Shuoyang (Sunny) Zhang

Founder and President, Z LAB

Dr. Shuoyang (Sunny) Zhang is a researcher, educator, entrepreneur, and investor focusing on behavioral science and innovation adoption for over 20 years. She is a founding partner at Z LAB Ventures, a VC firm investing in early-stage tech startups led by immigrants and a tenured marketing professor at the Cameron School of Business, University of St. Thomas.  

As a researcher and educator, Dr. Zhang specializes in consumer and organizational behavior, digital marketing, social networks and international business. She received her Ph.D. in marketing and her Master of Business from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, and her M.S. in Applied Psychology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She has published in premium journals and has been teaching undergrad and MBA courses at business schools for 17 years, including the University of Alabama, Indiana University and Colorado State University.

As an entrepreneur and investor, Dr. Zhang is passionate about bridging gaps and closing divides for underestimated founders and underserved communities. Her VC firm Z LAB supports immigrant entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities. She serves as the program advisor for Women in AI USA. She started the Born Global movement to onboard diverse entrepreneurs and investors and to interconnect local and international ecosystems.