Meet the 2025 CINGS Cohort
Learn about our new members
We’re excited to welcome a new cohort of 43 dynamic individuals who have been accepted into the China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) community. From climate and finance to tech, culture, and social impact, this group reflects the breadth of backgrounds and interests that define CINGS.
Here are our newest members:
Aaron Feng is a sustainability expert and Manager of Energy Transition at EDF, where he leads projects focused on equitable climate solutions. He co-founded a Clinton Global Initiative-recognized social enterprise and sits on the board of Jubilee New Haven. A Yale and Vanderbilt alum, Aaron brings technical and policy expertise to global climate challenges.
Alexander Chiu is a private equity analyst at Goldman Sachs, focusing on high-growth sectors such as technology, healthcare, and energy transition. A graduate of NYU Stern and Yenching Scholar at Peking University, he brings a global perspective to investment strategy. Alex is based in New York and passionate about cross-border opportunities.
Ally An is Director of Business Development at FACT Capital, a global hedge fund focused on consumer, tech, and healthcare. Previously with Goldman Sachs Prime Brokerage, she is a first-generation Chinese American and NYU Stern graduate. She is passionate about emerging markets and cross-border investment.
Angelo Saraceno is a software engineer and community builder focused on tech for social good and U.S.-China collaboration. He co-founded MangoHacks and currently leads revenue at Railway while co-hosting the NY Systems speaker series. His past roles at Citrix and voter engagement nonprofits reflect a commitment to bridging divides through innovation.
Annie Evans is a Marketing Master’s student at NYU and co-founder of a creative agency serving major global brands. Her work spans brand strategy, digital marketing, and social impact campaigns. A former Miss New Zealand, she also leads a mental health scholarship charity.
Bradley Wo is a Bain & Company consultant and Stanford graduate with experience in philanthropy across Asia. He earned his MBA at NYU Stern and spent time in Beijing as a Yenching Scholar studying Chinese philanthropy. Originally from Hawaii, he’s passionate about strategic giving and cross-cultural exchange.
Cathy Shi is a Director at EY-Parthenon in Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy, based in New York. She holds degrees from the University of Richmond and MIT. Cathy also serves on the board of her undergraduate alma mater.
Chen Li is the founder and CEO of Rexpand, a platform using AI to streamline referral sourcing. He previously worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and holds finance degrees from UT Dallas and Xi’an Jiaotong University. His work lies at the intersection of tech innovation and business efficiency.
Chi Zhao is the founding executive director of The Philanthropists Circle of China and a leader in global climate philanthropy. A Harvard Kennedy School graduate, she advises philanthropists on sustainable development and U.S.-China collaboration. Chi also serves on a public company board and champions academic exchange and cross-sector partnerships.
Christopher Ayoub is a Boston College graduate in Economics and Chinese with 13 years of Mandarin study. He has led and participated in student groups promoting Chinese language and culture.
Dr. Daniel Luo is Assistant Director at Duke Capital Partners, leading biotech and life sciences investments. He holds a PhD in toxicology and completed oncology research at Duke before pivoting to venture capital. His prior roles include biotech entrepreneur and analyst at Amzak Health.
Dash Enkhbayar is a Georgetown graduate and former investment banker who holds dual graduate degrees from MIT Sloan and Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Mongolia, he has lived and worked across the U.S., China, and Russia. Dash focuses on opportunities in VC, entrepreneurship, and Asia-U.S. finance.
Edward Columbia is a Yale Law student and former documentary filmmaker focused on immigrant and minority communities. He previously ran a production company operating between China and the U.S. and worked as a criminal defense investigator in Harlem. He speaks Mandarin and French and is committed to social justice.
Graham Miao is an investor focused on technology, culture, and climate themes across Asia and the U.S. Educated at Columbia and Andover, he has lived and worked in New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. His investments reflect his global perspective and sector-specific insights.
Greg Grigorian is a branding and communications strategist with a decade of experience bridging China and global markets. Formerly Head of North America Brand for POP MART, he now co-leads play/GROUND, a bilingual youth culture publication by POP MART. His work focuses on storytelling, cultural export, and market expansion.
Isabel Robbins is completing a Master's in Public Health at Columbia University, specializing in epidemiology. Committed to minority health equity, she has volunteered and interned extensively in hospitals and community organizations. Her long-term goal is to bring compassionate care to underserved populations.
Jennifer Zhang is a finance professional with a decade of experience across Big 4, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of China. Currently in Sales & Trading, she focuses on global markets and international relations. She values networking and cross-sector collaboration.
Jodi Tang is the founder of 5050Collective, an Asian-founded, women-led global creative agency based in Singapore, New York, and Paris. A RISD graduate with a minor from Brown, she has worked at Harvard CAMLab, VaynerMedia, and Ogilvy. Jodi has won top awards in design and advertising and is focused on building inclusive, immersive brand experiences.
Laura Chen is a financial advisor managing investments for clients across the U.S., China, and Canada. With an MBA from Johns Hopkins, she is passionate about empowering women and minorities in wealth-building. She volunteers with the NY Junior League and is an active member of the Economic Club of New York.
Lily Zhou is the founder of Life Story Club, a nonprofit tackling loneliness among older adults through life storytelling. She previously worked at Commonbond and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from Columbia. She is also a co-founder of Zapleap, a family office investing in aging-focused ventures.
Louisa Qiu is an equity research associate at AllianceBernstein in New York, focused on biotech and life sciences tools. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the Wharton School and Penn Nursing. Her work bridges rigorous financial analysis and healthcare insight.
Lu Sun is a credit manager at TikTok’s Global Revenue Management team in New York. She previously structured $2B+ in debt financings at Bank of China and Scotiabank. A graduate of Columbia and NYU, she is passionate about fintech and impact investing.
