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Dr. Lu to lead and expand the Institute's engagement efforts in Asia
LOS ANGELES and SINGAPORE, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global think tank the Milken Institute today announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin Lu as Chair of Asia. Dr. Lu brings decades of experience in the investment and public policy world, including his current role as Partner, Chairman of Asia, and member of the Global Executive Board at Partners Group, as well as his past role in leading the World Bank Group's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency as Director and Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Lu also serves as a Lecturer of Management at Yale School of Management and an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School, teaching graduate courses on private equity and society.
Robin Hu will be become Chairman Emeritus after serving his two-year tenure as Chair of Asia. Hu will continue as a member of the Board of Directors at the Milken Institute Asia Center and will serve in a senior advisory capacity.
Dr. Lu has been involved with Milken Institute's Asia headquarters since its inception, supporting the Institute's programmatic efforts in Asia and around the world. Now taking over as Chair of Asia, Dr. Lu will continue to provide strategic counsel to the Institute's leadership and collaborate with its Asia headquarters to drive the next era of impact, growth and expansion in the region.
"Over the years, the Milken Institute has benefited tremendously from Kevin's expertise and guidance in his capacity as Senior Fellow, and we are lucky to have him as our Chair of Asia. I'm extremely grateful to Robin for his two-year service and leadership as Chairman, which have been so valuable to the Institute and to me as the Executive Vice President of International," said Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Vice President of International at the Milken Institute. "I am excited to continue our partnership with Kevin in his new capacity. With his unparalleled depth and diversity of experience, as well as his extensive connections, I am confident that he will lead our Asia practice to new heights as we continue to grow from strength to strength."
Partners Group has been a long-time collaborator of the Milken Institute. In 2021, the two organizations jointly launched a high-impact and immersive internship program that offers wide exposure and hands-on experience in finance and investment management to undergraduate and graduate students in Singapore. The internship program is slated to welcome its sixth cohort of interns in the summer of 2026.
"In the past decades that I have been with the Milken Institute, it has undertaken substantial growth, bringing its flagship convenings to key markets around the world, from Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong (SAR), to London, Abu Dhabi, Mexico, Sao Paolo, and more," said Dr. Kevin Lu, Asia Chair, Milken Institute. "I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the Milken Institute's Chair of Asia, and I look forward to working with the Milken Institute leadership team in the United States and Asia team in Singapore to forge a path of success in the new global landscape."
About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.
Dr. Lu to lead and expand the Institute's engagement efforts in Asia
LOS ANGELES and SINGAPORE, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global think tank the Milken Institute today announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin Lu as Chair of Asia. Dr. Lu brings decades of experience in the investment and public policy world, including his current role as Partner, Chairman of Asia, and member of the Global Executive Board at Partners Group, as well as his past role in leading the World Bank Group's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency as Director and Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Lu also serves as a Lecturer of Management at Yale School of Management and an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School, teaching graduate courses on private equity and society.
Robin Hu will be become Chairman Emeritus after serving his two-year tenure as Chair of Asia. Hu will continue as a member of the Board of Directors at the Milken Institute Asia Center and will serve in a senior advisory capacity.
Dr. Lu has been involved with Milken Institute's Asia headquarters since its inception, supporting the Institute's programmatic efforts in Asia and around the world. Now taking over as Chair of Asia, Dr. Lu will continue to provide strategic counsel to the Institute's leadership and collaborate with its Asia headquarters to drive the next era of impact, growth and expansion in the region.
"Over the years, the Milken Institute has benefited tremendously from Kevin's expertise and guidance in his capacity as Senior Fellow, and we are lucky to have him as our Chair of Asia. I'm extremely grateful to Robin for his two-year service and leadership as Chairman, which have been so valuable to the Institute and to me as the Executive Vice President of International," said Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Vice President of International at the Milken Institute. "I am excited to continue our partnership with Kevin in his new capacity. With his unparalleled depth and diversity of experience, as well as his extensive connections, I am confident that he will lead our Asia practice to new heights as we continue to grow from strength to strength."
