Speakers

Robert W. Cross founded the Virginia Arts Festival in 1997 and has served as its only Executive Director and Artistic Director. During his tenure, the festival has blossomed into one of the major Arts events on the East Coast, transforming the cultural life of Virginia’s Hampton Roads region and making the area a cultural destination for travelers from around the world. The combination of stellar performances and easy access to some of America's finest historical sites and beaches has proved irresistible. The Washington Post has called the Virginia Arts Festival the “Tidewater Tanglewood.” From a two-week festival in its first year, the festival has tripled in size and attendance. In 2016, it presented 72 ticketed performances throughout the region from mid-April through June, with patrons traveling from 49 states and 13 countries.

Shaomin Li is Professor of International Business at ODU. He also holds the title of Eminent Scholar designated by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

His expertise is in international political economy, with a focus on China. He is Executive Editor of the journal Modern China Studies.

Professor Li studied economics at Peking University as an undergraduate, received his doctoral degree in sociology from Princeton University, and was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University. 

Dr. Li published in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The New York Times and Forbes. The Economist featured his research twice.  He also appeared in CNN, FoxNews, and other media. 

In 2008 the Governor of Virginia presented him the Outstanding Faculty Award (SCHEV Award).