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Samantha Zhu
Senior Managing Director, Chairperson, Market Unit Lead of Accenture Greater ChinaSamantha Zhu is Accenture’s Senior Managing Director, Chairperson and Market Unit Lead for Greater China, responsible for the company’s strategy, growth, and operations in the region. She leads a team of around 14,000 professionals that offer services across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Accenture Song to a wide variety of multinational and Chinese clients across industries.
Since she joined Accenture in 1997, Samantha has taken various leadership roles in Accenture Greater China, including Client Group Lead of Communications, Media & Technology, Operations Service Group, Human Capital and Diversity Lead and the Corporate Citizenship Council Lead. Under her leadership, Accenture Greater China was certified as Great Place To Work (GPTW) for three years in a row since 2022.
She helps CEOs and board members of local and multinational companies in China to reinvent their
operations in a changing business landscape to accelerate growth and innovation, build resilience and achieve 360-degree value.
Samantha has long been an advocate for responsible business and social impact, driving initiatives in women leadership, inclusion and diversity, and sustainability. She has been recognized as one of the most powerful women by Fortune China magazine in 2022 and 2023 and Forbes China’s 100 Power Businesswomen for three years as well. She sponsors Accenture’s engagement with World Economic Forum on China’s energy transition and responsible AI in industries.
Samantha holds Bachelor of Arts from Fudan University. She is based in Shanghai
Eric Zheng
President of AmCham ShanghaiEric Zheng became the President of AmCham Shanghai in 2022. He has been involved in the Chamber for over 15 years as a member, committee leader, Board member, Board treasurer, Board secretary, and Board vice chair, and Board chair (2018 and 2019).
Eric brings a unique combination of private and public sector experiences to the presidency. He worked in management consulting with PwC in the U.S. and later served for the U.S. Department of Commerce as the principal commercial officer at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. Eric had a long career with AIG in Greater China and held a series of positions that culminated in his service as CEO of AIG China. He then chaired the board of Heng An Standard Life Insurance Company.
In volunteer roles, Eric serves as the Greater China regional chair of the Committee of 100 and as a board director of Shanghai Make-A-Wish Charity Foundation. The Shanghai municipal government has granted Eric its Magnolia Gold Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the city. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fudan University and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Gift Arpaporn Samabhandhu
President of Kenvue ChinaGift Arpaporn Samabhandhu is currently the President of Kenvue China. She is also a member of the Kenvue Asia Pacific Leadership Team.
A Thai national, Gift has lived in seven countries (Thailand, Canada, Vietnam, Spain, Singapore, Indonesia and China) with over 25 years work experience in the fields of Food & Beverage, Baby Nutrition and Consumer Healthcare, both in-market commercial and regional roles across Asia Pacific Region.
Gift started her career at LOWE Lintas managing Unilever Accounts, then Coca-Cola Thailand, Boots Healthcare International, Danone Groupe (both in Baby Nutrition and Dairy divisions), Mead Johnson Nutrition and Sanofi Consumer Health.
Prior to her current role, Gift was the Area President, Metropolitan Asia at Kenvue. Before that, she took the role of Managing Director for Johnson & Johnson Thailand & LCM, where she was responsible for the end-to-end growth of the business across Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Consumer Health sectors. Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Gift was the Zone Head at Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, covering a span of 11 markets across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.
Gift has a Bachelor of Business Degree from the Assumption University, Thailand, and an International Executive MBA Degree from the University of Victoria, Canada. She also holds a certificate for High Performance Leadership and Orchestrating Winning Performance from IMD Lausanne, Switzerland. Gift also served as where she also served as Chairwomen of the Nutrition Food Group sector under EUROCHAM Vietnam and two terms as Board of Governor and Vice President at AMCHAM Thailand.
Gift is based in Shanghai.
Xiangwei Gong
Asia President & Executive Committee Member of Aptar GroupXiangwei is Asia President and an Executive Committee Member of AptarGroup, a global leader in drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and material science solutions. She also serves as a non-executive director on the board of Oterra, a world leader in natural food colors headquartered in Denmark and is an advisor to EQT Group in Sweden.
