As Miss Nor Cal USA 2022, and first runner-up for Miss California USA 2022, and Miss New York USA 2018, Andrea Shen knows that beauty is more than skin deep. Earning her MBA while competing in pageants, Andrea found her purpose in challenging conventional beauty standards and shattering stereotypes during her reign and beyond.
After spending time in the pageant world and building a successful career in consulting at McKinsey & Company, Andrea next turned her attention to the worlds of tech and gaming, working first at Activision Blizzard and Meta and now serving as a product manager at Epic Games. “In addition to her professional achievements, Andrea has extensive experience in the entertainment industry,” says Kim Chan, ’92, MBA ’97. She enjoys her time as an esports caster, emcee, host, and red carpet reporter, recently interviewing celebrities, cultural icons, and industry leaders at the Grammy Awards and covering Gold House’s annual Gold Gala for PBS.
In 2024, Andrea was a panelist on the “Breaking Traditions, Following Your Passions” panel at the GSB Asian Leadership Conference. Alongside Hanson Li, ’96, MA ’96, MBA ’04, and Usha Srinivasan, MBA ’97, she shared her journey of transitioning from beauty pageants and consulting to pursuing gaming and tech, while also increasing Asian American representation in entertainment. Her hope is to serve as a source of inspiration and motivate others to embark on their own unique journeys, no matter what odds might be stacked against them.
Beyond her professional achievements, Andrea is also a competitive ballroom dancer and two-time national champion. She’s passionate about food and launched her own food blog, which was reposted by the Michelin Guide. Andrea’s diverse pursuits know no limits. By seamlessly moving between worlds that rarely intersect, Andrea doesn’t just challenge conventional beauty standards — she redefines what it means to be a modern leader in tech and entertainment.
