Richard Edelman is the CEO of Edelman, a global communications firm, and Chairman of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, the firm’s holding company. Founded in 1952 by his father Dan, Edelman remains independent and family owned with more than 6,000 employees in 66 offices across 28 countries.

The firm boasts an array of accolades, including PRWeek’s Agency Dynasty of the Past 25 Years and Global Agency of the Year (2023) and Cannes Lions Independent Agency of the Year for the Good Track (2024 & 2022). Recognized as a standout agency by Ad Age (2023) and honored with multiple Cannes Lions, including Titanium, Grand Prix and seven Gold Lions since 2021, Edelman consistently sets the industry standard.

Richard was named CEO in 1996 taking over for his father, who remained Chairman until he passed away in 2013. Now in his 26th year as CEO, Richard is one of the longest tenured agency leaders in the marketing services industry. During that time, he’s guided the firm’s entry into Digital, Creative, Performance Marketing and Advisory. Under Richard’s leadership, Edelman’s revenue increased 11.5 times enabling it to become the largest communications firm in the world surpassing $1 billion in revenue. DJE Holdings’ revenue increased 14 times during that same period making it the largest independent communications holding company. He also serves as Chair of Edelman’s sister agency Zeno, which was named large agency of the year in 2021 and 2022 by PRWeek. Zeno employs 730+ people across 18 offices.

Richard has extensive experience in marketing and reputation management, having led assignments with major corporations, NGOs and family businesses. He has advised senior executives through significant disruptions within their organizations, including Samsung, Starbucks and United Airlines, and worked on the largest professional services merger in history of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. Richard works with numerous clients including Unilever and Chobani. He has counseled countries in every region of the world on economic development programs. As the creator of the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, Richard has become one of the foremost authorities on trust in business, government, media and NGOs. Now in its 22nd year, the Edelman Trust Barometer is widely recognized as the leading piece of research on trust with its cross-cultural insights regularly cited in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Economist, Fortune, Forbes and other media. The survey also informs academic studies on trust and provides insights to thought-leaders and opinion-shapers around the world.

Dr. Fan is professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, and holds a Ph.D. in Cross-Cultural Communication from the University of Oxford, UK. She serves as the Director of the National Image Research Center at Tsinghua University, a Board Member of the International Place Branding Association, a Global Advisory Board Member of the Edelman Trust Institute, the Director of the City Branding Committee of the China International Public Relations Association, and the Deputy Director of the Brand Communication Committee of the China Science and Technology News Association. Since 2007, she has taught EMBA courses in Managerial Communication and Corporate Communication at Tsinghua's School of Economics and Management.

Professor Fan began her career at Tsinghua in 1988, becoming a full Professor in 2000. She directed the Institute of Public Relations and Strategic Communication of her school (2010-2019) and the Global Communication Office of Tsinghua University (2016-2019). Her research focuses on corporate reputation, branding strategy, and place branding, leading numerous consulting projects for Chinese enterprises and cities.

With extensive international experience, she has served as a diplomat in New Zealand, a Distinguished Professor at Kean University (USA), an Honorary Professor at Purdue University, and a Visiting Professor for Tsinghua-INSEAD's EMBA program. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges academia and industry, making her a leading voice in global communication and branding.