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Election results to be announced at the AMCHAM SHANGHAI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING November 25, 2020 Learn about the candidates running for the 2021 Board of Governors Voting begins November 9 2021 AmCham Shanghai Board of Governors Election Candidate Information Booklet

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  • Election results to be announced at the AMCHAM SHANGHAI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    November 25, 2020

    Learn about the candidates running for the 2021 Board of GovernorsVoting begins November 9

    2021AmCham Shanghai

    Board of Governors Election

    Candidate Information Booklet

  • Dear Members,

    Election season is quickly approaching! Voting for the

    2021 Board of Governors will begin Monday, November 9 and

    the results will be announced at our annual general meeting

    on Wednesday, November 25. This insert provides important

    information about the candidates and their platforms. There

    is also a reminder about voting rights. Please read carefully.

    We have a slate of 10 candidates running for five vacant

    positions on the Board. The list of candidates is provided

    below, as is the list of those Board members who still have a

    second year on their current term. There are several ways to

    learn more about the views of each candidate:

    Meet the candidates at the November 3 Monthly Member

    Briefing. Look at the 2020 Board of Governors' Election page on

    our website, where candidates have posted information

    about what they would do if elected. Review the biography and platform statement for each

    candidate on the official ballot. Talk to the candidates directly at one of our events during

    campaign season (November 4 - November 20).

    I encourage Chamber members to take advantage of

    these opportunities – become an informed voter!

    Finally, who can vote? This is an important point because

    not all Chamber members have voting rights. We have

    about 2,000 eligible voters, mainly from our US corporate

    members and individual US citizen members. For those

    who are associate members, please take note that not all

    associate members have voting rights. Each US corporate

    member can identify up to two associate members with

    voting rights. If you are uncertain if you have voting rights,

    ask your company or call our membership office (6169-

    3000). Over the past several weeks, we have been in touch

    with all US corporate members to update the list of associate

    members with voting rights.

    All eligible voters will receive an electronic ballot with

    a unique code. If you do not receive a ballot, that means

    you do not have voting rights.

    Current Board members who will remain on the Board

    for a second year are:

    Curt Ferguson, President, Greater China, Korea &

    Mongolia, Coca-Cola Christine Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Citi China Jeffrey Lehman, Vice Chancellor, NYU Shanghai Li Fang, President & General Manager, Corning Greater

    China Qing Myerson, Project Leader, Global LE Integration

    PMO, Bristol-Myers Squibb Michelle Yan, President, Crane

    Candidates Running for Governor:

    Robert Abbanat, CEO, GloCoach Tony Acciarito, President, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Allison Cui, Vice President, Milliken & Company, General

    Manager, Milliken Floor Covering Business, Asia Norman Gu, General Manager, Hormel Foods Greater

    China Cameron Johnson, Partner, TidalWave Kent D. Kedl, CEO, Control Risks Greater China Han Lin, Senior Vice President & Deputy General

    Manager, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Shanghai Branch Jean Liu, Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate

    Affairs Officer, EF China Tom Ward, Founder, PIM China Bryce Whitwam, Chief Executive Officer, MRM//McCann

    China

    Sincerely,

    Ker Gibbs

    President

    Introducing Candidates for the 2021 Board of Governors

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    Robert Abbanat

    CEOGloCoach

    BiographyAt heart, I'm a serial entrepreneur. I ran two successful

    businesses and learned how to lead before graduating from

    university. Since the day I left the classroom, I've been designing

    and building them—virtually. With more degrees than I really

    need, I have plenty of ideas about what works, what doesn't and

    what the classroom of the future should look like.

    When I finished my first master's degree, I turned down

    Boeing to launch an ed-tech company producing interactive

    multimedia courses for engineering students. We ultimately

    produced 3D simulations to show how NASA missions unravel

    the mysteries of our solar system. I even managed to get my

    name on Mars (no kidding—ask me about it sometime!).

    When I finished my MBA, I moved to China and found a job

    in finance, traveling to places you've never heard of in search

    of good investment opportunities. This helped me to better

    understand the world’s second-biggest economy and ancient

    culture. I learned to speak the language and established a base

    of relationships that I rely on to this day.

    But at heart, I'm still an entrepreneur. Seeing the need and

    opportunities for education in China, I was inspired to launch ILE,

    now a global company with students in more than 50 cities. Our

    latest addition to the ILE family is GloCoach, which is home to

    hundreds of the world’s best corporate coaches with the mission

    to help CEOs, senior management teams and young emerging

    leaders improve leadership competencies and deliver superior

    results.

    It's not easy. China is a harsh entrepreneurial environment,

    especially for foreigners. While I’m confident in my ability to

    solve problems with cutting-edge technology, I think it is my

    persistence, ability to get results and my honesty that keep me

    ahead in the game.

    Above all, I love to make new acquaintances. So please

    reach out if you want to talk about ed-tech, life in China or World

    War II history.

