The AmCham China 2023 Leadership Development Program (LDP) kicked off on Saturday, April 15. The program exposes emerging and existing community leaders to the issues that face business and US-China relations while challenging and engaging participants to strengthen their leadership potential. The 2023 LDP class features 38 representatives from 32 business, education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations that will meet monthly for 8 months to focus on topic-specific content. Now in its fifth year, the AmCham China LDP offers an April through November series of leadership classes and personal development activities, along with learning experiences designed to increase understanding of AmCham China and US-China relations.
The 38 members of the AmCham China 2023 LDP class are:
In the opening session, Michael Hart, President of AmCham China, and Gloria Xu, Vice Chair of AmCham China, China Country Manager and Vice President, External Affairs, Albemarle, were invited to give presentations on Introduction to AmCham China and Leadership Principles.
Su Cheng Harris-Simpson, 2023 AmCham China Board of Governors, Founder and CEO of SCHSAsia, and Founder and President of Women Empowerment Council, kicked off the session with an introduction to this year’s program. It was followed by Hart’s presentation focused on key findings from the newly released China Business Climate Survey Report (BCS) and answered questions from the class on foreign business operations in China. At the end of his presentation, Hart emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in US-China relations. He said, “Why AmCham China is doing the Leadership Development Program. First, if you work for AmCham China member companies, we want your companies to feel there is value in AmCham China. Number two, for young leaders, we want to recruit your guys to participate in AmCham China more, this year, next year, and ten years.” Hart said, “Number three, AmCham China has the responsibilities and the platform to lead these people-to-people exchanges.” Hart encouraged the LDP cohort to be the bridge between the US and China.
The learning continued with Xu, the Vice Chair of AmCham China, who focused on her over 20 years of leadership journey as a volunteer with AmCham China. She said, “Career planning or leadership is not about title; it is really about influence. Sometimes, you have influence even if you don’t have a title. But if you have the influence, then you are successful.”
Since its inception, this unique team-based mentoring program has graduated 88 emerging leaders. This year’s program will provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn from the AmCham China business community and industry expertise.
Special thanks to the 2023 LDP Selection Committee:
- Su Cheng Harris-Simpson – Founder and CEO of SCHSAsia; Founder and President, Women Empowerment Council
- Jeremy Huff – Managing Director and Morgan Stanley’s Chief Operating Officer for China
- William Zarit – Senior Counselor, The Cohen Group
About AmCham China Leadership Development Program (LDP)
The AmCham China Leadership Development Program (LDP) was launched in 2017 with the goal of building an ever-expanding group of leaders capable of carrying the AmCham China community forward. Our mission is to nurture future leaders by encouraging them to engage with members of the AmCham China community and the US-China relationship. The eight-month program selects qualified China-based applicants of both Chinese and US citizenship working in different companies, industries, and with varying experience levels. The program is designed to train professionals to become future leaders of the US-China business community and enhance the leadership skills of program participants.
Candidates of the AmCham China Leadership Development Program will gain full exposure to the US-China business community. Each month there will be one three-hour session covering topics such as multicultural leadership, government relations in China, innovation leadership, US Embassy commercial operations, etc. Successful candidates will be awarded an “AmCham China Leadership Development Program” certificate of completion at AmCham China’s Annual General Meeting.