Ms Dong Mingzhu's Profile
Ms Dong Mingzhu is the Chairman of the Board and President of Gree Electric Appliance Inc. of Zhuhai. Her efforts in improving the quality of the Chinese household appliances industry won her numerous honours. In 2014, Ms Dong was invited to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting as an MBA instructor. In 2015, she served as Member of Experts Committee of the 13th Five Year Plan by National Development and Reform Commission. She was named by the United Nations “Ambassador of Sustainable Urban Development” and Chairperson on duty for the “Commission on Sustainable Development”. In addition, from 2004 to 2016, she was listed ten times in the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune, which in 2016 ranked her 11th. In 2013, she was recognized as one of the “Best-Performing CEOs in the World” by Harvard Business Review, being the only Chinese woman in the list.
A Citation for Honorary Fellow Ms Dong Mingzhu
Ms Dong Mingzhu was born in Nanjing in Jiangsu Province. She started her career at Gree Electric Appliance Inc. of Zhuhai in 1990. Through hard work and determination, she was promoted in 1995 to the Director of the Sales department. Since 2006, Ms Dong has served as the President of Gree Electric Appliances and has been honoured, since 2012, to be the Chairperson of the Board.
Under her leadership, Gree Electric Appliances Inc. has independently developed energy saving technologies to provide products with high efficiency, convenience, and precise temperature control. The company has also pioneered the use of environmental friendly refrigerants that do not cause climate change or damage to the ozone layer, while boosting the energy efficiency ratio by an additional 10%. The company has led the air conditioning industry in production and sales for 11 years, which has resulted in Gree achieving the top sales revenue and market share in China. The air conditioners produced by Gree Electric Appliances Inc. have become known within the industry as “The Iconic Brand” and “China's World Famous Brand.” The Gree Electric Appliances product has further achieved the National Quality Award and has attained the status of Export-Inspection Exemption. Through her commitment to excellence in sales, marketing, and production, Ms Dong Mingzhu has guided Gree to attain its mission: “Made in China, Loved by the World.”
Dong Mingzhu is dedicated to the achievement of a sustainable economy. She has been named by the United Nations “Ambassador of Sustainable Urban Development” and Chairperson on duty for the “Commission on Sustainable Development.” Her efforts regarding sustainability and other issues of vital social concern have won her numerous honours. Ms Dong received the “CCTV Economic Person of the Year awards” in 2007, 2010, and 2013. In 2015, Ms. Dong was awarded the title of “National Model Worker” by the State Council. She was elected as a deputy to the 10th, 11th, and 12th National People's Congress as well as a member of the Standing Committee of China National Democratic Construction Association and the 10th Executive Committee of All-China Women's Federation. She has also been honoured to be a professor or MBA student supervisor by prestigious academic institutions including Northwest University, Sun Yat-sen University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and Communication University of China. In 2015, she served as Member of Experts Committee of the 13th Five Year Plan by National Development and Reform Commission.
The growth of Gree Electrical Appliances Inc. and its subsequent transformation into an industry leader has put Dong Mingzhu in the international spotlight. From 2004 to 2016, she was listed on ten separate occasions by Fortune as the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business,” and achieved in 11th in rank in 2016. In 2013, she was recognized as one of the “Best-Performing CEOs in the World” by Harvard Business Review, the only Chinese woman to attain that honour. From 2009 to 2011, the Financial Times ranked Ms Dong amongst the “Top 50 Women in World Business” for three consecutive years.
Mr Chairman, in view of Ms Dong's outstanding achievements and her invaluable contributions to the city of Zhuhai as well as to industry in China, it is my privilege to present her to you for the award of an Honorary Fellowship.
