Meet Cifei He

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cifei He. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cifei below.

Cifei, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

In the early stages of forming my team, I launched PinkGap’s first in-person program — with no external funding and just two weeks to prepare. At first, I wanted to say no. The risks felt too great. If the event failed, we risked losing the trust of our partners, and I worried it might hurt my credibility as a young founder. But I also knew that if it succeeded, it could bring our mission to a much larger audience.

After all the planning, I took on the challenge and was responsible for cold-emailing churches to secure event space, writing letters to families, and promoting the program across every platform I could. In the end, we recruited over 350 students — a result that exceeded our expectations and helped elevate PinkGap’s presence in the community.

Looking back, I wish I had asked for more feedback early on to help the program succeed in every possible way. While the risk was real, the experience taught me to trust my instincts while also seeking diverse perspectives. I’ve learned that strong leadership means balancing confidence with curiosity — and making thoughtful decisions even when there’s no clear roadmap.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a rising senior at Tallwood High School in Virginia and the founder of PinkGap, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to achieving gender equality and educational access. As a FGLI student, I know how hard it can be to find mentorship and academic support, and that’s why I founded PinkGap. Our goal is clear: to bridge a global gap in access to education and empowerment. What began as a small project quickly grew into an international nonprofit with thousands of volunteers and students. We’ve hosted student-led conferences, global webinars, and free tutoring programs that now support youth in over 50 countries.

What excites me most is witnessing the transformation that happens when students who once doubted their abilities begin to thrive. Watching them gain the confidence to lead, find their voice in conversations that matter, and support one another with purpose is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about academic success — it’s about building a community where young people feel seen, valued, and empowered to create real change. Seeing them take ownership of their growth and inspire others along the way is what continues to drive my passion for this work.

Right now, we’re focused on expanding our team, launching new chapters across different states, and developing multilingual resources to reach and support even more students from diverse backgrounds. We’re building partnerships with schools and community organizations, training new leaders, and working hard to create inclusive learning spaces where everyone feels empowered to grow. My goal is to continue scaling PinkGap into a global platform where youth voices not only matter but also actively drive meaningful change. I believe that every student deserves access to quality education and mentorship, and I’m committed to helping make that a reality.

Outside of PinkGap, I’ve taken on leadership roles that allow me to create and drive change. As the Virginia Beach Chapter President of Cougar House, I helped connect students in my community to over 1,200 volunteer hours. I also interned with GirlSpring, where I collaborated with senior team members to launch initiatives that empower young women. Those experiences deeply shaped my growth as a leader and reinforced my passion for youth advocacy.

This summer, I was honored to be selected as a 2025 Bank of America Student Leader — one of only 300 students chosen nationwide for an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit and a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. I interned at Horizons Hampton Roads, where I gained firsthand experience supporting students and working alongside nonprofit leaders committed to educational equity.

In my free time, I enjoy baking new recipes, exploring creative storytelling through filmmaking, and staying active with running.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been initiative, empathy and resourcefulness.

– Initiative
As the founder of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, initiative was crucial – I had to be the one to take the first step, whether it was reaching out to potential sponsors, recruiting members, organizing events from scratch, or simply believing in an idea before anyone else did.

– Empathy
Empathy has shaped the heart of everything I do. Understanding the needs of others, especially students who may lack access or support has helped me build more inclusive programs and strengthened my commitment to creating a community where everyone genuinely feels seen.

– Resourcefulness
As a student with limited resources, I had to get creative – whether it was finding free platforms online, building a team from scratch, or learning new tools on my own. Being resourceful helped me turn small ideas into the impact I’m making today.

From my experience, I’d say my best advice is surround yourself with people who are as passionate as you are. Collaborating with others teaches you empathy, leadership, and how to balance different perspectives because leadership doesn’t mean doing it alone – it means knowing how to bring people together.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been learning how to adapt with purpose — not just reacting to change, but adjusting in ways that stay true to who I am and what I value.

I like to describe it as becoming a bit of a paperclip: small, often overlooked, but surprisingly good at holding things together when things get messy. As the founder of a nonprofit, I’ve had to juggle a lot — tight deadlines, last-minute event challenges, and schoolwork as a full-time student. There were moments where I had to make quick decisions and remain fully present, even when things didn’t go as planned.

Before this year, I believed leadership meant always being prepared. Now I understand it’s more about staying grounded when you’re not. It’s about being flexible and moving forward with intention.

Whether it’s navigating team decisions or adjusting in real time while speaking, I’ve come to see that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about being able to adjust the blueprint without losing sight of the foundation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pinkgap.org/
• Instagram: @pinkgapoffical and @cifeihee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cifeihe
• Youtube: @pinkgapoffical