Early Life
Yang Huiyan was born in 1981 in Shunde, Guangdong Province, China. Her father, Yang Guoqiang, founded Country Garden Holdings in 1997. From a young age, she was exposed to the intricacies of the family business. She graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts/Science in 2003.
Rise to Success
In 2005, Yang joined Country Garden Holdings as a project manager, beginning her career in the real estate sector. In 2007, her father transferred a significant portion of his shares in Country Garden to her, making her the majority shareholder. This transfer made her the richest woman in Asia at the time. Under her leadership, Country Garden Holdings expanded its operations significantly, developing numerous residential and commercial properties across China and internationally. In February 2023, she became the chairwoman of the board.
Key Business Strategies
Yang's leadership has been characterized by a strategic balance between preserving her father's vision and introducing modern strategies to address evolving market demands. She has focused on large-scale residential projects aimed at providing quality housing. She also expanded Country Garden’s presence across China, and into other countries, including Malaysia, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Philanthropy
Yang has shown a strong commitment to philanthropy, making substantial donations to various charitable causes. In 2023, she donated approximately 55% of her personal stake in a property management firm to a charity founded by her younger sister. The charity will use the proceeds for charitable causes in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and mainland China.
