Program to look at entrepreneurs in China

July 22, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Laurie Underwood, co-author of the book “China Entrepreneur,” will present a program titled “China Today: High Risk, High Potential” at 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at Smathers Library, Room 1A.

Underwood has lived in greater China since 1990, first as a student and later as a journalist and magazine editor covering business, politics and social issues for organizations such as AsiaWeek and ICRT radio station. In 2001, she moved from Taipei to Shanghai, following a wave of business interest in China’s fastest developing commercial center.

While studying for her MBA degree at the China Europe Business School in Shanghai and working as a writer for the Economist Intelligence Unit, she collaborated with Juan Antonio Fernandez, a professor at her graduate school, to write “China CEO: Voices of Experience from 20 International Business Leaders,” published in 2006. After graduating from CEIBS in 2003, Underwood served as communications director for the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, the largest AmCham in the world, with 4,000 members. She became director of external communications for CEIBS in spring 2007, and now also serves as director of development for her alma mater, the top-ranked, largest and longest-running business school in China.

In 2008, she and Fernandez collaborated on “China Entrepreneur,” featuring the stories of 40 expatriates who successfully started businesses in China.

The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.