BYU China Conference 2026

Speakers

Sean Stein

Sean Stein is the president of the US-China Business Council. He recently served as the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and is the chair emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Stein co-chaired the China Public Policy Practice at Covington and Burling where he advised companies on political risk, communications, and US-China government relations. He helps companies with their government relations and China strategies. Stein has also served as an American diplomat for 25 years, including as Consul General in Shenyang and Shanghai. He served on the China desk at the State Department. He has spent time working in Africa, the United States, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Eric Hyer

Eric Hyer graduated from Columbia University with a Ph.D. in Political Science and Chinese Politics. After teaching at Hunter College, the City University of New York, he became an assistant professor in Brigham Young University’s Department of Political Science in 1988. He was a Fulbright Scholar at China Foreign Affairs University, 1995-96. His research focuses on China’s foreign relations, specifically China’s arms sales, territorial issues, and US-China relations. He authored the book The Pragmatic Dragon: China’s Grand Strategy and Boundary Settlements which analyzes China’s boundary disputes and settlements. He was the associate producer of the documentary “Helen Foster Snow: Witness to Revolution,” (2000) and “From the Masses to the Masses: An Artist in Mao’s China” (2005).

Alexander Keogh

Alexander Keogh is a graduating senior majoring in Psychology and Chinese with minors in Asian Studies and Global Business. He is passionate about bridging ideological and cultural gaps to find creative solutions to complex problems. A Bentonville, Arkansas native, Alex is the 2023 North American Champion for comprehensive Chinese skills and cherishes friendships with Chinese-speaking friends across the world. Alex has completed China-related internships at the Departments of State and Commerce and won the Yenching Academy Scholarship to Peking University. After graduation, he plans to study Contemporary Chinese Studies at University of Oxford. Alex is excited to share resources and pathways to China for current students and welcomes anyone interested in China experience to reach out.

Brent Christensen

W. Brent Christensen is an adjunct professor in Brigham Young University’s Political Science Department. During 35 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, he was Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Deputy Director of AIT and Director of the State Department’s Office of Taiwan Coordination. He also served as U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He has served three assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, as well as assignments at the U.S. missions in Hong Kong and South Africa. He received an MA in East Asian Studies from the George Washington University, a BA in Chinese at Brigham Young University and a DMD from the Oregon Health and Science University.

Warren Clark

Warren Clark has worked in accounting and auditing services for over 30 years. He has worked internationally, including more than 18 years in Asia. He worked in Shanghai and Hong Kong and provided Chinese clients with technical resources and auditing. From 1996 to 2008 he led audits for Asia Pacific based subsidiaries of the world’s largest companies while residing in Shanghai and Beijing. Clark is an audit partner for Grant Thornton, and he leads the National China Business Group, which coordinates between the United States and China.

Trent Peterson

Trent Peterson is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in managing diverse technology organizations across high-growth and turnaround environments. His extensive international expertise includes more than a decade of living in Asia, where he held pivotal roles driving innovation and operational excellence. Trent has served in multiple executive positions, including as CEO of an international multi-unit technology and manufacturing company based in Shanghai and as Head of Payment Products for Amazon China. His career reflects a unique blend of entrepreneurial ventures and corporate leadership, spanning startups and Fortune 500 companies.

Currently, Trent is the co-founder and Managing Director of Rubicon AI, a behavioral AI company dedicated to reducing suicide rates through advanced AI-driven assessment tools. He also serves as COO of a healthtech startup focused on optimizing bone marrow transplant data where he oversees daily operations. Trent holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a BA from Brigham Young University and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.

Peter Chan

After earning his master’s and doctoral degrees in Instructional Psychology and Technology from Brigham Young University, Dr. Peter Chan joined the faculty at BYU–Hawaii, where he developed the Instructional Design and Development program and served as Special Assistant to the Academic Vice President for Asia-related initiatives. Since 2010, he has served as an Adjunct Associate Professor in BYU’s McKay School of Education, teaching courses in instructional psychology and technology. Dr. Chan oversees numerous China-related initiatives both on and off campus and advises several educational institutions that foster collaboration between the United States and China. In 2015, he founded the China Conference, which he continues to lead and coordinate as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, leadership development, and international partnership.

Schedule

Saturday, March 14, 2026

BYU Conference Center 730 East, University Parkway, UT 84604

8:45-9:30
Check In (Room 2297B)

9:30-9:50
Opening and Welcoming Remarks (Room 2254)
- Phillip Sun

9:50-10:00
Keynote 1 (Room 2254)
- Sean Stein

10:00-10:40
Keynote 2 (Room 2254)
- Eric Hyer “Me and China”

10:50-11:40
Breakout
- Alex Keogh “Pathways to China: Scholarships, Internships, Travel, and Career Opportunities for Students” (Room 2295)
- Brent Christensen “Silicon and Sovereignty: The U.S.-Taiwan Technology Partnership in an Era of Strategic Competition” (Room 2285)
- Warren Clark “Historical Perspective on the U.S.-China Trade Relationship” (Room 2254)
- Trent Peterson “From Factories to Frontier Models: The Race for Global AI Leadership” (Room 2269)

11:50-1:00
Networking Lunch (Room 2258-2260)

1:00-1:15
Closing Remarks (Room 2258-2260)
- Peter Chan “A Decade of the BYU China Conference”

A Bridge to a Shared Future

Friday March 13, 2026
8:00PM-10:00PM
JFSB B002

Join us for a FREE SCREENING of “A Bridge to a Shared Future” with a brief afterword by Adam Foster.

