It was an exciting day as the independent jury interviewed the remarkable finalists for the Women Leadership Awards 2024. Each of these inspiring Nominees, candidates, shortlisted trailblazers, demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation, and it was a privilege to learn more about their impactful journeys.
Andrew Hill
Since his arrival to China in 1989, Andrew has been actively involved in helping to create and manage several companies and organizations while serving the community. His company ELG (www.chinaelg.com), founded in 2006, was a pioneering international organization to support children with Special Needs. In 2015, Andrew created a non-profit NGO called Xiersen Children’s Center to improve the condition of Special Education in China.
Andrew joined Rotary in 2005 with the Rotary Club of Shanghai. He was elected as the 2016 President of his club. Andrew was appointed the national leadership position of Special Representative of China for Rotary International. In 2010, he received the highest honor for an individual in Shanghai for charitable contributions to society, The Charity Star of Shanghai Award. Andrew is also known to some as the Stan Lee of Manga Comics focusing on the world of intellectually and developmentally disabled people. (www.specialslices.com)
Ching-Ping Lin
Ching-Ping Lin is Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Orbit. Prior to Orbit, Ching-Ping built the first operations and HR team at Dragon Aviation Leasing, a joint venture between China Aviation Supplies and Aercap, and held roles at Amazon.com, McKesson, successfully exited startups Planetall.com and HPR Inc., and also early internet startup failure Freemark Communications. A health informaticist and qualitative researcher by training, she has built digital health systems in rural communities in Uganda, China, and the United States serving the health needs of under-resourced populations.
Ching-Ping has a BA in computer science and classics from Bowdoin College, a Ph.D. in biomedical informatics from the University of Washington School of Medicine, and was a post-doctoral fellow at Peking University in global health. Ching-Ping is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with a passion for supporting female entrepreneurs.
Jacquelien Postigo Brussee
Jacquelien is an international executive with 20+ years of experience across Europe, Middle-East and Asia, where she has helped leading businesses and brands with their business growth, digital transformation and brand innovations. Jacquelien has spent the last 14 years in China.
Currently, Jacquelien is the managing partner of Jibe, a next-gen branding agency for growth that specializes in partnering with brands to navigate pivotal moments by harnessing strategy, creativity, and a deep understanding of cultural shifts and emerging societal trends.
Prior to her role at Jibe, she held various top leadership positions in China the last 14 years; VP and GM at Labbrand Group and CEO China at Jones Knowles Ritchie most respectively.
Jacquelien holds an Executive MBA from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, and an MA International Business and Management from Hanze University in The Netherlands.
In addition to her work, Jacquelien is a frequent speaker, guest lecturer on topics including Branding, Strategy, Women Leadership, and as well a mentor for selected founders at the Orbit Startup programme- part of SOSV.
She sits on the Executive Committee of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, and is the Chair of the Dutch Marketing Network in Shanghai since 2019. Having been in and out of China since she was eleven, Jacquelien has a deep passion for China and its culture.
While not working, she loves to spend her time with her two kids, enjoying outdoor sports, traveling and miraculously she finds some pockets of time to express herself through her paintings.
Jian Lu
Jian Lu is an experienced business leader with over 20 years of international corporate experience. She currently serves as the Deputy General Manager of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in the East China Region, where she works to foster relationships and promotes economic cooperation between the Benelux countries and China.
Throughout her career, Jian has held notable positions in various organizations, including state-owned enterprises, Fortune 500 companies, and NGOs across Shanghai, Europe, and beyond. This diverse set of experiences has provided her with a deep understanding of cross-cultural business dynamics and enhanced her ability to lead diverse teams. As a critical advocate for women’s leadership she also works to empower others in their professional journeys.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Jian is passionate about supporting community organizations in need, reflecting her commitment to social responsibility and her dedication to helping those who require assistance.
Kitty Liu
Kitty Liu has held various business leadership roles in multinational corporates such as Unilever, Yum!, Reckitt Benckiser and General Mills. Currently, She serves as the Managing Director for Blackmores Greater China Region, a leading Australia Vitamin & Dietary Supplement company.
Over the past 5 years, Kitty has built China into the 2nd largest market, leading a team of over 60 employees, majority of whom are women. Her efforts have broken the bamboo ceiling, elevating the entire China leadership team to be part of the global senior leadership team, amplifying China’s influence and contribution. Many of these achievements were realized during the pandemic years when Kitty, the only non-Australian on the executive team, could not travel. Her passion for inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E), authenticity and engaging communication style that have transformed Blackmores into an inclusive workplace.
Kitty has also shaped polices and processes to ensure gender equality and provide development opportunities for Chinese female talents in strategic roles. She has advocated for mental wellbeing and psychological safety, implementing flexible hours, fitness programs and medical insurance coverage inclusion of family members that truly benefit the modern women of Greater China Region.
Kitty has commissioned a multi-year consumer education project with Tsinghua University promoting modern women’s holistic wellbeing and has been an active coach for Global Women Connect.
As a mom of two, Kitty balances her roles as a parent, coach, cheerleader and business leader and feeling energized by her 15-year journey of challenges, changes and prospects in China.
Rita Malvone
Rita Malvone is a Certified Diversity Practitioner, an ICF leadership coach, and a corporate culture builder. She is passionate about celebrating and amplifying women in leadership, and has served as the WLA Jury Secretary since 2018. When not celebrating the successes of extraordinary women and IPWS, she can be found actively supporting the Rotary Club of Shanghai and the Shanghai Coaching Circle.
Since launching Rita Malvone and Associates in 2014, she has learned firsthand the challenges and commitments of female leaders, and is driven to coaching women who are struggling to authentically and credibly take their seat at the table. A veteran Shanghailander, Rita has called the city home since relocating in 2011. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying afternoon tea or wandering in the old lanes that still inspire and invigorate her.
She will always find an excuse to wear a fancy hat and lives by the motto: #alwayschoosefabulous.
Add her on wechat: ShanghaiRita
A special thank you to our venue sponsor, Hang Lung Properties Limited, for their generous support of IPWS.
