For his long and outstanding devotion to the College, William Bao Bean, a member of the Class of 1995, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Alumni Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Alumni Council.
The award is presented each year in recognition of an individual’s record of volunteer service to the College. Bean founded the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Club of Asia and has been one of the driving forces behind its continued success in building and fostering a strong network of 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ alumni across Asia.
For nearly twenty years, he has helped 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ students find first jobs or experience-building opportunities across the continent.
A government and legal studies and history double major at 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½, Bean has brought alumni together by organizing and hosting in-person events and endeavors to excite and inspire alumni throughout Asia to engage with each other and the College by sharing news, stories, and photos about 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ on social media and, in 2009, was named the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Alumni Club Volunteer of the Year.
Bean is among the most accomplished experts in developing and supporting start-up ventures in Asia and has been recognized as one of the top analysts and stock pickers for technology, software, and IT in China, Hong Kong, and all of Asia, by publications including Institutional Investor Magazine Asia. In 2005, Thomson Reuters StarMine called him the top stock picker in technology, media, and telecom.
He has been the architect of several impactful investments in China and Southeast Asia through his previous work at Softbank China & India Holdings and SingTel Innov8 Ventures and currently as managing general partner of Orbit Startups.
Bean’s passion for this work has inspired him to personally support dozens of start-ups as an angel investor. He also cochaired the China Chapter of H2, the premier leadership network for the tech industry. His service to the College and the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ community includes founding and leading the Office of Career Exploration and Development’s (CXD) internship program in Asia. He has also served as a member of the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Career Advisory Network and chaired 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½’s Regional Admissions Volunteer Organization (BRAVO).
“At graduation I got my first job through an introduction from a mentor, and I will never forget this kindness, which launched my career,” Bean said in 2021. “I founded the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Club of Asia Job and Internship Program to provide that same helping hand to the next generation of Polar Bears.”
The award will be presented during Reunion Weekend (May 29–June 1, 2025).
