Chris WH Chan serves as Adjunct Professor of Management at the City University of Hong Kong College of Business, where he designs and teaches MBA courses and masterclasses for EMBA and MBA programmes. As the principal of a growing private consulting and executive education practice, Professor Chan brings extensive experience in talent and leadership development (TLD), partnering with organizations across Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, mainland China, the Middle East, and Europe. To support executive lifelong learning, he develops internal case studies, designs simulations, and coaches action learning projects to enhance engagement and maximize the return on leadership development investments.

Previously, Professor Chan was Professor, Associate Dean, and Faculty Director of Executive Education for Ivey Business School in Asia. He has held leadership roles at several renowned universities, with deep expertise in graduate business education and corporate executive development. Before joining Ivey, he served as a Professor at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and as Dean of the Cornell-Nanyang Institute in Singapore. At Cornell, he led the brand elevation and expansion of the university’s Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) program while strengthening alumni and corporate relations in Asia.

Prior to his tenure in Singapore, Professor Chan was Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Programmes at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School, overseeing MBA brand development, marketing, admissions, financial management, academic affairs, and corporate relations. Under his leadership, the HKU MBA was ranked No. 1 in Asia by The Economist Which MBA? in 2010 and 2011, and achieved an average rank of 32 in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (peaking at No. 29 in 2014). In 2009, he received HKU’s prestigious university-wide Outstanding Teaching Award, one of only five faculty members honored that year.

Selected Corporate & Institutional Clients:
LVMH, Philips-Van Heusen (PVH), Vivo/Oppo, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, CLP Group, TK Elevator, Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Bank of East Asia, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Crystal International, Hilti, Deloitte, Bank of China (HK), MTR Corporation, Prudential, CITIC Pacific, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, FTLife Insurance, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Citibank, Spin Master, Hong Kong Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Singapore, FWD Insurance, EMSD, Manulife, NTT Communications, AIA, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, A.S. Watson Group, Walmart, Esquel Group, Swire Group, China Minsheng Bank, Hutchison Ports, HSBC, Central Bank of Bahrain, Roche, General Mills, Hong Kong Civil Service College, SGS, Shui On Land, and others.
 

What do you enjoy most about teaching CityUHK MBA students?

I am not currently teaching an MBA course at CityUHK, but I am coaching a team in the MBA Project course. My team has demonstrated exceptional qualities, they are intelligent, hardworking, and take excellent initiative in asking insightful questions and engaging in productive discussions with both myself and our external corporate sponsors. Their strong bilingual capabilities in English and Chinese further equip them for career success in today's global business environment.

How do you combine theoretical concepts with the latest industry practices and business trends?

I employ an exclusive case-based teaching approach grounded in the "learning by doing" philosophy, delivered through a flipped classroom model. In this framework, students engage with real-world business scenarios by analysing cases from the executive's perspective, wrestling with authentic trade-offs and strategic dilemmas, and practicing how to build consensus around their proposed solutions. Each case discussion concludes with a conceptual debrief where we examine relevant management theories, both those that support and those that challenge the students' recommendations. This deliberate sequencing of practical application followed by theoretical grounding creates a powerful learning cycle that bridges management theory with executive decision-making.

What books would you recommend CityUHK MBA students to read? Why?

I recommend the following two books on Leadership:
1. First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter 
2. GRIT:  The Power of Passion and Perseverance 

Both books offer excellent insights into how MBA students and graduates can navigate career transitions and develop their personal leadership skills.

One career advice to our CityUHK MBA students.

Cultivate deep self-awareness and sharp sensemaking abilities to navigate today's evolving business landscape. Look beyond conventional industries and geographical boundaries, especially beyond Hong Kong's familiar terrain. In this New Normal, proactively seek out and create emerging opportunities where others see uncertainty.

Any other information that you feel comfortable sharing with our prospective students?

While I have taught MBA and EMBA courses for many years, over the past 12 years I have focused on designing and delivering corporate executive education programs for experienced executives. Whenever possible, I look forward to sharing some of those experiences and insights with the MBA class.