Renée E. Warren-Mebane (REN) 王美芮

Renée E. Warren-Mebane, affectionately known as REN, is a lifelong advocate for education and a mentor to many. Her journey with the Richmond Chinese School (RCS) began in 2022, inspired by her daughter’s love of the Chinese language and culture. With languages and Mandarin study at the heart of her family, REN quickly recognized the extraordinary value of RCS—not just as a school, but as a community where language, culture, and heritage come alive. She believes passionately in its mission and is committed to helping the school grow, thrive, and change lives for generations to come.

REN lives by the motto: “Do what you love and love what you do,” pouring that spirit into her work and family life. As co-founder of Noelle-Elaine Media, Inc. and president of Arielle-Wren, Inc., she has produced major national and international events, commercials, and conferences, while also succeeding in real estate. Her career includes roles at CNBC, Dow Jones, WTKR-TV (CBS), The Daily Press, and The Virginian-Pilot, and she is co-author of You Buy the Peanut Butter, I’ll Get the Bread: The Absolutely True Adventures of Best Friends in Business. A dedicated educator, she spent over a decade teaching social media and event PR at NYU and has lectured at several universities. REN holds degrees from Old Dominion and Columbia, studied British media in London, and earned a Certificate in Finance from the New York Institute of Finance. Honored with awards including Forty Under 40 and the ODU Distinguished Alumni Award, she now divides her time between New York and Virginia with her husband and daughter—enjoying travel, teaching, cooking, and keeping Chinese language and culture at the heart of family life.