Shenzhen Institute of international public welfare

Ms. Chen Hongshan has been appointed as the third president of the China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI) following approval at the Second Board of Directors’ Tenth Meeting. On March 29, during a general assembly of the institute, Board Chairman Ma Weihua announced the resolution, stating that Chen was selected through a global search process due to her unique cross-sector expertise and alignment with CGPI’s strategic goals. She will assume full responsibility for leading the institute.

In her inaugural speech, President Chen expressed gratitude to her predecessors for their pioneering efforts, highlighting CGPI’s historic mission as a professional institution committed to philanthropic education with a “century-long dedication to nurturing talent” and advancing social progress. “It is a profound responsibility to uphold the founding team’s original vision alongside all of you,” she said. “As the third president, I solemnly pledge to lead with strategic foresight, implement goal-oriented management, foster collaborative teams, and cultivate a transparent organizational culture.”

Three years ago, Chen transitioned from the finance sector to philanthropy, embracing the “Three Stages of Life” philosophy advocated by CGPI founder Ray Dalio, and entered her third stage—giving back to society. Reflecting on China’s philanthropic evolution, she noted its steady progress through key milestones: “Project Hope marked the socialization of philanthropy, bridging societal resources with national action. The Wenchuan earthquake was a milestone in the awakening of civil public welfare, ignited public participation, and established collaborative mechanisms for normalized charity work. 99 Giving Day revolutionized tech-driven public engagement, while CGPI itself represents a milestone in reshaping the philanthropic ecosystem, addressing talent gaps, building cross-sector platforms, and advancing the sector’s professionalization and global integration.”
 
Quoting Churchill, she remarked, “A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” She added, “As the saying goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ With collective effort, CGPI will realize its vision of ‘guiding social civilization through philanthropy.’”
 

As CGPI approaches its 10th anniversary, the institute will launch its third five-year strategic plan. “Over the past decade, we have witnessed CGPI’s transformation. Under President Chen’s leadership, a new chapter begins,” Chairman Ma Weihua stated. “Global philanthropy faces challenges, but opportunities abound. Let us reset with humility, build a learning-oriented organization, innovate management practices, strengthen our global presence, and together write CGPI’s next glorious decade.”