Danny Hinh
Danny Hinh, Williams College
Danny is part of William College’s class of 2028 and majors in Music. He will support The Hopkins Fund this summer. Connect with Danny and read his full profile here:
What brought you to the ORIGINS program, and what do you hope to take with you when it’s over?
I’ve always been drawn to the nonprofit sector, higher education, and healthcare. I strongly believe in the importance of institutions in these spaces and in ensuring they have the support they need to continue succeeding in their missions. The ORIGINS program stood out as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in development and alumni relations, and I hope to use what I learn here as a launchpad for a career in philanthropy.
Tell us about a moment, person, or experience that shaped who you are today.
Growing up between San Jose, California, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, shaped who I am. Moving between two very different communities taught me adaptability and exposed me to a wide range of cultures and perspectives. More than anything, it taught me how to listen and connect with people whose lives look nothing like mine — a skill I carry into every new room I walk into.
If you could fund one thing — at your school, in your community, or worldwide — what would it be and why?
I’d fund mentorship — but not just any mentorship. My dad came to this country as a Vietnam War refugee, and I grew up as a first-generation American and first-generation college student in a single-parent household, navigating real adversity. I’ve learned that labels like “first-gen” and “low-income” don’t always capture the full picture. Some students with those labels still have strong advocates at home or mentors at school pushing them forward. I want to reach the ones who don’t: students facing family dysfunction, mental health challenges, and compounding hardships with no safety net and no one showing them what’s possible. That’s where mentorship matters most, because information and social capital are hardest to come by when adversity runs deepest.