Initiatives ExecutiveMarie Chavanon Marie Chavanon is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in marketing and digital innovation, currently serving as the Head of Digital Health and Partnering for a major pharmaceutical company. With over 15 years of experience at the forefront of global organizations, Marie has led numerous transformative initiatives that blend digital strategies with innovative marketing practices, driving growth and operational efficiency. Fluent in French, English, and Mandarin, she is passionate about leveraging her diverse expertise to […]
Community Development ExecutiveBeatrice Cecchi Beatrice, originally from Italy, studied in Ireland and France before finishing her master in China where she has been living since 2015; after graduation she has started her career in automotive, first in Italian companies such as Pirelli and Pininfarina then in NIO, one of the most important players among Global EVs. Fluent in four languages – Italian, English, Chinese and Spanish – her friends and colleagues state she has an outstanding ability to network […]
Community Development ExecutiveXolisile Sithole Xolisile grew up in South Africa. From a young age she was raised by two cultures (African and European) which instilled her love and appreciation for multiculturalism. Xolisile’s childhood inspired her curiosity about different cultures. In her gap year, she was awarded a scholarship by the local Rotary Club to be an exchange student in Canada. During her amazing Canadian exchange, her duties revolved around being an ambassador for South Africa throughout the year. Her China […]
Membership ExecutiveEllen Koo Ellen is a seasoned international executive with 17+ year multi-faceted experience across function, industry and region. Her areas of expertise include strategy & planning, business development and cross culture team management. She is passionate and writes about self-growth, entrepreneurship and diversity. Originally from Seoul, Ellen has spent over 23 years in overseas and is currently based in Shanghai raising two kids. She holds an undergraduate master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford and a Global […]
Co Vice-President Erica Oh Erica is a seasoned Digital Project Manager with a background in overseeing mini-program and app development for the mainland Chinese market. Her proficiency lies in ensuring the timely delivery of projects, orchestrating cross-functional teams of digital experts, including engineers, designers, and strategists for some of the best brands in the world. Her previous roles were in the fintech industry in New York City, where she served as a key player in operations and credit risk operations. […]
Co Vice – President Soudamini (Sau) Khurana Soudamini is a creative leader with over two decades of digital experience across China, India, and the USA. With a background as a former Disney Creative, she has a proven track record of building and enhancing the digital presence of leading brands such as Giorgio Armani, Maserati, Hilton, Dyson, Hublot, and Topgolf, using platforms like WeChat, mobile apps, and social media. Her areas of expertise include design storytelling, branding, UI/UX, tech innovation, generative […]
What makes a great communicator? At our latest IPWS Public Speaking Workshop, Alejandra Mendoza shared the art of effective communication—not just for the stage but for everyday life. Because let’s face it: public speaking isn’t just about giving speeches; it’s about making connections, sharing ideas, and influencing conversations. Public Skills for Real Life Becoming a confident speaker isn’t about mastering a script—it’s about owning your voice and learning to communicate with clarity and impact. Whether you’re leading a meeting, pitching an idea, […]
IPWS is thrilled to announce that Franka Gulin, Director and Chief Representative of the Croatian National Tourist Board Shanghai Representative Office, has been honored with the prestigious Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award. This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Shanghai’s development, and Franka’s unwavering dedication to fostering cultural and economic ties between Croatia and Shanghai truly exemplifies this. On Saturday, 50 expatriates from 18 countries were awarded the Magnolia Silver Award. These remarkable individuals, representing diverse fields such […]
Join us for the first Mentor Walk of the year on Saturday, March 16th, at 9 am at VIC House! Mentor Walks brings together established women leaders and emerging women leaders in our community for a casual morning walk to discuss professional and personal successes, challenges and aspirations. Mentees have the incredible opportunity to seek advice from seasoned professionals who will provide an open ear, honest feedback and meaningful guidance. ■ Who can participate as a Mentee? Mentees are either in their […]
