Joan Brzezinski is the executive director of the China Center. She joined the China Center in 1997, administering the China Center’s programs and activities. From 2008–2019, Joan also served as director of the Confucius Institute, developing professional development and cultural programs for schools and Mandarin instructors across the state. She is passionate about cross-cultural education, higher education exchanges, and building U.S.-China bridges to foster understanding and connect people in both countries. She holds a B.A. from Hamline University in East Asian history and a Master of International Management from the University of St. Thomas. In her roles in business and education, she has spent time in 30 of the 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.