Xiangwei holds a rich career of 30+ years spanning Pharma, Beauty, Personal Care, Food, and Nutraceutical industries at multinational companies, including 20+ years in Switzerland, China, and America for Roche and DSM before joining Aptar in 2018. Xiangwei is recognized as a visionary and dynamic leader, who prides herself in her ability to think and act cross-culturally and to find win-win solutions in even the most difficult situations.
Xiangwei is passionate about the development and advancement of women, young professionals, and youths in less economically developed areas. She is a senior advisor to sHero China and serves on the Board of Governors of Shanghai YZL Philanthropy Fund.
Xiangwei is a frequent speaker and panelist on topics such as Doing Business in China and US-China Business Relationships.
In December 2023, Xiangwei was interviewed at Aptar’s Suzhou facility, alongside US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, by CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl in her segment An American in China featuring Ambassador Burns. In the interview, Xiangwei spoke about her long term optimism on China’s economic development, especially in the healthcare and consumer goods sectors. The story was aired on CBS Sunday program 60 Minutes on February 25, 2024.
Xiangwei received her Bachelor of Economics from the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing and her EMBA from Columbia Business School in New York.
Wenjie Zhang
Citi Country Officer and Head of Banking, China President at Citibank (China) Co., Ltd.Wenjie Zhang is Citi Country Officer and Head of Banking in the People’s Republic of China. He is responsible for all of Citi’s business and franchise operations in China and is based in Shanghai. Wenjie is also President and Board Director of Citibank (China) Co., Ltd. (“Citi China”), Citi’s locally incorporated entity in China.
Wenjie is a veteran banker with 30 years’ experience in corporate and institutional banking. He was most recently China President and Shanghai Branch Manager of Bank of America. Prior to that, he was co-head of global banking and executive vice president at HSBC China, after stints at JP Morgan and Credit Agricole CIB. He started his career with Sinochem Group in the Finance & Treasury function.
Wenjie holds a Master of Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China.
Yamin Zhu
Chief Executive Officer & General Manager of American Express ChinaYamin Zhu is the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Express (Hangzhou) Technology Service Co., Ltd., (hereinafter “Express Company”). Express Company, a joint venture formed by American Express and LianLian Digitech, is the first Sino-foreign bankcard clearing institution licensed by the People’s Bank of China to process renminbi transactions in China. In her role, Mrs. Zhu is responsible for leading the business to accelerate growth of the five-year-old company.
Mrs. Zhu is a well-respected executive with a long career in banking and insurance in Canada and China. She has a strong track record in achieving growth and leading transformation.
Prior to joining Express Company, she was the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of AXA Tianping Property & Casualty Insurance Co. Ltd. There, she led the transformation of the company and expanded their product offerings. Before that, she successfully ran the consumer business at Standard Chartered Bank China, drove the digitization of product offerings for DBS China, and set up the first foreign commercial banking sub-branch in China at Citibank.
Mrs. Zhu was named “New CEO of the Year” from Insurance Today in 2021, and “2020 Golden Talent of Shanghai” by the government of Shanghai. She is also a guest professor at Shanghai International Studies University and wrote a book named The Study on Leadership Effectiveness of Mother Leaders (Based on Managerial Psychology).
Mrs. Zhu holds a Bachelor of Arts (English and French) from Shanghai International Studies University, a Master’s in Economics from Université du Québec à Montréal, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Paris School of Business.
Rosa Lee
Global Chief Human Resources Officer at AESC GroupMrs. Rosa Lee graduated from East China University of Political Science and Law with law degree, and obtained MBA from Kellogg School of Management – Northwest University & Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Having gained a breadth of leadership experience in several large multinational companies and accumulated more than 20 years’ experience in HR and business areas. During the experience, she led the team to formulate talent strategies to boost business transformation. As a pioneer, she launched the first pilot in the industry by establishing the APAC HR Chief Digital Officer & other roles under this role within her team to enable the transformation of business and talents, transforming structure to serve strategy. Since Jan. 2024, Rosa joins AESC, and takes the role of Global Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) of AESC Group Ltd.
