Wendi X. Zhang’s journey with SETI started in the 1990s when she watched NOVA’s documentary on SETI. She was immediately mesmerized by SETI’s research, and it helped her realize how exercising human curiosity for space science and exploration could be leveraged to inform and inspire the next generation of scientists and technology entrepreneurs. She has since held onto that epiphany, and it has imprinted in her the profound importance of science and curiosity.
She has also led business development/product partnerships for Google Pixel, Wearables, and Accessories as well as a few verticals of Google Home and Chromecast within Google's Devices & Services (formerly Google Hardware) team, ran business development for 4 tech startups, and contributed to entrepreneurship development policies and analysis in the public sector. Wendi attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and management science and minors in Economics and Applied International Studies. She later received her MBA and Master of Public Policy degrees from Harvard.
Wendi is passionate about lifelong learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, entrepreneurship development, mentorship, understanding history and current events through locals’ perspectives, socioeconomic mobility, traveling/adventuring, and food (including gadgets for food).