This film follows Adam Foster, the grandnephew of Helen Foster Snow, as he traces the footsteps of his grand aunt, daughter of Mormon pioneers and Utah native, who had a significant impact during the founding years of the People’s Republic of China. Afterword by Adam Foster "Walking in Helen's footsteps."

Map

Directions

730 E University Pkwy
Provo, UT 84604

Floor Plan

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the BYU China Conference 2026 or your registration, please contact:

Main Contacts

Quinci Rasband
rasbandq@student.byu.edu

Philip Sun
ps324@student.byu.edu

Other Contacts

Peter Chan
peter.chan@byu.edu

2026 Leadership Team

Philip Sun

Co-President

Philip Sun is a senior at Brigham Young University studying Business Strategy with a minor in Healthcare Leadership. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, product development, and building ventures that create meaningful impact. Philip brings experience in product management, marketing, and leading student organizations, and currently works across several startup projects focused on healthcare innovation and consumer products. Outside of school, he enjoys photography, exploring new ideas, and connecting with people from different cultures.

Quinci Rasband

Co-President

Quinci Rasband is an Asian Studies and Korean Language double major with minors in History and Chinese. She aspires to be a professor of East Asian history who specializes in Choson-Ming tribute relations. She has spent two years living in Korea, including attending KyungHee University for six months, and is fluent in Korean. She is looking forward to attending a study abroad program at Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University to improve her Mandarin language abilities this summer. In her free time Quinci enjoys reading books and hiking.

Youchi Zhang

Director of Operations

Youchi Zhang is a graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Brigham Young University. He received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University in 2021 and a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering at University of Minnesota in 2023. He served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2023-2025 in London. Besides learning about the Gospel and doing research, Youchi also likes running and watching movies.

Brooke Gonzales

Director of Program Materials

I’m Brooke Gonzales, and I’m a student at BYU studying Global Supply Chain Management and Chinese. I’m passionate about creating a community of cultural understanding and exploration. I’m especially interested in international business, along with translation and localization. Through my education and experiences, I hope to become a localization specialist to bridge these multi-cultural gaps. In my free time, I enjoy watching Chinese dramas, playing board games, and making DIY mini structures.

Jack Marriott

Director of Event Experience

Jack Marriott is a Pre-Law student from Washington DC. At BYU, he is majoring in International Relations with an emphasis in Political Economy and a minor in Mandarin Chinese. He has worked with the Aspen Institute’s Minister Forum in which he facilitated non-partisan dialogue among former foreign ministers from around the world. His academic interests center on the intersection of international legal issues and US-China relations. This summer, he will attend The Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University (國立臺灣師範大學) to further his language studies.

Brianna Whitworth

Event Registration Coordinator

Brianna is sophomore student at Brigham Young University. She is studying International Relations under the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. She has been learning Chinese for over 13 years in Utah and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints in London, England teaching in Mandarin. She loves to run and meditate in nature.

Kelsey Powell

Outreach & Invitations Coordinator

Kelsey Powell is an Asian Studies major at Brigham Young University minoring in Mandarin Chinese and Music. Her academic interests include folklore, cross-strait relations, and US-Chinese foreign policy. She served an LDS mission in Bulgaria and recently studied abroad at National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan to further her language studies (and loved every minute of it). Kelsey plans to participate in the SLCC Asia Conference in March as a presenter and plans to intern in Washington DC this summer through the BYU Washington Seminar. She aspires to one day join the Foreign Service and to continue pursuing her passion for encouraging cross-cultural understanding between the United States and China. In her free time, she enjoys watching anime and C-dramas, cooking, and picnicking.

Clara Larson

Event Coordinator

Clara Larson is an undergraduate in her final year in the BYU College of Humanities Chinese program, with a minor in music-harp performance. Part of her Chinese studies were completed at Taiwan's National Chung Hsing University (中兴大学). She has a passion for classical Chinese and teaching Chinese to non-native learners, which she has done for the last four years in various capacities, and she aspires to continue to teach as a professor of Chinese. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and playing music.

Jared Johnson

Head of Marketing

From Saratoga Springs, Utah, Jared Johnson is an undergraduate student studying Asian Studies and Political Science at Brigham Young University-Provo. His research interests include Myanmar, U.S.-Asian Relations, and North Korean propaganda. In the future, Jared plans to attend graduate school studying U.S.-China Relations while seeking to become a diplomat for the U.S. Foreign Service.

BYUCC Advisory Board

Peter Chan

Chair of the Advisory board, Adj. Assoc. Professor of Instructional Psychology & Technology