Following the Women’s Empowerment Summit, the Women’s Advisory Council, with support from AmCham China and SCHSAsia, hosted its newest initiative, the first ever Women Empowerment Awards in China. The Awards recognize trailblazing individuals and innovative companies who have demonstrated a robust commitment to promoting women in the workforce to encourage greater gender equality and drive stronger business outcomes in China. This year’s inaugural Awards celebrated the outstanding finalists and winners of six individual and company Awards.
Pictured above: Chairman Greg Gilligan delivers opening remarks.
Awards & Finalists (*category winner)
Innovative Young Woman Leader of the Year
An award to recognize one young woman (under 35) who is an innovative leader that advocates for gender equality. She aspires to and has the potential to be a future senior leader.
Finalists
Janine Jakob – Founder, Happiness & Success Coach, Intercultural Consultant
*Anita Lai – Trade Director, Consulate General of Israel in Chengdu
Lina Li – Manager, LNG Market Development at ExxonMobil
Sarah Wagner – Co-Founder, Unleash Today
Finalists pictured above left, winner Anita Lai pictured above right.
Male Ally of the Year
An award to recognize one senior executive male leader (VP/Director level or above) who actively champions, sponsors, and advocates for women in leadership. He is a visible and engaged ally who has clearly articulated commitment to gender equality.
Finalists
*Bill Arnold – President, ConocoPhillips China
Yoke Loon Lim – President, Greater China, The Dow Chemical Company
Fernando Vallina – Chairman, ExxonMobil
Finalists pictured left, winner Bill Arnold accepts his award pictured right.
Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year
An award to recognize one senior level executive female leader (VP/Director level or above) who has become a successful and influential leader in her chosen field and paved the way for others. She is committed to the advancement of women in business in China and engages others leader to join in these efforts.
Finalists
Cindy Jensen – Executive Coach and Founder of INPOWER ONE
Brandi Piacente – President and Founder, The Piacente Group
Jill Tang – Co-Founder, Ladies Who Tech
Leya Teo – Vice President, Edelman China, B2B Sector Lead, APAC
*Diane Wang – Founder, Chairperson & CEO, DHgate
Finalists pictured above left, winner Diane Wang accepts her award pictured right.
Best Policies and Benefits to Promote Gender Equity
An award recognizing one company for their market leading employment policies, benefits, or programs that support women and men at all stages of their career with strong emphasis on gender equality in the China market.
Finalists
Bayer
*Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Johnson & Johnson
Finalists pictured above left, Michael Zhu from HPE accepts the award pictured right.
Best Company for the Advancement of Women (SME)
An award recognizing one small or medium sized enterprise (SME) that has demonstrated a commitment to real progress in gender equity and engaged people across all genders and levels of the business to deliver that progress.
Finalists
*Bearapy
Chenzao
Tianjin Select-Share Enterprise Management and Consulting
Enoch Li from Bearapy accepts the award pictured above.
Best Company for the Advancement of Women (MNC)
An award recognizing one multinational corporation (MNC) that has demonstrated a commitment to real progress in gender equity and engaged people across all genders and levels of the business to deliver that progress.
Finalists
Bayer
Citibank
Intel
*Johnson & Johnson
Pearson
Finalists pictured above left, Helen Liu from Johnson & Johnson accepts the award pictured right.
See more pictures from the Women Empowerment Awards below!
