Travis N. Tanner, GreenPoint Group
Campaign Statement
American companies in China face unprecedented challenges, including tensions in U.S.-China relations, slowing economic growth, and a challenging investment and regulatory environment. We need clearer thinking and more creativity than ever, as together we strive to define safe spaces for commerce, care for our diverse international teams, and connect with colleagues in the U.S. and around the world to ensure their understanding of our operating environment in the China market.
Against this backdrop, AmCham’s role in helping U.S. businesses navigate and succeed in the China market has never been more urgent and vital. Each of us is fortunate to be an AmCham-China member, and it is our collective responsibility and opportunity to ensure AmCham’s continued mission success. After ten years as an active AmCham member, I strongly desire to step up my contribution and serve as a Board Member, and thus, I respectfully request your vote.
I serve as President of GreenPoint Group, a U.S.-China strategic advisory firm with offices in Beijing and Washington D.C., and in this capacity, as a trusted advisor to executives of the world’s leading corporations and non-profit organizations. I have witnessed my clients and my GreenPoint team benefit significantly from AmCham’s advocacy for American businesses through government engagement, insights, and networking opportunities. At this critical moment, it would be an honor to work closely with AmCham’s board of governors, committees, and team to strengthen and further advance AmCham’s ability to fulfill its mission and serve the business community. With this in mind, I humbly request your consideration of my candidacy for the following three reasons:
- Relationships: Ability to advocate for your concerns in Washington D.C. and Beijing
I pledge to leverage my diverse contacts in Washington, D.C., and Beijing to advocate on behalf of U.S. companies in China at the highest levels. Having spent my career working on policy and engaging with government officials in both capitals, I understand how to represent your interests effectively. - Experience: Understanding the concerns of U.S. MNCs in China
I’ve devoted decades to helping U.S. companies succeed in China—from Fortune 500s to SMEs—across various sectors. From expanding market access, securing business licenses, and executing risk mitigation and crisis management programs to recovering corporate reputation, ensuring compliance, spearheading ESG projects, and securing senior-level government support, I’ve worked with companies to create conditions to achieve business success in China’s dynamic landscape.
I pledge to leverage my experience supporting U.S. companies and non-profits to navigate the increasingly complex geopolitical, economic, and political environment to benefit all AmCham member companies. - Commitment: Long-standing record of service to AmCham China
I serve as a Co-Chair of AmCham’s Policy Committee. I was previously Co-Chair of the Education Committee, on the Board of Governors Election Committee, a member of the CSR Committee, an advisor to the Public Diplomacy program, and a participant in the D.C. Door Knock.
I am deeply committed to AmCham-China’s mission. I pledge to dedicate my time, energy, experience, and skills to advancing AmCham’s mission in service to each of you, the members.
Biography
Travis N. Tanner is the Beijing-based President of GreenPoint Group, a U.S.-China strategic advisory firm with offices in Beijing and Washington D.C. with over 2,000 colleagues in partner offices across 70+ countries, as part of Ankura Consulting Group.
With 25 years of experience in U.S.-China relations, including 13 years living in China, Mr. Tanner assists clients based on over two decades of experience briefing policymakers, conducting research and analysis, directing programs, and building bridges between Chinese and U.S. government, corporate, academic, and non-profit communities.
Previously Mr. Tanner served as President of the U.S.-China Strong Foundation, an offshoot of the Obama administration’s “100,000 Strong Initiative,” a public-private partnership designed to equip the future generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to engage productively with China. Mr. Tanner established and directed the Foundation’s operations in China and drove engagement with key stakeholders and partners including Chinese and U.S. government officials, business leaders, academic institutions, media outlets, philanthropists, and students.
Mr. Tanner worked for over a dozen years in the think tank industry conducting research projects examining a wide range of policy issues facing the U.S.-China relationship. He previously served as Senior Project Director at The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and Director of NBR’s Kenneth B. and Anne H.H. Pyle Center for Northeast Asian Studies. He was Deputy Director and Assistant Director of the Chinese Studies Program at the Center for the National Interest (formerly the Nixon Center) in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Tanner is the author, contributing author, or co-editor of numerous publications on the strategic, economic and political dimensions of the U.S.-China relationship, including co-editor of five volumes of NBR’s Strategic Asia series and U.S.-China Relations in Strategic Domains (Routledge, 2020). Mr. Tanner has also been featured in major media outlets in the U.S. and China.
Mr. Tanner received his M.A. in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University – SAIS and the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and his B.A. in Chinese language and literature from the University of Utah. Mr. Tanner is Senior Advisor to NBR, a Tsinghua University Schwarzman College Industry Mentor, and member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.
Mr. Tanner is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese. He and his wife, Amy, and two of their four children, Josephine and Vivian enjoy living in Beijing.