Ehon Chan

I have passion for people who are inspired to create change and catalysing the possibilities through connecting people with the right ideas with resources, experiences, wisdom & knowledge they need.

I observe the world and create new ways of doing things or new things to make a better world. I get excited by emerging technologies and new media, especially harnessing the power of technology and its impact to create meaningful values.

Check out some of the projects I am working or have worked on here and if you'd like to work together, get in touch.

You can also find me on Twitter if you're into that.

Extended Bio

 

"... the brain behind the blasphemy." -- The Age, December 2011

Having grown up in a developing country, Ehon's motivations are simple and compelling. He has seen first hand the inequalities life and society can bring. He has experienced loss and grief at a personal and community level. It is these life experiences that drive him to make the world a better place to live in.

He has passion for catalysing the possibilities through connecting people. His work has focused on harnessing the social impact of digital technologies and new media to drive innovation. He has extensive experience working with the government, corporate and social sector as a consultant, educator, and advisor on projects related to engagement, community development, digital technology, new media and campaigning.

Ehon has led numerous community development and literacy projects throughout South East Asia before the age of 18. In 2009, Ehon co-founded News Unlimited, Brisbane's leading digital entertainment magazine, and in 2010, he co-founded Youth Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation (YES) Brisbane, Brisbane's first incubator program for young entrepreneurs and changemakers. In 2011, Ehon created the award-winning suicide prevention campaign, "Soften the Fck Up" with a group of young men, and co-founded TeacherTime (formerly GetClassmate) which builds collaborative technologies for educators. He is currently the Co-Founder of Hub Sydney, a coworking community driving innovation through collaboration, which is part of the global Hub network. Ehon is an Associate for Hub global, a small team of experts who consult to other Hubs around the world and help them succeed.

Ehon has also been involved in many international projects, including but not limited to the multi award winning campaign "We Can Help Us" by Inspire USA Foundation, in collaboration with the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Ad Council (USA). The campaign focused on generating hope for millions of young teens going through difficult times in the United States. His work alongside Epic Change to launch “To Mama With Love" and "Epic Thanks” also produced international awards; in addition to raising much needed investments for impactful change-makers in some of the world's most remote areas.

In 2009, Ehon was named "one of the world’s most inspiring young achievers and innovators under 30” by the Sandbox Network. He lived up to this honour, and in 2011 received Suicide Prevention Australia's LIFE Award; was named amongst three finalists for the Queensland Mental Health Achievement Award; was labelled "Young and Influential" by Shoe String Launch Magazine; and was considered one of the "Top 100 most influential, inspirational, provocative and creative people" in Melbourne by The Age. In 2012, he was named one of the "Top 30 Digital Influencers in Australia" by the Federal Government Trade Commission's Australia Unlimited and in 2013, he was named "GOOD 100 People Moving the World Forward" by GOOD Magazine, a part of GOOD Worldwide LLC.

Ehon has served on several Advisory Boards including StartSomeGood, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s PlanBig, and Opti-MINDS Incorporated.

I've spoken at TEDx, RMIT University, University of Queensland, National Volunteering Conference, World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, forums, student leadership conferences and corporate or organisation conferences. If there's something you'd like me to talk about related to innovation, collaboration and mental health, get in touch.

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“Ehon is a remarkable social innovator – often on the cutting edge of digital projects. He is both innovative in his ideas and approach while being practical in how the innovation can happen. Ehon is passionate, articulate and engaging and a crowd favourite at any conference. More importantly Ehon can explain the digital world in a way which engages and inspires a wide variety of people, while also moving them to action.” – Mark Creyton, Director Education, Research and Policy, Volunteering Queensland

“The Office for Volunteering, Department of Communities was pleased to invite Mr Ehon Chan to speak at the International Volunteer Day Seminar 2010 as he has consistently demonstrated his enthusiasm, innovation and leadership in volunteering. Ehon gave an engaging presentation outlining how organisations can use technology to expand volunteer roles and attract new volunteers. He shared personal examples and stories on the benefits of using social media and online forums and demonstrated how using the internet to volunteer removes barriers and increases participation. Later, Ehon joined participants in a round table discussion to answer questions and discuss challenges that they experience in their own agencies. Ehon is a very inspiring and passionate presenter who had a positive impact on Seminar participants. Feedback from the Seminar reflected this.” Ann-Maree Byrne, Director Office for Seniors and Office for Volunteering, Department of Communities

"Ehon recently gave a great presentation about social networking at a professional development session coordinated by our service four weeks ago. His presentation was really well-received by the 100+ people from a range of sectors who attended, with feedback indicating that a large majority of them agreed that the session was relevant to their work environment, they would change their work practice as a result of attending his session, and found Ehon's session interesting." Sophie Morson, Psychologist, Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Health

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