Honoring Excellence: AmCham China’s Pioneer Award and Chair’s Service Award
AmCham China has a longstanding tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals whose professional accomplishments and personal character exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment to fostering US-China relations. Each year, two prestigious honors, the Pioneer Award and the Chair’s Service Award, spotlight a select group of remarkable contributors to the business community and beyond.
Photo courtesy of AmCham China
The Pioneer Award
First introduced in 2014, the AmCham China Pioneer Award celebrates pioneers whose professional achievements and personal endeavors embody the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that define America’s stories of success. Recipients of this award are distinguished by their significant contributions to promoting people-to-people friendship between the United States and China and their readiness to take bold, creative paths to achieve impactful results.
Winners are nominated and selected through a rigorous process by AmCham China’s Board of Governors. These individuals are recognized not only for their long-term business impact in China but also for demonstrating a commitment to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
Past Recipients:
- 2023: Sean Stein
- 2022: Craig Allen
- 2021: William Zarit
- 2020: James McGregor
- 2019: Elizabeth Knup
- 2018: Stephon Marbury
- 2017: Scott Kronick
- 2016: David Wang & Jim Gradoville
- 2015: Timothy Stratford & Lester Ross
- 2014: Roberta Lipson
Gloria Xu (left) accepts the 2024 Pioneer Award from AmCham China Chair Roberta Lipson
Photo courtesy of AmCham China
2024 Recipient: Gloria Xu
This year, the AmCham China Pioneer Award honors Gloria Xu, China Country Manager and Vice President, External Affairs of Albemarle. With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning government affairs, public relations, and journalism, Gloria has left an indelible mark on the business landscape.
A six-time member of the AmCham China Board of Governors and three-time Vice Chair, Xu has championed the Chamber’s mission to foster US-China collaboration. She has leveraged her extensive expertise across industries to advocate for the international business community, offer invaluable strategic advice, and represent AmCham’s interests at both national and regional levels.
AmCham China Chair Roberta Lipson praises Xu’s contributions: “Gloria is a professional with a rich and diverse background. Whether serving as a Governor, officer, or an enthusiastic member, she has always stepped up to advocate for the international business community. Her advice has proven invaluable in shaping policy advocacy positions and plans.”
The Chair’s Service Award
Established in 2017, the Chair’s Service Award recognizes individuals whose tireless dedication and service to the Chamber deserve special acknowledgment. Selected personally by the AmCham China Chair, recipients exemplify outstanding volunteerism and commitment to the Chamber’s mission.
Past Recipients:
- 2023: Su Cheng Harris-Simpson & Dinah Watkins
- 2022: Brent Young
- 2021: Zhou Bing
- 2020: Gloria Xu
- 2019: Colm Rafferty
- 2018: Eric Hirsch
- 2017: Jeff Layman
Dora Cheung accepts the 2024 Chair’s Service Award from AmCham China Chair Roberta Lipson
Photo courtesy of AmCham China
2024 Recipient: Dora Cheung
This year’s Chair’s Service Award goes to Dora Cheung, Partner at PwC China’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services and the Chamber’s Treasurer since 2020. Her financial expertise and leadership have been instrumental in guiding AmCham China’s financial governance and best practices.
Lipson highlights Cheung’s impact: “For the past three and a half years, Dora has been the Treasurer of AmCham China. She has been extremely generous with her time, mentoring staff, guiding financial reporting, and ensuring best practices. Her leadership reassures our members of the Chamber’s stewardship of their investment.”
Celebrating Excellence and Dedication
At the heart of the Chamber’s achievements are individuals like Gloria Xu and Dora Cheung, whose exemplary contributions inspire the entire AmCham China community. Their stories reflect the enduring commitment to fostering strong US-China business relations and serving the broader community. As Lipson eloquently put it while awarding Cheung and Xu at this year’s Annual General Meeting, “The future is bright, but the road is winding.” These awards shine a light on those who help navigate that road with courage, innovation, and unwavering dedication.
This article is from the AmCham China Quarterly Magazine (Issue 4, 2024). To access the entire publication for free, sign up on our member portal here.