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Volunteer Spotlight: Greater China CRAN director Max He ’09 Strengthens Cranbrook’s Global Network

7/23/2026

From Shanghai, Max is strengthening Cranbrook’s global community—and finding creative ways to share the campus he loves with his young son

From hosting student groups and alumni gatherings in Shanghai to supporting Cranbrook’s Admission and Advancement teams in China, Max He ’09 has found many ways to serve the Schools from thousands of miles away. This summer, he brought that connection full circle by returning to Michigan with his family and enrolling his three-year-old son, Joseph, in Brookside summer camp. As director of CRAN Greater China, Max offers a model for how alumni everywhere can strengthen Cranbrook’s community—wherever they live.

When Max arrived at Cranbrook as an international student in 2006, access to information about American boarding schools was limited for families in China. He first learned about Cranbrook through a family connection and met Katherine Apsey, then responsible for international enrollment, in Shanghai. Cranbrook was the only school to which he applied.

Although joining a new community thousands of miles from home was challenging at first, Max says the experience gave him something that continues to shape his life and career: a global vision.

After graduating from Cranbrook in 2009, Max attended the University of Pennsylvania and then joined Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong. He later returned to Shanghai and founded eBroker, a global asset-allocation platform that he has led for more than a decade. He is based in Shanghai and also spends considerable time in Hong Kong.

“The global vision I gained at Cranbrook has particularly helped me in founding and running eBroker, as we help Chinese clients invest globally,” he says.

Max began serving as director of CRAN Greater China soon after graduating. John Winter, Cranbrook’s former Dean of Boys, introduced him to the regional alumni program.

“This was an easy decision for me because I really appreciate my Cranbrook journey and have always wanted to find a way to give back and support the school,” Max says.

Over the years, he has organized alumni gatherings, welcomed Cranbrook student groups, hosted visiting faculty and staff, and supported the Schools’ Admission team through translation, introductions, and connections with families in the region. As Dean of International Admissions Pascale Bauer can attest, when Cranbrook representatives travel to China, Max is among the first to ask how he can help.

His example demonstrates the many important roles alumni can play far from campus. Regional volunteers can bring alumni together, welcome students and school representatives, share local knowledge, assist families, open professional doors, and help Cranbrook establish meaningful relationships in communities around the world.

For Max, the gatherings are also fun. “We have so many common memories and interesting new stories to share,” he says. He hopes more alumni in China will become involved and help CRAN Greater China grow into an increasingly active and supportive community.

“A strong overseas alumni network means global vision, global connections, and global solutions,” Max says. “The Cranbrook community can leverage this network to understand the world better, find the right people when needed, and receive the kind of genuine help that comes from our Cranbrook ties.”

Max experienced that power personally early in his career. While he was interning with Morgan Stanley, Winter introduced him to alumnus Christopher Keogh ‘90, who had graduated from Cranbrook in the early 1990s and was then a partner at Goldman Sachs. Keogh introduced Max to others in the financial industry, helping him develop relationships that supported his early career and ultimately contributed to the founding of eBroker.

Twenty years after Max first arrived in Michigan, he is introducing the next generation of his family to Cranbrook. This summer, Max, his wife, their three-year-old son, Joseph, and Max’s parents traveled from China to spend six weeks in the Detroit area. Because Max can work remotely, the extended stay allowed Joseph to attend Brookside’s summer day camp.

Bringing a three-year-old on a 15-hour international flight was no small undertaking, but Max and his wife wanted their son to experience Cranbrook and American culture at an early age. They initially wondered whether English being Joseph’s second language might make the transition difficult. Instead, he quickly settled in and began enjoying camp.

“Joseph quickly became part of the Cranbrook community through the values we share: love, diversity, and well-being,” Max says. “He loves the camp, and we feel very happy and relaxed here.”

Their experience offers another way for alumni who live far from Michigan to reconnect with campus. Cranbrook’s summer programming can give alumni children an opportunity to experience the place that shaped their parents while allowing families to build a campus visit into their summer plans.

Building the Cranbrook Community in China

Cranbrook alumni living, working, or regularly traveling in China are invited to become part of CRAN Greater China. The network welcomes alumni from all generations who are interested in attending gatherings, connecting with one another, welcoming Cranbrook visitors, mentoring younger alumni, assisting students and families, or helping develop future programs.

Even if you cannot take on a formal volunteer role, sharing your current contact information is an important first step. Cranbrook relies on the addresses and email information in its alumni database to identify alumni in each region and send invitations to local events.

To connect with Max and CRAN Greater China, update your contact information, or discuss ways you could support Cranbrook from abroad, email alumni@cranbrook.edu.

About CRAN

The Committee of Regional Alumni Networks (CRAN) helps alumni stay connected to Cranbrook Schools and to one another. Established in cities, states, and regions around the world, these networks host events and provide opportunities to reconnect with old friends, meet fellow alumni, welcome visiting students and staff, and remain involved with the Schools.

Alumni who live or work in—or are visiting—a CRAN region are welcome to participate as they are able.

Current networks include Chicago, China, Colorado, Florida, Korea, Louisville/Cincinnati, New England, New York, Northern California, North Carolina, Portland, Seattle, Southern California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Email alumni@cranbrook.edu to update your contact information, ask questions, learn about upcoming activities, or find out how to become more involved in your region.

Save the Date: Upcoming CRAN Events

New England CRAN Events:

Sunday, October 25
Currier Museum of Art
Manchester, New Hampshire

Optional tours of the Currier’s two Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian homes, followed by lunch and a private tour of the museum’s collection hosted by Bruce McColl ’84 and Carol Almeda-Morrow ’83.

Monday, October 26 | 6:30 p.m.
The ’Quin House
Boston, Massachusetts

A private reception hosted by Carol Almeda-Morrow ’83, with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and an update from Director of Schools Dr. Jeff Suzik.

London & EU CRAN Gathering:

Thursday, October 8 | 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Notting Hill, London

Alumni from London and across Europe are invited for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a special opportunity to experience the large-format interactive works of artist Dominic Harris ’94 at his Notting Hill studio.

Alumni who live or work in—or are visiting—these regions are welcome to attend. Space may be limited and offered in order of registration.

To express interest in an upcoming event or make sure you receive regional invitations, email alumni@cranbrook.edu.

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- Max He '09 and son Joseph on campus
- Max hosting CK students on a trip to China
- Shanghai Reunion - Front: Emily Huang '11, Daniel Lin '11, Kaini Zhang '12, Yao Song (Wife of Max He), Max He '09,,Kevin Wang '12, Archie Shen '12