Stephen Orlins graduated from Harvard College in 1972 and Harvard Law School in 1976. He began his career at the United States Department of State, where he played a pivotal role in establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Orlins then transitioned to high-finance, spending nearly a decade with Lehman Brothers, culminating in his role as President of Lehman Brothers Asia. His leadership in the financial sector was followed by a foray into politics as the Democratic nominee for the United States Congress in 1992. In 2022, Orlins co-founded a group dedicated to enhancing U.S.-China relations.

Stephen Orlins's career bridges high-level diplomatic negotiations and Wall Street finance, revealing a unique ideological agility. His role in establishing diplomatic relations with China contrasts with his later efforts to foster improved U.S.-China business ties, suggesting a nuanced approach to international relations. Orlins's economic policy stance, informed by his investment banking experience, often aligns with pro-business initiatives, yet he balances this with a focus on diplomatic engagement, creating a complex political identity.