CKGSB Concludes 12th Women in Leadership Forum and Launches Report on Female Entrepreneurs Shaping China's Digital Economy

BEIJING, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) successfully held its 2025 Women in Leadership Forum on December 2, 2025, in Beijing. Now in its 12^th year, the forum has become one of China's leading platforms for addressing women's leadership. This year, over 500 executives and 19 distinguished speakers gathered to explore how women are driving technology, brand and IP innovation.

"The Women in Leadership Forum has become a vital cross-sector platform where policymakers and business leaders gather to exchange insights, share experiences, and inspire new possibilities," said CKGSB Dean Li Haitao. He highlighted CKGSB's commitment to advancing women's leadership, noting that "the percentage of women in CKGSB's MBA has climbed to 49%, compared to just 16% in 2003," and cited the school's pioneering Women in Leadership Program (Juanyong), China's first holistic education platform for women leaders.

Chu Q. Wang, UN Women China Head of Office (a.i.), emphasized the business case for gender equality: "When women hold more board positions, companies not only perform better in the market but also manage volatility more effectively."

CKGSB Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior Zhang Xiaomeng presented her new research on AI in the Workplace. "Women use AI more frequently than men, and those with higher education and longer workplace experience are more prone to accepting and using AI." She noted although 85% of survey respondents fear being replaced, frequent use of AI reduces anxiety.

Poh-Yian Koh, President of FedEx China, shared how "In the era of AI, women's flexibility and resilience are transforming into core strengths." She explained, "Women not only possess exceptional empathy and long-term strategic vision, but are also especially skilled at building bridges, serving as indispensable 'interpreters' who connect technology with humanity."

The forum concluded with a keynote from renowned Chinese TV host and Sun Media Group Chairperson, Yang Lan – the host for the Beijing Declaration 30 years ago – who delivered a powerful closing message: "When we enable more women to realize their life potential and gain their resilience, we are actually shaping a more resilient China."

The event also marked the launch of She Innovates: Women Shaping China's Digital Future, a bilingual report spotlighting seven CKGSB alumnae entrepreneurs advancing AI, health-tech, and e-commerce, alongside Professor Zhang's research on AI's impact on workplace wellbeing.