AmCham-China

As Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy under Ambassador Randt, I enjoyed my work with AmCham-China. This prior interaction was crucial to my decision to remain in Beijing after my tenure at the Embassy ended. As you are well aware, a large part of doing business in China revolves around government relations both here in Beijing and Washington. My role at the Embassy gave me exposure to government officials at all levels. This experience will be invaluable as AmCham-China seeks to foster new and better relations in both countries.

As a member of the AmCham-China Board of Governors, I would bring to that role what I have brought to previous employment and leadership positions: hard work on behalf of those I represent, a sense of duty to ensure a job well done and an unwavering drive to understand and assist those in need. My past positions have afforded me the opportunity to serve as an organizer, advocate and innovator. If elected, there is no doubt those qualities will serve me – and you – well.

I have gotten to know many of you during my time here in Beijing and have come to deeply respect the dedication you have to your businesses and your desire to see them succeed. As AmCham-China continues to grow and prosper, its future depends upon qualified, dedicated leadership. It is my desire to serve you on the AmCham-China Board of Governors and I appreciate your support.

As Vice President, Corporate Affairs for Walmart China, I lead efforts in government relations, CSR and sustainability. Before joining Walmart China, I had a long career in the region serving as a trade and commercial diplomat with the US government. Since 1985, I have lived and worked in China and the region, most recently as Commercial Minister at the US Embassy in Beijing but also in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. During that time, I had the opportunity to support small and large US companies in their business expansion plans in China, and contributed to and helped to build and shape US-China commercial relations. I understand the key role AmCham-China plays in helping to strengthen the bilateral business relationship and to provide services and advocacy to member companies.

For the past two years, I’ve been an active Chamber participant: giving briefings at BOG meetings; supporting charitable and other outreach activities; editing the White Paper; and serving as co-Chair of the US Government Relations Committee. As Walmart is a global leader in sustainability, I look forward to working in and building that area of the Chamber. If elected to the BOG, I will continue my involvement in a leadership position on behalf of the membership.

I would be honored to serve on AmCham-China's Board of Governors. I am committed to building a positive environment for, and image of, US businesses in China. I support a stable and constructive US-China relationship with the open exchange of goods, people, and ideas at its foundation.

As the Chief Legal Officer and Vice President for Microsoft Greater China Region, I am responsible for legal, corporate and community affairs in the region. As Chairman of Microsoft China’s Government Relations Council, my responsibility also includes promoting exchange and cooperation between Microsoft and Chinese government.

I started my legal career in Seattle in 1986. Prior to Microsoft, I held senior management positions at Sea-Land Service, Inc. and I was a partner at the American law firms of Davis Wright Tremaine as well as Graham James. I joined Microsoft in 1997 to start the company’s Legal and Corporate Affairs group in China. In 1999, I served as the lead for the industry coalition on the Chinese commercial encryption regulations. I was on the USITO Board and I am currently serving on the Board of China Copyright Association and China Software Industry Association.

I hold a law degree from Peking University, a J.D. from the Hamline University Law School, and LL.M from the University of Washington School of Law. I am an arbitrator of CCPIT. I am also a guest professor of Peking University School of Intellectual Property and a guest research fellow at the Institute for International Intellectual Property of Peking University.

I've lived in China for 5.5 years and 7.5 years in total. I'm currently Managing Director for APCO Worldwide in Beijing, a global public affairs firm headquartered in Washington, DC. Many of our clients are AmCham-China members, so I have actively worked on a broad array of policy and market issues facing US companies.

Having one year as a Governor under my belt, I've got a good understanding of major issues in the US-China commercial relationship as well as the organizational needs of AmCham-China. In terms of issue advocacy, I helped edit many chapters of the 2009 White Paper and participated in a number of meetings to represent the chamber - at the US embassy, with Chinese officials, and as a member of the Washington, DC Doorknock delegation in May. I've also worked with several of the forums and committees this past year and look forward to strengthening the Board’s support for these groups.

If elected for a second term as Governor, I expect to focus on facilitating proactive issues advocacy at the Board level so that the voice of AmCham-China member companies is more frequently and loudly heard in US-China policy and commercial dialogues. To help strengthen the organization, I will spend time helping identify and mentor those who wish to grow into leadership positions for forums & committees and also the Board of Governors, to make sure AmCham-China is tapping into the wealth of willing talent available in member companies.

I have had the privilege of serving as an elected member of the Board for the past year and am now running for re-election. During this past year I have actively participated in Board meetings with senior officials in MOFCOM, the Development Research Center and other government departments to press for wider market opening and other measures to benefit members. I have also worked to refine Chamber documents and otherwise worked to make AmCham-China a more effective voice and more responsive organization for members.

For those who do not know me, I have previously served in other capacities including General Counsel, Chair of the Insurance Forum and Chair of the Legal Committee. I look forward to continuing to be an active AmCham-China member and ask for your vote in this year's election.

As CEO of Chindex and Chairwoman of United Family Hospitals, I’ve had the honor of living and working in Beijing for the past 30 years.  An active member of AmCham-China as well as the business community at large, I have served as a Governor of the AmCham-China Board for three years. I am also a founding member and co-chair of the Healthcare Industry Forum for the past five years, a Washington Door-knock participant, and a contributor to the annual White Paper since 2000.  My personal and professional experience working with Chinese government officials, the U.S. government, the press and other public constituencies in conveying the subtleties and complexities of the China-U.S. business story has been extremely helpful to my work on the AmCham-China Board.

