A life shaped by creativity and social purpose

Vivian Lan’s journey began long before she became an international speaker. Her foundation was built through diverse studies and an early passion for human potential. She trained in graphic design in CDMX, pursued fine arts in New York and became a Montessori teacher, an educational approach that continues to influence her vision of conscious development. These disciplines gave her a unique lens for observing the world and recognizing that creativity, empathy and design thinking can accelerate meaningful change.

Alongside her studies, Vivian consistently gravitated toward social-impact projects. She worked directly with marginalized communities across Mexico, Israel and Kenya, gaining close insight into the challenges people face and the power of collaborative action. These experiences shaped her belief that innovation only reaches its full potential when it uplifts humanity.

Humanitarian innovation in action

One of the clearest examples of Vivian’s drive came in 2011. At a moment when drought caused severe hunger in Africa, she launched a cost-free social media campaign with a simple goal: mobilize global support fast. The results were extraordinary. Within 10 days, she raised $100,000 USD, gathered 57 volunteers from around the world and delivered 40 tons of food and medical aid to 20,000 people. This initiative demonstrated not only her leadership but her ability to turn creativity into large-scale humanitarian action.

That experience inspired Vivian to explore how emerging technologies could be used to tackle global challenges at an even larger level.

Exploring exponential technologies

In 2013, Vivian attended Singularity University at NASA, where she focused on exponential technologies and their potential for humanitarian work. The experience opened a new chapter in her career. After graduating, she became Singularity University’s ambassador in Mexico and later served as Director of the Innovation Ecosystem at the Presidency of the country, as well as Exponential Growth Director at ExO Works. In these roles, she collaborated with business leaders, government officials and entrepreneurs, helping them explore how innovation can be applied to solve complex problems and create scalable impact.

Education as the catalyst for global change

After a decade working closely with leaders across sectors, Vivian reached a clear conclusion: the most powerful way to change the world is through education. This insight led her, in 2023, to co-found Uma School, a Montessori-based institution dedicated to conscious education. Uma School represents a new paradigm where learning is a life tool rather than a rigid system. It empowers individuals to find purpose, cultivate self-realization and strengthen their inner drive, setting the foundation for happier, more capable and more connected human beings.

For Vivian, education is the ultimate exponential technology, one that shapes societies by transforming individuals from within.

A global voice on innovation, education and human potential

Today, alongside running Uma School, Vivian is a sought-after international speaker and SingularityU Mexico Director. Her keynotes blend storytelling, practical insights and forward-thinking perspectives that inspire audiences to rethink what is possible. Whether speaking to organizations, governments or global conferences, she highlights the role of creativity, collaboration and technology in building a world where human potential thrives.

Vivian’s message resonates because it comes from lived experience: from grassroots community work to executive-level innovation strategy, from humanitarian campaigns to pioneering new educational models. She brings audiences into a mindset where bold ideas, empathy and action coexist and where everyone has the capacity to contribute to a better future.