Yanping Cao
Partner at Covington & Burling LLPYanping Cao is the managing partner of Covington’s Shanghai office. She has over two decades of legal experience working at leading international law firms in the U.S. and China as well as serving as the China & APAC General Counsel at GE Healthcare before joining Covington.
Yanping specializes in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital financings, securities offering, syndicated lending, and general corporate counseling for multinational corporations, leading international financial institutions, high-tech companies and Chinese institutions. She also provides strategic advice to clients in relation to China investigations and compliance matters as well as on communications with Chinese regulatory authorities.
During her tenure as General Counsel at GE China and GE Healthcare China & APAC, Yanping was responsible for leading a diverse team of legal talents in providing legal, regulatory and compliance support to GE’s investment and business operations in China and APAC. She has played a critical role in advising the company and its leaders to navigate through challenging and complex issues ranging from strategic corporate re-structuring to compliance and litigation matters with regulatory and enforcement agencies in both China and the U.S.
Sandra D’Souza
Founder of EllectSandra D’Souza is the founder of Ellect and a champion for gender equality in the business world. She is known for her Amazon No. 1 Bestselling book, “From Bias to Equality,” reflecting her commitment to increasing women's representation in business leadership.
With a strong background in corporate management and as an entrepreneur, Sandra was honoured as the Most Influential CEO of 2023 by CEO Monthly. Her leadership extended through her roles with the International NGO Business and Professional Women (BPW). She founded Ellect in 2019, which aims to reduce the gender gap in business, and has been recognised for promoting balanced leadership. Sandra’s efforts led to her being the only Australian featured in the Nasdaq’s 2021 Milestone Makers Program for her work towards reducing inequalities.
Recently, Sandra's work gained further recognition: her book was a finalist in the 2023 Australian Business Book Awards and The Leadership Awards, highlighting her influence in leadership and social responsibility. Her achievements underscore her commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on gender equality and reduced inequalities, making her a leading figure in advocating for change in the business sector.
Selena Chu
VP, APAC CIO & Global Commercial Service at DowSelena Chu serves as the Chief Information Officer for Asia Pacific at Dow, where she leads the strategic direction and execution of digital transformation across the region. Her portfolio spans Enterprise Services, Data & Analytics, Digital Innovation, and Cybersecurity, with a strong focus on enabling business agility, operational excellence, and customer-centric growth through technology.
In her global role, Selena leads Dow’s Commercial Services organization, driving the development of integrated digital platforms that enhance the end-to-end customer journey. Her team leverages AI, automation, and data intelligence to elevate customer engagement, streamline commercial and marketing operations, and accelerate digital commerce—delivering value through personalized B2B experiences and intelligent process automation.
Selena has over 20 years of experience in both consulting and industry, having held leadership roles in R&D operations, business and innovation strategy, technology information services, regional country leadership, and IT/digital transformation. Prior to joining Dow in 2008, she worked at General Electric (GE) and KPMG Consulting, including international assignments in the United States.
Selena was listed as one of the "Top 50 Women in Tech 2021" by Forbes China and named a "Top 50 Future MPW" for both 2021 and 2022 by Fortune China.
Ying Ying Koh
Vice President, Franchise Performance & Holiday Inn Express, Greater China of InterContinental Hotels GroupYing Ying is the Vice President, Franchise Performance & Holiday Inn Express, Greater China at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®).
Prior to this role, Ying Ying is responsible for leading IHG’s overall strategic direction for HR for the Greater China region. She plays a critical role in driving the talent, organisation, culture and capability priorities and programmes to support system size growth and hotel-by-hotel performance. In partnership with the line leaders, her HR team provides comprehensive support and services for the Greater China corporate and hotel colleagues to enhance IHG’s reputation as an employer of choice in the region.
Before that Ying Ying had been Vice President, Hotel Operations, Human Resources, Greater China since 2012, where she provided functional and strategic leadership to develop and implement HR strategy and plan for our hotel operations in Greater China.
Ying Ying joined IHG in 2008 in the Singapore corporate office and has led teams in resourcing and HR within the Asia Middle East Africa region before moving to Shanghai.
