Ming Zhao

Bruh, listen up about Ming Zhao – this girl is the real deal. She’s a total badass in the startup world, and her story is one of hustle, smarts, and staying true to what she believes in.

So, Ming’s from Shenyang, China, but now she’s based in San Francisco, which already shows she’s not afraid to jump into the deep end. She’s got a wild background – worked at Bain Capital, PAAMCO, and BCG, all heavy hitters in finance and consulting. Basically, she’s seen the inside of big money and has that sharp business brain. Then, she jumped into NerdWallet, crushing it as Head of Partnerships and Biz Ops, proving she’s not just about finance but knows how to build something expandable and consumer-focused.

But here’s where it gets interesting – she’s also a Harvard MBA, so she’s got that academic street cred. And she’s an alum of Y Combinator, which is top-tier startup incubator. She and her co-founder Amy Yuan actually delayed their YC run because they were pregnant – talk about dedication. They weren’t gonna let bullshit excuses stop them from chasing their dreams. That’s some real grit.

Now, the big thing she’s known for is PROVEN Skincare – her brainchild. She’s the CEO and co-founder of this startup that’s changing the game in skincare. How? By using AI and the massive Skin Genome Project, which is like the biggest beauty database on the planet, to create personalized skincare products. Basically, she’s taking all the guesswork out of skincare and making it tailored just for you. No more one-size-fits-all bullshit.

And get this – PROVEN was the first skincare brand in five years to get on Shark Tank, with Ming representing. That’s a huge win, showing her company’s legit and she’s got the hustle to pitch on the big stage.

So what does all this say about her? She’s incredibly driven, super smart, and refuses to play by anyone’s rules. She’s worked her way from finance to consulting to tech, always pushing forward. Her process proves she’s all about innovation and making real impact, creating products backed by data that actually work.

Plus, her story is a masterclass in balance. She built a successful business while also prioritizing family, no small feat. She’s breaking down barriers for women in tech and startups, proving you can do both.

Long story short, Ming Zhao is a