Luo-Branch Named to Inaugural Bush China Foundation Advisory Board

Yang Luo-Branch

Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB) founder and president Yang Luo-Branch has been appointed to the inaugural board of advisors to the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations.

Founded in 2017, the Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations works to advance relations between the United States and China “in ways that reflect the ethos and values of President George H.W. Bush,” according to the foundation’s LinkedIn page. The foundation, headquartered in Austin, Texas, was founded by Neil Bush to advance his father’s foreign policy legacy.

The new board will support the foundation’s mission by promoting its strategic partnerships, fundraising efforts and programming.

“The Bush China Foundation is pleased to welcome Dr. Luo-Branch onto our Board of Advisors and we greatly appreciate the unique perspectives, insights and connections she brings to our organization as a pioneering leader in the Arkansas Asian business community. As we continue to expand our Foundation’s engagement with Arkansas, we eagerly look forward to working closely with the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses,” Bush China Foundation CEO and president David Firestein said in a statement.

Luo-Branch will serve on the board for a two-year term. Her term begins retroactively on Jan. 1, 2020 and ends Dec. 31, 2021.

As a new advisory board member, Luo-Branch hopes to provide both operational and philosophical insights that she has learned, both as the founder of a nonprofit and as a stakeholder in the U.S.-China relations.

“I’d like to contribute as a member of the board by offering my insights from my own experience in starting a non-profit organization and gaining momentum in engagement, funding, and public awareness in a short period of time,” she told Arkansas Money & Politics. “The Bush China Foundation was founded in the same year as the AAAB. I feel there might be a commonality as being a nonprofit startup.”

“More broadly, I’d like to explore the win-wins among everyone involved – the Bush China Foundation, Arkansas in general and the AAAB, fellow board members and beyond. And it’s always my inclination to explore and maximize synergies.”

Being named as a board member is also a win for Arkansas, according to Luo-Branch. This appointment provides a “seat at the table” in the discussions that may impact future relations between the United States and China and could have positive effects for Arkansas.

“Firstly, I feel this appointment is a recognition of Arkansas being a doer and leader in furthering the positive Arkansas-Asian business relationship, verses just sit still and let the relationship happen,” she says. “Participating in board discussions will help Arkansas gain a seat at the table of impactful conversations led by the Bush China Foundation. China is the biggest country in Asia, so benefiting the Arkansas-China relationship is already a big part of contributing to the broader Arkansas-Asia relations.”

In addition, Luo-Branch says the connections made from participating in the board could prove valuable for Arkansas’ business community and the AAAB. “The other members of the inaugural board seem to have extensive connections and vast wealth of knowledge in the U.S.-Asia business relations. I look forward to learning from them and bring the knowledge back to the Arkansas community.”

“The AAAB strives to be a hub for talents and opportunities, and by being recognized, I hope, not only our own talents will stay in Arkansas but also will enable Arkansas to attract global talents.”

Moving U.S.-China relations forward will require more understanding on both sides, according to Luo-Branch. She encourages Arkansans to visit China and Asia in order to make personal connections that can result in better relationships.

“I hope Arkansas people will go visit China/Asia in person more and more. The political news tends to heavily cloud people’s judgment. By seeing another culture in person, will one be able to form better understanding and relationships. I give the same advice to my connections in Asia. All relationships start with individuals. Individuals need to feel empowered to take actions.”