Benjamin Herst currently leads communications for the Paulson Institute, a “think-and-do” tank working to advance economic and environmental opportunities between the US and China. His work has played a role in conserving China’s natural treasures through a national parks system, convening the world’s largest companies to foster sustainable urbanization, and strengthening commercial ties between the two nations. As an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, he has studied in Beijing and undertook an internship in the green technology division of a large Chinese firm in Hangzhou. His thesis on US-China cybersecurity relations received highest honors from the University’s Department of Political Science.