Current Role | President, Didi Global |
Previous Position | Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Asia |
Key Recognition | Fortune’s Most Powerful Women | Time 100 | World Economic Forum Young Global Leader |
Background and Early Foundations
Jean Liu, also known as Liu Qing, was born into a legacy of innovation — her father Liu Chuanzhi founded Lenovo. But Jean carved her own path through global finance and later, the ride-hailing revolution in China. After graduating from Peking University with a degree in computer science, she earned a Master’s from Harvard University and joined Goldman Sachs, where she spent over a decade navigating Asia’s financial markets.
Her upbringing taught her grit, and her global education sharpened her ability to lead in fast-moving, high-pressure environments. Jean’s decision to pivot from finance to tech was bold — and it transformed China’s mobility landscape.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
2011 | Joined Didi Dache as COO, later named President of newly merged Didi Kuaidi |
2015 | Led Didi’s strategic merger with Kuaidi to form China’s ride-hailing leader |
2016 | Oversaw Didi’s acquisition of Uber China, eliminating its largest competitor |
2021 | Didi listed on the NYSE before facing regulatory challenges in China |
- Users Served: Over 550 million users across 15 countries
- Daily Rides: 30+ million
- Strategic Partnerships: SoftBank, Apple ($1B investment), Uber, Grab
- Social Impact: Advocated for women in tech and STEM leadership roles
Leadership Style and Influence
Jean Liu is known for her visionary yet pragmatic leadership. Her background in investment banking gave her the precision to lead Didi’s funding rounds and navigate acquisitions, while her tech acumen allowed her to drive innovation in AI and smart transportation.
Internally, she’s a hands-on leader, known to visit customer service centers and listen to user complaints directly. Externally, she is one of the few women at the helm of a Chinese tech unicorn and actively mentors women across the region.
She brings a rare combination of humility, clarity, and elite strategy execution to the table — traits that have helped her steer Didi through regulatory pressure, global expansion, and internal transformation.
Legacy and Future Focus
Jean Liu’s legacy is defined not only by Didi’s dominance in China’s urban mobility sector, but also by her courage to lead through crisis — from fierce market competition to post-IPO turbulence. As Didi repositions itself in a more regulated Chinese tech environment, Jean is focused on deepening the company’s AI capabilities, building out electric vehicle infrastructure, and re-establishing trust with users, regulators, and global investors.
In parallel, she continues to push for gender parity in tech and boardrooms, embodying what it means to lead with conviction in a transforming Asia.
