Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) alumna Bai Xuemei, who enrolled in 1982 in the School of Energy and Power Engineering, was recently interviewed by the university’s alumni association.

As a former vice president of Unilever China and now a partner at global leadership consultancy Egon Zehnder, Bai reflected on her professional growth, her experience as a female leader, and the values that have guided her through decades of change.

Bai described her time at HUST as both vibrant and formative. She recalled how academic rigor was balanced with an active campus life, where participation in sports and language clubs fostered teamwork, confidence, and resilience – qualities that later became central to her leadership style.

Reflecting on her career at Unilever, Bai noted that her promotion from an entry-level position to vice president coincided with a period of rapid economic growth in China, which brought both opportunities and pressure.

She identified the most demanding stage of her career as the transition to executive leadership, when her performance was under scrutiny and expectations were high. She viewed this as a test of professional ability, personal strength, and responsibility, particularly as one of the earliest Chinese executives to rise through the ranks of a multinational company.

Bai also emphasized the challenges of balancing family and career, especially while managing a large sales team and raising two young children, while her husband was studying abroad. She described this period as a time that required immense discipline, emotional endurance, and an unwavering sense of purpose.

A long-time advocate for women’s empowerment, Bai stressed the importance of building supportive networks for women in the workplace. She believes such communities can help women share experiences and gain strength from mutual understanding, allowing them to manage the dual responsibilities of career and family with greater confidence.

Addressing younger alumni, Bai advised them to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, to make career choices based on passion rather than short-term rewards, and to pursue lifelong learning to expand their perspective rather than fill skill gaps.

Source: Office of Alumni Affairs of HUST