    Election Platform Better Access to Business Opportunities on a Level Playing

    Field

    As its name implies, AmCham Shanghai is a place for

    American businesses to engage in commerce. Yet in the four

    years my company has been a member, we have generated

    relatively little ‘commerce’ within the Chinese market from

    our AmCham Shanghai interactions. Based on my experience,

    many other member companies share the same perspective—

    there are lots of events and great opportunities for networking

    with other AmCham Shanghai members, but relatively few

    opportunities for actually gaining access to the Chinese market.

    As a member of the Board of Governors, I plan to leverage my

    experience as a successful entrepreneur to increase business

    opportunities and activities for Chamber members within the

    Chinese market.

    To do this, I propose several key initiatives including:

    • Market outreach: I will work with the Board and committee

    leaders to create programs which build channels into

    specific markets where AmCham Shanghai members can

    gain access to potential customers and decision makers. I

    will leverage my product development experience to better

    utilize social media platforms and mobile technology to

    expand the Chamber’s reach beyond the Shanghai market,

    thus extending our reach to audiences who can benefit

    from the value we bring and exposing our members to new

    markets.

    • Regulatory fairness: I believe that AmCham Shanghai can

    do more to promote regulatory fairness towards American

    businesses operating in China, both through our work here

    in China as well as through our network in Washington.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai • Board of Governors: perfect meeting attendance from 2017-

    2018

    • Panel organizer/moderator, 2018 HR Conference

    • Future Leader of the Year Award judge, 2017

    • Chairman of Talent Transformation Forum, 2015-2016

    • Member of National Election Committee, 2015

    • Master of Ceremonies, Workforce 2020 Conference, 2014

    • Chairman of Education & Training Committee, 2014-2015

    • Vice-chair of Education & Training Committee, 2013

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    Tony Acciarito

    PresidentThermo Fisher Scientific China

    BiographyTony Acciarito has been President of Thermo Fisher

    Scientific China since August 2017. Prior to this role, Tony was

    Vice President and General Manager of South Korea from

    January 2014 and was responsible for leading employees

    across multiple business units in addition to developing and

    implementing a long-term strategic plan that led to rapid

    business growth in South Korea.

    Tony joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2009 as General

    Manager in Australia and was responsible for sales, marketing,

    and service management. He has a wealth of knowledge and

    more than 25 years of experience, starting as a laboratory

    chemist and followed by commercial roles within the scientific

    industry in various Asia Pacific regions. Prior to joining Thermo

    Fisher, he worked in senior leadership roles for Perkin Elmer

    Inc, Selby Scientific, and Biolab, overseeing commercial and

    operational functions and leading a number of business

    acquisitions across Australia and New Zealand.

    He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from RMIT

    University of Melbourne and a Diploma in Applied Science

    from Northern Melbourne Institute of Technology. Tony is also

    a long-standing member of The Royal Australian Chemical

    Institute as a Chartered Chemist. Born in Australia, Tony speaks

    fluent Italian and English and has lived in both Australia and

    South Korea. He now lives in Shanghai with his wife and three

    boys.

    Election Platform I am proud to have served as a member of the Board of

    Governors for the past two years. During this time l have done

    my best to use AmCham Shanghai to enhance the operating

    environment in China for the American business community. I

    hope to continue this effort with a goal to serve our members,

    especially during the mounting uncertainties in the bilateral

    relationship.

    In my capacity as a member of the Board of Governors,

    as well as a business leader of a large multinational American

    company in China, I strongly believe in a mutually beneficial

    US-China relationship and a business-friendly social economic

    environment in China. More than ever before, we face a turning

    point given the challenges presented by the rapidly changing

    geopolitical environment compounded by a world-wide

    pandemic.

    My Role as President of Thermo Fisher Scientific

    As the world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher

    Scientific has been operating in China for almost 40 years with

    our 5,000 colleagues based in China. Our foundation is built

    on a key strategic imperative— “in China for China.” To achieve

    this, we must remain closely aligned with the China Five Year

    Plan and serve all sectors of the scientific community such

    as life sciences, biotech and biopharma research as well as

    healthcare and environmental protection. Our mission is to

    enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner

    and safer, and we do this with innovation at the core. Our local

    scale and experience allow me to support existing members

    and leverage our presence to help influence local and central

    government.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai Thermo Fisher has been a loyal member of AmCham

    Shanghai for many years. Our senior executives have been

    strong supporters and active participators in various events

    including executive dialogues, government outreach programs,

    and CSR activities. We are committed to making a positive

    impact through our products, our people and our support for

    AmCham Shanghai.

    • We can bring profound insights and knowledge to help

    improve the overall business environment for the AmCham

    Shanghai membership base.

    • We are keen to influence our associated business

    partners and individuals across all industries through more

    involvement in the AmCham Shanghai community.

    • We are dedicated to fostering a healthy partnership

    between US companies and the Chinese government by not

    only sponsoring the annual government appreciation dinner

    and government affairs conference, but also proactively

    reaching out to senior government representatives in both

    the US and China, as a voice for the private sector and to

    build trust between stakeholders.

