Alexandra Brand, known by her Chinese name Bai Shan, was born in Germany. She continued her studies in chemistry at the Technical University of Darmstadt in 1990 and received her doctorate in 1998. She started her career at BASF, where she held various management positions before joining Syngenta in 2015. Since 2023, she is Executive Vice President for Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Syngenta Group.
A quick Internet search might paint the image of Alexandra Brand as “serious and reserved,” a German scientist and senior executive with an impressive resume. True to form, she demonstrated a commanding presence from the moment she sat down in front of the camera for our interview.
However, as soon as she spoke, the impression changed: “I have a Chinese name, Bai Shan,” she said with a smile. She speaks in a rhythmic, well-modulated tone, full of expression.
The atmosphere instantly relaxed. “A suit and white shirt reflect the dress code of an executive, black-rimmed glasses are the mark of a scientist, and pearl earrings add a touch of femininity. I really like your outfit,” remarked the Global People journalist before the start of the interview.
She responded with a hearty laugh: “Next time I come to China, I’ll make sure to wear something more colorful!”
“Innovate with Chinese farmers”
Ms. Brand traveled to Beijing to attend the 2024 Global Agri-Food Innovation Conference, which was held in Pinggu District in October.
Her enthusiasm for this first conference was palpable: “After visiting the exhibitions and attending the forums, I was deeply impressed by the widespread acceptance of sustainable development among Chinese food companies and society at large,” said she declared. “I have seen many Chinese small and medium-sized food and beverage enterprises actively exploring new technologies such as drones, big data and artificial intelligence. It’s also inspiring to see women playing increasingly vital roles in agriculture – smart, brave….”
“Agriculture is cool”
For Ms. Brand, “curiosity” is a characteristic trait.
Born in a town in central Germany, Ms. Brand is around 50 years old and comes from a middle-class family. She and her brother were the first in their family to earn a college degree.
Fascinated by chemistry, Ms. Brand was captivated by molecules from her childhood. “I was convinced that understanding how molecules work would allow us to discover the rules that govern the world,” she recalls. Between 1990 and 1998, she continued her studies from bachelor’s degree to doctorate at the Darmstadt University of Technology. “I completed my doctorate in just two and a half years, a record at the time at my university,” she said.
“My brain is made for chemistry,” she continues. “Some people are great singers, but I am deaf; others are good with their hands, but I can barely use a screwdriver. Fortunately, my interests and talent align perfectly with chemistry.”
After graduating, she joined BASF, where she first worked in research for four years, preparing, synthesizing and assembling new molecules. However, she became increasingly curious about how her research was commercialized and how it benefited clients. This curiosity led her to move into the business side of the business, where she led a sales team.
His first major mission was to manage sales for the regional office in India. The challenge is significant. “I had no business experience and had never been to India. But I said to myself: why not? What’s the worst that could happen? “. She successfully completed her mission in Mumbai, gaining valuable intercultural experience along the way.
Brand joined Syngenta in 2015, where she initially oversaw the crop protection and seed business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. From 2018 to 2020, she served as Chief Sustainability Officer, leading the newly created sustainability team and advancing the company’s sustainability initiatives. In November 2023, she assumed her current role as Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs.
“Whether at BASF or Syngenta, my work has always revolved around agriculture,” she said. “Agriculture is a fascinating sector. It’s about life, the environment and problem solving. Modern agriculture is a marvel. A few generations ago, exotic fruits and vegetables were considered a luxury. Today, they are accessible worldwide. The future of agriculture is about growing more food on limited land while reducing carbon emissions – a mission that inspires me. »
She adds: “My role requires me to travel frequently, which allows me to witness the diversity of lifestyles and the evolution of cities and countries around the world. »
“Smart multinationals will have no shortage of opportunities in China”
Global People : What are your impressions of rural China?
Alexandra Brand : I have visited many farms in China, and two experiences stand out. The first is that of a small family farm of around one hectare, managed by a couple. Their curiosity and desire to learn new techniques made a strong impression on me.
On the other hand, I visited a large modernized farm, equipped with state-of-the-art agricultural machinery and knowledge. These large Chinese farms are today comparable to those in Western countries such as the United States.
The diversity of Chinese farms reflects the variety of individuals who participate in them. Farmers include those who work tirelessly for their families and enterprising professionals who manage large-scale farms.
I love the Chinese countryside for its warmth and vibrancy. Although I don’t speak Chinese and don’t remember the names of the villages I visited, I remember the scenery perfectly. The green and golden fields often lead to cozy farm restaurants or charming tea houses, where I have always been warmly welcomed when I needed to rest.
Global People : How do you see the development and transformation of Chinese agriculture?
Alexandra Brand: China’s vast territory results in a very diversified agricultural system.
The southern regions enjoy a tropical climate, while the north experiences a temperate climate, resulting in varied crops between the two regions. Additionally, the livestock sector is thriving, with strong demand for pork, fish, poultry and dairy products. These needs are reshaping the agricultural landscape as a whole.
In recent years, the Chinese government has made significant investments in agriculture. Currently, the sector is undergoing rapid modernization. I have personally witnessed “Chinese speed” in farmland. In the future, greater scalability, intelligence and digitalization will undoubtedly shape the future of Chinese agriculture.
However, this does not mean that traditional practices will disappear. As an agricultural powerhouse with a rich history, China retains a deep-rooted cultural connection to its land. Even today, many people working in cities return to their hometowns during the Lunar New Year to reunite with their families in their villages.
I think high-tech agriculture and traditional agriculture are not in conflict. On the contrary, advanced technologies are very attractive to younger generations. I am confident that China’s modernized farms will attract more young people to return to rural areas.
Global People : Beyond the campaign, how do you perceive the transformation of the other China?
Alexandra Brand : China’s achievements over the past 30 years are simply extraordinary. My first visit to China was in 2003, when I went to Shanghai. At the time, the city was completely different from what it is today. Modern Shanghai features modern hotel furnishings and a vast network of interconnected roads and highways.
In contrast, my hometown, located in central Germany, still has many old buildings and investment in infrastructure is clearly insufficient. China’s urban modernization is astounding and offers valuable lessons for other countries.
Global People: As an executive of a multinational, how do you see the functioning of the Chinese economic system?
Alexandra Brand : Having visited China several times, I have gained in-depth knowledge of its market and interacted with certain economic sectors. I am particularly impressed by the fluidity of communication between the different stakeholders in China. Businesses, public bodies and universities cooperate in a climate of trust and mutual understanding, and work together to stimulate economic development.
In many countries, changing outdated economic policies can take a long time. In contrast, in China, a huge country, rapid changes are often implemented more effectively.
This flexibility is the basis of China’s rapid economic growth and will continue to support its progress in the current global economic landscape.
Over the past decades, China has been a key engine of global growth. Although its annual GDP growth has slowed from a double-digit rate to around 5%, the sheer scale of its economy means that its contribution to global economic growth remains substantial.
The size and complexity of the Chinese market not only provides growth opportunities, but also fosters innovation. For example, in agriculture, China’s modernization represents a unique challenge due to the need to simultaneously improve crop yield, protect the environment, and account for regional variations in climate and temperature. geography. This “complex examination” calls for innovative solutions.
The sustained and predictable growth of the Chinese economy continues to attract global companies. Smart multinationals will not miss the opportunity to engage with China.
Source: Global People Online