Born in the US, Michelle has lived overseas for over 30 years and has worked in the education, global relocation and media industries. An 11-year resident of Shanghai, she is a frequent guest on ICS Culture Matters and most recently went back to her roots in education as the Director of Students for American Baby […]

Driven by purpose, Cindy found her calling and moved from corporate American to the not-for-profit sector just last year, as the CEO for Chunhui Children’s Foundation. Today, Cindy is going to share with us her transition from the executive fast track to leading one of China’s most recognized NGOs, the importance of a personal mission […]

Spending most of his days helping small businesses, Veli has a unique window to what’s common among start-up owners and how Shanghai is experiencing a wave of innovations driven by the SMEs. Tune in to learn how a small amount of support can produce great success in the SME realm and how things you might consider ordinary are actually […]

Christina was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and she immigrated to US at the age of ten. Having grown up in a small town suburb of Illinois, Christina believes that solid family relationship and supportive community are foundations in shaping one’s character. For the past 6 years, Christina has been working for SEB Special […]

An authority on international education, Jason is currently the Managing Director for ELS Educational Services (ELS), a subsidiary of Berlitz Corporation and Benesse Corporation, one of the world’s largest education holding companies. ELS prepares thousands of students each year for university success in partnership with over 650 universities and 83 campus locations world-wide. Jason is […]

Eva has lived in Shanghai for a year and a half with her family. They moved to Shanghai for her husband’s job and she has continued in her role as president of a medical communications company based in the US. Their clients are biotech companies and the focus of the company is research and education […]

Born in a refugee camp at the Thai frontier one week after her parents finally escaped the civil war which killed one fourth of the Cambodian population, Christine grew up in France in a difficult environment. In 2005 Christine left Paris for Shanghai and has been based in China ever since. Her China journey has […]

Derek has lived all over world. Born in Bogota Colombia, he has lived in 9 countries, 4 continents, and moved 34 times in his life. He has moved with his present company, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, twice around the world and Shanghai is his second stint working in China. In this episode, Derek covers respect, […]

Karen is Ford Motor Company’s Vice President of Communications for Asia Pacific. In this role, she is responsible for internal and external communications in the more than 20 markets of Ford’s Asia Pacific operation. I had a blast interviewing Karen and capturing her insights on how to operate successfully as an expat executive in China. […]

Shandy had the privilege of being an expat and supporting spouse for 6 1/2 years. She and her husband Todd, first started in Aschaffenburg, Germany for 3 1/2 years, then moved to Shanghai for 3 years. Their 3 kids have lived longer overseas than they have in the US. The Bolton family repatriated to Canton […]