2025 Dan L. Heinlen Award
Daniel Hi-Chang Leung ’98, ’04 MBA
This entrepreneur hosts game watches in the middle of the night and has raises funds for sick children — all while building Ohio State's presence across Asia.
On Thanksgiving weekend in Hong Kong, you’ll find Daniel Chi-Hang Leung ’98, ’04 MBA embarking on a festive event that brings Buckeyes together for a turkey dinner, Ohio State pep rally and game watch.
Leung and his fellow alumni in Hong Kong welcome anyone who wants to cheer on the football team despite the 13-hour time difference with Columbus. Crowds pour in for turkey, yams, pecan pie and the ever-favorite peanut butter-chocolate Buckeye pie.
“It’s exciting to see traveling alumni, businesspeople, college football fans, pilots and tourists show up in the middle of the night to join us at our game watch,” says Leung, president of the Ohio State Alumni Club of Hong Kong, which hosts the annual 10-hour event.
The Thanksgiving party is just one of the ways Leung works to boost Ohio State’s presence in Hong Kong and to connect alumni. He hosts university delegations in China, recruits international students to study at Ohio State, organizes networking events and supports the university’s alumni clubs in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.
“For nearly a decade, Daniel Leung has dedicated himself to advancing Ohio State’s interests in Hong Kong and beyond. His collaborative efforts have strengthened Ohio State’s presence in Asia and fostered a global network.”
A project manager by trade, Leung is head of operations for a start-up company that developed the first wearable ring for sleep apnea diagnosis and sleep stage monitoring. In his free time, he deploys his leadership skills to benefit Ohio State, joined in his efforts by his wife, Elaine Shee Ya Chan ’98. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they worked around tight travel restrictions to contact high schools and recruit students to Ohio State, an initiative they continue today.
The couple also helps run the alumni club’s fundraiser for children with cancer and other diseases. Leung was inspired to start the fundraiser after he and his family faced serious illnesses. Fourteen years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and his three-year-old daughter, Madelaine, has Type 1 diabetes.
“Elaine and I know firsthand how tough it is to care for a sick child in your family,” Leung says. “Helping sick children and their families is something I wanted to do for a long time, but going through cancer treatment myself was a catalyst for founding the fundraising activity.”
One such activity is the group’s “Shave the Love” fundraiser, where Leung and other volunteers shave their heads to raise money for charities assisting children battling terminal illnesses. The blockbuster event has brought in $30,000 in donations over the last four years. Leung says he’s grateful that he and his daughter now enjoy good health and can help others.
Presented to alumni who have realized outstanding achievements in advancing the university by advocating for its interests with one or more of its important audiences.