Vision & Mission
Vision: To bring clean, equal light to every corner of the world—across all borders, for all living beings.
Mission: Build solar-powered, smart energy solutions for wildlife zones, Indigenous communities, and off-grid ecological frontline areas globally.
Background
“Why are there still so many places in the world without light?”
We chose not to wait for the answer—but to start lighting up those places ourselves.
Light Without Borders (LWB) was founded by three young students who are passionate about environmental and social justice. They come from UCSB, UCI, and the University of Pennsylvania, with academic background in marine biology, economics, and biotechnology. After witnessing the harsh reality of energy inequality in remote and ecological zones, they realized: technology can change lives—and light is the beginning of that change.
LWB is not a traditional institution. We are a nonprofit platform founded, managed, and led by youth—for youth and for the world. Here, every warm idea can become a real project. Every initiative has the power to reshape reality.
We Believe
Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers of today. From solar-powered watchlights in wildlife zones to clean microgrids for Indigenous lands, LWB is determined to light up a world of greater equality, dignity, and hope—one beam at a time.
Words from Founders
Team Members
Founders
Yuwei Cheng
CEO & Cofounder
Marine Biology Student, UCSB
A Marine Biology student at UCSB, Yuwei is a lifelong advocate for animals and nature. From horseback therapy programs for children with disabilities to neonatal wildlife rescue, she brings deep compassion and leadership to her role, with a vision of advancing ecological solutions through empathy and innovation.
Austin Yang
EVP & Cofounder
Biology Graduate Student, University of Pennsylvania
A graduate student in biology at the University of Pennsylvania, Austin specializes in applying green technologies to health and ecological fields. He leads the foundation’s public communications and outreach, turning science into stories and ideas that connect people and inspire action.
Haoyu Jiang
CFO & Cofounder
Economics Major, University of California, Irvine (UCI)
An economics major at UCI, Haoyu focuses on nonprofit funding models and resource strategies. With a commitment to financial transparency and collaborative development, he works to ensure the foundation’s long-term vitality through sustainable fundraising and donor engagement.
Executive & Board Team
Sophie Zeng
CMO & Board Member
Fine Arts Major, Cornell University
A Fine Arts major at Cornell University, Sophie is passionate about visual design and storytelling. She has worked on fashion show lookbooks, campus media illustrations, and theater promotions, focusing on turning complex ideas into clear visuals. At Light Without Borders, she leads the foundation’s public identity and creative outreach, using the power of design to support green technology and the mission of bringing light and hope to overlooked lives and communities.
Thomas Zeng
CTO & Board Member
Student, Westview High School
A freshman at Westview High School, Thomas specializes in digital media, offering a youth-driven perspective to media and design. He supports the foundation’s outreach and content strategy by shaping ideas into impactful visual solutions that connect with and engage diverse audiences. As CTO of LWB, Thomas leads the platform’s digital innovation efforts, including website design, app development, and integration of creative technologies to empower youth-led environmental advocacy.
Structure & Legal Framework
| Organization Name | Light Without Borders（LWB） |
| Foundation Name | Light for All Foundation |
| Registered in | California, USA |
| Legal Structure | 501(c)(3) Registered Public Benefit Nonprofit |
| info@lwbglobal.org |
Our Partners
Our Journey Timeline
LWB Timeline
✨ On Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the CACP National Builders Expo, Light Without Borders (LWB) had a truly rewarding day! 💡 As a youth-founded and youth-managed nonprofit foundation, we are deeply moved by the encouragement and support from so many caring individuals. 🙏 We sincerely thank all the donors…Read More
Light Without Borders (LWB) Signs Strategic Partnership with SPT Group Empowering Global Communities with Clean Energy and Youth-Driven Action On July 25, 2025, Light Without Borders Foundation (LWB) and California-based energy technology leader SPT Group officially signed a strategic partnership agreement in Washington, D.C. The partnership marks a new milestone…Read More
