About Pathways for Progress

Turning disruption into new beginnings.

Pathways for Progress is a young 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps people whose careers have been disrupted by AI and automation find the free programs and support that already exist, and take the next step.

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  • 501(c)(3) public charity Recognized by the IRS in 2023 · EIN 93-2276032
  • Based in Irvine, California
  • Candid transparency profile Our mission, programs and governance are published on Candid (formerly GuideStar).

Why we’re here

A clear purpose, a hopeful future.

  • Our mission

    To be a bridge for people whose careers have been disrupted by AI and automation, connecting them with trusted programs for jobs, retraining, financial help and wellbeing.

  • Our vision

    A future where human potential and technology grow together, and no worker is left behind by the shift to AI.

Why it matters

We exist for the people most likely to be left behind.

Help exists: job centers, training funds, benefits and free courses. But it’s scattered, full of jargon and easy to miss when you’re under stress. We make it easier to find and use.

11in 100

If the world’s workforce were 100 people, 59 would need training by 2030, and 11 of them are unlikely to get it. Those are the people we’re here for.

WEF · 2025 World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2025 (Jan 2025). Read the report

How we work

Small team, clear focus.

We’re a young nonprofit run by two part-time co-founders. Instead of rebuilding services that already exist, we focus on what a small team can do well: clear guidance and warm connections to proven programs.

  • A bridge, not a bottleneck

    We connect you to established programs rather than recreating them, so you reach proven help sooner.

  • Plain English

    We explain your options without jargon and help you choose where to start.

  • Honest about what we can do

    We’ll always tell you what’s available today, and what is still coming soon.

  • Accountable

    We publish our nonprofit status and IRS filings, so anyone can check our work.

Our founders

The people behind the bridge.

Pathways for Progress is run by two part-time co-founders with day jobs in technology. They build AI products and help people adopt them, so they see up close how fast work is changing, and how much a clear next step helps.

  • Ethen Yao

    Co-founder

    By dayAI governance · Walmart Global Tech

    Ethen works where AI meets everyday work. He leads product management for AI governance, helping a large enterprise use AI responsibly, and he helped develop governance and ethics policies for its data science teams. Before that, he helped build startups in fintech, gaming and AI. He brings that inside view of how AI is changing work to Pathways.

    • Responsible AI Builds the tools and policies that help a large organization govern and monitor its AI responsibly.
    • Startup builder Has taken new products from idea to launch, including one that grew to hundreds of thousands of users in its first year.
    • Learning through play Has explored how games can make learning more rewarding, with research funding from the National Science Foundation.
    • Community builder Brings together hundreds of data scientists to share what works through a professional community of practice.

    His path

    1. 2009

      Global technologyProduct management at a global technology company, working across the U.S. and China.

    2. 2015

      StartupsHelped build startups in fintech, gaming and AI. Two were acquired.

    3. 2022

      Consumer innovationLed product for a new mobile app at a global consumer brand’s innovation lab.

    4. Now

      Enterprise AIAI governance and ethics for a Fortune 500 company.

    Harvard University · Villanova University

  • Xiaohuan Yuan

    Co-founder

    By dayPrincipal Product Manager · City of Burbank

    Xiaohuan helps people adapt when technology changes their work. In local government, she leads the workplace technology employees rely on every day, including new AI tools, along with the training that helps everyone use them. She has changed careers herself, from landscape architecture to UX design to product management, so she knows what it takes to move into a new field.

    • AI at work Brings AI tools into everyday work in ways that are secure and simple for employees to use.
    • Training & adoption Leads training for new systems, with materials written for people of every technical background.
    • Accessible design Simplifies complex systems so office staff and field workers alike can use them.
    • Clear communicator Explains complex technology clearly to everyone from executives to frontline employees.

    Her path

    1. 2014

      Landscape architectureDesigner and project manager at international design firms, where she also mentored junior staff.

    2. 2019

      AI startupMoved from UX design into product management.

    3. 2021

      Financial servicesSenior product manager in a highly regulated industry, using data and machine learning to guide decisions.

    4. Now

      Public sectorPrincipal product manager for workplace technology in local government.

    University of Pennsylvania · Southeast University

Before co-founding Pathways, Ethen and Xiaohuan both built AI products at the same Irvine startup.

Our journey

Young, focused and growing.

  1. 2023

    Recognized by the IRS

    Approved as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 93-2276032).

  2. 2023

    Candid Seal of Transparency

    Earned the Silver seal for publicly sharing our mission, programs and governance.

  3. 2024

    Launched our website

    Started sharing information on jobs, training, financial help and wellbeing for workers affected by AI.

  4. 2025

    Palisades Fire relief

    Raised money and awareness after the Palisades Fire, and helped individuals recover from their losses.

  5. 2026

    Supporting local schools

    Donated to the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation through its annual gala auctions, which help fund local public schools.

  6. 2026

    A new home online

    Relaunched with tools for career changers, including a roles explorer and a “where to start” guide.

  7. Next

    Coming soon

    Growing our support

    Volunteer resume reviews, mentoring and small retraining grants, as funding and volunteers allow.

Accountable by design

Governed openly, easy to check.

Pathways for Progress is governed by a volunteer board of officers (a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary) who serve without compensation. Our tax status and annual IRS filings are public.

Pathways for Progress is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. EIN: 93-2276032

Be part of someone’s next chapter.

Whether you need direction, want to give, or can lend your time or know-how, there’s a place for you here.

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