DHSZ Alumni Talk｜Yiliu Pu

The DHSZ Alumni Talk Series captures the real journeys of our graduates as they move from campus into the wider world, showcasing their exploration and growth across diverse fields. Whether in academia, career pathways, or personal milestones, each story reflects the enduring spirit of a Dulwich education.

More than a decade after graduating from Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, Yiliu Pu's path has not followed a single trajectory. Instead, it has unfolded across multiple fields, shaped by a series of explorations and transitions. 

• Admitted to Babson College with a scholarship. She later served as a China Council member
• Took a gap year during university and founded an organic lifestyle concept store in Suzhou
• Entered the healthcare industry after graduation, progressing from assistant to partner at a medical group
• Founded the lifestyle brand ANOTA, with a long-term vision of building a globally recognised Chinese brand
• Recently transitioned into the film and television industry as an actress

While these experiences span different industries, their starting point can be traced back to her time at Dulwich. As she described: “Dulwich felt like a fertile ground where I was able to explore and grow.”

An Early Start: First Venture on Campus

Yiliu's first entrepreneurial experience began during her time at school. She founded a student-led charity initiative, Wings Plan, one of the earliest student non-profit projects on campus.

To sustain the project, she explored ways to generate funding independently, including running a small on-campus business.

She reflected: “I started my first venture at Dulwich and received my first investment there. The project itself was small, but for me at 14, it gave me a real sense of how things work in the world, and it laid a foundation for everything that followed.”

The process was not without challenges. In one early attempt to secure support, her proposal was declined. Rather than stopping, she continued refining her approach.

Over the following weeks, she worked intensively on her business proposal and sought further opportunities to present it. Eventually, she received support from the school in the form of a small start-up fund, allowing the project to move forward.

As the initiative developed, it not only sustained the charity work but also engaged other students, with some families later expressing their appreciation for its impact.

When Learning Meets Experience

Alongside her projects, Yiliu's academic studies played an important role in shaping her understanding. She studied Business Studies at Dulwich, building a foundation in core commercial concepts.

“What I studied in Business at Dulwich became a strong foundation. When I went to Babson, much of what we learned there was something I had already been introduced to.”

She also explored ways to apply these ideas in practice. One example was a student-run delivery-style initiative on campus, where she and her peers organised roles, managed demand, and introduced simple incentive systems for regular customers.

“Even back then, we were already experimenting with basic operations, like team roles and customer engagement. Those early experiences were very valuable later on.”

Through this combination of learning and doing, knowledge became more than theoretical, gradually forming a practical and repeatable process.

From Dulwich to Babson: A Continuation of Learning

Yiliu later continued her studies at Babson College, where she received a scholarship and further developed her entrepreneurial thinking. In her view, the transition felt like a continuation rather than a new beginning.

“At Babson, we were given funding to run projects, but in many ways, I had already experienced a full cycle of that process at Dulwich.”

Looking back, she recognises that what she gained was not only academic knowledge, but also an environment that encouraged experimentation.

“The school offered a great deal of support. From guidance to opportunities to present ideas, it gave me the space to try things at an early stage.”

Global Reach and Lasting Influence

Beyond the classroom, access to broader networks also played a role in shaping her perspective. Through projects and interactions, she engaged with individuals who shared insights into leadership and management.

One idea, in particular, stayed with her: “A good leader is not someone who manages others, but someone who develops more leaders.”

This perspective has continued to influence her work in later ventures.

Over time, Yiliu established herself in the business field and was recognised through multiple listings and awards, including Forbes and Hurun U30 and other industry recognitions.

A New Chapter: Exploring the Creative Industry

In 2025, she chose to enter the film and television industry, beginning a new phase as an actress.

She hopes to focus on developing her craft while contributing positively through her work.

Refelcting on her earlier education, she also revisited her experience of the "English-only" environment:“At the time, I didn't always enjoy the English-only policy. But looking back, it created both structure and freedom and allowed me to explore in ways I didn't fully appreciate then."

Yiliu's journey is not defined by a single decision, but by a series of explorations across different contexts. From business to creative industries, her path continues to evolve.

Yiliu Pu's experience reflects a pathway that develops over time rather than one defined from the outset. Through continuous exploration and real-world practice, she gradually built her understanding of both herself and the world around her.

Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life