    • I will continue to encourage my team to form a taskforce to

    develop an annual collaborative strategy with the Chamber

    office and committees, and actively participate in Chamber

    activities including conferences, networking events, and

    CSR activities.

    With your support, I look forward to continuing as a

    member of the Board of Governors and contributing to building

    a strong and sustainable business environment for all American

    companies.

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    Allison Cui

    Vice President, Milliken & CompanyGeneral Manager, Milliken Floor Covering Business, Asia

    BiographyAllison is the Asia General Manager for Milliken Floor

    Covering’s business division. She is responsible for driving

    business growth and managing business operations in Asia

    and she is based in Shanghai.

    Milliken is a family-owned company, founded in 1865

    in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. It has more than

    7000 associates globally and more than 40 manufacturing

    facilities worldwide. Milliken is an industry innovator and

    market leader. It has highly diversified businesses in special

    chemicals, commercial flooring material, protective material,

    and healthcare material. Milliken has over 5500 patents

    accumulated since 1927. It entered China in the late 1990s and

    established its Asia HQ in Shanghai.

    Allison joined Milliken in 2016. She was the Vice President

    of Asia Strategy and Business Development overseeing growth

    acceleration and M&A opportunities across its business in Asia.

    Prior to Milliken & Company, Allison joined DuPont in 2011

    and held diverse leadership positions at DuPont Nutrition and

    Health China for five years. She served as Marketing Director,

    Chair of China Growth Strategy Management Office, and

    Business Director of the China Hydrocolloids Business.

    After graduating from Stanford Graduate School of Business

    in 2007, Allison joined Professor Michael Porter’s management

    consulting firm Monitor Group (now Deloitte Consulting) and

    worked there for five years. She led numerous and diverse

    client projects from MNCs to private enterprises to China SOEs,

    and her expertise covered strategy development, commercial

    excellence, organization design and leadership development.

    Allison is co-chair of AmCham’s Women’s Executive

    Network, a Member of AmCham’s Manufacturing Business

    Council, an ICF Certified Professional Coach, and an Advisor

    to the School of Economics and Management of Tong Ji

    University.

    She holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of

    Business, and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Shanghai

    Jiao Tong University.

    Election Platform AmCham Shanghai is a uniquely important institution for the

    community of people and enterprises who have American ties

    and work in Shanghai and beyond. I am pursuing a seat on the

    Board of Governors of AmCham Shanghai, where I look forward

    to playing a strategic role representing member companies on

    both sides of the Pacific. In the increasingly more complex and

    ambiguous business environment and U.S.-China relationship

    we need to shape a more MNC- & SME-engaged community

    and maintain relevance to provide value to all members.

    If elected to the Board and given the privilege to serve you,

    I pledge to grow overall Chamber engagement by:

    • Drawing upon my extensive experience in leading complex

    MNCs and family businesses to help guide the strategy of

    the Chamber into the future. Crafting a vision and strategy

    to effectively engage and benefit all MNC & SME member

    companies.

    • Capitalizing on my experiences in Operations & Technology

    to enhance the Chamber’s digital capabilities to maintain

    relevance in one of the world’s most digital markets.

    • Continuing to build and leverage WEN and other committee

    platforms to promote increased membership, greater

    diversity and better community relationships.

    • Supporting outreach to like-minded organizations to build

    Chamber visibility and advocate for foreign business

    interests.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai Milliken & Company has been a loyal member and strong

    supporter of AmCham Shanghai for many years. Milliken is

    an innovation-driven and highly diversified family-owned

    manufacturing company and in a unique position to represent

    MNC & SME voices and effectively connect and engage with

    companies. Milliken employees regularly attend AmCham

    events and activities. Milliken actively participated in the

    AmCham Shanghai survey of the China business environment

    post COVID-19, the AmCham Shanghai survey on the WeChat

    Executive Order and many other surveys conducted during the

    outbreak of COVID-19 early this year.

    I am co-chair of AmCham’s Women’s Executive Network.

    At one of the Chamber’s flagship Women’s Leadership

    Conferences in 2020, I co-created the conference agenda,

    worked on the conference’s content, secured speakers and

    moderated sessions. As an ICF certified professional coach,

    I actively led and participated in quarterly Peer-to-Peer

    coaching programs for women leaders at WEN to support

    women’s leadership development and grow the community.

    I am also a member of the AmCham Manufacturing Business

    Council. I have regularly participated in roundtable discussions

    as a panelist and moderator to promote business innovation

    and engage with current Chamber members and potential new

    members.

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    Norman Gu

    General ManagerHormel Foods Greater China

    BiographyNorman Gu is General Manager of Hormel Foods Greater

    China. In his current role, he has full P&L responsibility and

    oversees strategy formulation, M&A, business development

    and operations, including three production sites in China (two

    Hormel plants and one Skippy plant). He also serves as a board

    director of Beijing Hormel Foods Co., Ltd (JV).

