Early Life and Education
Zhang Xin was born in Beijing in 1965. She moved to Hong Kong with her mother at age 15, where she worked in factories to save for her education. She studied economics at the University of Sussex, earning a bachelor's degree, and later obtained a master's degree in development economics from Cambridge University.
Rise to Success
After her studies, Zhang worked for Barings PLC, Goldman Sachs, and Travelers Group before returning to China in the 1990s. She co-founded Hongshi, later renamed SOHO China, with her husband Pan Shiyi in 1995. Under their leadership, SOHO China developed numerous successful real estate projects in China, transforming Beijing and Shanghai's skylines. Her company has developed over 54 million square feet of commercial properties. Zhang is recognized for collaborating with some of the world's most renowned architects and, over the years, has become a role model for women, the ambitious poor and ordinary Chinese alike, with her inspiring rags-to-riches journey.
Key Business Strategies
SOHO China, under Zhang's leadership, focused on developing high-profile commercial properties in prime locations, known for their innovative designs. In the mid-2010s, the company transitioned from building and selling properties to buying and leasing them. Zhang also invested in New York City's Park Avenue Plaza and General Motors Building. She has received international awards for her patronage of architecture and as a female entrepreneur. In 2007, SOHO China went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Philanthropy
Zhang and her husband are also actively involved in philanthropy through the SOHO China Foundation, established in 2005. In 2014, they launched the SOHO China Scholarships, a $100 million initiative providing financial aid to Chinese students at top international universities, including Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago.