Eric Li is the Founder and Managing Director of Chengwei Capital, and also a frequent contributor to leading publications such as the New York Times, the Huffington Post, the South China Morning Post, the Christian Science Monitor, and Global Times.

YCW launched its second chapter in Shanghai in 2010. As China's financial capital, YCW Shanghai has tapped many experts covering China's economy and financial sector, as well as urbanization. Our speakers have included:
- Jonathan Woetzel, Director of McKinsey & Company, Director of the McKinsey Global Institute in Asia and Co-Chair Urban China Initiative
- Shen Dingli, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Affairs of Fudan University
- The Honorable Ken Jarrett, former US Consul General in Shanghai
YCW Shanghai has co-sponsored many of its events with the Hopkins China Forum, organized by The Johns Hopkins University and its affiliated alumni associations worldwide. Our partner has brought in visiting professors from leading policy graduate program, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins.
[Photo credit: 基诺 Geno]
Shanghai – ‘European Imperialism in China: Forgetting History and Recalibrating the World’ with Erik Ringmar, Jiaotong University. Held in conjunction with the Hopkins China Forum.
Erik Ringmar is a Professor of International Relations at Jiaotong University. He is the author of several books, including ‘Why Europe Was First’ and ‘Surviving Capitalism’.
Shanghai – ‘Race to the White House: An Insider’s View of US Election Politics’ with Former White House Political Director Frank Lavin. Held in conjunction with the Hopkins China Forum.
Frank Lavin is the CEO of Export Now, which helps US companies sell directly on TMall. He also serves as Chairman of the Public Affairs Practice for Edelman Asia Pacific. Lavin served as Undersecretary for International Trade at the U.S.
Shanghai – Yezid Sayigh, Carnegie Middle East Center, Beirut
Yezid Sayigh’s work focuses on the future political role of Arab armies, the resistance and reinvention of authoritarian regimes, and the Israel-Palestine conflict and peace process. Previously, Sayigh was professor of Middle East studies at King’s College, London. From 1994-2003,
Shanghai – ‘China’s Flash Urbanization: The Race between Eco-Hope and Eco-Hazard’ with Neville Mars, Dynamic City Foundation
Neville Mars is Chief Architect for MARS Architects and founder of the Dynamic City Foundation. He is author of ‘The Chinese Dream: A Society Under Construction’, and has an interest in the unfulfilled promise of environmental sustainability in China’s urbanization