A 20-Year Business Veteran's Wild Ride with GDM: From Skeptic to Believer.
GDM Official
14 de marzo de 2025
Meet Christine Uong
A seasoned professional with over two decades of hands-on experience in business management, consulting, and global marketing.
Founder and Executive Director of the Overseas Chinese Institute on Aging based in San Francisco, California.
A seasoned industry veteran who has provided strategic consulting to global giants such as Baxter Pharmaceuticals and Pacific Century Group, spanning industries from pharmaceuticals to technology.
Her philosophy is simple: continuous learning and growth are the keys to success in today's competitive landscape. This belief drives her to offer strategic guidance, market development expertise, and cutting-edge insights to businesses worldwide.
Dedicated to serving the Chinese American community, she has helped countless businesses achieve their full potential. She believes that a strong corporate culture is the foundation of any successful enterprise.
In the United States, a place where innovation and risk coexist, I once stood at the pinnacle of my career. Then came an unexpected phone call — an opportunity that connected me to GDM and set me on an entirely new journey.
I was born into a wealthy family and came to the United States to pursue my education. Despite growing up amidst American values, my family helped me remain deeply connected to the roots of Chinese traditional culture. After graduation, I immersed myself into the consulting industry, where my dedication enabled me to lead a U.S.-based market analysis consultancy, International Profit Associates. Under my leadership, the company achieved remarkable growth, ranking among the top 10 on the Inc. 500 list of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies for two consecutive years. This accomplishment stands out as a defining highlight of my career.
Even though I felt I was at the top of success, the entrepreneurial fire within me never faded. I was driven to explore new challenges, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and immersed myself in the dynamic world of tech and business.
I attended countless events, met a lot of people, and took on projects in diverse industries, from rare minerals to ceramics and cosmetics. Despite not speaking Japanese, I traveled multiple times to Japan, negotiating and securing contracts with local companies. These experiences — marked by challenges and triumphs — became invaluable treasures in my life.
"With perseverance, if you stick to one thing, miracles will happen, and God will send all sorts of people to help you!"
The project I'm most proud of is the Overseas Chinese Institute On Aging. Many years ago, local factories were shutting down, leaving many elderly without jobs and in dire circumstances. It was a time of uncertainty, but it also sparked a determination in me to make a difference. I traveled far and wide, meeting with various experts and community leaders, and pushing for the establishment and research of the Overseas Chinese Institute on Aging.
Looking back, I realize it wasn't just my efforts — it was the hand of fate guiding me. It became clear that with faith and persistence, miracles could happen. I did it all for one reason: to bring warmth and help to the elderly, expecting nothing in return.
"A phone call from a friend connected me to GDM, a journey full of twists and turns."
It all started with a phone call from my friend Mary. Her house had just been destroyed in a fire, and without hesitation, I told her I would help in any way i could — even financially. Not long after, Mary excitedly called me again, this time talking about a money-saving project, Good Driver Mutuality, that she was involved with. She was a bit vague, but her enthusiasm was infectious and and intriguing. We arranged to meet, and I was given a basic rundown of how GDM works.
GDM is a supportive community that promotes safe driving for a safer world. It is not an auto insurance product but a new choice for Collision & Comprehensive coverage. I could sense there was something here, so I immediately asked to meet the founder. However, I was too busy at the time, caught up in various responsibilities, and had to put it on hold.
Mary didn't give up. She invited me a couple more times, and it wasn't until the third meeting — when another friend explained how GDM works to help save on costs — that it really clicked. GDM creates a community of good drivers who share repair costs when accidents happen. If a car owner doesn't have an accident, they may save up to 40% per Mutuality Plan period. This solution immediately resonated with me, as I had never been in a car accident, yet I was still paying high premiums.
Given the rising cost of car insurance, it made sense. Thirty-four percent of Americans have already given up on collision and comprehensive coverage due to the high costs, and for those who keep it, about 7% of their annual household income goes to insurance, even if they never file a claim. GDM, however, offers a supportive platform to help drivers share repair costs.
When you join the Mutuality Plan, you'll receive a 6-month quote, which will be priced similarly to a traditional collision and comprehensive insurance quote, although GDM is not insurance.
For example, let's use $1,000 as the example quote amount. Of that amount, 20% (in this example, $200) would be charged as a service fee, while the remaining $800 is not paid upfront. Instead, the member keeps this money in their bank account, where it will be used for the weekly sharing process. Each week, members contribute small amounts from this pledged amount to cover accident costs within the community.
If you're ever in an accident, the community will pitch in to help with your repair expenses. Since 94% of drivers typically don't have accidents, you may save up to 40% — in this example, that's about $400-off your quote amount! I realized that GDM could be a real "money-saver" for the general public, so I was on board.
"You know what? Your car insurance might go up by 50% next year," I'd say to my friends who were in desperate need of a new choice for Collision & Comprehensive coverage.
After joining GDM, I couldn't wait to share it with my fellow car owners. I'd ask them, "Did you know your car insurance might go up by 50% next year?" Their reactions were a mix of surprise and concern, and that's when I introduced GDM, thinking it could be a real help for them.
I remember one time when I explained it to an old grandma, who was a homemaker and living on a fixed income. Saving money was really important to her. I spent over three hours patiently walking her through the details of the program and helping her sign up. When she understood that joining GDM meant she could get protection in case of an accident without needing to pay the full amount upfront, her face lit up with relief, and I felt truly happy for her.
Beyond saving money, which is already a significant benefit for me, there's so much more that GDM offers. GDM encourages us to be responsible drivers, helping reduce accidents and promoting positive energy. In recognition of our commitment to being good drivers, GDM rewards us for successfully inviting other safe drivers to join the platform.
I genuinely hope that GDM continues to prioritize customer service and that our partners share a long-term vision, remaining committed to helping even more people and establishing GDM as a key player on the roads of America.