Instructors 

Instructor: Steven Zhu  President, Saratoga High School Foundation

Steven brings over 20 years of global professional experience across finance, big tech, and entrepreneurship. His career is defined by a unique blend of corporate leadership and "boots-on-the-ground" startup execution.

• Big Tech & Finance: Steven spent eight years at Google in Silicon Valley, where he led Google Play's Data Science and Analytics division. Previously, he spent six years with HSBC in Asia, gaining deep insights into global banking.

• Startups & IPOs: As the Head of Growth Analytics at Coupang, Steven played an integral role in the company’s 2021 IPO. His experience includes leadership roles at two pre-IPO startups, navigating the fast-paced evolution of new ventures.

• Entrepreneurship: Steven owned and operated a successful sports marketing agency, managing high-profile partnerships for global brands including Pepsi, MasterCard, and Samsung.

Education & Community 

Steven holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is deeply committed to local education and currently serves as the President of the Saratoga High School Foundation.

Instructor: Chen Peng  Data Science & AI Leader

Chen is a seasoned data scientist and AI innovator with a proven track record of translating complex data into high-impact business solutions. Her expertise lies at the intersection of machine learning, customer behavior, and e-commerce strategy.

• E-Commerce & AI Leadership: Chen currently serves as a Data Science and AI leader at Coupang (South Korea’s largest e-commerce platform). She spearheads efforts to model customer data for growth and implements cutting-edge AI to revolutionize the user experience.

• Retail Strategy Expert: Previously, she was a Data Scientist for the Urban Outfitters Anthropologie Group, where she optimized customer segmentation, marketing strategies, and product recommendation engines.

• Patented Innovator: Chen is a recognized expert in the field, holding two US Patents for her machine learning methods in product recommendation systems.

Education & Credentials 

Chen holds a Master’s degree in Statistics from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance and Mathematics from Penn State University.

Program Manager & TA: Andy Zhu

Andy is the Program Manager for the BELT Institute and a student at UC Berkeley, where he is double majoring in Business at the Haas School of Business and Data Science at the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS).

A graduate of the BELT program himself, Andy brings a unique "alumni" perspective to the classroom, helping students bridge the gap between initial ideas and award-winning execution.

• Academic Excellence: Pursuing a dual degree in Business and Data Science, Andy exemplifies the "technical founder" mindset—combining analytical rigor with strategic leadership.

• Proven Success: Andy won 1st Place at the 2023 Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) summer program, a testament to the business foundations he mastered at BELT.

• Entrepreneurship in Action: Beyond his academic pursuits, Andy is currently an active founder, bringing his own product concept to market and providing students with real-time insights into the startup journey.

• Mentorship: As a Teaching Assistant, Andy is known for his ability to motivate younger students, offering peer-to-peer mentorship that inspires confidence and a strong work ethic.