Ying Ying brings with her over 20 years of diverse experience in consulting and recruitment across public and private sectors and has worked with companies such as PSD Group, ExxonMobil, Infocomn Development Authority of Singapore, and Economic Development Board.
Christine Wang
Managing Director, President of Accenture Song, Greater ChinaChristine Wang is a seasoned leader in digital, eCommerce, and marketing with over 20 years of experience across diverse markets and consumer landscapes. She currently leads Accenture Song in Greater China, driving business transformation and digital innovation.
Prior to Accenture, Christine held executive roles, including Co-CEO at Publicis Commerce and Performics, as well as COO and GM at a leading digital agency, where she was also a partner. In these roles, she led business strategy, operations, and finance, while serving as a senior strategist for major multinational brands.
Her expertise spans digital commerce, performance marketing, and marketplace strategy. Over the past decade, she has launched and scaled eCommerce operations for numerous global brands, including L’Oréal, GSK, Nestlé, P&G, Apple, Bacardi, Nike, Mondelez, Pepsi, and WeWork.
Christine maintains strong relationships with key industry players such as Alibaba, JD.com, ByteDance, Baidu, and Tencent. She collaborates with these partners on thought leadership initiatives, publishing industry insights and whitepapers.
She holds an Executive MBA from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and a Bachelor of Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology. Christine is trilingual in Chinese, English and French.
Carol Zhou
SVP, China Business Innovation & Investment at ShiseidoAs SVP of China Business Innovation & Investment (CBI) for Shiseido, Carol is helping to shape the next phase of transformation for the company. She helps to accelerate the implementation of innovations and new business models to create new beauty businesses as the next growth driver for the group on a global level via both internal incubation of new businesses and external investments into new uprising companies. In June 2022, Carol led the launch of Shiseido’s 1st ingestible beauty brand – InRyu – in the China market. Now serving as the Inner Beauty Division GM, she will also incubate and create a portfolio of inner beauty brands to meet the needs of discerning beauty consumers.
In 2021, Carol set up the Shiseido Beauty Innovations Fund (Ziyue) with Boyu Capital to target companies focusing on fast-growing sectors of the China market, with the goal of enhancing its business portfolio for new brands and creating business synergies with existing businesses.
Previously, Carol held a number of management positions at multinational firms such as Unilever, Burberry, L’Oréal, Amway and Marriott, where she led global strategy & innovation and marketing functions across regions and categories. Carol received her undergraduate degree from New York University's Stern Business School and her MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-zhou-5a53472/
Michelle Gon
Senior Compliance Adviser at Han Kun Law OfficesMichelle Gon is a senior attorney with more than three decades of experience in the Greater China markets. She helps multinational clients deal with knotty and challenging legal issues, having developed a highly regarded practice focused on cross-border compliance and regulatory matters.
Michelle focuses her practice on representing clients in complicated and challenging compliance and regulatory matters, including export control and sanctions, trade secret protection, anti-corruption, anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, anti-unfair competition, anti-monopoly, anti-fraud, export control and trade sanction areas. Well respected for her ability to provide clients with her personal devotion and offering practical advice on solving complex legal issues.
Most of Michelle's clients are leading MNCs doing business in China, or large, China-based MNCs doing business globally, across a wide range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, healthcare, agriculture, food-related products, wine and spirits, hospitality, cruise lines, manufacturing, IT and high tech. Before joining Han Kun, Michelle held senior roles at other leading international law firms. She also formerly served as the Chief Legal Officer/Vice President of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"), and an International Attorney for McDonald's Corporation, headquartered in Illinois.
Michelle was appointed by China's Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”) to complete a booklet advising Chinese companies on how to protect and utilize intellectual property rights when they do business abroad.
Joanne Goh
Head of Business Execution at Citibank (China) Co., Ltd.Joanne Goh is Head of Business Execution for Citi China, based in Shanghai.
In this role, Joanne is responsible for the execution of a wide spectrum of Citi China’s franchise management priorities. She is also focused on strengthening the firm’s risk management as well as legal entity governance.