    Norman started his career with Hormel in 2003 as Regional

    Sales Manager in Shanghai. In 2006, he moved to Beijing as

    Sales Director, where he was responsible for sales, marketing

    and logistics for North China. Two years later, he relocated to

    Shanghai to oversee Hormel’s national Foodservice business.

    He was named VP of Sales & Marketing China in 2014, and was

    responsible for both Foodservice & Retail. He was appointed to

    his current role in 2016.

    Norman received his MBA from Renmin University of China.

    Currently, he is in the Executive Development Program at CEIBS,

    which he will complete by the end of 2020. He has also served

    as co-chair of the Food, Agriculture, and Beverage committee at

    Amcham Shanghai since 2019.

    Election Platform Born and bred in China, I have worked with Hormel Foods

    China for 17 years, rising from a sales manager to General

    Manager of Greater China. It has been my great fortune to

    experience such an exciting and fast-growing economy as

    China’s. I am also deeply grateful for the opportunities that arose

    when China opened its doors and invited foreign investment into

    the country 40 years ago. As a US food company with a presence

    in China for 26 years, Hormel is in search of more than business

    growth; we hope to bring a wide variety of safe and high-quality

    foods to Chinese consumers. To this end, we play a positive role

    in improving the quality of industry-wide standards and offering

    recommendations to authorities at all levels.

    Years of work with an MNC has equipped me with a deep

    understanding of the opportunities and challenges that

    US operations face in this market. As country manager, my

    role is to build bridges between our US head office and our

    China operation in areas such as business strategies, cultural

    exchanges, marketing insights, and talent acquisitions. Since

    2019, I have served as co-chair of the Food, Agriculture and

    Beverage Committee at AmCham Shanghai. This experience

    has elevated my understanding of “bridges” to a higher level

    – from an industry point of view, it has shown me how we can

    continue to emphasize that AmCham Shanghai is the spine of

    the US business community in this dynamic market, particularly

    at this critical time.

    I am now pursuing this new role on the Board of Governors,

    where I can contribute my knowledge and expertise to the

    Chamber’s long-term strategy and, most importantly, implement

    a strategy that will help the Chamber to keep evolving. If I am

    elected to the Board with your support, I would like to further

    contribute to AmCham Shanghai by:

    • Focusing on member benefits that will enhance members'

    experiences. Leveraging and optimizing AmCham Shanghai’s

    resources as a platform to offer meaningful market insights,

    regulatory analysis, networking opportunities, conferences,

    dialogues with government, etc. Supporting industry

    committee chairs to continue providing valuable content to

    members.

    • Bridging the difference between the US and China by

    engaging with both governments to better support the US

    business community to overcome the current challenges

    and adapt to the "new normal" environment.

    • Bringing different perspectives to the Chamber that could

    help further engagement with more local businesses.

    Further opening the Chamber to local business communities

    and building productive communication between MNCs,

    SMEs and numerous great local companies.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai• Member since 2008

    • Independence Day in-kind sponsor (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)

    • Served as co-chair of the Food, Agriculture and Beverage

    committee (2019 –2020)

    • Organized and sponsored the Food, Agriculture and

    Beverage Conference (2018, 2019, 2020)

    • Frequent speaker and moderator at AmCham events (2018 -

    2020)

    • Hosted a HORMEL Jiaxing plant tour for AmCham members

    (2018)

    • Organized the ADM R&D Center tour for AmCham members

    (2019)

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    Cameron Johnson

    PartnerTidalWave

    BiographyCameron has 20 years of management experience

    across various industries in China. He is currently a partner at TidalWave, a boutique consulting firm based in Shanghai, and head of APAC strategy for FAO Global, a DC-based consultancy focused on global advisory services for SMEs. He is also an advisor to the National IDC Industrial Technological Innovation Strategic Alliance, a China-based technology association.

    Cameron was the Asia General Manager at a global carbon fiber company for seven years, where he expanded the business throughout the Asia region, delivering an average of 48% annual revenue growth. He was also the Operations Director for a global sourcing and risk management company, focused on consumer packaging and customized prototypes, Cameron also served as Business Manager at Microsoft. He has lived in China for 20 years in Beijing, Shanghai, Changchun, and Chongqing.

    Cameron received a Graduate Business Certification from the University of Wales and graduated from the University of Washington with BAs in Communications and Comparative Religion. He also serves as the co-president of the University of Washington’s Shanghai alumni chapter.

    Election Platform I first came to China at age 19 and have lived in this country

    for 20 years. I witnessed the opening of the first McDonald’s in Changchun as a teenager and observed and experienced the tremendous growth and transformation China has undertaken in the last two decades. I have made Shanghai my home and expect to spend at least another 20 years here.

    I have been active with AmCham Shanghai since the early 2000s.

    Running my own consulting practice across different cultures, industries, and geographies, I bring a rich diversity of resources to the AmCham Shanghai community. I have a flexible work schedule which allows me to commit more time and energy to serving our Chamber. My ongoing collaboration with various US-based Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations will also be a valuable asset to our members.

