Sean Yu has made it his philanthropic mission to better the life of college students.
Whether through setting up charitable endowments, donating funds for scholarships or volunteering his time for various boards and committees, Yu (’99, double major in political science, and management and human resources), puts students at the center of his giving.
While he found success as managing director and leader of The Sean Yu Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in Pasadena, he knows what it’s like to be a college student struggling financially – taking out student loans and working part time to pay for his undergraduate degree. He got involved with Cal Poly Pomona as an alumni volunteer through his relationship with CLASS Political Science Professor Emeritus David Speak, who was one of his mentors.
“He knew about my expertise in the area of finance and thought I could help with the university’s investments,” Yu said. “School investment is very important. If we can help the university have a more stable return, then we can help so many students.”
For his dedication to service and his philanthropic contributions to Cal Poly Pomona, Yu will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Commencement in May.
It’s an honor that Yu said he never imagined.
“When President Coley called me, I said, ‘Wow. Really?’ I was shocked,” Yu said. “I didn’t envision it.”
When Yu was a student at Cal Poly Pomona, he also never envisioned a career in finance that would bring him global recognition. Yu, who was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 12, found a passion for political science and international relations as an undergraduate and once considered a career in academia. After graduating, he went on to earn a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago in 2002.
He entered the finance world after earning his master’s degree, inspired by business mogul and fellow alumnus Donald Tang (’86, chemical engineering), who Yu met when they both worked on Wall Street.
Yu, who repeatedly has been named a top financial advisor by On Wall Street and Barron’s, has tapped his talents to serve the Cal Poly Pomona community.
From 2016 to 2018, he served as a member of the board of directors’ investment committee for the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation. He transitioned to a similar role on the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation board in 2018. He also has participated in Professor for a Day and served as a guest speaker on several occasions.
He has made $1 million in charitable contributions, mainly to the Department of Political Science. Yu has established endowments to benefit student travel, internships in human rights and justice organizations, creative activities in the political science department, and scholarships for underprivileged students. His gifts are designated in honor of his faculty mentors, Professors Emeriti Sid Silliman and David Speak.
Yu is particularly passionate about providing funds that enable students to participate in study abroad and travel programs – experiences that teach self-reliance and empathy, he said.
“In society today, we never focus on other people. It’s all about ‘me, me, me,’ he said. “I don’t feel like I understand people enough. Throughout the years, I have realized it is so important. The more you can travel, the more you can understand other cultures.”
Yu’s philanthropic efforts have also helped college students and communities nationwide. He co-founded the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund, personally committing $1 million and pledging to help raise more than $4 million. The organization has benefited 100 students nationwide, supporting first- or second-year undergraduate students with a Taiwanese background living in the United States.
In 2015, he earned the Asian Pacific Community Fund’s Philanthropy Leadership Award for helping the organization create a donor-advised program that has raised $10 million. He co-founded the Chinese Finance Association, which has more than 150 active members from various areas of the financial services industry.
President Coley lauded Yu for his contributions to the university.
“Sean Yu’s service as a member of the Executive Committee for Cal Poly Pomona’s Philanthropic Foundation and his dedication to students has been exemplary. The mentorship and guidance of our faculty was pivotal in his career journey, and we are proud that he generously shares his time and talents with our students,” President Coley said. “He is most deserving of this honorary doctorate.