.

    Read with care: Footage volume is from the creator’s published account; it measures material, not reach.

    CompletedGrateful (Millennium Fellowship Remix)(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Students with no archery experience had formats designed for them alongside seasoned archers.

    Read with care: Participant counts are not shown here until confirmed against registration records.

    CompletedSydney University Archery Club(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Independent recognition from the university’s sport body.

    Read with care: Recognises administration; it is not a measure of participation growth.

    CompletedSydney Uni Sport Awards 2025(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Public, accountable roles in governance, recorded on the national register.

    Read with care: AICD membership is a professional development milestone, not a completed director qualification.

    OngoingACNC Charity Register(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: A method that links clinical nutrition to environmental impact, with Australian dietary and emissions data.

    Read with care: Modelled scenario estimates, not measured emissions savings.

    CompletedDietary carbon footprint research poster(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: A map of how exnovation is conceptualised and where the research comes from.

    Read with care: An academic synthesis, not evidence of institutional adoption.

    CompletedExnovation research poster(opens in a new tab)

  • What changed: Nothing yet. This is a proposal.

    Read with care: Proposed, not implemented. The next step is Board endorsement.

    Proposed, not yet implementedSydney Rotary Club executives(opens in a new tab)

Evidence in focus

Modelled daily dietary footprint (kg CO₂-e per person)

Three Australian dietary profiles, estimated with EEIO modelling. Scenario estimates, not measured savings.

  • Post-bariatric recovery diet (PBRD)1.4
  • Baseline Australian diet (ASD)1.7
  • Energy-dense Australian diet (EDAD)2.1
Dietary carbon footprint research poster(opens in a new tab)

About these figures

Each figure links to its source. Per-event audiences are not added together, modelled estimates are labelled as modelled, and proposals are marked as not yet implemented.

Life beyond the work

Moments worth celebrating

Community, leadership, cross-cultural exchange and outreach, in original photographs. Select any photo to view it full size.

  • CommunityISLA friends celebrating my graduationFriends from the City of Sydney International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA) program came to celebrate my graduation at the University of Sydney.
  • OutreachMaking waves at the Rotary International ConventionOutreach during the Rotary International Convention in Taipei with Francesco Arezzo of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Rotary International President for 2025–2026, and Anna Maria Arezzo.
  • Cross-culturalRepresenting Australia in TaiwanSpeaking on stage for Sydney Rotary at a friendship-club gathering with Taipei Rotary clubs during the Rotary International Convention in Taiwan.
  • LeadershipSydney Uni Sport AwardsRecognised for leadership in the Sydney University Archery Club at the Sydney Uni Sport Awards.
  • LeadershipReceiving the archery leadership awardAccepting the award on stage for leadership in the Sydney University Archery Club.

Original research material

Research, presented with the original posters

These are the actual research posters prepared for the University of Sydney Master of Sustainability capstone projects. Both acknowledge the academic and research collaborators who contributed to the work.

Collaborative research on three modelled Australian dietary scenarios: 1.4, 1.7 and 2.1 kg CO₂-e per day. These are scenario estimates, not measured emissions savings.

Method

  • Australian Health Survey (2011–12) dietary data: 9,341 adult 24-hour recalls.
  • Baseline (ASD), energy-dense (EDAD) and post-bariatric recovery (PBRD) profiles harmonised into AUSNUT food groups.
  • Food-group expenditures mapped to 2018 Australian EEIO results; emissions expressed as kg CO₂-e.

Findings

  • Modelled footprints: PBRD 1.4, ASD 1.7 and EDAD 2.1 kg CO₂-e per person per day.
  • Lower post-bariatric emissions were driven mainly by reduced total intake and smaller meat portions.
  • Animal-based foods made up less than a third of diet mass but around half of emissions.
  • Post-bariatric diets still rely heavily on dairy, a trade-off between protein recovery needs and emissions.
My part
Presented the research; constructed and compared the dietary profiles under supervision.
Collaborators
Supervised by Fabian Sack and Louise Hansell (Sydney Environment Institute). Special thanks to Raymond van der Zalm and Navoda Liyana Pathirana.

Limitation: Discretionary foods, tofu and seafood were excluded due to lack of FAO farm-gate data.

View original research poster (PDF) ↗

Learning and stewardship

Learning to sustain change

Academic development and governance learning support the collective work behind our community organisations. Membership is a professional development milestone, not a claim of a completed director qualification or scholarship.

Master of Sustainability graduation

Celebrating a milestone with people who supported my academic journey. Our research on healthcare-related dietary emissions and exnovation grew through collaboration with research colleagues, supervisors and mentors.

Verifiable credential

Governance and stewardship

Recognised as a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), 4 November 2026. Through Sydney Rotary and university sport, I continue learning about shared accountability, succession and organisational continuity.

View digital membership credential

Evidence

Relevant work and records

Independent and organisational sources for the work above. Search by organisation, role, project or source type.

18 sources

Health education & sport