According to multiple foreign media reports, in the early morning of February 12, Angela Chao, chairman and CEO of Foremost Group, passed away in a car accident at the age of 50.
Foremost Group issued an obituary stating, "Anji Zhao was a formidable executive and leader in the shipping industry, as well as a proud and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. We will miss her deeply and will be deeply involved in her career." For women in shipping, charity and art, she left behind pioneering leadership assets."
Foremost Group was founded in New York, USA in 1964. It is the world's largest bulk shipping company. Its main businesses include international shipping, finance and international shipping. trading. The founder of the group, Captain James Chao, is the father of the famous Chinese American and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. He is known as the "Chinese Shipping King" in the United States. Zhao Xicheng has 6 daughters, all of whom graduated from prestigious Ivy League schools. Zhao Anji Is his youngest daughter. According to Forbes.com, the Zhao family is worth more than $14 billion.
Anji Zhao was born in 1973 and is originally from Shanghai. Anji Zhao graduated from Harvard University in just three years and later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School. While studying at Harvard University, the research case on shipping finance of "Ocean Carriers" written by Angie Zhao was adopted by Harvard Business School and published in the "Financial Case Study" series. This case is still designated as a required subject for first-year students at Harvard Business School. From 2001 to 2008, Anji Zhao served as vice president of Foremost Group. In 2018, he succeeded his father as chairman and CEO of Foremost Group.
According to wind, Zhao Anji served as an independent director of Bank of China from January 4, 2017 to June 30, 2022.
Zhao Xicheng announced his daughter's death "with a heavy heart and deep sadness" in a separate family statement. He said, "We are very sad. Losing her at such a young age is something we have never imagined." Zhao Xicheng said that his daughter's Chinese name sounds like the Chinese characters for peace and auspiciousness, and her contribution to the world It's certainly more than she deserves, and her departure not only leaves a void for the Zhao family, but a loss for the Asian community.
Zhao Xicheng also said that Anji Zhao showed interest in shipping since she was a child. When she brought her daughter into the company, she was very good and curious.
The Zhao family mentioned in their obituary that although Angie Zhao was born in the United States, she never forgot her roots and helped build a bridge of communication between the East and the West throughout her life. She also serves as the honorary president of the Jiao Tong University Alumni Association of the Americas, co-chair of the Asian American Foundation Advisory Board, a member of the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and the honorary chair of the Council on U.S.-China Relations.
It is worth mentioning that Anji Zhao is also a member of the board of directors of Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation. Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation was established in 1984 by Foremost Group. It is one of the earliest private charity funds established in China. It is a local non-public fundraising foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to reward those who are engaged in the shipping industry in China and "learn in colleges and schools". Students with outstanding academic performance and outstanding talents" and scientific and technological personnel who "have made outstanding achievements in education and scientific research positions, have significant social benefits, and have made significant contributions to the construction of the four modernizations" will be selected from time to time to study abroad to cultivate outstanding personnel. Senior talents. The business scope of the foundation: rewards, supports, and funds shipping education in this city and other regions, outstanding teachers and students, and other education.
