We are all familiar with TikTok, a video-sharing platform owned by ByteDance, and the way it popularised short clips around the world. However, it is now under a lot of pressure because many countries are putting a ban on it.
Well, we are not going to get into those details because we are here for Shou Zi Chew, TikTok CEO, who many people want to know about. If you’ve ever Googled “who is the CEO of TikTok”, then you’re in the right place.
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Get to Know Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok
Shou Zi Chew is a forward-thinking leader who has risen through the ranks of global business steadily and has built a strong reputation for smart decisions which not many people are capable of. Under his leadership, TikTok has reached new heights and expanded into new markets despite the controversies surrounding the platform which is nothing less than commendable.
Early Life and Education
Shou Zi Chew grew up in Singapore and completed his studies at Hwa Chong Institution, one of Singapore’s top schools, and joined the Singapore Armed Forces as part of the country’s mandatory military service right after.
Coming back from the military, Chew moved to the UK and enrolled at the University of London to study economics, completing his graduation in 2006, only to further his qualification at Harvard Business School in the MBA department. During his time at Harvard, he interned at Facebook, which was a big opportunity and gave him the first close look at the fast-growing tech world.
Career Journey
Chew marked the beginning of his career in the finance field at Goldman Sachs in London, where he worked as an investment banker. Next, he joined DST Global where he served companies like Alibaba, ByteDance, and JD.com, and all became a household name in the future.
Chew made significant developments throughout his career and joined Xiaomi as CFO in the year 2015. Later, he went on becoming the President of International Business and led the company to its successful IPO in 2018.
Another milestone was achieved in his career when he bagged the role of the CEO of ByteDance in 2021. His major breakthrough in his career came when he became the CEO of a very famous social media app, TikTok. But, the same achievement put him under the scrutiny at the center of global debates regarding data use, privacy, which also strained U.S.–China tech relations, an ongoing issue for a while.
Personal Life
Chew married his fellow graduate, Vivian Kao, working in the same investment industry. They presently have two children together. He prioritizes his family despite having a busy schedule and extensive travel.
Facts about Shou Zi Chew
Here are some facts about Shou Zi Chew’s life and professional career you may like to know.
- Chew interned at Facebook when it was just a start-up and gained valuable experience from there.
- Chew and his wife, Vivian Kao, met for the first time via email when they were students at Harvard.
- Before Chew became the CEO of TikTok, he was the CFO of Xiaomi.
Final Words
Now you know who is the CEO of TikTok. Shou Zi Chew is an ambitious man who worked hard to reach the position he has achieved today. From being a student at Harvard to leading one of the most influential platforms of our generation, his journey is nothing short of inspiring.