The interplay between business and government, and AmCham-China’s key role in building those bridges and participation in those dialogues is of unprecedented relevance in light of current economic challenges, a new U.S. administration, and a new U.S. Ambassador to China, not to mention the opportunities for our member companies inherent in the government stimulus programs and health care reform now in progress.  2010 will be a challenging year as the world economies struggle to recover and it will be a critically important year for the work of the leadership of AmCham-China.

It was an honor to serve as AmCham-China's Vice Chair in 2007 and 2008, Governor in 2005 and 2006 and Chair of Retail & Distribution Forum from 2005 to 2009. AmCham-China is a great organization making a real difference to our communities across China. I have been an active AmCham-China Governor serving on Long Range Planning, Public Policy and Finance Committees. I co-chaired AmCham-China's Membership Strategic Task Force to improve services for SMEs and Chinese Nationals in US companies. SMEs now represent 30% of all new AmCham-China members in 2009 versus 10% historically.

Eighteen years in China, I helped build two MNC's – SmithKline Beecham and Wella Cosmetics (P&G), and two SME’s – BabyCare and Yaolan New Media, giving me broad industry and government exposure. I am CEO of BabyCare Ltd. Beijing is home for my wife Grace, a PRC native, our children and myself.

I look forward to working with AmCham-China's many volunteers and staff to leverage AmCham-China's resources to make AmCham-China membership increasingly valuable for all members.

I have been associated with MetLife for eighteen years, including six years in the US and twelve years as MetLife's Chief Representative in China. Being an AmCham-China member for the last eleven years, I am a founding member of the Insurance Forum, serving as the forum’s co-chair for 2007 and 2008. And thanks to your support and trust, I currently serve as Board of Governor in AmCham-China.

I strongly believe that participation and experience sharing are important for all active members involved in AmCham-China. It is necessary to support AmCham-China and at the same time to support our own businesses. I have been actively involved in many AmCham-China initiatives including Doorknocks, provincial trips, CGAC (Chinese Government Affairs Committee) activities, White Paper drafting and approval reading, etc. At the same time, I also serve as an executive member in many other associations like Beijing CBD Chamber, BAEFI and CAEFI.

I have witnessed the changes in AmCham-China over the past eleven years. I'm proud to be associated with such an organization, which is larger, stronger, more active, and more influential than ever. As a governor of AmCham-China, I have been able to share my experience in management, government relations, and strategic planning to contribute to the growth of the organization.

I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve on the AmCham-China Board of Governors again for 2010 to contribute even more to AmCham-China's success.

Lisa Robins, Managing Director, China Executive for Treasury and Securities Services, J.P. Morgan, Beijing

AmCham-China is a pivotal organization used by US business to represent its commercial interests to both US and Chinese governments, in addition to the role it plays helping businesses in China. As a young business woman in China and part of a young AmCham-China, I was first on the Board of AmCham-China in 1984-6. Since those early days, Sino-American engagement has reached unthought of levels, dictating a need for a fresh view on how to navigate the complexities of the Sino-American relationship. Has the organization kept pace with the trajectory?

I am running for the Board not only as a member of the financial sector and business community but also as a Sinologist with a lifetime connection to China. In addition, I have been involved on the advisory board of the Women's Forum in Asia and the Narada Foundation. Having lived and worked in many countries including Europe, Asia, and the US I will bring a broad perspective and varied experience to the Board.

All of us are all part of this Sino-US trajectory - the longer we have been involved in China, the greater our insights are into its future. Having both a commercial and academic background, I look forward be able to contribute to seeing that AmCham-China flourishes and its members and their ideas are represented to the broader community At a time of post-WTO uncertainty, broad knowledge of business issues, commitment to reaching out to a broad group of member companies, and communicating effectively with policymakers are essential skills I will bring to being an AmCham-China Governor.

I'm running for Governor with two objectives:

(1) Help steer AmCham-China to meet the evolving challenges our members face.
(2) Represent the business community to the best of my abilities.

I’ve worked in Beijing for 12 years for United Technologies as its President for International Operations-China and, before that, Motorola. During that time, I’ve been an active AmCham-China member, serving as board chairman in 2004, vice chair in 2006-2007 and actively participated or chaired the public policy development committee, visa committee, CSR committee, export compliance work group, aviation cooperation program and the new energy cooperation program.

I care deeply about AmCham-China and believe I can bring something to the table. My background and strengths are trade policy (seems we’ll need that with the trade actions each side has recently taken), energy-efficiency in buildings and aviation. As an example of my approach, this Spring I worked with AmCham-China leaders to craft a lobbying campaign directed toward the new Obama Administration to fix problems companies have for years faced with U.S. visa policies. Well, it worked, and the Administration did an about-face. A great success!

Earlier in my career I worked for the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative. Notre Dame grad, MA from the University of Texas, The Wharton School. I live here with my two daughters; serve as board chair for The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies and the Congregation of the Good Shepherd.

I respectfully seek your support in this election. Please take the time to vote!