Curtis S. Chin Keynote Speaker

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank (2007-10)
Creator of the “little ‘bric’” acronym
Regular commentator on development and the battle against poverty and inequality

Curtis S. Chin's Biography

Curtis S. Chin is an internationally respected former U.S. Ambassador, business executive and commentator with a unique perspective on emerging markets, U.S.-Asia economic and political relations, and global trends. From his start as a White House intern in the Administration of President Reagan to his bipartisan service as one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in U.S. government, Curtis’s globe-trotting career has encompassed the public, private and non-profit sectors, and economic and development issues at the highest levels. He is Chair of the Milken Institute’s Global Fellows (formerly Asia Fellows), Senior Advisor, Global Markets, and a Senior Fellow with the Milken Institute.

Curtis was a member of the international affairs teams at the U.S. Treasury Department under U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2007–10, during one of the world’s most challenging economic periods. Prior to his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate in 2007 as only the fourth U.S. ambassador of Chinese heritage, Curtis built his career as a counsellor to business and government clients in Asia, Europe and the United States while with crisis management and public affairs consultancy Burson-Marsteller.

As the 15th U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Curtis S. Chin helped lead the call for critical reforms and more “responsible development, focused on people, on planet and on partnership”. His experiences at Asia’s leading international financial institution, focused on poverty reduction, led Curtis to create the acronym “the little ‘bric”. This refers not to a grouping of nations, but to the bureaucracy, regulation, interventionism and corruption that he argues are the true constraints to growth and the real threat to institutions and businesses across all industry sectors, from education to energy.

US-Asia Relations and Global Geopolitics

Emerging Markets and the Global Economy

International Development and Sustainable Growth

Leadership in Government, Business and Global Institutions

Global Trade, Investment and Economic Diplomacy

He helps leaders and organisations understand the forces reshaping global markets, emerging economies and U.S.-Asia relations, equipping audiences with practical insights into geopolitics, economic development and international business.
He translates decades of experience across government, diplomacy and business into actionable strategies, helping organisations navigate geopolitical uncertainty, emerging market opportunities and global economic change.
He combines senior leadership experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, offering a unique perspective shaped by roles at the U.S. Treasury, the Asian Development Bank, Burson-Marsteller and the Milken Institute.
As former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute, he has advised governments, businesses and international institutions on economic development, public policy and responsible growth across Asia and beyond.
His engaging keynotes equip audiences with practical frameworks to understand global trends, strengthen international partnerships and identify opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.