    Having worked at large MNCs, SMEs, and building my own companies, I have a unique perspective on the challenges each face. I think of myself as a facilitator – bringing people from different cultures and business backgrounds to build something greater than their individual parts. I would like to join the Board and contribute to the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai by:• Serving individual members by providing meaningful

    networking, coaching, and career/personal development avenues. I see opportunities in mobilizing and optimizing member resources through targeted, creative events and materials.

    • Serving SMEs by promoting business opportunities and

    providing the resources and advice they often struggle to access. I see the need for small business owners to leverage online/offline channels to showcase their businesses and products. As an AmCham board member, I would like to bring the various committees together to provide a dynamic platform that enables and empowers SMEs.

    • Connecting individuals and SMEs with MNCs for optimizing resources.

    • Developing greater cohesion amongst various AmCham committees to break down industry silos for further innovative collaborations. The traditionally defined industry classification, while still valid, does not always facilitate cross-discipline creativity and innovation. I’m often amazed by the power of creating unconventional connections between businesses and want to bring the same connectivity across existing AmCham subcommittees.

    • Connecting AmCham Shanghai with other NGOs in China and globally. I participated in the opening and showcasing of AmCham’s office in San Francisco, presented to the Washington State China Relations Council and the University of Washington’s International Advancement Office. I see a great need in the US to connect with China-based American businesses and communities. I believe cultivating these relationships to drive collaboration will strengthen AmCham Shanghai.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai Active since the early 2000s.

    • Delegate on AmCham DC Doorknock visits (2016, 2018 and 2019)

    • AmCham China Chairman of the Aerospace Sub-committee at ECWG (2015-2017)

    • Vice-chair and Co-chair of the Future Leaders Committee, including creation of the Future Leaders of the Year Awards and organizing the Annual Salary Survey (2015-2018)

    • Vice-chair of the Manufacturers’ Business Council (2019 - present)

    • Panel speaker at AmCham Shanghai’s San Francisco office opening (2019)

    • Guest speaker and panel member at various AmCham events (on-going), including this year at “Managing US-China Trade relations,” “Thrive in China’s New Environmental Era” and the International FDI Summit

    • Contributor to AmCham Viewpoint briefings (Reappraising Export Controls) and Insight magazine

    • Contributor to the AmCham PPE Procurement Guide • Adjunct professor in Shanghai at New York University’s

    School of Professional studies teaching on Leadership in Global OrganizationsIf you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me

    at [email protected].

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    Kent D. Kedl

    CEOControl Risks Greater China

    BiographyKent has lived and worked in China since the late 1980s and

    has been in Shanghai since 1994. He is a Senior Partner in Control

    Risks Asia Pacific and CEO for Control Risks’ Greater China and

    North Asia region.

    Kent has consulted with multinational and local Asian

    corporations across all industries on a diverse range of complex

    risk and strategy issues: geopolitics and regulatory issues,

    M&A and organic growth strategy, crisis management and

    operational business controls, and strategic and organizational

    development programs.

    Prior to joining Control Risks, Kent was general manager and

    co-owner of Technomic Asia, a market strategy consulting firm

    providing mergers and acquisitions advice, deal structuring and

    negotiations, market research and strategy planning. His work

    included target selection, investigations of companies prior to a

    deal (acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing, franchising, etc.,) and

    deal negotiations.

    Kent has worked as a journalist and radio broadcaster, is

    a frequent contributor to Asia-based media outlets and is co-

    author of The China Ready Company. In his spare time, Kent

    writes and performs stand-up comedy in China and across Asia.

    Kent is fluent in Chinese, with a bachelor’s degree in English and

    a master’s degree in East Asian studies from the University of

    Minnesota. He also completed graduate studies in journalism

    and mass communication as a scholar at the China Times Centre

    for Mass Media and Social Studies.

    Election Platform I am running for a board position at AmCham Shanghai

    because I want to help lead an organization that represents

    the best of American companies – organizations with strong

    businesses, leading brands and extensive China experience

    – and, as such, has the greatest opportunity for learning and

    sharing successful practices among its members. I’ve been

    living and working in China since the late 1980s and one of the

    first lessons I learned is that there is no such thing as a “China

    Expert” – none of us know everything about China and all of us

    have things we can learn from each other. Never has there been

    more of a need to share knowledge and experience because

    never have the business challenges in China been greater

    than they are today – post-COVID market recovery, increasing

    local competition, aggressive Chinese regulatory oversight and

    deteriorating US-China relations are among the greatest issues

    we face.