Prior to assuming her current position, Joanne was the Head of Business Management of Corporate Banking in China, responsible for strategic priorities execution and in-business risk management of Corporates, Financial Institutions, Public Sector, and Global Subsidiaries groups. Before that, she was a China Market Specialist in Securities Services.
Joanne began her career at Citi as a Management Associate in Hong Kong in 2004, where she has held various roles in Operations, Financial Institutions, as well as Asia-Pacific and Hong Kong country Securities Services.
Joanne is passionate about promoting an inclusive culture and engagement. She is the Senior Sponsor for Citi China’s Families Matter Network and for CitiClub. She is also currently serving as the Vice Chair of the AmCham Shanghai’s Women’s Executive Network Committee. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Management degree from Cornell University.
Jessica Gleeson
CEO of Experiential RetailCEO of BrighterBeauty and founder of Experiential Retail is an experienced international executive with a passion for building and scaling purpose driven brands. She is a 20-year veteran of Starbucks, and held a variety of leadership roles as the company grew from 50 stores in the US to 55 countries globally. Driven by her fascination with the rapidly changing retail landscape, Jessica relocated to China and helped grow three iconic brands – Starbucks, The Walt Disney Company and Claire’s Accessories. She served as International COO for Zambero. She currently serves on the Board of Flave, GloCoach and as an advisor to Planting Hope. Recently recognized by IPWS with their Lifetime Achievement Award, Jessica works actively to advocate for placing women on executive boards, because the data shows it is just good business.
Pinky Song
Business Strategy Director of Accenture Strategy & Consulting, Greater ChinaPinky Song is a business strategy director in Accenture Strategy & Consulting. She has ~15 years of consulting expereince and majorly serves MNC clients in consumer goods & retail industry on strategy & transformational topics.
Pinky specializes in business growth, digital commerce strategy, digital marketing trasnforamtion, CRM design & activation, data & AI strategy and related topics. She's experienced in leading strategic transformation initiatives for clients as well as implementation to achieve real impact.
Pinky also demonstates her thought leadership in retail & luxury industry via publishing industry insights & whitepapers.
Pinky holds a dual Bachelor of finance & business degree from Shanghai University of International Business & Economics and Canada Dogolas College.
Jill Ma
Co-founder of Kido AIXinjie MA is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the technology and consumer products industry. In 2025, she formed Kido AI, a pioneering company that leverages artificial intelligence to innovate educational smart hardware, offering personalized and engaging learning solutions for children worldwide, and setting new standards in educational technology. Before founding Kido AI, she established GENBEN and was a key figure in the creation of Raven Tech; both startups were selected for the prestigious Y Combinator program and subsequently acquired, underscoring her ability to build successful ventures.
Her professional journey also includes a significant role at Baidu, where she served as the market leader for the smart hardware division, spearheading strategies that drove substantial business growth and deepened her expertise in the field.
Furthermore, Ma Xinjie is committed to fostering the AI ecosystem, providing strategic guidance as an advisor to several high-profile AI startups, including Luobo Intelligent and Rabbit AI.
Sam Shen
Finance & Investor Relations at X-Sigma PartnersSam is a finance and strategy professional focused on consumer retail growth in China. After graduating from NYU Stern with a degree in Finance (2021), he returned to Shanghai. His career spans consulting, entrepreneurship, and investment roles, equipping him with practical insights into how small and medium-sized businesses operate.
Sam began as an analyst at a family investment fund before founding Apexcycle, a boutique fitness studio. Though the venture closed during Shanghai’s 2022 lockdowns, the experience was incredibly educational and deepened his understanding of the various aspects of how a business operates. He later transitioned to consulting, managing various projects in China for clients, before joining X-Sigma Partners.
In his current role, Sam handles finance and investor relations, supporting early-stage consumer brands to expand their retail footprint across China.
Stephanie Sam
Senior Content Editor at AmCham ShanghaiStephanie co-manages the AmCham Shanghai’s Insight magazine and co-authors the China Business Report, while drafting Weekly Briefings and editing communications for large-scale conferences and events.