Profile: Hongru (Michelle) Liu |
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This is the public profile of Hongru (Michelle) Liu, Additional information and high-resolution images are available for accredited press members, to access additional information about Hongru (Michelle) Liu please login as a press member.About Hongru (Michelle) Liu : Hongru (Michelle) Liu is a multifaceted professional renowned for her expertise in both the arts and business sectors. Currently pursuing her MBA at the Schulich School of Business, York University, Michelle is a visionary leader with a robust track record of founding and scaling successful ventures. Her academic credentials are further complemented by various prestigious certifications, including the York University Yspace Ella Express Accelerator Program, Reuters Digital Journalism sponsored by Meta Journalism Project, and multiple courses from renowned institutions like Yale School of Management and The Wharton School.
Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Portfolio Education Group, the largest for-profit arts education consultancy in Toronto. Under her leadership, the company has grown from a modest initial investment of $2,000 to a $5 million revenue enterprise within 18 months. Portfolio Education Group specializes in preparing high school and undergraduate students for admission into the top 10 art degree programs globally. Michelle has successfully led a team of 30 professionals, managed end-to-end application services for over 1,500 students and their parents, and achieved a remarkable 99% acceptance rate into prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Art, University of the Arts London, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
In addition to her entrepreneurial accomplishments, Michelle has garnered significant recognition in the design field. She was a finalist for the Red Dot Design Award and the Applied Arts Magazine competition and received the Silver Award at the Muse Creative Awards. Her professional experience extends to leading roles such as Lead UX Designer at She App, where she was responsible for developing and optimizing user interfaces and experiences for digital products. Her role at She App involved translating complex concepts into user-friendly wireframes, user journeys, and mockups, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience across various platforms.
As the Art Director for Project Vensity Apocalypse at Fintelics Technology Inc., Michelle collaborated with the creative director and core team to define the artistic vision of the game. She developed visual style guides, set the ambiance, and provided leadership to a team of photographers, illustrators, designers, and production staff. Her ability to balance artistic vision with technical constraints has been instrumental in achieving high-quality production standards.
Michelle is also deeply committed to community involvement and social impact. She organized the Canada-China Education Forum, aimed at enhancing the bilateral relationship between Canada and China in the education sector. She has led fundraising efforts for various charitable causes, raising over $50,000 for children, the elderly, and cancer patients in collaboration with local hospitals. Her commitment to social causes is further demonstrated by her participation in the SickKids Hospital Charity Gala and hosting virtual donation events for COVID-19 frontline workers.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Media from OCAD University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, Michelle combines creative prowess with strategic business acumen. Her personal interests include modeling, public speaking, archery, Taekwondo (Black Belt Level 2), and mountain and rock climbing. Fluent in both Mandarin and English, Michelle is currently working on her autobiography, which is set to be published soon.
Michelle’s diverse skill set, extensive experience, and commitment to excellence make her a dynamic leader and innovator in the fields of education, design, and business. Her work continues to inspire and drive positive change in the communities she serves.
STATEMENT OF ART:Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Portfolio Education Group, the largest for-profit arts education consultancy in Toronto. Under her leadership, the company has grown from a modest initial investment of $2,000 to a $5 million revenue enterprise within 18 months. Portfolio Education Group specializes in preparing high school and undergraduate students for admission into the top 10 art degree programs globally. Michelle has successfully led a team of 30 professionals, managed end-to-end application services for over 1,500 students and their parents, and achieved a remarkable 99% acceptance rate into prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Art, University of the Arts London, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
In addition to her entrepreneurial accomplishments, Michelle has garnered significant recognition in the design field. She was a finalist for the Red Dot Design Award and the Applied Arts Magazine competition and received the Silver Award at the Muse Creative Awards. Her professional experience extends to leading roles such as Lead UX Designer at She App, where she was responsible for developing and optimizing user interfaces and experiences for digital products. Her role at She App involved translating complex concepts into user-friendly wireframes, user journeys, and mockups, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience across various platforms.
As the Art Director for Project Vensity Apocalypse at Fintelics Technology Inc., Michelle collaborated with the creative director and core team to define the artistic vision of the game. She developed visual style guides, set the ambiance, and provided leadership to a team of photographers, illustrators, designers, and production staff. Her ability to balance artistic vision with technical constraints has been instrumental in achieving high-quality production standards.
