Introducing Dr. Ming Zu, honored as the 2021 recipient of the Mark S. Wrighton Award for McDonnell Academy Alumni. This award recognizes alumni who have made meaningful contributions in their fields while embodying the Academy’s vision of global citizenship and lifelong connection.
In this interview with Kurt Dirks, director of the McDonnell Academy, Ming reflects on her time at WashU, her professional journey, and how the McDonnell Academy continues to shape her approach to leadership and global engagement.
As the Vice President of Supply Chain and Global Distribution in Systems & Software for Emerson, Ming leads a very diversified global category management organization, within a $3 billion business platform, across electrical, mechanical, computing and software categories for the company’s world-class control system platforms.
Ming continues to remain engaged with the McDonnell Academy. She hosts receptions in her home to welcome Tsinghua University McDonnell Scholars and was a featured speaker for the McDonnell Academy Alumni panel. Ming shares the valuable knowledge she’s gained at Emerson as a recurring guest speaker for the Olin Business School’s Supply Chain & Information Systems class. She is also a mentor for the Olin Business School’s MBA program, where she assists enrolled MBA students, providing academic guidance, personal development and career direction.
Above all, training through Olin Business School and the McDonnell Academy has empowered me with an extensive network of contacts. You get to meet and talk to people you would never otherwise have the opportunity to see.
Ming Zu