TAIPEI, Taiwan — What can weightlifting, dance and yoga teach employees at a major financial group?
For Taiwan’s China Development Foundation, the answer is far more than physical fitness.
Through its “Meet the Talent” program, young athletes and artists who received foundation support are now stepping beyond classrooms and training venues to lead interactive sessions for employees at KGI Financial Holding Co — turning talent development into a two-way exchange between the next generation and the corporate world.
Nearly 1,000 Young Talents Supported
For more than a decade, the China Development Foundation has supported nearly 1,000 young people pursuing music, dance, sports and vocational arts.
The foundation launched its “Meet the Talent” initiative in 2022 to give scholarship recipients opportunities to apply their skills, build confidence and engage with wider communities.
Since its launch, the program has held 27 experiential events, bringing emerging athletes and performers into new environments beyond their traditional fields of training.
The initiative reflects a broader approach to talent development — one that focuses not only on helping young people succeed, but also on giving them opportunities to share what they have learned.
Young Weightlifters Bring Strength Training to the Office
One of this year’s featured programs was led by national weightlifting athlete Liao Yi-Tzu, alongside members and alumni of Wanfang High School’s weightlifting team.
The athletes introduced KGI employees to resistance-band exercises and practical techniques designed to improve strength, mobility and everyday movement.
But this was not about turning office workers into competitive weightlifters.
Participants learned how posture and core strength could help them handle common daily activities, including lifting heavy objects, carrying items and caring for children while reducing the risk of injury.
The result was a simple but powerful message:
Elite sports knowledge can have a place far beyond the competition arena.
Dance Helps Employees Move — and De-Stress
The program also brought artistic expression into the workplace.
Yeh Yu-Hsuan and Yang Feng-Di, graduates of one of Taiwan’s leading arts universities, designed a dance workshop aimed at helping employees reconnect with their bodies and relieve stress through movement.
What reportedly began with hesitation gradually turned into a more relaxed and energetic experience.
The workshop gave employees an opportunity to step outside the routines of office life and experience dance in a supportive environment — without the pressure of performance or competition.
Yoga Extends the Program Beyond One-Day Events
The foundation has also worked to make the benefits of the program more lasting.
A yoga club was established with the involvement of dance scholars who had previously received foundation support.
Employees who participated said activities such as strength training, dance and yoga helped promote physical and mental well-being while offering a way to relax and recharge after work.
The initiative reflects growing recognition that workplace wellness can involve more than traditional corporate programs.
Sometimes, the expertise of a young athlete or artist can offer employees a completely different perspective.
Building Confidence Beyond the Classroom
China Development Foundation chairman Angelo J.Y. Koo said the program is designed to support the growth journey of young people, not simply celebrate their achievements.
The foundation sees investment in education and talent as a way to help young people develop their strengths, share their abilities and create a positive impact on society.
That philosophy is now being extended through programs including the Little Flying Elephant Program and the Vocational Skills Scholarship Program, which aim to help more children and young people pursue their ambitions and develop their potential.
The Bigger Picture
The “Meet the Talent” initiative is challenging the traditional idea that scholarships and talent programs should end once financial support has been provided.
Instead, the China Development Foundation is creating opportunities for young athletes and artists to demonstrate their abilities in real-world settings while helping employees gain new experiences.
For the young participants, it provides exposure, confidence and practical experience.
For employees, it offers lessons in movement, creativity and well-being.
And for the workplace, it raises an interesting question:
Could the next big lesson in corporate wellness come not from a boardroom — but from a weightlifting platform, a dance studio or a yoga mat?
The answer may already be taking shape in Taiwan.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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