Marjorie Yang

Marjorie Yang Mun-tak
Born	1952
Occupation(s)	Businesswoman, philanthropist
Years active	1995–present
Known for	Chairwoman of Esquel Group
Notable work	Leadership of Esquel Group, sustainable manufacturing initiatives

Marjorie Yang Mun-tak GBS (; born 1952) serves as Chairwoman of Esquel Group, a Hong Kong-based textile and apparel manufacturer that produces more than 110 million cotton shirts each year for prominent brands including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Nike, and Marks and Spencer.

Career

As the eldest daughter of Esquel Group’s founder, , Yang has been leading the company since 1995. From 2008 to 2014, under her leadership, the company experienced rapid growth, with revenues increasing over twofold to reach US$1.4 billion.

Her notable positions include membership in the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference since 2003, Chairmanship of the Hong Kong-United States Business Council, leadership of the Government’s Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants and Professionals, and participation in the Government's Commission on Strategic Development. Additionally, Yang holds the role of Deputy Chairman at the Seoul International Business Advisory Council.

Yang is also an independent non-executive director on the boards of both HSBC and Swire Pacific, and she contributes as a member of Christie's Asia Advisory Board.

In 2017, she provided financial backing for John Tsang’s campaign during his bid for the position of Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

Her advisory commitments extend to numerous institutions including:

• MIT Corporation
• Chairman of the Council at Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Board of Governors at Asia School of Business
• Harvard University and Harvard Business School
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management
• China Europe International Business School
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics & Management
• Honorary Trustee at Lingnan College of Sun Yat-sen University
• Honorary Member of the Court at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Education

Yang earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Personal life

Marjorie Yang is married to entrepreneur Dickson Poon and they have one child, Dee Poon. In 2009, Yang appointed Dee as chief brand officer for PYE within Esquel Group; Dee has since progressed to become managing director overseeing Esquel brands and distribution.

Philanthropy and environmental conservation

The Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation, established by Yang, has supported the building or refurbishment of more than 20 schools. The Esquel Group also facilitates microfinance initiatives benefiting 300 rural households in Xinjiang, China, where it operates cotton farming, ginning, and spinning facilities. The Foundation prioritizes improving education, health, and hygiene among Uyghur minority students outside Ürümqi and implements vision screening programs targeting children in rural areas across China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

A committed proponent of sustainable manufacturing practices, Yang chairs the Shan Shui Conservation Center and participates on the Advisory Council for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in China. In 2018, she introduced 'Integral,' a program designed to encourage environmentally responsible and balanced growth strategies among Chinese enterprises.

Recent recognitions and distinctions

• Featured among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business by Fortune Magazine (2000, 2004, 2005, 2009)
• Recipient of the Bronze Beaver Award from the MIT Alumni Association (2011)
• Listed as one of the 48 Philanthropy Champions by Forbes Asia (2012)
• Included in Asia's 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen by Forbes (2012)
• Honoured with the Diamond Award by Hong Kong Tatler (2013)
• Awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) by the Hong Kong SAR Government (2013)