GENNIFER

A SUCCESFULL WOMAN IN A MASCULINE WORLD

The story of a powerful woman leading our office in China

In the search for a suitable production location for the suitcase covers with which SUITSUIT first saw the light of day in 2010, I found myself one morning in a hotel in Hangzhou, China. I had arranged to meet Juan Zhang. “Just call me Gennifer; that’s easier to remember,” she said, shaking my hand. I had just met my interpreter, who would accompany me throughout the day in meetings with potential suppliers.

Today, we’re fortunate that Gennifer is still with us. For almost 15 years now, she has led our office in Hangzhou, overseeing the entire production process, including quality control, procurement, sourcing, and supplier selection. In a country shaped by traditional gender roles and Confucian values, holding such a senior leadership position as a woman is anything but commonplace.

Breaking through the glass ceiling and traditions

Although more and more successful female entrepreneurs and leaders are emerging in modern China, the road to the top remains disproportionately challenging for many women. For Gennifer to hold a senior management role in China is remarkable, symbolising her ability to overcome deeply ingrained barriers.

Despite rapid economic modernisation, Chinese society remains deeply influenced by traditional norms and Confucian values. These values emphasise hierarchy, respect for authority, and clearly defined roles for men and women. Men are often seen as natural leaders and decision-makers, while women are associated with gentleness, obedience, and service. As a result, female buyers may be taken less seriously, and their decision-making authority questioned, especially in conversations with older or traditionally minded male suppliers.

“I have witnessed this dynamic firsthand on several occasions. I’ve sat in meetings with (male) suppliers who ignored Gennifer, directing questioning looks at me instead. In vain, of course, Gennifer is the one making decisions and setting the tone for how we do business. It’s fascinating to watch her stand her ground and command respect.“

Emile Vijlbrief, CEO SUITSUIT

Resilience,

integrity,

and leadership

Gennifer didn’t simply get her position, she fought for it. Her strength lies not only in what she does, but in how she does it. She leads our organisation and her team with a sharp eye for detail, a culture of care and transparency, and a deeply rooted ethical compass. She is widely recognised for her reliability and integrity, earning the respect of the suppliers she works with.

Over the past 15 years, Gennifer has not only had to excel in her field but also battle systemic biases and societal expectations. Her success is not just a reflection of personal ambition but a testament to her immense resilience, perseverance, and courage to break cultural and social conventions. This makes her role not only rare but deeply inspiring.

Gennifer’s story shows that female leadership is not limited to boardrooms or polished Instagram posts.

At SUITSUIT, we believe that empowerment begins with recognition. Fifteen years ago – and still today – appointing a woman to such a position was far from obvious in China. For us, it was. Since then, Gennifer has held a central role in our company, driving cultural change where it truly matters.

Our purpose We’re in business to empower women through travel compels us to support women worldwide in their growth and self-determination. Not only the travellers who buy from us, or the women we meet on our journeys, but also the women working behind the scenes in our production, distribution and decision-making.

Gennifer’s story shows that female leadership is not limited to boardrooms or polished Instagram posts. It lives in the daily reality of negotiating on factory floors, safeguarding quality under pressure and standing firm in an environment that often was not ready to welcome her.