Sidney Rittenberg
Seattle, United States
Professional Practice:
Sidney Rittenberg is founder and president of the world-class China consulting team, Rittenberg Associates, Inc. He lived and worked in China for 35 years after World War II when he joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in China following his US Army training in Chinese Language and Area Studies.

One reason for Sidney’s success as an internationally renowned consultant is that he and his family are a legend in China. During the Mao Zedong Era, he was held in solitary confinement for 16 years on suspicion of being an American spy. His final vindication, and his complete lack of bitterness, have given him trust and easy entrée with China’s leaders – he has known personally all of them from Mao and Zhou Enlai to Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin, to many of the present leaders. Even more important than his wide network of contacts are his rich experience at shaping and helping negotiate successful business deals.

Sidney, his wife/business partner Yulin, and their talented daughter Jenny have served dozens of top-ranking American and British companies.

Sidney is former Frey Distinguished Professor of Chinese History at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), where an endowed chair has been announced in his name. He currently is Visiting Professor of China Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. He is a frequent keynoter at business seminars and has been the subject of countless TV and media interviews, in both the USA and China. He has done four “Sixty Minutes” specials with his close friend, Mike Wallace, and has arranged three trips to China for another close friend, Billy Graham.
Professional and Civic Activities:
· Together with Pulitzer Prize winner Amanda Bennett, Sidney authored the widely acclaimed book, “The Man Who Stayed Behind.”
· Rotary, Fox Island, Washington
Education:
Sidney was educated first at the University of North Carolina, then at Army Language School, Stanford University, and finally on the ground in China after the Second World War. Bilingual in Chinese and English.