Asia Society Appoints First Ever Co-Chairs in the U.S. and Asia

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May 24, 2011, 03:25 ET

NEW YORK, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Asia Society, the leading international organization creating understanding and connections among the peoples of Asia and the United States, has appointed its first ever Co-Chairs on both sides of the Pacific Ocean to reflect the rise of global interdependence and growing regional partnerships.

Business leader Henrietta Holsman Fore, a former senior U.S. Government official who served as the first female chief of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Ronnie C. Chan, one of Hong Kong's and China's top property developers, investors and philanthropists, will assume joint leadership of the Asia Society Board of Trustees, effective June 10.

As well as being Asia Society's first Co-Chairs in Asia and the United States, Ms. Fore is the first woman, and Mr. Chan the first Asian, to lead the Board since the institution was founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in 1956.

"We are entering an era in which the global center of gravity is shifting toward the fast-growing economies and countries of Asia," Ms. Fore said. "Asia Society is thinking creatively about how to adapt and grow as the 21st century's most important relationship finds a new balance."

Ms. Fore and Mr. Chan have been friends and colleagues for more than 20 years through their association with Asia Society. They regard their dual appointments as critical to Asia Society's mission of preparing Asians and Americans for a shared future.

"Asia Society is one of the first organizations of its kind, if not the very first, to create an internal structure that recognizes the true partnership between the two sides of the Pacific Ocean," said Mr. Chan." The institution's focus covers more than 50 countries and territories. "It is imperative that we understand and connect peoples and cultures so political and economic cooperation can deepen."

Asia Society President Vishakha N. Desai said the institution would pursue new directions and set new priorities in the context of key global trends. "Our Co-Chairs in Asia and the United States will guide our work to create truly global partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding across cultures, disciplines, borders, and continents," she said.

The creation of a joint chairmanship is the latest in a series of milestone changes for Asia Society.

The organization is also building new multimillion dollar centers with museum and public programming facilities in Hong Kong and Houston, complementing the renowned cultural and thought leadership role of its New York headquarters.

Ms. Fore and Mr. Chan paid tribute to outgoing Chair, Charles (Chip) R. Kaye, the Co-President of Warburg Pincus and a former Chairman of the U.S.-India Business Council.

"It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as Chair of the Asia Society these past three years, during which time we worked to further the mission of this organization to promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the Asia and the United States," said Mr. Kaye, who will continue to serve as a Trustee.

Ms. Fore served on the Board in the early 1990s in between periods of U.S. Government service. She returned to the Board in 2009 and served on its Executive Committee. In 2010, she was Co- Chair of an Asia Society Task Force Report, which called for greater U.S. and international engagement with Burma/Myanmar.

Mr. Chan has been Chairman of Asia Society's Hong Kong Center for more than a decade and has been Vice Chair of its Board since 1998.