Joy Chen
陈愉
From Shy Outsider to Global Leader: Joy Chen’s Journey
I know what it’s like to feel like an outsider. As a child of immigrants, I learned early how to navigate differences, build trust, and connect authentically. Those skills became the foundation for a career I never imagined: leading economic and workforce development as DeputyMayor of Los Angeles, recruiting global CEOs, and now helping others harness their unique strengths to achieve extraordinary results.
Joy's bio
Joy Chen is a celebrated keynote speaker and CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute. Rising from a shy child of immigrants, she became Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles and later a Fortune 500 CEO head hunter, forging a trailblazing career at the top in three industries across three continents. Known for her dynamic stage presence and captivating keynotes, Joy inspires audiences with actionable insights and transformative strategies to navigate today’s interconnected world.
As Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Joy spearheaded economic and workforce development in one of the world’s most diverse cities, home to speakers of more than 90 languages. She then joined the global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, recruiting Fortune 500 CEOs across North America, Europe, and Asia.
In a moment of unexpected serendipity, Joy’s leadership blog went viral in China, propelling her to fame as a bestselling author. Her book, Do Not Marry Before Age 30 (30岁前别结婚), became a cultural phenomenon, earning her recognition from The Wall Street Journal as a “guru for Chinese women” and inspiring a generation to redefine success on their own terms. Building on this momentum, Joy founded a training organization that has empowered millions across Asia and the Americas to develop as global talent.
Today, as CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute, Joy helps leaders and teams turn cultural differences into drivers of innovation, collaboration, and growth. Her global leadership impact has been featured in The Economist, Harvard Business Review, CNN, and Vogue China.
Joy holds an MBA and an M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA and a B.A. from Duke University. She is a 2004 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English, and brings a deeply global perspective to her work.