Olivia Zhang
I am the founder and president of the Hoperation Fund, a mission-driven initiative that supports nonprofits by donating profits from its investment portfolio. The portfolio is funded through public donations, fundraising efforts, and my earnings from tutoring and part-time work. I manage it using quality investment strategies and AI-driven risk control models.
In addition to managing the portfolio, I deliver monthly finance lectures, equipping individuals with essential personal finance skills to make informed financial decisions.
I believe the world is not always fair — many hardworking individuals struggle financially, and numerous impactful organizations lack financial resources. Through the Hoperation Fund, I aim to bridge this gap, contributing to a more equitable and compassionate society.
My Story
Inspiration Behind the Hoperation Fund
In today’s world, I have observed a troubling pattern: Many individuals earn decent salaries yet struggle financially later in life due to a lack of financial knowledge. Without proper education in personal finance and investment, they make poor decisions that lead to financial instability.
Simultaneously, numerous nonprofit organizations and research institutions are tirelessly working to tackle global challenges like environmental protection, the preservation of endangered species, and the protection of children’s and women’s rights. Yet, many of these critical efforts go underfunded and overlooked, despite their importance to creating a better future.
These observations inspired me to take action. By combining my passion for finance, investing, and social impact, I founded the Hoperation Fund. At Hoperation, I lead a team that raises capital from the public, invests it strategically, and donates the profits to nonprofits and research institutions addressing global challenges, as well as to local programs dedicated to societal well-being. Additionally, I offer lectures on personal finance and investment, empowering people with the knowledge and skills to manage their financial futures.
My Journey into Finance, Investing, and Artificial Intelligence
I am currently a 7th-grade student at The Hockaday School and Davidson Young Scholar, but my journey into the world of finance and investing began much earlier. I made my first investment at the age of six, and since then, I have been deeply immersed in learning from legendary investors such as Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch, and Terry Smith. Driven by a strong passion for finance, I completed multiple college-level courses in investment and finance before even entering middle school. Along the way, I extensively read books and articles by renowned investment experts. I also gained hands-on experience during an internship at a capital management company, where I assisted in portfolio management, market analysis, and risk control.
My interest in AI began at an early age and has grown explosively over the years. I have completed many college-level courses in AI, statistics, and time series analysis, earning professional certifications from leading universities and companies, including Stanford, MIT, IBM, Microsoft, and Google. I have received multiple awards in mathematics, AI, and computer science competitions. Currently, I am conducting academic research on applying AI to financial analysis and have several papers for publication.
As my understanding of investment and AI has deepened, I've come to appreciate the immense potential of combining these fields to drive meaningful change. Specifically, integrating Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and Post-Modern Portfolio Theory (PMPT) with AI-driven risk detection presents a powerful approach to significantly enhancing portfolio performance.