Yesterday Schloss Krumbach International School hosted OPEN GATES Knowledge Leadership Forum for the 4th time, featuring Mr. Derek Chen, a Founder and Chairman of Chenco Holding Company, one of the Largest Chinese-owned U.S. Real Estate Investment & Fund Management Companies.

OPEN GATES, a SKIS-founded initiative, is a unique discussion forum of international scope and significance that puts SKIS students in dialogue with world-famous experts and practitioners in education, culture, business, and technology. By talking to the successful people of such rank, students gain valuable insights and life lessons as well as an inspiration on mapping up their potential professional paths.

Reflecting on his 30+ years of experience in the areas of real estate development, multi-sector investments, and general management, Mr. Chen talked about the importance of practical dreaming, the complete normalcy of changing the careers if one’s heart is not fully in it, and the fundamental value of staying true to oneself and maintaining kindness and moral integrity to the others, at all times.

“People are born with the sharp edges and can involuntarily hurt each other as they get too close. The challenge is to be like a smooth ball – to dodge all the arrows while also never harming the people around”, said Mr. Chen.

On behalf of the SKIS community, we would like to express a sincere gratitude to Mr. Chen, his nephew Mr. Hsu and the whole team, for coming to SKIS and inspiring the students to strive and to achieve, with an open mind and a kind heart.

Stay tuned for the more OPEN GATES events to come!