Founder, Chief Executive
TerraCotta Group

Zhang founded TerraCotta in 2004 to apply academic insights and analysis to commercial real estate lending. Today she oversees the company’s investment activities and manages portfolio risk. She manages the company’s credit committee, as well as the research agenda at the TerraCotta Lab. Prior to TerraCotta, Dr. Zhang was a senior researcher at the Eurasia Group, a think tank that used quantitative methods in social and political studies. She holds a Master’s degree in quantitative methods and a PhD in international political economy from UCLA.

What’s the best advice you ever got?
There shall be no fear if you stand next to truth.

What’s your favorite movie, all time and in any category?
“Wizard of Oz.”

What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Becoming a virtuoso pianist.

What was your first car?
Ford Tempo.

Like to have it back?
No thanks.

What’s the best thing about living in Los Angeles?
It’s diverse cultural experience.

YEARS ON LA500: 3