Born in Lusaka in Zambia, Young studied in England at Manchester Polytechnic, the University of Brighton and photgraphy at the Royal College of Art in London. Much of her work as an artist is related to her work as a management consultant. For example, in Nothing Ventured, she had visitors to a gallery ring a call centre, where the people manning the phones gave the caller a range of generic information (Young's name, a list of previous exhibitions, influences and so on).
In 2003, Young was shortlisted for the Beck's Futures prize. Her piece for the prize, entitled Non-Disclosure Agreement was represented in the show by a non-disclosure agreement contract signed by a representative of Beck's, which agrees that the piece will not be shown and may not be used in the promotion of the contest. The piece attempts to subvert the contest without causing it publicity.