Melinda Xu

Before joining Ankura, Melinda was vice president at the US-China Business Council, a leading trade association representing nearly 300 major U.S. companies doing business with China. Melinda has been instrumental in shaping business strategies at the intersection of the world’s two largest economies. She led the government affairs efforts, building strategic relationships with authorities across China while providing companies with actionable insights on policy, market access, and business strategy. As the council’s first Chinese chief representative in its over half-century history, she significantly expanded its regional footprint and enhanced its value proposition for multinational members navigating China’s dynamic business environment. Her work spanned macro-environment analysis, business planning, and sustainability initiatives, earning her recognition as a trusted advisor to senior executives.

Earlier in her career, Melinda held management roles in the telecommunications industry, managing marketing, brand operations, and cross-platform collaborations for a major telecom operator.

Melinda is deeply engaged in U.S.-China people-to-people exchange, drawing from her academic roots at the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University, Center for Chinese and American Studies — the first U.S.-China joint higher educational program since the 1980s. She frequently contributes to U.S.-China dialogues as a speaker, including programs like Harvard-Fudan US-China Young Leaders Forum.

Key Expertise:

• Market Entry and Business Strategy
• Government Affairs and Policy Advisory
• Risk Mitigation and Compliance
• Cross-Border Operational Support
• Sustainability and Energy