Type Of Business:
Nonprofit organization
Marketing Area:
International
Expertise:
NGO project development and management; Conflict resolution consulting
Major Product/SVS:
Charity donation services; NGO feasibility studies; Country to country facilitator
Hobbies/Sports:
Writing; Reading; Wild pearls; Photography; Poetry; Vintage textiles; Oral histories
Education Degrees:
Undergraduate, Saint Mary's College of California; Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley; Graduate, University of La Verne; Graduate, University of California, Berkeley
Affiliations Awards:
Chairwoman of the Board, West Bay Community Center (2011-Present); Lifetime Chairman Emeritus, Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce; President, TGMC Connoisseurs of Wild Rare Wild Pearls
Industry:
Nonprofit Management
Date of Distinction:
6/9/2011
Charity:
International Committee of the Red Cross; One World Institute; Free Wheelchair Mission; TzuChi Foundation; FPACC Foundation; Mother Theresa Center; Various Other Charitable Organizations
Number Of Years In Profession:
11
Number Of Years In Current Position:
5
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her organizational, managerial and communications skills, vast knowledge and experience in business management, as well as her business and academic network.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because in the 24 years that she has been bridging global trade and commerce between the 42 chapters of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce and the globe, she discovered the cultural and humanitarian impact of business on entire regions, particularly on the lives of the very poor. She also saw the far reaching impact of health and education on the self-esteem of developing countries.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Stern has written the definitive guidebook to natural (wild) pearls to bring awareness to the fragile marine ecology and how responsible businesses can help preserve it. The Book of Pearls honors the forgotten people of a region that supplied pearls to the British Monarchy, the Chinese Emperors, and the Indian Moguls. Wild pearls are the rarest and most expensive pearls in the world. The proceeds from the book will go directly to benefit them with her Peace Projects. Her new book can be purchased directly at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/sex-and-the-wild-pearl/16212770?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1 and the pearl book is available in eBook from Amazon.
She will be best remembered for her role in championing the 2003 law that allowed for the reacquisition of citizenship for all Philippine immigrants in the USA and other countries, and the right of suffrage for all such dual citizens. She was honored for her efforts by being sworn in as the first U.S. citizen to reacquire her dual citizenship status.
Recently, Kosovo, Laos and Calcutta were added to the list of countries accepting wheelchairs from her. She is currently doing research for a book on female warriors of the Southern Philippines. In 2011, she is championing access to primary health care for the Philippines, as well as a "No Kidnap Zone" campaign. Her blog can be viewed at http://owicommunity.tumblr.com. For more about Yolanda Ortega Stern, see http://about.me/YolandaOStern. Her laureate for services and humanitarianism can be found at http://www.gusipeaceprizeinternational.org/2011-laureates.html.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Deciding which overseas programs to assist with in Cambodia and the Philippines, such as free wheelchairs and educational programs; Supervising and managing a water reservoir that delivers water to five municipalities and 200 fishermen in Jolo, Sulu; Launching and managing a 10-hectare Seaweed Farm Cooperative to help 80 seaweed farmers in the Sulu Sea; Supervising farm-to-market delivery of seaweeds and a smoked fish project; Supporting movie nights for indigent children and reading rooms in the Sulu Chain of Islands; Supervising and delivering free wheelchairs to Cambodia and the Philippines with a network of volunteers and NGOs
Education Certifications:
Lifetime Teaching Credential, University of California, Berkeley; California Education Credential K-12, Community College and Adult School; Bilingual Certificate in Spanish/English
Awards/Honors:
Laureate for Social Services and International Humanitarianism, Gusi Peace Prize International (2011)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Dr. Stern hopes to raise $10 million for her organization for water and herbal garden projects, as well as fishing boats for the fisherman in villages in Cambodia and the Philippines.