Volunteer Spotlight: Henry Zhang

Storytelling with Curiosity, Humility, and Purpose

By Ginka Poole

Author’s note: I wanted to write this feature on Henry for somewhat selfish reasons. I wanted to understand more about a man who sits in the same world as I do, sees and understands it, but is not weighed down by it.  The best way I can describe Henry is this: he is the rising tide that lifts all boats. Almost without noticing, you find yourself no longer stuck on the ocean floor, but afloat again—clear-headed, steadied, and ready to navigate treacherous waters once more. I strive to carry that same generosity of spirit into my own work, and I am grateful for what Henry brings to Sambhali U.S. and to everyone who reads his work.  

For Henry Zhang, volunteering is grounded in curiosity, humility, and a belief that empowerment is built step by step—through education, opportunity, and respect.

Originally from China, Henry is an international student who earned an M.S. in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University in August 2025. He previously completed both his undergraduate degree and MBA at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. With a strong interest in academic research, Henry is currently applying to Marketing Ph.D. programs, motivated by a desire to better understand how ideas and stories create meaningful change.

Henry’s perspective has been shaped by studying in richly international environments. While at St. Cloud State, he formed close friendships with students from across Asia and Africa and regularly attended cultural events hosted by Indian and Pakistani student unions. Through these experiences, and the encouragement of friends from Pakistan, Henry became an International Peer Advisor, supporting newly arrived international students as they navigated culture shock and adjusted to life in the U.S.

“That experience shaped how I think about giving back,” Henry shares. “Sometimes the most important support is simply helping someone feel less alone during a difficult transition.”

Henry first discovered Sambhali U.S. through an opportunity posted on Idealist. What immediately resonated with him was the clarity of Sambhali’s mission: supporting women and girls in Rajasthan so they can build confidence, pursue economic independence, and shape their own futures with dignity.

“To me, empowerment isn’t an abstract idea,” Henry explains. “It’s built through education, skills, and real opportunities.” Through academic reading, media, and conversations with friends and classmates from India and Pakistan, he had already begun learning about the challenges many women face. Sambhali’s mission brought those ideas into sharp, human focus.

Rather than one specific story, it was Sambhali’s mission statement itself that inspired Henry to get involved. He was drawn to its emphasis on dignity and agency, as well as its parallels to conversations around women’s independence in China. “When women have opportunities to develop skills and earn income, it changes their confidence, stability, and choices,” he reflects.

 As a Content Creator with Sambhali U.S., Henry writes stories and short features based on interviews and experiences shared by women learning at Sambhali Trust centers. His goal is to present their stories accurately and responsibly, highlighting both the challenges they have faced and the progress they have made.

“The storytelling work is the most meaningful part for me,” Henry says. “I’m always struck by the patience, resilience, and courage of the women and girls in Sambhali’s programs. They are not defined by hardship, but by determination and hope.”

Henry brings a research-oriented, detail-focused approach to his volunteer work. With a background in marketing and business writing, he prioritizes clarity, accuracy, and context in every piece he contributes. “I may not be the most creative writer,” he notes, “but I care deeply about telling stories responsibly.”

What inspires Henry most about volunteering with Sambhali U.S. is seeing how much impact can be achieved with limited resources when the mission is clear and the work is consistent. Since joining, his understanding of women’s empowerment and global nonprofit work has evolved. He has learned that empowerment is built gradually—through trust, training, community support, and opportunity—and that a volunteer’s role is to listen, learn, and support, not to “save.”

 One moment that makes Henry especially proud is when his writing is reviewed and approved by the Sambhali U.S. team. “I often doubt whether my work creates real value,” he shares. “The feedback and trust I’ve received have helped me feel more confident that my skills can contribute to something meaningful.”

Henry’s advice to those considering volunteering is simple and thoughtful: “Come in with curiosity and humility. Avoid assumptions or a savior mindset. Do your best, stay open to feedback, and don’t let perfection stop you from getting involved.”