Mai Kieu Lien

Mai Kieu Lien (born 1953) is a Vietnamese businesswoman and currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Viet Nam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (VINAMILK). She is the first Vietnamese woman named by Forbes as being among the top 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia (2012) and is one of wealthiest individual in Vietnam in terms of stock wealth.

She joined Vinamilk since the establishment of the company in 1976 and became CEO of Vinamilk in Dec 1992. She is described to be a dynamic leader who has played a key role in transforming Vinamilk into "not only one of Vietnam's most profitable brands but also a respected name across Asia”

Career

• Mai Kieu Lien was born on 1st Sept 1953 in Paris, France.
• From Aug 1976 to Aug 1980: She was a Technology Engineer in charge of condensed milk and yogurt production at Truong Tho Dairy Factory.
• From Sept 1980 to Feb 1982: She was Technology Engineer at Technical Department of Associated Enterprise of Dairy, Coffee and Confectionery I.
• From Feb 1982 to Jun 1983: She was Vice Technical Director in charge of Production at Thong Nhat Dairy Factory.
• After completing her study at Leningrad Institute of Engineering and Economics (Soviet Union – now Russia) in 1984, She was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Sale at Associated Enterprise of Dairy, Coffee and Confectionery I (now as Vietnam Dairy Products Company).
• In Dec 1992: She was appointed CEO of Vietnam Dairy Products Company
• From 1996 to 2001: She was a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party
• On 14th Nov 2003: she was elected BOM’s Chairwoman and thereafter has held CEO position of Vinamilk for 3 consecutive terms: 2003- 2007; 2007- 2011 and 2012- 2016.
• From July 2015 up to now: She is the CEO of Vietnam Dairy Products Company, Member of the BOM.

Awards

• She honorably granted certain awards as below:

- In 2001: The Labour Medal II.

- In 2005: The “Hero of Labour in the novation period”.

- In 2006: The Labour Medal I. In the same year, she was awarded “Vietnam’s Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Outstanding Achievements in Science & Technology from 2001 to 2005” by Vietnamese Industry and Trade Department.

- In 2009: She won “Outstanding Businesswoman – Yellow Rose Award” by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

- On 15 Jan, 2014: She was nominated “Number 1 CEO in Vietnam” by Council of Vietnamese economic experts and advisors.

• And she also honorably received other local and international awards:

- February 2012: “Top Asia’s 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen”, by Forbes Asia.

- May 2012: “Top 51 Excellent Businesswomen in Asia 2012”, by Corporate Governance Asia Journal.

- January 2013: “The 2012 Asian Excellence Recognition Award in Investor Relations”, by Corporate Governance Asia Journal.

- March 2013: “Top 50 for Achievement in Asia’s Businesswomen in The Mix”, by Forbes Asia (2nd time).

- January 2014: “The Best CEOs in Vietnam”, by the Business Review.

- March 2014: “Top Asia’s 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen”, by Forbes Asia (3rd time).

- September 2014: “The Asian Excellence Recognition Awards”, by Corporate Governance Asia Journal.

- January 2015: “Top 50 CEOs - Mark of Respect”, by the Business Review.

- February 2015: “The Cultural Businesswoman for National Building and Development”, by The Cultural Businessman Center.

- February 2015 : “Top Asia’s 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen”, by Forbes Asia (4th time).

- March 2015: “Businesswoman in ASEAN 2015”, by VCCI – Vietnamese Businesswoman Council.

- April 2015: “Businesswoman for Quality of Life”, by Ministry of Health – Foodstuff Safety Division.

- May 2015: “Asia Nikkei Award”, by Nikkei, a leading media corporation.

- November 2015: “New Zealand – ASEAN Award” – by New Zealand