Podcast: Sarah Kochling, Shanghai Blossom Innovation
Published May 19, 2025 by pgalums in
Sarah Kochling is the Founder and Managing Principal of Shanghai Blossom Innovation, where she has led strategic growth initiatives for global brands and startups in China since 2014. With over 30 years of experience across Asia, she is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and early-stage ventures, guiding brand transformation, innovation strategy, and culturally attuned consumer engagement.
Sarah got her start at Procter & Gamble in Hong Kong and Guangzhou in the early 1990s, where she managed brands across Greater China during a pivotal time of regional economic opening. Since then, Sarah has gained experience across China and Asia at J&J International, leading innovation practices at agencies, and advising several Chinese startups. Fluent in Mandarin and deeply immersed in the Chinese market, Sarah brings a rare combination of strategic rigor, creative vision, and cross-cultural fluency, helping organizations navigate complexity and chart bold paths forward.
Sarah is based in Shanghai, China. She studied Mandarin and Political Science at Wellesley College and holds certifications in Chinese language and law from MIT Sloan. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Beijing Foreign Languages Normal College, and Harbin Institute of Technology. Sarah lives in Shanghai. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about a career at the intersection of culture, commerce, and innovation.
This is part of our Chinese leaders series, hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com