Promoting positive peace and sustainability in China

Qing Zhu ’19 MGA

Founder and CEO, Pumbaa Eco

MAJORS: MASTER OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS, PEACE STUDIES

Peace is the central principle guiding Qing Zhu ’19 MGA, whose efforts in sustainable development and positive peace are improving local governments and businesses in his home country of China. It is what led him to Notre Dame’s Peace Studies program in the Keough School of Global Affairs, and continues to influence his work to improve the lives of his fellow citizens.

In 2013, Zhu began his career in environmental conflict mediation, managing over 50 municipal projects in Tianjin, China, to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and conserve wetlands. After matriculating to Notre Dame, an internship took him to East Africa in 2018, where he conducted research on peacebuilding with Act Change Transform in Nairobi, Kenya, and led him to co-found Pumbaa Eco, China’s first environmental social innovation consultancy. Pumbaa Eco consults with leading Chinese companies and government departments on solutions to urgent global issues such as biodiversity protection and climate change.

Through their work, Zhu and his team were named one of China’s Top Ten Social Enterprises, while Zhu himself accepted the Cheng Siwei Social Entrepreneur Award. Additionally, he was named to Forbes China 30 Under 30 in 2020 and is a member of the Harvard Seed Social Innovation Community.