By SGN | 21 Jul 2025
When Zhen Li moved to Singapore in 2018, it wasn’t to climb the career ladder. She was looking to build a life.
She met her husband while pursuing graduate studies in the US. After nearly a year of long-distance relationship, they decided to build a life together in his home country. For Zhen, that meant leaving behind a promising career in New York’s startup scene and starting over in a place where she had no network, no job lined up, and no clear path forward.
“It was the first time I moved somewhere without a job waiting for me,” she says. “I was pressing the reset button, both professionally and personally.”
Without any networks to fall back on, Zhen had to rebuild from the ground up. This meant restarting life from scratch: building new networks, finding new communities, and discovering new rhythms of life.
Since taking the leap of faith, Zhen has worked at the likes of Meta, X, and TikTok – all while rearing two children and mentoring data professionals in Singapore.
“I used to think that growth was about levelling up really quickly,” she reflects. “Now, I measure personal growth by creating something meaningful, whether it’s at work or home.”
Born and raised in China, nurtured in NYC
Before the idea of settling down in Singapore ever crossed her mind, Zhen was focused on laying the foundations of an international career.
Born and raised in Dalian, a coastal city in China’s northeastern Liaoning province, Zhen had always been a naturally curious child, a trait that continued to shape her academic and professional journey.
She later moved to Shanghai to pursue her undergraduate studies at Fudan University. There, she majored in Mathematical Economics, initially preparing for a future in finance or academia. But everything changed during her final year, when an internship in an analytical role at eBay opened her eyes to a different path entirely.
“I was experimenting with data, uncovering patterns, and seeing how numbers could be translated into real-world decisions,” she shares. “That’s when it clicked for me: I saw firsthand how impactful data could be, and I knew I wanted to build a career around it.”
Zhen went on to pursue a Master’s in Operations Research at Columbia University, a technical field that combined data optimisation, coding, and real-world problem-solving.
It also marked her first major move abroad.
“I’ve always wanted to live overseas ever since I did an exchange programme at UC San Diego during my sophomore year,” she shares. “That experience opened my eyes to just how big the world is. I realised there was so much more to learn, and so many ways of thinking and living that I hadn’t been exposed to back home.”
After graduating, Zhen decided to stay on in New York City. She landed her first role as a data scientist at SimpleReach, a content analytics platform that helped brands and publishers measure and optimise the performance of their digital content.
There, she built machine learning models from scratch and worked with prominent clients like The New York Times.
“Everything was completely new to me,” she reflects. “There were no templates for me to reference, so I had to learn and move fast.”
Embarking on a new chapter in Singapore
In 2017, Zhen packed up her life in New York and moved to Singapore, a country she had only visited once as a child. But this time, the move wasn’t for work or study. It was for love.
She and her now husband had spent years navigating long distances while pursuing their respective careers. When they decided to get married and build a life together, the question of where to live came up.
“We had a lot of discussions about where to settle down,” Zhen shares. “I initially considered moving back to China, but for him Singapore felt like a much better transition.
“The gap between the US and China, in terms of lifestyle and expectations, is huge. Singapore was this comfortable middle ground, which made the move from the US feel much more manageable for both of us.”
And so, for the first time in her life, Zhen made the leap without a job, professional network, or a clear plan. As someone who had always planned her moves around career opportunities, this felt like stepping into uncharted territory.
“Starting over in a new country, without anything much to fall back, on was intimidating and exciting,” she reflects. “It was the first time I said yes to a move, not because of my career, but because of what I wanted in my personal life.”
Slowly and steadily, she began to rebuild. Zhen tapped into online tech communities like Asian Wander Women, reconnected with former colleagues, and applied for as many jobs as she could. Her strong start-up background and hands-on experience in machine learning quickly stood out, and before long the interviews started rolling in.
Still, the path wasn’t always smooth. “There were times I made it through several rounds, only to be rejected at the very end,” she recalls. “It was tough, but I learned not to take it personally.”
“Besides, sometimes a ‘no’ just opens the door to something else. One of my closest communities in Singapore actually came from an interview that didn’t work out!”
Zhen’s brushes with rejection reminded her of her early days in New York: uncertain and competitive. However, just like she had done back then, she kept showing up and never stopped reaching out.
“When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to lose heart. But if you persist, if you stay curious and open, doors will open. You just have to keep walking toward them,” she advises.
From Facebook to Twitter, TikTok, and Stripe
Zhen’s first breakthrough came through a connection who referred her to a Data Scientist role at Facebook (now Meta), which led to her securing the position.