    As geopolitical tensions between the US and China

    increase, the challenges AmCham Shanghai as an organization

    representing American companies and Americans in China will

    increase. The AmCham Shanghai board must continue to focus

    on supporting the success of its members; however, the board

    must also focus on managing its own risks and improving its

    own resiliency. I believe that my experience advising foreign

    companies in navigating geopolitical and regulatory compliance

    issues will be very beneficial to the AmCham Shanghai board

    and will help guide the organization and ensure that AmCham

    Shanghai’s decades of past success will continue for years to

    come.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai • Corporate member since the early 2000s under three

    different companies

    • Regular attendee at AmCham events and mixers

    • Regular presenter at AmCham Shanghai and AmCham

    Suzhou conferences

    • Participating as an “Ambassador” for AmCham, attending

    Business Briefings with visiting groups to represent

    AmCham’s membership and talk about doing business in

    China (average 1-2 events per quarter)

    • Director and co-author of the China Business Climate

    surveys and co-presenter at the annual presentation of the

    survey results, 2010-2013

    • Multiple contributions to Insight magazine

    • Member of the AmCham NEC in 2009

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    Han Lin

    Senior Vice President & Deputy General Manager Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Shanghai Branch

    BiographyHan Lin is Deputy General Manager of Wells Fargo Bank

    in China. In this capacity, Han supports bank governance and

    advises Wells Fargo corporate clients on their US-China cross-

    border strategic financing and trade needs.

    Han completed his undergraduate studies in business

    at the University of Michigan. He later completed a Masters

    in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of

    Advanced International Studies (SAIS), a Masters of Science

    in Global Finance from the joint NYU Stern Business School-

    HK University of Science and Technology program and a law

    degree (LLM) in Chinese commercial law at Fudan University

    Law School.

    Han is both a returned Peace Corps Volunteer with three

    years of service in Ukraine and is a US veteran. He currently

    serves as Treasurer of the Chamber’s Board of Governors, and

    previously served as Chair of its Financial Services Committee.

    He lives in Shanghai with his wife and two daughters.

    Election Platform AmCham Shanghai has always been a rich ecosystem of

    learning, community and advocacy – a unique status all the

    more relevant as US-China relations take a complex turn. But its

    spirit lies in the membership. If re-elected to the BOG, I would

    focus on the following:

    • Bolster the development of relevant informational events

    that inform and educate, and educate our membership as

    they navigate in the evolving China environment

    • Reach out to the younger female membership, and

    encourage more of their active participation through

    mentoring

    • Support initiatives to strengthen government engagement

    such that the views of AmCham Shanghai are increasingly

    heard

    • Dedicate myself to the healthy governance of AmCham

    Shanghai

    Although born and raised in the US, I’ve had the pleasure of

    working in China for over 14 years. Prior to my current position,

    I’ve had stints across non-profits, large MNCs and startups.

    As a result, I believe I bring a multi-faceted and energetic

    view of looking at China. I appreciate what AmCham Shanghai

    represents and what more it can offer. If given the opportunity

    to serve again on the BOG, you’ll continue to have my earnest

    dedication and ear for your thoughts.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai No week goes by that I do not dedicate time to the

    Chamber. As Treasurer of the Board of the Governors, I have

    worked extensively with the Chamber in managing its budget

    to make it through the COVID-19 period. In addition, I’ve

    actively participated on panels, provided feedback on Chamber

    publications and sponsored several interns.

    During five years as the Vice-Chair & Chair of the Financial

    Services Committee, I have had the privilege to:

    • Directly organize in excess of 50 events (in collaboration with

    other committees) on a multitude of financial services and

    economic topics of interest to:o General Amcham Shanghai membership – Example

    topics include S&P Global Economic Outlook, Blockchain,

    Insurance Industry Primer, RMB Internationalizationo CFOs – Examples include Corporate Tax, Finance

    Talent Retention, Technology Trends, Government

    Affairs management, and other topics specific to CFOs,

    Treasurers or equivalentso Senior Financial Services Practitioners – Examples

    include Regulator Relations, Capital Controls, etc.

    • Represent AmCham Shanghai on three Washington DC

    Doorknocks, as well as participate as a Subject Matter Expert

    in meetings with over 20 visiting US delegations to Shanghai.

    • Support advocacy through publications such as white papers

    (Shanghai as an IFC), Viewpoints (China Capital Controls)

    • Mentor a number of junior members (i.e. FLP Committee), and

    women to become more active in the AmCham Shanghai

    community

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    Jean Liu

    Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs OfficerEF China

    BiographyJean Liu is a seasoned executive in business development,

    marketing and corporate affairs. Her career has spanned the

    globe from North America to Asia. She is currently Executive

    Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at EF, the

    world's largest privately held education company. A leading

    industry player with over 20,000 employees and 300 schools,

    EF is also the largest employer of expatriates in China, with over

    1000 international teachers, many of whom are Americans.

    Prior to joining EF, Jean led the global Cloud Marketing

    Team for IBM's Growth Market Unit in Shanghai. She later led

    IBM China's marketing team for Cloud and Technology Services.

    Before IBM, Jean was Vice President of Corporate Affairs for

    the EDS Corporation. Based in Shanghai, Jean was responsible

    for government relations, business development, partner

    relationships and marketing & communications for EDS. She

    was on the Board of Directors of EDS' joint-venture in China

    and served as Vice Chairman of China Association of Services

    Trade. Jean also spent five years in the telecom industry, holding

    global leadership roles in brand management and advertising

    for AT&T and its joint venture with BT.

