Dong Mingzhu

Dong Mingzhu, often called China's "iron lady" of business, joined Gree Electric in 1990 as a saleswoman after she was widowed. She became president in 2007 and chair in 2012, turning the Zhuhai company into one of the world's largest air-conditioner makers. Now 72, she is slowly handing over control. In April 2025, she gave the president's job to Zhang Wei and began a fifth term as chair. She is now looking to Europe's winters for growth.