27岁 已婚男 年收入:11-20万 测试了保险需求
In a time of rapid change and rising expectations, effective leadership demands more than just experience—it calls for adaptability, empathy, and a commitment to empowering others. Poh-Yian Koh, President of FedEx China, shares the core behaviors that have guided her journey and offers practical insights for leaders navigating what’s next.

Poh-Yian Koh is President of FedEx China and Senior Vice President at FedEx, overseeing operations in this critical market. With more than three decades at the company, she has played a pivotal role in FedEx’s expansion in China, leading strategic projects such as the Pudong and Guangzhou Hubs and shaping customs procedures to support the company’s growth. Having held leadership roles across Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, Koh has received numerous accolades, including nine 5-star Awards, FedEx’s highest honor. She is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, having led the Sunflower Project to support individuals with disabilities, and to sustainability across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Ohio State University and an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Courtesy of FedEx China
What defines leadership in an era of constant transformation? For me, it’s about being decisive, resilient, and driven to empower others—leading not from behind a title but by example. Over three decades at FedEx, I’ve learned that the most effective leaders are not just goal-setters, but change agents who foster trust, elevate others, and deliver results with heart.
Learning Agility: The Foundation of Growth
I began my FedEx journey as an industrial engineer in Singapore. At the time, I believed technical knowledge was enough. But leadership demanded more. I quickly learned that success comes not from knowing everything—but from staying curious, asking questions, and learning from every experience.
As I moved into larger roles—from regional integration to overseeing massive hub developments in China—I embraced a mindset of continuous growth. I sought feedback, admitted what I didn’t know, and surrounded myself with people smarter than me. This humility created space for trust and team innovation. Leaders who learn fast and adapt decisively are the ones who stay ahead.
Disruptive Leadership
Leading the development of the FedEx Guangzhou Asia Pacific Hub was a pivotal moment that shaped my identity and career. The projects demanded not only technical knowledge but also disruptive leadership with the confidence to lead a group of male-dominated experts through cross-cultural differences, complex government relationships, and constantly changing requirements. I developed boldness, confronted issues, focused strategically on outcomes, engaged stakeholders collaboratively, and exercised contextual leadership. Today, FedEx operates over 220 weekly flights in and out of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, connecting more than 220 countries and territories.
Success didn’t come from following old playbooks. It required tenacity, creative problem-solving, and the courage to disrupt. In logistics—an ever evolving, high-pressure industry—waiting is rarely an option. I learned to act quickly but thoughtfully, balancing urgency with empathy. That’s what I call disruptive leadership— it is not about change for the sake of change. It is about increasing value through change by being bold and taking strategic actions that have a lasting impact.

Poh-Yian at AmCham China’s Southwest Chapter’s 2024 Women’s Day event
Courtesy of AmCham China Southwest Chapter
Empathy Builds Resilient Teams
Growing up as one of 12 children in a traditional Chinese household, compromise was a survival skill. As a young leader, I saw compromise as a sign of weakness. But years of leading global projects taught me otherwise. True strength lies in understanding others, finding common ground, and co-creating solutions to achieve objectives.
Empathy isn’t about pleasing everyone—it’s about seeing people’s needs clearly, listening without judgment, and responding with clarity. Whether managing engineers, couriers, or executive teams, I’ve found that empathy builds loyalty, drives engagement, and uncovers innovative ideas that numbers alone can’t.
In the current fast-changing environment, empathy is essential for fostering a resilient team ready to innovate and transform.
Culture and Inclusion: Drive Collective Success
At FedEx, we are driven by a simple but powerful principle: People-Service-Profit. When we take care of our people, they take care of our customers, and the business thrives. That’s why we invest in inclusive leadership and foster a “Speak Up” culture, where every voice counts.
We have teams dedicated to addressing concerns raised via our 24/7 multilingual FedEx Alert Line- with action, not delay. That is how trust is built.
“As a leader, how I show up matters. My energy influences my team, and my clarity sets the tone for tough decisions.”
Encourage Others to Rise
In logistics—a traditionally male-dominated field—I’ve faced my share of raised eyebrows. I remember my early days carrying boxes alongside couriers, some of whom doubted I would last a week. Thirty-five years later, I lead one of the largest express delivery networks in China.
Inclusion isn’t about lowering the bar—it’s about expanding it. In 1997, I noticed a hardworking cleaner from the village who was helping my secretary type a letter. I offered her a job at FedEx and encouraged her to use the company’s tuition assistance program for further education. She went on to earn a university degree, becoming a successful leader and building a happy family.
While many female leaders exemplify emotional intelligence, transparency, and high performance, these qualities are not exclusive nor universal. Our open-door policy values strength in all forms, regardless of gender. By mentoring other women, I aim to build a leadership pipeline where talent—not tradition—defines who rises. Today, in FedEx China, 56% of professional and managerial employees are women.
Work-Life Balance:
In the fast-paced logistics world, balance can feel elusive. But I’ve learned that self-management is non-negotiable. I experienced this firsthand in 2004, when FedEx sponsored me to pursue an EMBA. At that time, balancing work, study, and family felt nearly impossible. Yet that experience became a turning point.
The EMBA helped me gain access to a diverse network of business leaders and prepare me for a more senior position. I discovered the significance of having a “life compass” and being “intentional” to live consciously according to my values. It helps me to stay grounded, reflect daily, and maintain a positive mindset even in high-stakes situations.
I’m transparent with my team about this. We’re not machines—we are people first. By normalizing conversations about balance, mental health, and priorities outside of work, we create a more human and sustainable workplace. When we lead with intention, we lead others to do the same.
A Legacy of Empowerment
When I first came to China in 1995, logistics was undergoing a revolution. Today, it still is. From urbanization to digitization, our sector evolves rapidly, and so must we. Of course, I desire FedEx to lead and make the supply chain smarter for everyone.
At a leader, our mission goes beyond pickup and delivery. We create opportunity, model inclusion, and lead with heart. That’s the legacy I strive to leave: a stronger, more empowered workforce—ready to shape the future, together.

This article is from the AmCham China Quarterly Magazine (Issue 2, 2025). To access the entire publication for free, sign up on our member portal here.