The Rockefeller Foundation, celebrating 100 years of global innovation, has announced the appointment of Chinese businesswoman Yifei Li to its Board of Trustees. Li is Country Chair for Man Group in China, one of the world's largest hedge fund managers.
"I am delighted to welcome Yifei Li, with her strong business experience and her commitment to philanthropy," said Board Chair David Rockefeller, Jr. "Ms. Li joins us during a pivotal time in the history of the Foundation, as we mark our centennial year. The Board is committed to adding trustees who bring different skills and backgrounds, which will help develop the vision for the Foundation's next 100 years."
"As America's first global philanthropy, it is nearly a century since The Rockefeller Foundation first engaged in China, and we are proud to continue that engagement today," said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "As a Chinese citizen with global experience, Yifei Li will help us build on that legacy and our mission of solving some of the world's most difficult challenges by expanding opportunity and strengthening resilience to acute crises and chronic stresses."
"I am thrilled and honored to be joining The Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees," said Li. "I have long admired the Foundation's work to advance the well-being of humanity, and I very much look forward to being part of such an innovative and influential organization."
Man Group is a world-leading alternative investment management company and has been in business for over 230 years. Li also served as Managing Director for GLG Partners in China. GLG was subsequently acquired by Man Group. Prior to that, Li was Chairwoman of VivaKi for Greater China, a member of Publicis Groupe.
From 1999 to 2008, Li was Managing Director of MTV Networks Greater China, EVP of MTV Networks Asia, and Chief Representative of Viacom China. Li has over 18 years of senior management experience, having successfully led the expansion of several multinational companies into China in the 1990s.
A resident of Beijing, Li has a Bachelor of Law degree from Foreign Affairs College in Beijing and an M.A. in International Relations from Baylor University in the United States. In May 2001, Li was selected as one of 25 Rising Stars-Global Leaders for the Next Generation by Fortune, and for four consecutive years she was one of Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women. She was also selected as one of Ten Women to Watch in Asia by The Wall Street Journal in both 2005 and 2006.
Li is a global board member of GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) and serves on its Audit and Finance Committee. GAVI is a global alliance established jointly by World Health Organization, World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation to save children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing access to immunization in poor countries.