Fiona Teng 鄧穎恆 (she / her) is a Hong Kong-born, SF Bay Area-made, and NYC-based equity-informed communications strategist, writer, and storyteller. She has over 12 years of experience working cross-departmentally to strategize, manage, and develop stories and content for print and digital media.
Her approach to poignant, succinct, and engaging storytelling is motivated by both her knack for spotting unique perspectives and connecting with the reader. Whether she’s creating content from her perspective or someone else’s, Fiona’s ability to engage with her audience personally creates an emotionally and intellectually compelling experience.
Some professional highlights include:
- Conducting a communications audit of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund external communications, culminating to a full report;
- Directing the visual identity and digital promotions for The Light Ahead podcast;
- Supporting research, editing, and promotions for the book Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work;
- Leading the writing for Building Movement Project’s race equity assessment, report, and website;
- Assessing the communications landscape at the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, and creating a comprehensive communications report with observations and recommendations (see report below);
- Leading the NYU Entrepreneur Institute‘s website accessibility retrofit, while helping them articulate their user journey; and
- Creating a Zipcar campaign video with over 280,000 views.
As a nonfiction writer, some of her favorite pieces include a reflection on decolonizing her name and a call for Afro-Asian solidarity. She’s very proud to have been a strong advocate for student loan reform, sharing her experience at a U.S. Senate press conference and on Al Jazeera America.
Fiona serves as a founding member of the Alumni of Color Association at her alma mater, UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, to drive institutional and programmatic refocus with equity at the center. She loves creating content for her project The Way Out, reading Buddhist texts, playing percussion at protests, honing her plant parenthood, and dreaming up how to live a location independent life. As a part of her own healing process, she is working on an autobiographical novel telling the story of her immigrant family’s struggles and triumphs.
Portrait illustration above by Anna Gagliuff
What People Say
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Samples of Work
Communications Report
Video
Editorial and Program Development
Nonfiction Writing
Speaking and Interview Engagements
Communications Report
Video
- Civic Hall’s Member Testimonial Video
Since 2015, Civic Hall created the space and community for civic-minded members to connect and collaborate with one another. On our 5th birthday, we asked new and seasoned members to share more about their time with us. - NYU Entrepreneurial Institute’s Crowdfunding Video
As a part of the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute’s first crowdfunding campaign, graduates of our programs tell us how the Institute has impacted their professional development, networking, and entrepreneurial ventures. - Zipcar’s DitchYourKeys Campaign Video
In partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Uber, and Capital Bikeshare, this dynamic campaign captures Zipcar members’ stories on living a car-free, alternative transit lifestyle. - DIY Indoor Composting Videos: Part 1 and Part 2
When my local community garden where I typically take my compost to closed due to the pandemic, I decided to explore creating my own apartment-friendly indoor compost and share my findings.
Editorial and Program Development
- Beloved Economies’ The Light Ahead podcast
Working across 4-6 different stakeholders, I led the creative design process for the podcast’s visual elements, and both strategized and managed its digital promotions in Fall 2021. - Columbia University’s Center for Justice Website
I spent one year working with the Center for Justice team, supporting the design of their new website, and edited or created new copy to more accurately match and organize the many programs at the Center. - Scholastic and Feeding America’s Hungry To Help Empathy Program
I created lesson and engagement instructions for teachers and parents of students in grades 1–3 on the topics of access to healthy foods, emotional impacts of hunger, and what families can do to support. - Scholastic and HBO’s Moments in Focus Program
Inspired by HBO’s groundbreaking documentaries and films, the Moments in Focus program offers free, dynamic, and current video content and lessons to grades 4–12 to build critical thinking and inspire discourse. - Zipcar’s DitchYourKeys Campaign Video
In partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Uber, and Capital Bikeshare, this dynamic campaign captures Zipcar members’ stories on living a car-free, alternative transit lifestyle.
Nonfiction Writing
- Call Me By My Names: A Story of Shame, Trauma, and Liberation in a Chinese Name, in Philadelphia Printworks Zine
“The stillness in the gym contradicted my pounding heart. My breath quickened and my folded hands tightened as I admitted to the group, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever introduced myself with both of my names.’ The gym erupted into applause and cheers, tangling in my throat a knot of emotions that rendered me speechless.” - Our Time is Now: The Case for and Imperative of Afro-Asian Solidarity, in Huffington Post
“There is an important call to action for Asian Americans—that is to critically and emphatically challenge the history of anti-black ideas we have come to believe in, and then shed them. Once we recognize that the model minority myth has intentionally and thoughtfully bamboozled us, the renewed power of choice instantly awaits, and we are empowered to arch our misguidance against each other toward a solidarity in our fight against the true common threat: white supremacy.” - Fatherlessness: The Presence of Dad’s Absence, in Huffington Post
“Underneath petty fights, these insecurities were derived from a common place — a belief that my romantic partner would abandon me because I am not worthy of his love. Underneath what felt like absolute, visceral truths, the emphatic side of me intuited a profound need for exploration and introspection.”
Speaking and Interview Engagements
- An interview with Tysha Vulcain-Murrell and Asher Novek on the BLM Movement
I interviewed two Civic Hall members, Tysha Vulcain-Murrell (she/her) and Asher Novek (he/him), about the Movement for Black Lives, what accountability looks like, and who’s inspiring them. Tysha Vulcain-Murrell is a former education administrator at NYU. Asher Novek is a civic tech community organizer, storyteller, and producer. - An Interview With Ryan Letada, CEO and Co-Founder of Nextdaybetter, on Battling Covid-19, Rising Anti-Asian Sentiments, and Practicing Humility
I spoke with Ryan Letada, CEO and Co-founder of NextDayBetter, to share more about his experience fighting Covid-19, what he’s learned about humility, and how NextDayBetter is responding to the pandemic. - Speaking at a Senate press conference on student loan reform with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer
In 2014, I joined Senator Warren, Senator Franken, Senator Schumer, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Reed to discuss the impacts of their new proposed legislation. The Senate-proposed legislation will allow students to refinance their student loans. - Speaking on Al Jazeera America on the student debt crisis
In 2013, I was interviewed on Al Jazeera America to share my personal story and experience with student debt. My story was a part of a larger segment on the student debt crisis in the U.S. - An interview with Matthew Davis on antiracism in financial investments
I interviewed Civic Hall member Matt Davis on measuring racism in the financial system, how investment apps can do better, and on backing our words with our actions. Matt (he/him) is a strategic communications consultant focused on antiracist organizing.
Clients
