About Us
Executive Team
Charlotte Ziqing Chen
Co-Founder
Zitong Xu
President
Charlotte, a student at Emma Willard School, channels her creativity and imagination into her passion for visual arts and playing the violin. Actively engaged in various activities at school, Charlotte is a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and editor clubs, demonstrating her diverse interests and commitment to extracurricular involvement.
As the president of Emma Starpoint, Charlotte plays a pivotal role in fundraising efforts for children with autism, both locally and in her home country. Inspired by her visit to an institution for children with autism back home, Charlotte witnessed firsthand their challenges and circumstances. Motivated to make a difference, she volunteered at the institution, offering art therapy sessions to children and assisting with violin classes, igniting their interest in music during school breaks.
Charlotte's dedication to both her artistic pursuits and her philanthropic endeavors reflects her compassionate nature and drive to positively impact her community, both near and far.
Zitong Xu, a junior, is the President at Emma Starpoint. She takes on different leadership roles in her school and actively engages in volunteer services. As the treasurer of her school’s international club, she would use her experience and skills to use for Emma Starpoint. She is also part of many other clubs like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) where she was given a Color Award for the participation in the club. She is currently doing volunteer at her Chinese Community Center - Chinese school as a teacher assistant. At Emma StarPoint, Zitong has volunteered at multiple fundraising events. Always bring positive energy and making insightful decisions. She believes that helping people is a powerful way to make a positive impact on other people.
Maxine Li
Co- President
Maxine is a passionate advocate for the arts and music, showcasing her talents on piano and ukulele while also lending her voice to her school choir. Actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities, Maxine's enthusiasm extends to her role as Co-president of Emma StarPoint, where she contributes to fundraising efforts for children with autism.
Beyond her school commitments, Maxine generously volunteers with GLAD Academy English Tutoring, guiding students from China in mastering the English language. She also dedicates her time to CCC-CAPE, a local organization focused on mental health education within the community.
In addition to her academic and volunteer pursuits, Maxine excels in athletics, achieving 1st place in the Junior PGA team tournaments and participating in varsity golf and track and field. Notably, she has served as a representative at her school district’s board meetings for three years, showcasing her leadership and commitment to civic engagement.
Vice President for Publicity
Audrey Qi
Audrey is a high school freshman. She is involved in many clubs including newspaper, theater, HOSA, orchestra, and choir. Her passions include music, art, and coding.
On weekends, she is a teacher assistant for a third grade weekend class. Audrey works well with other. She is incredibly compassionate with children and people on the spectrum. At Emma StarPoint, she has largely contributed to our cause. She manages the social media accounts, updates and maintains this website, takes note during meetings, creates flyers for events, and volunteers at fundraisers. At fundraisers, she sometimes sells she handmade crafts like crochet plushies and clay sculptures. She also does face painting and takes photos to put on social media.
Audrey shows exceptional leadership skills during meetings and gives insightful feedback and ideas. Her commitment to this organization is outstanding.
IT Director
Patrick Mao
Patrick Mao is a Computer Science major at SUNY with a passion for technology, logic, and problem-solving.As an autistic student. Patrick uses his unique strengths- such as attention to detail, creativity, and logical thinking-- to excel in his studies and contribute to meaningful tech projects. In addition to his academic pursuits. Patrick is passionate about giving back to the autism community. He joined Emma Starpoint a year ago where he collaborates with peers, volunteering their time in supporting autistic people. Patrick is driven by the belief that technology can empower the people with of all abilities.
Qian Hui Xu
Vice President for Events
Qianhui Xu, a junior at Shenendehowa High School, is the Vice President for Events at Emma StarPoint and a dedicated volunteer passionate about helping others. Beyond autism advocacy, she takes on leadership roles and actively engages in community service.
As the secretary of her school’s international club, Qianhui fosters cultural awareness and inclusivity. She is also a member of the business, science, and math honor societies and has been recognized for her academic excellence, including an FBLA business award. Her past role as a netball manager highlights her leadership and teamwork skills.
She volunteers at local food banks, helps organize events, and serves as a teacher assistant at the Chinese Community Center-Chinese school. Inspired by childhood friends with autism, she became committed to advocacy and meaningful service. Now, as a member of Emma StarPoint, she hopes to continue making a difference by ensuring every child receives the support and opportunities they deserve.