Partners Group has been a long-time collaborator of the Milken Institute. In 2021, the two organizations jointly launched a high-impact and immersive internship program that offers wide exposure and hands-on experience in finance and investment management to undergraduate and graduate students in Singapore. The internship program is slated to welcome its sixth cohort of interns in the summer of 2026.
"In the past decades that I have been with the Milken Institute, it has undertaken substantial growth, bringing its flagship convenings to key markets around the world, from Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong (SAR), to London, Abu Dhabi, Mexico, Sao Paolo, and more," said Dr. Kevin Lu, Asia Chair, Milken Institute. "I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the Milken Institute's Chair of Asia, and I look forward to working with the Milken Institute leadership team in the United States and Asia team in Singapore to forge a path of success in the new global landscape."
About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Milken Institute Announces Dr. Kevin Lu As New Asia Chair
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Haier, the world's No.1 major home appliance brand, continues its strategic partnership with the Australian Open (AO) in 2026, shining brightly on one of the world's most prestigious sporting stages. Returning to Melbourne Park, Haier is electrifying the tournament atmosphere, bridging the gap between elite athletic performance and the precision of smart home living to deliver a Zero Distance experience for fans globally.
This year, Haier's presence transcends traditional branding, transforming the court into a dynamic platform for innovation and social impact.
In an exciting display of precision, top-tier players aimed their shots at Haier appliances positioned directly on the court. Haier washing machines and dryers served as high-value targets, and all proceeds from this challenge were donated to the Australian Tennis Foundation. By integrating its products into the heart of the action, Haier demonstrated how the brand facilitates a "better life," ensuring that the excitement of the game also supports the local community.
Just as the umpire stands as a silent guardian of fair play, Haier's appliances serve as the quiet backbone of millions of homes. Delivering "present yet unnoticed" performance, they serve as supporting actors in daily life while standing as the undisputed champion of industry innovation.
"As we embark on another exciting chapter with the Australian Open, we are inspired to bring the spirit of this world-class event to fans everywhere," said Wang Meiyan, Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Haier Group. "In 2026, we are launching a comprehensive global roadmap that extends the excitement far beyond Melbourne. This initiative represents a year-long celebration of fan engagement, sports innovation, and technology, creating opportunities for communities across the globe to connect through their shared passion for sports."
To mark the launch, Haier has invited passionate fans from around the world to Melbourne, bringing them closer to the excitement of the Grand Slam. This exclusive activation features appearances by tennis legends Casey Dellacqua, Alicia Molik, Tommy Haas, who will lead interactive coaching clinics and engage directly with fans on-site.
Haier's commitment to tennis extends well beyond the Australian summer. As a Gold Partner of the ATP Tour, Haier will continue to champion excellence throughout the 2026 season, with on-court brand visibility, premium hospitality experiences, and on‑site product integration across major tournaments, providing a global platform to showcase its latest smart‑living innovations. The brand will also benefit from exposure across ATP's digital channels, reaching an online audience of more than one billion.
Following the Australian Open, Haier will roll out an ambitious "Future Champions" program, launching youth football tournaments across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan. These initiatives will be complemented by celebrity football friendlies in the UK featuring local club legends, motivational workshops, and localized fan festivals. And Haier will continue its tradition of hosting the Haier Cup Badminton in Southeast Asia, while introducing the inaugural Haier Cup Basketball tournament this year to engage a broader demographic of young athletes.
The year-long journey culminates with the Haier Fans Club Ultimate Cup in Qingdao, China. This grand celebration will unite fan champions from football, basketball, and badminton tournaments worldwide for an unforgettable finale.
With the Australian Open as its launchpad, Haier projects to attract over 100,000 new global fans through this year-round engagement strategy. The Haier Fans Club 2026 amplifies the brand's footprint, aligning it with the world's most prestigious sporting events while promoting the vision of smart living to a global audience.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Haier Shines at Australian Open 2026: Official Partner Elevates the Game with Smart Innovation and Purpose
Haier Shines at Australian Open 2026: Official Partner Elevates the Game with Smart Innovation and Purpose
Haier Shines at Australian Open 2026: Official Partner Elevates the Game with Smart Innovation and Purpose
