Stepping Stones
Year
2014 – 2016
My Role
- Board Director
- Strategic Input
- Branding & Outreach
- Project Management
- Volunteer Engagement
Helping a small non-profit do big things—with strategy, creativity and heart.
In China, millions of children do not have access to quality education. Stepping Stones is a non-profit that works to improve the education and welfare of these children. As a Board Director, I contributed to strategic planning, resource allocation, and fundraising efforts, always keeping the mission front and centre. I brought a mix of structure, creative problem-solving, and network support to our board meetings.
Outside the boardroom, I joined rural trips, healthcare checks, taught English in migrant schools, and supported on-the-ground initiatives. I also led a full rebrand for the organisation through Paper Stone Scissors—shaping the identity, collateral, and tone of voice to better reflect its mission. The work gave Stepping Stones a more confident presence: professional yet still playful, and better equipped to connect with funders, partners, and volunteers.
It was a role where I applied my skills in brand, leadership, and strategy to something that truly mattered. A reminder that impact doesn’t have to be loud or come with a big budget, but it should always be clear, thoughtful, and well-executed.
Corinne Hua—Founder & Executive Director
“We invited Shermaine to join our Board of Directors, and she played a very positive role on the Board until she left Shanghai at the end of 2016, regularly asking good questions and coming up with innovative solutions to problems raised, frequently drawing on her own social networks to help. Shermaine also led a much-needed rebranding for Stepping Stones and showed patience and professionalism in taking us through all the necessary stages of the rebranding process, resulting in a great new image for Stepping Stones. Shermaine consistently shows drive and passion, and a strong commitment to making the world a better place. She would be an asset to any organisation—whether for-profit, non-profit, or somewhere in between.”