YES 2025 February Meeting

By Chris Pan

On February 23, 2025, YES hosted its monthly meeting at the Haggard Library, bringing together members for an afternoon of networking, learning, and collaborative engagement. The event began with a networking session, allowing members and officers to connect and exchange ideas in a supportive environment.

Following the networking session, YES President Sally Wang gave her opening remarks and outlined the meeting agenda before passing the floor to Ella, who introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. Bo Gu.

Mr. Gu is the Chief Executive Officer and President of HF Sinclair, a Fortune 125 company specializing in producing and marketing traditional and renewable fuels and lubricants. His extensive career includes leadership positions at Calumet Specialty Products and Koch Industries, with early experience at ExxonMobil. Mr. Gu’s impressive background, combined with his service on various advisory boards, reflects his expertise in both the petroleum industry and corporate governance.

In his presentation, Mr. Gu highlighted the evolution of technology, tracing advancements from steam power and electricity to binary computing and today’s highly sophisticated AI models. He provided an overview of generative AI, explaining its rapid adoption across industries and its potential applications in knowledge-based jobs. Mr. Gu discussed his own experience participating in three generative AI hackathons with colleagues over the past year, earning recognition for innovative solutions and best architecture. He went on to explore the benefits of AI and generative AI in the corporate world, emphasizing cost savings, improved collaboration, and enhanced customer support. He also identified key areas where AI integration can optimize business processes. Looking ahead, Mr. Gu predicted that generative AI will make a significant impact in 2025 across industries such as healthcare, finance, education, legal services, marketing, and environmental monitoring.

After Mr. Gu’s informative presentation, members took a short break before transitioning to the YES Launch activity. Members formed groups to brainstorm and present innovative business proposals, receiving valuable feedback and critiques from officers to refine their ideas.

The meeting concluded with the exciting announcement of the upcoming YES yearbook, giving members the opportunity to reflect on their journey and achievements throughout the year. Overall, the February meeting was a successful combination of insightful learning and collaborative engagement, reinforcing YES’s mission to foster leadership and entrepreneurial growth among its members.