    Earlier in her career, Jean gained extensive advertising, PR

    and marketing experience with leading global agencies in the

    U.S. and in Asia.

    Jean holds a BA degree in Economics and Political Science

    from Wellesley College and an MBA from the University of

    Chicago. She has been an active member of AmCham Shanghai

    since 2004.

    Election Platform Jean has been an active member of AmCham Shanghai

    since 2004. As the co-chair of the Women’s Executive Network,

    Jean worked on the WeForShe conferences – the largest event

    of the Chamber – including creating content, inviting speakers

    and moderating sessions. After serving as the Co-Chair for this

    committee for three years, she was recently selected to serve on

    the Chamber’s less public “behind the scene” Ethics Committee.

    The Committee’s work has already produced tangible outcome

    in raising awareness for this important topic and created much

    needed programs for SME members of the Chamber. In earlier

    days, Jean participated in the China Round Table, and the IT

    Committee.

    Jean has also been actively engaged with the Government

    Affairs Committee. She and EF provided input to a series of

    new laws; she participated in the Chamber’s delegations to

    neighboring provinces, presenting her views and challenges at

    these meetings. More importantly, she was able to get positive

    results from these efforts.

    Under Jean’s leadership, EF’s involvement and contribution

    to the Chamber has increased steadily. EF has participated in the

    China Business Environment Survey every year, representing a

    small number of companies in the education services sector. EF

    also participated in and sponsored some of the largest events

    held by the Chamber, including the government appreciation

    dinners. EF also won the Chamber’s CSR award in 2019.

    Doing business in China for multinational companies has

    never been more challenging. The Chamber must play a more

    proactive role in helping our members adapt to the rapidly

    changing business environment. The Chamber should build

    upon its existing initiatives and reach the next level, by further

    leveraging technology in the post-pandemic era.

    If elected to the Board, I would continue to raise awareness

    for ethics and compliance – for companies big and small. It is not

    just the right thing to do, but an important competitive advantage.

    I would also encourage the Chamber to use its unique position

    with the government to help members solve specific issues

    faster. Briefings are great, but in-depth knowledge, analysis

    and engagement would take us to the next level in serving the

    members’ needs. I would also advocate for a holistic view of the

    Chamber’s plan and its related objectives, so members would

    get more engaged and feel the benefits of the programs.

    In my view, enhancing the Chamber’s valuable support is

    not about more resources or programs; it is about proactively

    anticipating the needs of our members and providing the

    means that lead to viable solutions. And the Chamber can do

    this by further leveraging member companies’ resources as well

    as its own unique position in “business Shanghai.”

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    Tom Ward

    FounderPIM China

    BiographyI am currently serving my first term on the Board of Governors

    and am seeking a second term. Over the past 30 years, I have

    been working with Asia-Pacific businesses, initially as a trader

    of American industrial products, with the last 23 as a resident of

    China. I have conducted projects in most East Asian countries,

    including Japan, Korea, mainland China, its territories of Hong

    Kong and Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore.

    In my early years in China, I focused on China market

    entry projects for construction materials and established local

    production of licensed protective coatings here in Shanghai.

    At the end of my last assignment in 2005 with DuPont China, I

    formed PIM China, Ltd. to provide industrial market opportunity

    analysis and strategic consulting services for multiple industrial

    clients.

    Currently, my colleagues and I are engaged in industrial

    products and specialty materials market entry and expansion

    projects. Over the past 13 years we have consulted with the full

    range of manufacturing in China throughout most provinces. Our

    team also supports American investors to conduct targeting for

    China acquisitions.

    With over 30 years of Asian business experience, I am

    articulate in the different business customs of the region,

    openings and barriers to market entry, and the various ways and

    means of creating successful business ventures in China’s highly

    complex industrial markets.

    Election Platform It is challenging to select which candidates to vote for, as

    each one has been thoroughly vetted and is qualified to serve

    on the board. I am honored to be selected to run for a second

    term.

    If elected I will commit to the Chamber’s continuation of

    providing meaningful programs and events that inform and

    serve our membership. As a candidate I have selected two focus

    areas if elected as a board member.

    Membership Growth

    In particular, I will continue volunteering to help grow our

    numbers and support our expanded membership drive within

    our current corporate member companies. Many of them have

    two or three top executives on our rolls whose schedules keep

    them from attending many of our events. Some have over a

    thousand employees, but have no mid-managers attending

    and benefiting from our seminars, conferences, and committee-

    focused programs. Bringing them in as associate members

    would enable them to receive our event notices and attend

    those of interest to them. I will also continue supporting new

    member growth of our branch offices in Nanjing, Suzhou, and

    Hangzhou.

    American Business Advocacy

    In addition to increasing our membership, I will actively

    support and participate in our role as the voice of American

    businesses in China. Throughout my 20 years with AmCham, we

    have not experienced such troubling tensions between our two

    countries. It is especially important to ensure that our concerns

    are heard by both the Chinese and American authorities. This

    should not be limited to our D.C. Doorknock, which will need

    to be virtual this year, but with the continuation of our position

    papers, articles in both the American and Chinese press, and

    focused meetings with representatives of both governments.

