Biography
Curtis S. Chin, a Milken Institute Asia fellow, is a former U.S. ambassador to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an advisory board member of the Asian American Federation, and a media presence and voice on where East meets West—from business, trade & culture to issues facing the Asian American community. While on the ADB board of directors, Chin pushed for strengthened risk management and development efforts focused on people, planet, and partnership, particularly in Asia’s least-developed nations. Through RiverPeak Group LLC, Chin now advises startups and impact investors in Asia, including Equator Pure Nature, an ASEAN-based, natural consumer products and cleantech pioneer; TAEL Partners of Southeast Asia; and the Dolma Impact Fund, the first international equity fund focused on Nepal. Chin previously was a senior executive with Burson-Marsteller in the US, Switzerland, and Asia, where he oversaw Beijing and Hong Kong operations. He has provided counsel to governments and businesses on ESG, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, corporate responsibility, crisis management, and market entry.
Articles, Publications, and Appearances
A wide range of commentary—print, digital, broadcast—including live on-air and moderation of panels. Here’s a selection on a range of US-Asia issues, ranging from Kpop to Afghan refugees to economics, trade and women’s rights in Asia.
“Unexpected Journeys: Young Afghan Women Refugees Share their Stories.” (Milken Institute Global Conference panel), May 4, 2022. https://milkeninstitute.org/video/afghan-women-refugees-stories
“From K-pop to K-explosion: Lessons from Korea’s Creative Economy.” (Milken Institute Global Conference panel), May 3, 2022. https://milkeninstitute.org/video/koreas-creative-economy-k-pop
“Expert calls out Biden administration for empty rhetoric on engagement in Asia: ‘Blah-blah-blah.” (Fox News), May 3, 2022. https://www.foxnews.com/media/expert-calls-out-biden-administration-empty-rhetoric-china-asia
“It’s time for the World Bank to get back to the business of Doing Business.” (CNBC) — May 2, 2022. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/op-ed-world-bank-must-bring-back-ease-of-doing-business-report.html
“What two young Afghan women—our interns—taught us about helping refugees.” (CNBC) —March 17, 2022. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/17/how-to-help-refugees-lessons-we-learned-from-two-young-afghan-women.html
“Asia’s year in review: Who came out on top in 2021?” (South China Morning Post) — Dec. 28, 2021. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3161175/asias-year-review-who-came-out-top-2021
“Milken’s Institute’s Chin on US-Asia Relations.” (Bloomberg TV) — Nov. 17, 2021. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2021-11-18/milken-institute-s-chin-on-u-s-asia-relations-video
“The U.S. needs to up its economic game in Southeast Asia.” (Journal of American Ambassadors) Fall 2021. https://www.americanambassadorslive.org/post/the-u-s-needs-to-up-its-economic-game-in-southeast-asia
“Indonesia must chart a way to urban sustainability.” (The Jakarta Post) — July 13, 2021. https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2021/07/12/indonesia-must-chart-a-way-to-urban-sustainability-.html
“Time to rid our screen of Asian stereotypes.” (The Japan Times) —May 26, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/05/26/commentary/world-commentary/hollywood-asian-stereotypes/
“Overcoming anti-Asian hate: Can the US learn from its past?” (Christian Science Monitor). March 22, 2021. https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/2021/0322/Overcoming-anti-Asian-hate-Can-the-US-learn-from-its-past
“‘Stop Asian Hate” has relevance everywhere, even in Asia.” (Nikkei Asia) —March 20, 2021 https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Stop-Asian-Hate-has-relevance-everywhere-even-in-Asia
“Japan can embrace change this International Women’s Day.” (The Japan times) — March 7, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/03/07/commentary/japan-commentary/gender-equality-olympics-small-business/
“What’s it like in Asia’s newest nation: Timor Leste.” (Tatler Asia) July 20, 2018. https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/travel/discovering-asias-newest-nation