Michelle is also deeply committed to community involvement and social impact. She organized the Canada-China Education Forum, aimed at enhancing the bilateral relationship between Canada and China in the education sector. She has led fundraising efforts for various charitable causes, raising over $50,000 for children, the elderly, and cancer patients in collaboration with local hospitals. Her commitment to social causes is further demonstrated by her participation in the SickKids Hospital Charity Gala and hosting virtual donation events for COVID-19 frontline workers.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Media from OCAD University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, Michelle combines creative prowess with strategic business acumen. Her personal interests include modeling, public speaking, archery, Taekwondo (Black Belt Level 2), and mountain and rock climbing. Fluent in both Mandarin and English, Michelle is currently working on her autobiography, which is set to be published soon.
Michelle’s diverse skill set, extensive experience, and commitment to excellence make her a dynamic leader and innovator in the fields of education, design, and business. Her work continues to inspire and drive positive change in the communities she serves.
As a designer, my philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that design should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also purposeful and transformative. My journey in design began with a passion for the arts, which I honed through academic and professional experiences. I have had the privilege of founding and leading Portfolio Education Group, the largest for-profit arts education consultancy in Toronto, which has prepared over 3,000 students for admissions into top global art degree programs. This journey has significantly shaped my understanding of design's impact on education and personal development.
At Portfolio Education Group, I single-handedly founded the company with an initial capital of $2,000, growing it to a $5 million revenue enterprise in just 18 months. This rapid growth was driven by a commitment to delivering high-quality, personalized education services. Leading a diverse team of 30 professionals, I managed end-to-end application services for students, collaborated with over 25 mentors, and developed a comprehensive course portfolio offered in seven countries. This experience taught me the importance of strategic planning, market analysis, and the ability to create scalable solutions that meet diverse needs.
My role as the Lead UX Designer at She App further refined my design skills. I facilitated clients' product visions by researching, sketching, and testing high-quality user experiences for digital products. This involved translating complex concepts into intuitive wireframes, user stories, and mockups optimized for various devices and interfaces. My approach to UX design is grounded in balancing business objectives with optimal user experiences, ensuring that every design decision enhances user engagement and satisfaction.
In my capacity as Art Director for Project Vensity Apocalypse at Fintelics Technology Inc., I worked closely with the creative director and core team to define the artistic vision of a game. This role required developing the visual style guide, setting the ambiance, and creating mood boards that captured the game's essence. I led a team of photographers, illustrators, designers, and production staff, providing constructive feedback and ensuring the production quality met the envisioned standards. This role highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration, and the ability to balance artistic vision with technical constraints.
Community involvement is also a significant aspect of my career. I organized the Canada-China Education Forum, focusing on the bilateral relationship between Canada and China in education. I spearheaded fundraising efforts for various charitable causes, including children, the elderly, and cancer patients, raising over $50,000 in collaboration with local hospitals. These experiences underscore my belief in design's power to drive social change and improve lives.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Media from OCAD University and an MBA from Schulich School of Business. This combination of arts and business education has equipped me with a unique perspective on design, allowing me to integrate creative thinking with strategic planning.
In summary, my design philosophy is centered on creating meaningful, user-centric solutions that drive transformation and add value. Whether through educational platforms, digital products, or community initiatives, I strive to leverage design as a tool for innovation, empowerment, and positive change. As I continue my journey, I remain committed to exploring new horizons in design, always with the goal of making a lasting impact on individuals and communities.
ORGANIZATION:
Portfolio Education Group Corp.
EDUCATION:
BA graduated from OCAD University in 2017, MBA graduate from York University Schulich Program in 2025.
EXPERIENCE:
Founder of Portfolio Education Group Corp.
Founder of Conneco Educational Platform.
AWARDS:
Red dot award 2021
Muse Award 2021
London design Award 2024
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
English, Japanese, Chinese
WEB SITE:
pegedu.ca
REGISTRATION DATE:
2021-03-10 16:23:43
COUNTRY/REGION:
Canada
ACCOUNT TYPE:
Young
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