Li Na selected into Young Global Leaders 2015

‍‍World Economic Forum released the list of Young Global Leaders 2015 yesterday. Retired Chinese tennis star Li Na was selected into the class of 2015 Young Global Leaders. 

The official website of the forum describes itself as below. 

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multistakeholder community of more than 900 exceptional young leaders. The community is made up of leaders from all walks of life, from every region of the world and every stakeholder group in society. Nominated under 40, these young leaders are proposed through a qualified nomination process and assessed according to rigorous selection criteria that creates a diverse and truly representative body, while accepting only the very best leaders who have already demonstrated their commitment to serving society at large.

The non-profit forum is set up under the Swiss government, and is an integral part of the World Economic Forum. Members of the each class of YGL will serve for six years, during which time they will actively participate in the forum’s activities, meetings, initiatives, etc. 

There are 187 YGLs in the 2015 class. Half of them are women. 17 YGLs are from Greater China area. Among them include industrial people such as C-level executives from Xiaomi, Qunaer, Didi Taxi, governmental officials, and people from public organizations, such as the director of Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. These 17 people include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationalities. 

Li Na is the only Chinese member from sports industry. Alibaba President, Ma Yun, was also once selected as a member of the YGL.