Alumni News | Once a Dragon, always a Dragon: Roberta Lipson's legacy with ISB

Alumni parent of three former ISB students and founder of hospital group United Family Healthcare, Roberta Lipson was back on campus recently as a speaker in ISB’s Leadership Talk Series. Her visit highlighted the strength of ISB’s alumni network and its vital role in enriching the school community.  

On September 18, one of China’s most influential foreign entrepreneurs shared her personal journey to becoming a leader in healthcare, emphasizing how global partnerships are key to solving shared challenges. Her presence not only inspired the next generation of leaders but also demonstrated the powerful ways alumni continue to give back to ISB.

And what a journey it has been. Roberta arrived in Beijing in 1978 from New York with a trade company, pursuing her childhood dream of China. She witnessed a city with limited medical infrastructure and began importing medical equipment – including China’s first ultrasound machine, enabling doctors to see into a woman’s womb for the first time. 

Her vision grew into Beijing United (BJU) Family Hospital, one of China’s first private, international-standard medical institutions. Enrolling her children at ISB linked her pioneering work to the school’s early years, when some of our classes were held in the same building as BJU’s first hospital. 

Over four decades, Roberta has expanded healthcare in China through hospitals, clinics, and maternal care programs, integrating innovations like AI-driven consultations, international clinical trials, and longevity initiatives. 

And in recognition of her life’s work, which exemplifies ISB’s mission through significant contributions to the welfare of her community, society and humanity at large, she was awarded the honorary Head of School Dragon Award on September 18. 

Roberta is the first recipient of this prestigious award, which is presented during ISB’s significant milestones and honors individuals who embody the school’s mission through exceptional service and lasting impact. Roberta is celebrated as a visionary leader, philanthropist, and businesswoman whose work has shaped Beijing’s international community. Her story parallels ISB’s 45-year history – grounded in bold vision, resilience, and lifelong community connections.  

Read our Q&A with Roberta Lipson below. And for a recording of her Leadership Talk at ISB, click here. 

Reflections on the ISB journey 

What first drew your family to the International School of Beijing?   

It was 1996 when we first started looking for a school for our children. We wanted a school that would give a world-class education and prepare them for higher education anywhere in the world. We were attracted by the truly international nature of the student body, and the fact that a firm grounding in China, including language and culture, would also be available.   

Those early years were a time of growth for ISB. Our kids started out in Pre-K, which was hosted at the time on the top two floors of the newly opened Beijing United Family Hospital [adding extra capacity to the school’s campus in Beijing’s Lido area]. In 2002, growth really accelerated when the whole school moved to the newly opened grand Shunyi campus.  

And how long did your children stay at ISB?  

Two of them attended Pre-K through Grade 12, and one K-12, probably a cumulative total of almost 30 years. Our eldest, with different educational needs, experimented with different schools and ended up in boarding school in the U.S.   

Looking back, what role did ISB play in shaping your children’s lives and values?  

I do believe that ISB had an important role in instilling a love of learning and preparing them to be citizens of the world.   

Do you recall a favorite moment or tradition your family cherished during your time at ISB?  

According to one of my children, his favorite ISB tradition was International Day/UN Day, when parents and kids from different countries would set up booths in the gym to create a “world’s fair” atmosphere; they would share traditions, foods, and games from their different home countries. 

Which teachers, coaches, or mentors at ISB made the most lasting impact on your children or your family?   

Our kids had many wonderful teachers at ISB. Two that stand out are Réjean Côté, who inspired our youngest child to embrace Spanish as their third language. It is rare that one can become a near-native speaker based on high school language classes, even higher level IB classes, but this in fact did happen. They are still in close contact today.  

The other is Mr. Hillman, who taught Math in 11th and 12th grade. Not only did he help Daniel over the math hump but also inspired this one-time couch potato to embrace physical fitness by joining the cross-country team. 

Growth and legacy 

How did you see ISB evolve during your family’s time with the school? 
 
