Diane, as we know, DHgate has been a significant player in global e-commerce. Could you tell us more about DHgate’s journey and how it led to the establishment of the Inner Mountain Foundation, which focuses on empowering female entrepreneurs? As someone who has traversed the dynamic landscapes of both corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, my journey has been fueled by a passion for innovation, resilience, and, most importantly, the empowerment of women. From my early days with Microsoft and Cisco to founding JOYO and DHgate, my path has been about pioneering new frontiers and creating opportunities for others to thrive. Founded in 2004, DHgate has become the leading B2B cross-border e-commerce marketplace in China, boasting over 34 million live listings annually. Through our global operations and offices, including in the USA and UK, DHgate reaches millions of people with trusted products and services. As of December 31, 2022, DHgate served more than 59.6 million registered buyers from 225 countries and regions, connecting them to over 2.54 million sellers in China and other countries. As a female entrepreneur, it has taken me over 10 years to reach this point. I spent a significant amount of time advocating in various international organizations, going through the “talk the talk” stage. I then initiated multiple practical projects aimed at developing digital skills for women, helped over 100 thousand women around the world. Then I realize, the most significant barriers women face are often internal. It’s not just a lack of digital skills, but self-doubt, and self- limitation that holds them back. Questions like “Am I good enough?” or “Did I say something wrong?” holding back their progress more than lack of skills. These inner voices can be more challenging than any external obstacles. Founded in 2023, the Inner Mountain Foundation is dedicated to fostering a social movement that encourages women to begin by addressing the internal challenges and limiting beliefs that hinder their potential. By applying the practical tools of MIT’s authorized Theory U, we aim to help women become the best versions of themselves and drive transformative change. Our goal is to focus on soft skills training, equipping women to be their greatest, most empowered selves in every aspect of their lives. Have you always planned to leverage your prominent position as a business leader to help other women reach their own business potential? How important is it to you personally to see more women succeed in business and what will be the global business impact when there are more women CEOs and entrepreneurs? I want to say that that helping others to reach their own business potential is in DHgate’s corporate DNA. Our mission and primary objectives, which has remained unchanged for 20 years: Promote global trade and support entrepreneurial dreams. As I myself has built a sustainable and healthy business based on the success of sellers and buyers on our platform, it has been of vital importance for me for many years to see others succeed. There have been widely discussed benefits of what women CEOs or entrepreneurs can bring to the business world, such as diversity, resilience, better understanding of clients, more cooperation among others. There are apparent benefits of women CEOs or entrepreneurs in family and in the society as more confident girls, women, mothers can affect those around them more positively, spreading the spirit of “I can do it” more widely. I think more women in leadership roles leads to a more inclusive society. The most significant barriers women face are often internal CEO Today Global Awards 2024 - CHINA - - 39 -
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