Fifteen years ago, Hang (Helen) Hoang stood at a crossroads in her life. As a young woman from Vietnam, she had just received a full scholarship to the Development Policies and Practices programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute. It was a moment that would reshape her path, opening opportunities she had never envisioned and sparking a mission to inspire children worldwide.
Before arriving in Geneva, Hang had a strong interest in economics but little exposure to the global perspectives that would later define her work. Hang recalls how transformative the DPP programme was for her academically and personally. It fueled her thirst for knowledge. After completing the programme, she returned to Vietnam to continue her work with NGOs and teach economics at a local university, effectively applying the knowledge she gained from the DPP. Two years later, her passion for learning led her to the Australian National University, where she received a full scholarship from the Australian Government to pursue a Master’s in Economic Policy. She then earned the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship to undertake a PhD in Economics.
Hang’s career thrived. As an economist and data analyst for the Australian Government, she worked on health economics, child wellbeing data assets, innovation and sustainable growth. Yet it was a quiet moment at home with her young son that sparked her most creative and impactful project. While reading bedtime stories, Hang saw the timeless charm of fables and fairy tales as a way to teach economics to children. This realization became the foundation of Economics for Kids: Lessons from Fables & Fairy Tales, a series of books reimagining classic tales to introduce young readers to essential economic concepts.

In one of her most loved stories, Hang retells the fable of ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’. The story begins on a lazy afternoon in Canberra, where Econ Mum and Econ Kid walk near the iconic Old Parliament House. They spot an ant carrying food, which prompts a playful discussion about what is economics, choices, scarcity and a retelling of Aesop’s ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’. While the original story highlights hard work and planning, Hang’s version goes deeper, weaving in lessons about scarcity, opportunity cost, resource management, and the importance of long-term thinking. As the ant prepares for winter and the grasshopper spends the summer making music, children are gently introduced to the idea of trade-offs. When winter arrives, and the grasshopper is unprepared, the story becomes a lesson in scarcity and the value of foresight. With vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, Hang simplifies these complex ideas, making them memorable for children.
‘Children naturally grasp these concepts when they’re presented through relatable stories,’ Hang explains. ‘When they see the ant making decisions about how to spend its summer days, they start to understand basic economic principles that can guide them through life’. Teaching economics to children goes far beyond financial literacy. Through these stories, young readers develop critical thinking, learn to weigh choices and their outcomes and understand how resources and decisions are interconnected. These skills are vital for navigating today’s complex world.
The success of her first book has inspired Hang to think even bigger. She is currently working on two more volumes in the Economics for Kids series, exploring topics like market dynamics and global trade. But her vision isn’t limited to books. Hang is developing an animated short film that brings her stories to life, using visual storytelling to engage young audiences. She is also building an interactive online platform where children can learn economic principles through games and virtual scenarios, making the experience fun and immersive.
Hang’s ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive educational ecosystem she calls an ‘MBA for Kids’. This ambitious project is designed to give children the tools to better understand the world around them, encouraging critical thinking and informed decision-making from an early age. She is also collaborating with educators to incorporate her story-driven approach into school curricula, making economics a natural part of everyday learning. For Hang, this mission is deeply personal. ‘Economics isn’t just about money or markets,’ she says. ‘It’s about understanding how we make choices, relate to others, and create value in our communities. When kids learn these ideas early, they become better thinkers and more engaged citizens’.
Reflecting on her journey, Hang credits the DPP programme with setting her on this path. ‘The programme transformed my life and sparked my curiosity,’ she says. ‘Now, I’m channelling that energy into inspiring kids through economics.’
From the Geneva Graduate Institute to homes and classrooms around the globe, Hang’s work is inspiring a new generation to see the world through the lens of economics—one story at a time.
Discover more about Dr Hang Hoang‘s work here.
By Ruslan Pavlyshyn for Executive Education
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