Yan Hai

Background

About Yan Hai

Yan Hai brings rich experience across government, public affairs, and the financial industry. Since joining Manulife in 2021, she has led the company’s regulatory and public affairs strategy and execution across 13 Asian markets, as well as advising the Global Board and Executive Leadership Team on geopolitical and regulatory developments critical to Manulife’s Asia business. Prior to Manulife, Yan led Public Affairs APAC at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board where she spearheaded a landmark cooperation MOU with NDRC, China’s super economic planner on addressing demographic challenges. This MOU, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Li Keqiang, contributed to the development of China’s first highest-level national policy on population aging. Previously, Yan held senior roles at Brunswick Group and Albright Stonebridge Group, advising C-suite executives of MNCs and international financial institutions on public affairs, financial communications, and crisis management. She also worked at China International Capital Corporation, responsible for marketing and regulatory affairs supporting IPOs, M&A transactions, and business development. Yan started her career in the Chinese civil and diplomatic services as Attaché at the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands and Indonesia and later as Deputy Director for East European and Central Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Culture. She holds an MPhil. in Contemporary European Studies from Trinity Hall, the University of Cambridge and an L.L.B in Diplomacy from China Foreign Affairs University. Yan currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canada-China Business Council.