A gold medal in the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles established J. Michael Evans as a competitor on the global stage before he transitioned into high-level finance. Born in Toronto in 1957, Evans later navigated a two-decade tenure at Goldman Sachs and moved into a leadership role within the Alibaba Group.
Academic and Athletic Foundations
Evans attended Upper Canada College in Toronto before enrolling at Princeton University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He continued his studies at University College, Oxford, where he served as stroke for the crew team in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. This rowing background culminated in his participation with the Canadian Olympic team alongside his twin brother, Mark, resulting in a gold medal victory during the 1984 Olympics.
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In 1993, Evans began his tenure at the investment bank Goldman Sachs. Over the following 20 years, he held several senior roles, including Partner, Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia, and Vice Chairman of the firm. In 2019, he was among 17 former and current bankers charged by Malaysia regarding corruption at the state fund 1MDB. The charges involved allegations of fraudulent misappropriation of billions in bond proceeds, and the matter was subsequently settled.
Alibaba Group Leadership
Evans joined the Board of Directors of Alibaba Group in September 2014, following a professional acquaintance with founder Jack Ma that dated back to 1999. In 2015, he assumed the role of President of Alibaba Group, tasking him with directing the firm's international growth strategy outside of China. Reporting to CEO Daniel Zhang, he received recognition as one of the National Retail Federation’s Power Players in 2019.
Philanthropic Contributions
During the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Evans facilitated the donation of medical supplies to New York. Through the Alibaba Foundation and the Jack Ma Foundation, he helped organize the delivery of three million face masks, 2,000 medical ventilators, and 170,000 units of protective gear for healthcare workers. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo publicly acknowledged this assistance during a press briefing.
Fast facts
- Born: August 16, 1957, Toronto
- Education: Princeton University; University College, Oxford
- Olympic Achievement: Gold medal, 1984 Summer Games, rowing
- Previous Employer: Goldman Sachs
- Current Role: President, Alibaba Group
- Board Memberships: Alibaba Group, Barrick Gold Corporation
Questions readers ask
What is J. Michael Evans' connection to Alibaba?
He has served on the board of Alibaba Group since 2014 and has acted as President of the company since 2015.
Did J. Michael Evans work at Goldman Sachs?
Yes, he spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs, serving as a Partner, Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia, and Vice Chairman.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Goldman Sachs
- Educated at Princeton University and University College, Oxford
