Wei Christianson
Encyclopedia
Wei Christianson is the CEO and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley
in Asia.
as its first student from mainland China in 1983. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science in 1985.
She immediately continued on to Columbia Law School
, where she graduated with Honors in International Law in 1989.
, she attained a position drafting the regulatory structure that would enable the first batch of People's Republic of China companies to be listed outside China — a unique job that helped pave the way for her investment banking career.
Ms. Christianson held a similar position with Credit Suisse First Boston, as a Managing Director, Chairman and Country Manager. Ms. Christianson joined Credit Suisse First Boston from Morgan Stanley, where she was an Executive Director, Beijing Chief Representative, and a senior team member of Morgan Stanley's Resources, Power and Transportation Group. Christianson later joined Citigroup as a Managing Director and Chairman of China, Citigroup Global Markets (Asia) Ltd., where she was responsible for the securities and investment banking businesses in China.
As a banker, Ms. Christianson has masterminded major initial public offering
s including Sinopec
, China Life
, and SMIC, and oversaw the $4.2 billion acquisition of Gas Khazakstan by CNPC, which was the largest cross-border M&A
deal ever undertaken in China at that time.
“International Power 50” in 2008 and 2009 as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. She is one of the Wall Street Journal 50 Women to Watch, of 2006, 2007 and 2008. She is one of the Top 25 Nonbank Women in Finance, 2007 and 2008, rated by American Banker
and U.S. Banker. She was awarded the Medal for Excellence by Columbia University School of Law Association.
She received several awards recognizing her achievements as a Chinese native. She received the Pinnacle Award as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business 2009 by Asian American Business Development Center. She also received the Legacy Award in 2008 by Museum of Chinese in America, and the China Women’s Achievement Award in 2008 by Women’s Federation of P.R. China and Sun Media Group
.
, just north of the Sawtooth Valley Ranger Station near Fisher Creek on Highway 75
.
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City serving a diversified group of corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Morgan Stanley also operates in 36 countries around the world, with over 600 offices and a workforce of over 60,000....
in Asia.
Education
Ms. Christianson applied to liberal arts colleges in the United States and was accepted as a transfer student to Amherst CollegeAmherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
as its first student from mainland China in 1983. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science in 1985.
She immediately continued on to Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
, where she graduated with Honors in International Law in 1989.
Career
After Ms. Christianson moved to Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, she attained a position drafting the regulatory structure that would enable the first batch of People's Republic of China companies to be listed outside China — a unique job that helped pave the way for her investment banking career.
Ms. Christianson held a similar position with Credit Suisse First Boston, as a Managing Director, Chairman and Country Manager. Ms. Christianson joined Credit Suisse First Boston from Morgan Stanley, where she was an Executive Director, Beijing Chief Representative, and a senior team member of Morgan Stanley's Resources, Power and Transportation Group. Christianson later joined Citigroup as a Managing Director and Chairman of China, Citigroup Global Markets (Asia) Ltd., where she was responsible for the securities and investment banking businesses in China.
As a banker, Ms. Christianson has masterminded major initial public offering
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
s including Sinopec
Sinopec
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation Limited , or Sinopec Limited , is a majority owned subsidiary of state owned company Sinopec Group. Sinopec Limited is listed in Hong Kong and also trades in Shanghai and New York ....
, China Life
China Life Insurance Company
The China Life Insurance Company Limited is a Beijing-based China-incorporated company that provides life insurance and annuity products.-History:...
, and SMIC, and oversaw the $4.2 billion acquisition of Gas Khazakstan by CNPC, which was the largest cross-border M&A
Mergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling, dividing and combining of different companies and similar entities that can help an enterprise grow rapidly in its sector or location of origin, or a new field or...
deal ever undertaken in China at that time.
Awards
Wei Christianson was listed in the Fortune MagazineFortune (magazine)
Fortune is a global business magazine published by Time Inc. Founded by Henry Luce in 1930, the publishing business, consisting of Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, grew to become Time Warner. In turn, AOL grew as it acquired Time Warner in 2000 when Time Warner was the world's largest...
“International Power 50” in 2008 and 2009 as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. She is one of the Wall Street Journal 50 Women to Watch, of 2006, 2007 and 2008. She is one of the Top 25 Nonbank Women in Finance, 2007 and 2008, rated by American Banker
American Banker
American Banker is a daily trade newspaper covering the financial services industry. Founded in 1836and based in New York, American Banker has approximately 50 reporters and editors in six U.S. cities who monitor developments and breaking news affecting banks...
and U.S. Banker. She was awarded the Medal for Excellence by Columbia University School of Law Association.
She received several awards recognizing her achievements as a Chinese native. She received the Pinnacle Award as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business 2009 by Asian American Business Development Center. She also received the Legacy Award in 2008 by Museum of Chinese in America, and the China Women’s Achievement Award in 2008 by Women’s Federation of P.R. China and Sun Media Group
Sun Media
Sun Media Corporation is the owner of several widely read tabloid and broadsheet newspapers in Canada and the 49 percent owner of Sun News Network...
.
Personal
Wei is married to Jon Christianson, a partner of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, and is the mother of three boys, Erik, Neil, and Nicholas. She currently lives with her family in Beijing and co-owns with her husband a controversial 8500 square feet (789.7 m²) home in Idaho's Sawtooth ValleySawtooth Wilderness
The Sawtooth Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Wilderness was upgraded in 1972 from "primitive area" status, affording greater protections of the habitat...
, just north of the Sawtooth Valley Ranger Station near Fisher Creek on Highway 75
Idaho State Highway 75
State Highway 75 is a two-lane highway that travels through the Sawtooth Range of central Idaho from Shoshone to Challis. The road is designated as one of Idaho's scenic byways and provides access to Sawtooth National Recreation Area...
.