    Thank you for reading this and participating in our election.

    If you wish to make me aware of any particular issues affecting

    your business in China, you may email me at tomward@pimchina.

    com or contact me by WeChat. My ID is “Guilaoguy.”

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai Over the past 20 years I have been pleased to serve AmCham

    Shanghai in various capacities:

    • Current Board of Governors Board Member 2019-2020

    • Founder and chair of the SME Committee (now Entrepreneurs

    Committee)

    • Chair of AmCham Fourth of July Party

    • Member of our Washington Doorknock team

    • Panel moderator for AmCham Suzhou

    • Panelist for AmCham Suzhou’s leadership conference

    • Chair of AmCham Ethics Committee

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    Bryce Whitwam

    Chief Executive OfficerMRM//McCann China

    BiographyBryce Whitwam is Chief Executive Officer of MRM//McCann

    China, part of the McCann Worldgroup, one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing firms. Bryce is responsible for the firm’s offices in Shanghai and Beijing.

    Bryce arrived in Shanghai in 2005 and has devoted his career to improving his understanding of the country. Fluent in Mandarin, Bryce is a recognized global expert on Chinese social media, database marketing and e-commerce.

    Whitwam joined the Chamber in 2009 and served as the Chair of the Marketing & Media Committee for five years. During this time, Bryce took a casual after-work social club with a few dozen participants and transformed it into AmCham Shanghai's largest committee by participation.

    Bryce has a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a BA from the University of Minnesota in Political Science and Russian Area Studies. He also received a degree in Advanced Chinese Language and Literature from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

    Election Platform I’m honored to have the opportunity to run for the AmCham

    Shanghai Board of Governors. If elected, I promise to continue the Chamber’s expansion of providing meaningful programs and events that inform and serve the membership.

    A Business Chamber for AllWe live in challenging times, and now, more than

    ever, Shanghai needs a strong Chamber: an open forum of international business and fellowship for both SMEs and multi-nationals. • Expand membership to a larger base of international and

    Chinese companies via an aggressive recruiting driveIf elected to the Board, I will advocate creating a special

    advisory board to actively recruit executives from Chinese companies into our Affiliated Members Program. • Actively promote the compelling reasons for these

    companies to join We all know the benefits of joining AmCham, but they may

    not be clear to these new recruits. Our recruitment drive needs to highlight those compelling reasons to join.

    Elevate & Transform Our Program OfferingIf we are going to diversify our membership, do we

    provide provocative programs and services that both attract and encourage participation from this new type of Chamber member? We know that their involvement is vital to both keep members and encourage new ones; are we effectively maximizing our use of technology to enable us to reach a larger audience?• Commission research to better understand what our new

    members want

    We know the AmCham backend platform for helping committees organize and promote events is first rate. But to transform our program offering, we may need to change/expand what our committees provide to members. I will advocate commissioning research to better understand what types of programs and services our new members would be willing to participate in. • Embrace digital transformation to increase participation to

    a larger membership poolParticipation in our programs is no longer restricted to

    Shanghai but can be available to anyone in the world. If elected Governor, I will work to expand our digital capabilities that will help to enrich the experience and promote our programs.

    Drive American Business Advocacy• Use multiple means to counter potential misinformation

    surrounding the US/China relationship American business interests in China are now being

    challenged. With heightened tensions, AmCham needs to assure that our concerns are being heard by both Chinese and American leaders. More importantly we need effective communications to cut through all the recent misinformation. This is not just limited to the congressional door knocks, but also needs to be expanded via position papers, interviews and meetings with leaders.

    If elected, I pledge to make these initiatives a reality. I am passionate about my convictions and am ready to make things happen, but also know that I don’t have all the answers and will appreciate your feedback and comments along the way. And by all means, please reach out to me at any time via WeChat if you have any questions.

    Contribution to AmCham Shanghai I have been a member of AmCham Shanghai since 2009.

    • Chair, Marketing & Media Committee, 2010-2015Through my efforts to transform the committee into a

    professional forum to learn new trends and innovative marketing practices, the Marketing & Media Committee became the most active committee in the Chamber.• New Member Communications Advisory Committee

    I worked to help create new and innovative ways to reach out to new members, providing them compelling reasons to join through a testimonial advertising campaign that was released through the Chamber’s various media platforms• Panel participant & moderator at various Amcham events

    WeChat: brycewhitwamE-mail: [email protected]

  • Election Processfor

    2021 Board of Governors

    November 3Meet the Candidates Forum at Monthly Members Briefing

    November 9Voting begins

    November 20, 5:30p.m.

    Voting closes(except for voting done in person at AGM)

    November 25

    Annual General Meeting (AGM)

    2021AmCham Shanghai

    Board of Governors Election

    Candidate Information Booklet