Early Life and Education
Yang Qiumei's journey began with a humble background, facing early challenges that shaped her determination. She grew up in a challenging environment and worked hard to support her family. She eventually earned a place at Peking University, where she received bachelor's and master's degrees in economics. Furthering her education, she obtained a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the U.S.
Career and Rise to Success
After completing her education, Yang started her career in financial services. She served as the Asia Pacific CEO at ICI Global, a global association of regulated funds and managers. Prior to that, she held positions at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), including Head of Mainland Development and Deputy Head of Market Development. Before joining HKEX, she worked as the Deputy Director-General in the China Securities Regulatory Commission's (CSRC) Department of Investment Fund Supervision, demonstrating a strong foundation in securities market regulation. Currently, she is the Managing Director and Advisor to the CEO at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing.
Key Business Strategies and Achievements
Yang's success is deeply intertwined with her experience in financial regulation and her strategic roles at HKEX. Her role as the Managing Director and Advisor to the CEO at HKEX involves supporting the Executive on various Mainland China initiatives and overseeing the Group's Mainland China subsidiaries. Her strong educational background and experience in financial regulation have enabled her to navigate the complexities of the financial markets. Her achievements are underscored by her leadership roles and advisory positions within major financial institutions.
Philanthropy
In December 2023, Yang's husband, Tang Xiao'ou, co-founder of SenseTime, passed away. Yang established the Sophie and Sean Foundation in Hong Kong in their name. In its initial phase, the fund will donate HK$20 million (approximately $2.57 million) to promote education and innovative technology, supporting AI research. This philanthropic effort demonstrates her commitment to giving back to the community and supporting education and technological advancement. The first tranche of the donation is HK$20 million, including HK$10 million designated to establish a professorship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK) engineering school to help recruit top talent in the field. The remaining HK$10 million will fund scholarships for about 30 students at four universities.