Catherine Chen | Influence 100
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Catherine Chen

President of Public Affairs & Communications
Huawei
China

 

A 29-year veteran of Huawei, Chen Lifang, also known as Catherine Chen, was named to the Chinese company’s top communications role in 2018, assuming what is surely one of the world’s toughest assignments right now. Always subject to considerable scrutiny as China’s biggest global brand, Huawei has emerged as one of the lightning rods in the geopolitical turbulence that colours US-China relations, putting considerable pressure on the company’s communications department.

Under Chen, though, Huawei had previously demonstrated a marked shift in its messaging strategy, focusing attention on why the US might be pressuring other countries to ban the Chinese company. The company has also become considerably more active in its engagement strategies across the globe, with Chen herself serving as a visible example of these efforts.

Chen has held a string of senior roles at Huawei, and was elevated last year to executive member of the Supervisory Board and chairwoman of the Subsidiary Board Directors Resources Bureau.