On March 18, AmCham China hosted the 2025 Women’s Summit at the China World Hotel in Beijing. The event, under the theme “Stronger Together: Building Towards a Better Future,” brought together an inspiring group of women industry leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs to continue raising awareness of women’s importance to society and the economy, sharing insights for women entering leadership roles. The event attended by over 150 guests, was filled with inspiring discussions that left attendees of both genders feeling empowered and motivated.
Poh-Yian Koh, President of FedEx China, delivered the opening keynote discussing leadership, work-life balance, and personal growth. She emphasized that balance is a continuous process involving daily trade-offs. She encouraged women to step out of their comfort zones and build resilience. Koh also highlighted the importance of self-compassion, humility in leadership, and empowering teams. She concluded by asking if our actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more.
Next, Linda Wang, DVP & GM of Established Pharmaceuticals at Abbott China, highlighted the importance of women’s health for individuals, families, and national development. She discussed the challenges women face during adolescence, childbearing, and menopause, and the delays in seeking care. She called for better research on maternal health and greater healthcare access to ensure women lead healthier, more informed lives.
In her remarks, Mingjuan Hou, Vice President at Qualcomm, highlighted AI’s transformative impact and the vast opportunities for women in STEM. She celebrated female engineers with remarkable contributions in Qualcomm. Hou emphasized Qualcomm’s commitment to fuel women’s development in tech. As a mother, she advocates for breaking barriers in STEM education, urging young women to embrace AI and pursue STEM careers in the evolving tech landscape.
The event’s first panel discussion focused on how women can empower themselves and advance their careers through networks and communities. Key topics included gender disparity in leadership, especially the decline of female representation in mid-to-senior management roles. The panelists emphasized the importance of self-learning, professional development, and strong support systems through workplace allies and broader social networks.
They discussed the need for women to maintain inner drive and perseverance, especially when facing career breaks such as motherhood. Lifelong learning, exposure to top executives, and proactively building mentorship relationships are crucial for leadership development. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of work-life balance, urging women to plan ahead, prioritize self-care, and seek fulfillment beyond work. Finally, they encouraged young women to embrace challenges, find mentors, and build resilience to advance in leadership.
Panel 1: “The Power of Networks: How Women Are Building Communities to Drive Change’
- Gloria Xu, China Country Manager and Vice President, External Affairs at Albemarle
- Ye Li, Vice President, Head of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations at Merck Holding (China)
- Rui Bai, Head of Enterprise Campus Edge for GCHN at Nokia
- Claire Ma, Vice President at AmCham China
After a networking coffee break, the second panel session focused on resilience, leadership, career development, and work-life balance for women. Panelists emphasized that resilience is about overcoming setbacks, embracing challenges, and seizing opportunities without waiting for perfection. They discussed the gender confidence gap, where women tend to hesitate before taking action, and encouraged a mindset of courage over perfection.
Leadership was highlighted as the ability to empower others rather than focusing solely on personal success. Understanding workplace politics and organizational change can help women navigate their careers effectively. Panelists also stressed the importance of embracing uncertainty, maintaining an open mind, and continuously learning in a rapidly evolving environment.
Work-life balance was recognized as a challenging but essential aspect of career planning. Decisions should align with long-term values rather than short-term pressures. The discussion concluded with advice for younger generations: take risks, seek mentorship, prioritize progress over perfection, and find purpose and joy in both work and life.
Panel Discussion 2: “Building Resilience – How Women Are Driving Change in a Rapidly Evolving World”
- Cindy Jensen, Founder, CEO of INPOWER ONE
- Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Country Counsel at Boeing (China)
- Echo Li, Head of China HR at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Elizabeth Pei, Global Vice President of Government Affairs at SAP (China)
The final keynote speech of the day was delivered by Tze San Koh, Vice Chair of ExxonMobil, and highlighted several key points regarding women’s career development. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and learning from one another, as collective wisdom surpasses individual knowledge. Believing in oneself is crucial to becoming an inspiring leader. Additionally, the speaker discussed the significance of purpose and legacy, suggesting that legacy is not defined by grand gestures but by the lives we touch every day. In the end, the speaker encouraged everyone to bring positive energy and smiles to others, despite the uncertainties of the world, and to inspire both themselves and those around them.
In his closing remarks, Michael Hart, President of AmCham China, thanked the 12 speakers and panelists, as well as the sponsors. He highlighted the increasing leadership of women in various sectors, noting that 85% of AmCham China staff are women. Hart encouraged attendees to join the WPC WeChat group and wished everyone a happy time. The majority of the attendees stayed on for a vibrant and lively cocktail networking session, continuing the conversation into the early evening.
AmCham China extends its sincere gratitude to our sponsors for their generous support in making this event possible.
To learn more about the Women’s Professionals Committee contact Yu Yin.
