John L. Holden Senior Counsellor, Beijing

John L. Holden is a Senior Counsellor based in Beijing, where he is responsible for building on the solid foundation of China's first international public relations firm, established in 1984. With nearly three decades of China business and international relations experience, John provides clients with expert guidance on a wide range of issues related to business strategy and communications.

Before joining H&K, John established the China operations of Shaklee Corporation, one of America's oldest and most trusted Direct Selling companies.

From 1998 to 2005, he served as president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations (established 1966), where he developed and managed diverse programs that worked to foster better understanding and cooperation between the two countries. From 1986 to 1998, he was Chairman/General Manager of the China holding company of Cargill, Inc., where he worked to establish the firm's first nine China ventures.

John is Chairmen Emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and serves as an advisor to a number of business, policy and philanthropic organizations. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (New York) and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London). He holds an MA from Stanford University as well as a BA from the University of Minnesota.