That opportunity marked the start of an impressive trajectory that would place her at some of the world’s most influential tech companies. In 2021 she joined Twitter (now X), in 2023 TikTok and, most recently, Stripe in mid-2024.
“Every role came with its own challenges and growth,” she says. “At Meta, I learned how to think strategically across teams, and operate in a high-stakes environment.”
At X, she pivoted into infrastructure, working on performance and data centre planning, a completely new space for her. “This role taught me I didn’t have to be an expert to add value,” she shares. “I learned to trust my inner compass, adapt quickly, and figure things out along the way.”
Then came TikTok, with its fast-paced, startup-like culture. Zhen had to think on her feet. “It was intense,” she says, “but it kept me sharp, and reminded me how much I enjoy the energy of building in still-evolving spaces.”
Still, one of the most meaningful lessons she picked up along the way had nothing to do with code or data.
“One of my former managers once told me, ‘Your colleagues won’t remember the work you did instead of spending time with your family, but your family will,’” she recalls. “As someone who used to chase career goals above all else, that really hit home. It made me pause and rethink what success actually looks like.”
Adapting to work and life in Singapore
“Between 2014 to 2018, I was in the New York tech scene. This was a time when everything was booming,” she reflects. “Everyone was building, experimenting, and figuring things out as they went along.”
Singapore, she says, is rapidly catching up. “Major global tech players like Meta and X have opened regional offices here, as have big Chinese companies like ByteDance. The scene here is vibrant and growing fast.”
When it comes to work culture, there was plenty to adapt to. “In the US, there is a strong emphasis on trust and autonomy,” she explains. “Managers focus on your strengths and give you the freedom to work in ways that suit you best. In China, it is more about being visible, showing up, juggling multiple tasks, and demonstrating dedication. Singapore feels like a mix of both approaches.”
And although Zhen continued working for American tech companies, being based in their Singapore offices offered a completely different experience.
“The pace of work is generally slower than at their US headquarters, and the chance to influence decisions can be limited, since key choices are often made elsewhere,” she reflects. This shaped how she approached her role and worked with teams.
What stood out to her most, however, was the diversity. “One day you’re working with someone from Germany, the next with a colleague in India.”
“All of this showed me just how there are so many ways of thinking, communicating, and solving problems. You just have to stay open and adaptable to make it all work,” she reflects.
Building a family in Singapore
Beyond her thriving tech career, Zhen is a proud mother to two boys and a dog, who are at the heart of everything she does. Every choice she makes now revolves around their well-being and future.
For Zhen, Singapore proved to be the right place for both personal and professional reasons. On one hand, she’s closer to her husband’s extended family. On the other, the city offers exciting career opportunities, safety, and a high quality of life.
“My children were born here. They go to school here, they’ve made friends here, and we’ve made so many memories together. It’s where we’ve built our life,” she explains.
As a working mother, Zhen is grateful for the flexibility her job offers. “Some days I leave work early to pick up the kids, get them ready for bed, then log back on later in the evening. Having that control over my schedule means I don’t need to choose between being present at home and showing up at work.”
She is also thankful for the help available. With domestic assistance a phone call away and extended family nearby, she and her husband have the relevant support to manage the demands of parenting and full-time work.
“It really does take a village,” she smiles. “And I’m lucky to have mine right here.”
On taking the leap: life lessons and advice
Zhen considers Singapore home and wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s the perfect place for me and my family, so we’re not going anywhere,” she laughs.
After reflecting on her journey, which originated in Shanghai and is stationed in Singapore for the moment, she feels proud of how each chapter has shaped her into who is today.
“I always encourage young people to do what I did: put yourself out there, explore, and say yes to opportunities, even if they feel unfamiliar at first,” she says. “You’ll learn so much about the world and yourself along the way.”
She believes your 20s and 30s are the best time to step outside your comfort zone. “You have fewer commitments and more freedom. And if things don’t work out, home will always be there,” she advises.
Looking back, Zhen is grateful for her time abroad. “I had my season of exploring, and I’m glad I did. But now I’ve found my place. Singapore is where we’ve built our life. This is home.”
Her advice to anyone at a crossroads is simple: “Focus on what makes you feel grounded. Everything else will fall into place. You don’t have to find the perfect place; you just have to create your own version of home, wherever you are.”
Meet Zhen Li
Zhen Li is a Senior Data Scientist at Stripe, based in Singapore. With rich experience spanning Shanghai, New York, and Singapore, she specialises in infrastructure, data performance, and scaling technology solutions. Zhen expertly balances a successful international career while raising a family in Singapore.
Connect with her here.
