Terry Branstad

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad has a distinguished history of public service that includes being the longest-serving governor in United States history, with terms in office from 1983-1999 and 2011-2017. He also served as Lt. Governor and was a three-term member of the Iowa House of Representatives. Branstad is currently the president of both the World Food Prize Foundation and Des Moines University Medical School, furthering his commitment to significant educational and humanitarian efforts.

As a founding partner of the Branstad Churchill Group, a strategic consulting firm, Branstad provides expert advice and solutions aimed at fostering U.S.-China business relations. His tenure as U.S. Ambassador to China was marked by significant achievements such as the signing of the Phase-One Trade Agreement in January 2020 and effective lobbying for the Chinese government's control over the flow of fentanyl into the United States. His efforts were crucial during the U.S. response to the Covid-19 outbreak in China, which included organizing the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Wuhan and facilitating the delivery of critical medical supplies.

In addition to his role at the Branstad Churchill Group, Branstad serves as the "Ambassador-In-Residence" at Drake University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. He continues to contribute to public service as the national co-chair of the capital campaign to modernize the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. His engagement with audiences at speaking events includes prestigious platforms and organizations such as KraneShares, the Committee of 100, US Meat Export Federation, and the National Pork Producers.