We saw important improvements in the Chinese language program over our time, with more options to answer the needs of different segments of the student body.    

What does being part of the ISB alumni parent community mean to you today?   

I love that – as ISB alumni – our children have kept in touch with many of their classmates and have a really warm community wherever they go in the world. There is a strong bond for those who experienced China’s explosive growth in the exciting first decades of the 20th century. 

You’ve been deeply involved in different communities – how did ISB’s Mission to “serve others and make a difference” resonate with your own values?   

Definitely, these are values we hold dear, and I believe our children have carried them into their professional lives. 

What legacy do you believe your family has left behind at ISB?  

As a founding board Chair of ISB, we are proud that our cousin, Elyse Silverberg, was instrumental in the building and development of ISB’s current campus. 

Once a Dragon, always a Dragon 

How does your family stay connected to ISB today?  

As I said, the kids have deep connections to their classmates, not only in the cities in which they have lived (London, New York, Nairobi), but they also travel to cities around the world to visit fellow alums and support their friends at life events. In fact, Daniel will be traveling to Seoul next month to attend a fellow ISBer’s wedding. 

[My husband] Ted and I have enjoyed visiting the school this past year to participate in the monthly tennis clinic for the community. We get a kick out of walking through the hallways and seeing the pictures of the old days, which have included our children, their friends, and our nephew, Ari Lee, who was the first student to graduate, having been at ISB Pre-K through 12. 

Why do you believe ISB continues to stand out after 45 years?   

Its commitment to its Mission and a lovely culture of inclusiveness. 

If you could give one message to today’s ISB families, what would it be?  

Keep up the important work of developing the future citizens of the world. 

 ISB’s Leadership Talk Series – made possible by alumni… like you 

The ISB Leadership Talk Series was launched in the 2023-2024 academic year, bringing in experts including from ISB’s alumni network for talks open to our own students and parents and the wider community. The talks are themed around hot contemporary topics and current affairs relevant to education and our community. Guest speakers have included leading philanthropists, e-sports stars, a godfather of AI, and now one of China’s most influential healthcare pioneers. 

Are you an alumni with a story our community would like to hear? Are you up for offering insights from your field of work or passion project to our students? Then we would love to hear from you and invite you to speak in our Leadership Talk Series or on other occasions at ISB. Please contact advancement@isb.cn. 

Alumni Achievement Award  

Nominate an Outstanding ISB Alum! 

The ISB Alumni Association invites you to help recognize the achievements of our former students by nominating candidates for the Alumni Achievement Award (AAA). This award celebrates alumni who have demonstrated leadership, embodied ISB values, and made a positive impact in their field and society. 

Recipients inspire our community by sharing their expertise and experience with students, faculty, and staff, including through the Career Fair, which connects Grade 9 and 10 students with alumni mentors. 

Submit your nomination today and help us honor alumni who continue to make a difference. 

Alumni (Students, Parents and Former Faculty and Staff) Campus Access Guidelines

Access Control Update 

Visiting During School Hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:30 pm)

• Apply for an Alumni Card via www.isbalumninetwork.com
• Register your visit through the DragonGate Visiting System. You must also submit a full-day itinerary if you plan to visit multiple people during school hours (subject to alumni office approval).
• Your host staff member must accept the visit request before access is granted. Once approved, entry is through North Gate 1 and the Welcome Center to the ISB Commons.
• The host must accompany alumni during the visit.
• Unaccompanied visits are not permitted during school hours.

Visiting After School Hours

Alumni with an Alumni Card may access campus after 3:30 pm via North Gate 1.

Facilities Access

Fitness & Tennis Center (FTC):

Weekdays: 3:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Weekends: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Libraries (ES and MS/HS):

Weekdays: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Weekends: Closed (no borrowing privileges)

Staff Lounge (Former Faculty & Staff only)

Weekdays: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

For requests such as replacing an alumni card, please don’t hesitate to contact us at alumni@isb.cn.