Yao Chen
About Yao Chen
Yao Chen is a Senior Lead of Strategic Initiatives at Ideo, with a diverse background in consulting and strategic management across multiple global organizations. He has held significant roles at companies such as Marsh & McLennan, Prudential Assurance, and the World Economic Forum, and has an academic background that includes degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania.
Current Role at IDEO
Yao Chen serves as the Senior Lead for Strategic Initiatives at IDEO, a position held since 2016. In this role, Chen focuses on driving strategic projects and initiatives that align with IDEO's mission of fostering innovation and design thinking. The work involves collaboration across various teams to enhance the impact of design on business and society.
Previous Experience in Consulting
Prior to joining IDEO, Yao Chen accumulated extensive experience in consulting roles. Chen worked at Siemens Management Consulting as a Consultant from 2011 to 2013 in Munich, Germany. Additionally, Chen held a position as a Senior Consultant at Prudential Assurance in 2013 for ten months in Paddington, UK. Earlier, Chen was a Business Analyst at Marsh & McLennan Companies in New York from 2008 to 2009.
Experience with World Economic Forum
Yao Chen worked at the World Economic Forum from 2014 to 2016 as the Lead of the Professional Services Industry Group. In this capacity, Chen managed international development and partnerships, contributing to the Forum's initiatives and discussions on global economic issues. Chen was also involved with the Economics of Innovation Global Agenda Council during this tenure.
Educational Background
Yao Chen holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cambridge, achieved in 2011. Prior to this, Chen studied at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on Communications from 2003 to 2005. Chen also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from Nanjing Normal University, completing the degree in 2003. Chen studied at Judge Business School as part of the MBA program.
Early Career and Specialization
Yao Chen began the career in the consulting field as a Program Coordinator at Oliver Wyman from 2007 to 2008 in New York. Chen also served as an Associate R&D Specialist at Nestle R&D, focusing on Product Development and Sensory analysis. This early experience laid the groundwork for Chen's subsequent roles in strategic initiatives and consulting.