Ma Ning is the founding partner of MARS Studio, an award-winning architectural firm with offices in New York and Beijing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and former designer at MAD and BIG, he’s led major projects across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. His studio has won Architizer A+Awards and international acclaim for its innovative, youthful designs. Ma Ning was named one of the AD100 Designers of the Year by Architecture Design China.
Matthew Yunzhe Nie is a Master in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on U.S.-China economic policy. He co-chairs the Greater China Society and has worked as a research assistant to Larry Summers and Meg Rithmire. A Columbia graduate, he previously interned at McKinsey and China Development Research Foundation.
Michael Koldayev is an entrepreneur with experience in international trade, marketing, and sustainable development. A Columbia graduate, he represents a major Chinese supply chain company and founded ARBITRcars, a car-buying platform bridging auction access and retail. His work spans real estate, immigration consulting, and digital innovation.
Amelie Kang is a hospitality entrepreneur and founder of a $12M+ restaurant group with 80 employees. Recognized by Forbes and Eater, she blends culinary creativity with leadership and business acumen. She also co-founded Everyone Yoga and speaks on entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
Rosa Zhang is a marketing and PR professional and founder of her own firm serving Asian American clients across fashion, lifestyle, F&B, and hospitality. She specializes in building culturally fluent campaigns that amplify Chinese American voices. Her work blends strategic branding with community engagement.
Ruoqi Zhou (Amy) is a social entrepreneur and CSR expert with experience in banking, consulting, and tech. A Columbia graduate, she has led ESG strategies for companies like ByteDance and Post Coffee. She currently leads an advocacy campaign for the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, and invests in movies, documentaries, and hospitality ventures that align with her passion for social impact.
Samson, Cheng Hou Sang is a Rhodes and Schwarzman Scholar with a focus on climate diplomacy and development finance. He has interned at the IFC, UNDP, and China’s climate strategy center and attended UN conferences including COP27. He co-founded Net-zero Future at Tsinghua University and is active in global youth climate leadership.
Shally Liu is a quantitative trader in Shanghai, specializing in high-frequency ETF options strategies. She previously worked at PIMCO, rising to Vice President with experience across fixed income, credit, and equities. A graduate of Peking University and University of Chicago, she focuses on portfolio construction and systematic trading.
Sirui Hua is Head of Audience & Analytics at NowThis, where he leverages data to drive digital storytelling and cross-cultural impact. He is a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. His work bridges media strategy and audience engagement.
Summer Liu is an architect based in Brooklyn, working across cultural and ephemeral design projects. Born in Hainan, China, she moved abroad at 14 and has since drawn inspiration from her international upbringing. Her design philosophy centers on how time, place, and people shape shared experiences.
Symington Smith is Vice President and Head of North America at NewLink, China’s largest energy tech firm. Educated at Yale, King’s College London, and Tsinghua, he has worked in government, law, and corporate leadership. A fellow of five Royal Societies, he’s received numerous awards for his cross-border contributions to business and diplomacy. He was appointed a trustee of the New York Military Academy, the youngest in the Academy's 135 years history.
Tom Ni is a legislative assistant in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He studied the Great Books curriculum at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD. His work centers on policy development and civic engagement at the local government level.
Walter Yu is a senior manager in corporate strategy at Splunk with prior consulting experience at PwC and Bain & Company. A Booth MBA, he has led cross-border projects in tech, healthcare, and private equity across the U.S., China, and India. Walter is passionate about AAPI issues and active in mentoring and workplace affinity groups.
Wellington Hsu is a software engineer in New York City, specializing in healthcare engagement technologies at Oscar Health. Educated at Imperial College London and NYU, he brings a cross-cultural lens to innovation. Raised in a diplomatic family, he is passionate about cultural exchange and U.S.-China collaboration.
Dr. Wesley Jin is an internal medicine physician at an academic teaching hospital in Westchester, New York. He focuses on clinical care, medical education, and health system improvement. His work is grounded in service and patient advocacy.
Xinyu Wo is a visual artist from Ningbo, China, now based in New York. Her surrealist works critique contemporary life and have been exhibited widely in China and the U.S. Trained at the China Academy of Art and SVA, she explores the absurdity of modern times through oil painting and mixed media.
Xian (Bobi) Zhou is a multimedia artist, brand strategist, and electronic live performer. Her work blends unpredictability and raw aesthetic energy to challenge conventions across media. She is known for creating immersive and emotionally charged artistic experiences.
Xuhui Zhang is a strategy consultant at McKinsey with a background in entrepreneurship and AI-focused ventures. He previously co-founded Junzi Kitchen and helped organize Yale’s inaugural Responsible AI Conference. His expertise spans CPG, SaaS, mobile delivery, and digital strategy.
Yang Wu is a private equity professional specializing in climate-focused investments. Born in China and educated in the U.S., he holds degrees in public policy and economics. His work aligns financial strategy with environmental impact.
Yaqi Han is a senior corporate lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, specializing in M&A and corporate governance. A graduate of Cornell Law School, she brings legal expertise to complex international transactions. Her work supports clients across industries and borders.
Yinong Li is a finance and art advisory professional with advanced training in international finance from Columbia and Georgetown. He specializes in market analysis and is fluent in English and Chinese. In his free time, he enjoys gallery exhibitions, travel, and outdoor sports.
About CINGS
The China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) is an active group of young professionals who are working on U.S.-China Relations through educational programming, social impact, and strategic philanthropy. As the official next-gen group of China Institute, we are dedicated to convening next-gen members to engage in dialogue, seminars, networking, cultural and culinary events. We aim to be the premier platform and community to convene future changemakers who will contribute positively to the bilateral relationship.