Yale School of Management

"Attending Yale SOM changed my life. I came to New Haven as a poor student full of big ambitions but in possession of a limited understanding of what I wanted to do. Yale SOM gave me access to a rich repository of knowledge and ideas. The Yale SOM joint degree program with International Relations offered the flexibility to design an academic curriculum tailored to my interests. During my three years at Yale SOM I thoroughly indulged my curiosity in subjects ranging from finance to history. Yale SOM opened my eyes to career possibilities I never realized existed and provided me with relationships that helped launch my business. These relationships continue to play a meaningful role in my life."

Mr. Zhang is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Hillhouse Capital Management, Ltd. Hillhouse manages over seven billion dollars for leading endowments, foundations, and family offices. Hillhouse takes a long-term fundamental research approach and invests in both public and private opportunities across a variety of sectors.

Prior to founding Hillhouse in June 2005, Mr. Zhang served as the first chief representative to China for the New York Stock Exchange and established the the NYSE's Hong Kong and Beijing offices. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang worked for a global emerging markets fund covering South Africa, Southeast Asia and China. He also worked with the Yale University endowment while a student at Yale SOM.

Mr. Zhang earned an MBA and an MA in international relations from Yale and a BA in economics from Renmin University of China, where he is the vice chairman and trustee of the board. In addition, he serves on the university council at Yale University, the Advisory Board of the Yale School of Management, and is a member of the President's International Advisory Council.

Mr. Zhang is a board member of BN Vocational School, China's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the education of underprivileged children, and a board member of the United World College (UWC) of Southeast Asia Foundation.