Zhang Xin: Renowned Entrepreneur & Philanthropist - From Humble Beginnings to Shaping Beijing's Iconic Landscape and Sustainable Future

Zhang Xin is a renowned entrepreneur and business leader, celebrated globally for her innovative approach to entrepreneurship, creativity, and beauty. As the Co-Founder and former CEO of SOHO China, one of China's most prominent property developers, Xin has been recognized as the "woman who built Beijing" for her remarkable contributions to the city's urban landscape.

Currently, Xin is the Founder of Closer Media, a New York-based film production company and financier that focuses on developing and producing narrative and documentary films and series. Headquartered in New York City, Closer Media is committed to working with global filmmakers and partners to create meaningful stories that bring people closer together.

Born in Beijing in 1965, Xin moved to Hong Kong at the age of 14, where she worked as a factory girl while pursuing her education through night school. She later moved to the UK, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Sussex and a Master's degree in Development Economics from Cambridge University.

Xin's education served as a foundation for her successful career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs. However, she soon returned to China to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions. In 1995, she co-founded SOHO China, which under her leadership became one of the country's most prolific office property developers, with 54 million square feet of projects in Beijing and Shanghai.

In 2007, SOHO China was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising US $1.9 billion in the largest IPO from a private Chinese enterprise at the time. Xin is recognized for her innovative projects, designed by renowned international architects such as Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, and Kohn Pederson Fox. Her commitment to the arts has been recognized globally, with awards such as the special prize at the 8th La Biennale di Venezia for Commune by the Great Wall.

Xin has also been recognized for her philanthropic efforts, including her patronage of the arts through her developments that have reshaped cities and elevated public appreciation of architecture and design. Her rags-to-riches story and entrepreneurial success have made her a social media celebrity with 10 million followers on Weibo, China's Twitter.

Xin serves as a Trustee of MoMA, a Member of the Harvard Global Advisory Council, and a member of the Asia Business Council. She holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Sussex and has served as a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Committed to sustainability, Xin and her husband Pan Shiyi are founding members of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a fund spearheaded by Bill Gates that invests in cutting-edge ventures to enable a zero-emissions energy future. In 2014, Xin and Pan launched the SOHO China Scholarships to provide financial aid to Chinese undergraduate students at leading international universities. To date, the scholarships have been established at Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago, supporting approximately 50 Chinese students every year.

About: Zhang Xin

Zhang Xin is a pioneering entrepreneur and business leader, celebrated for her innovative approach to entrepreneurship, creativity, and beauty. As the Co-Founder and former CEO of SOHO China, she has been recognized as the "woman who built Beijing" for her remarkable contributions to the city's urban landscape.

"I believe that entrepreneurship is not just about creating a business, but about creating a better world."

"Creativity is the spark that drives innovation, and I believe that it's essential for any business to thrive."