HONG KONG.- Mr. Robert Y. C. Ho, Chairman of the Board of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, announced that former Canadian diplomat Ted Lipman has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of this young and fast-growing institution. Ted Lipman will assume his duties on May 1, 2011, providing professional leadership to the Foundation as it carries out its dual missions: promoting Chinese culture, and encouraging a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy in contemporary society.

Established in Hong Kong in 2005, the Foundation is a private philanthropic organization engaged in strategic, long-term projects in Hong Kong and around the world. Its programs range from educating Hong Kong’s youth through the arts to nurturing young Chinese musicians and writers to creating centers for Buddhist studies at leading universities. Its partners to date have included the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Freer and Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Stanford University, Palo Alto; and the Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong.

Ted Lipman brings to the Foundation the skills and knowledge gained in his 35-year career as a diplomat representing Canada, principally in Greater China, with assignments in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. For the past three years he has served as the Canadian Ambassador to South and North Korea. Ted Lipman’s career has given him a wide and well-balanced mix of political, economic and cultural experience in Asia and North America. As a result of his involvement with projects highlighting Chinese art and culture, he has solid working relationships with many of the major cultural and academic institutions that collaborate with the Ho Family Foundation.

Ted Lipman received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia, then undertook studies in Chinese history at Peking University. He is fluent in English, French and Mandarin and has knowledge of Cantonese and Korean.

Robert Y. C. Ho stated, “We welcome Ted to the Foundation as a proven leader with a deep and wide-ranging love and understanding of Chinese culture. His inclusive, inspirational style, innovative thinking and crisp decision-making are ideal traits for the CEO of our young and energetic Foundation. Ted distinguished himself greatly in his diplomatic career. We are honored that he now serves as ambassador for the Foundation’s mission.”

Ted Lipman stated, “I feel privileged to assume the great opportunity presented by the Ho Family Foundation through its vigorous and rapidly expanding programs. I look forward to strengthening the Foundation’s already formidable network of relationships with institutions in Hong Kong and around the world, to guiding the ongoing development of the Foundation’s projects and partnerships, and to encouraging a greater understanding in East Asia of the nature and potential of private philanthropic foundations.”

Ted Lipman will work closely with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which consists of family members and seasoned professionals including an educator, an attorney and a financial consultant. The synergy resulting from this diverse expertise contributes to the Foundation’s growth and future development.