YaoSong ChenYao Chen, based in Washington DC, advises automotive and machinery companies on C-suite succession and board consulting. Yao works with clients to harness emerging opportunities and address challenges that stem from the intersection of digital, automotive and technology and semiconductors. Prior to Washington DC, Yao advised global Asian and Chinese companies from our Singapore and China offices for 13 years. He works closely with board of directors and family offices on CEO succession, organizational design and corporate governance particularly in their international expansion. He also has expertise and experience in leadership assessment and development.

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Yao was Asia Pacific CEO of Siemens Dematic. Previously, he led Asian Business Development for Hirsh Industries in Iowa. Yao began his career in engineering and operations at Motorola Paging in Florida.

Yao has a BS in mechanical engineering, a BA in Asian studies, and an ME in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University. He also has an MBA from Harvard Business School.