Beijing's 20 Most Interesting People: Roberta Lipson

We have a saying here at the Beijinger that even if nothing interesting could be written about 99 percent of Beijing's approximately 20 million people, there would still be 200,000 great stories remaining. To us, what makes a person interesting was not only their long-term presence in Beijing, but that they had done something of note within the last 12 months. Here is one of our picks, and you can always find more in our October issue, now out on the stands.

Roberta Lipson
CEO, Chindex/Chairwoman, United Family Healthcare
Years in Beijing: 34

Why she’s interesting: If there are a number of pillars of the foreign community on this list, then Roberta Lipson may very well be the cornerstone. Having called Beijing home for more than three decades, she set out to create international-standard health care facilities via her company United Family Healthcare, and its flagship, Beijing United Family Hospital. With her friend and business partner Elyse Silverberg, Roberta also co-founded the Jewish community organization Kehillat in Beijing in 1979. You may not know her face or name, but Roberta’s impact on expatriate life in Beijing has been significant and sustained.

What she says: “I have spent more than half of my life here. Beijing is my home.  Being here over this important phase in the city's development has given me a chance to make an important contribution through the United Family Health network which our company has built here. My family and career are all here. I love this city.”

Photo Courtesy of Roberta Lipson