About Me

My journey has taken me through many worlds. I see it as a blessing, despite the challenges along the way. Today, my life is a vibrant blend of science, art, business, and meaningful relationships—each enriching the other and shaping a rich, flowing landscape that I am proud to call my own.

Sherry Yi Zhang Portrait Bw

From Piano to Genomic Science

With a lifelong foundation in piano playing during childhood and advanced research in genomic health as an adult, I often find myself reflecting on how my artistic background influences my scientific approach. Whether it’s recognizing intricate patterns in musical notes or deciphering complex DNA sequences, I see a deep connection between these worlds.

From playing every note with nuanced precision to translating scientific evidence into personalized health practices, I believe that my journey embodies a seamless blend of art and science. This interplay enriches my work and fuels my passion for innovative, meaningful discoveries.

Embracing Dual Roots in Art and Science

As you will see in my upcoming book, The Founder Effect, I’ve often questioned whether I was primarily an artist or a scientist during my earlier years. This ongoing quest for identity eventually led me to a profound realization: I thrive as someone with roots in both worlds. Like Leonardo da Vinci, Santiago Ramón y Cajal, and many other visionary thinkers, I believe that the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge at the intersection of art and science.

These intertwined passions motivate me to be an innovative entrepreneur, driven to solve complex problems by applying highly interconnected, contextual thinking. Whether composing music or decoding DNA, I find that my dual background enables me to approach challenges with a unique perspective—seeing connections others might miss and finding creative solutions rooted in scientific rigor.

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.

-Dalai Lama

Building Startups: Becoming a Health Tech Entrepreneur

My dual roots in art and science eventually led me to the dynamic world of impact-driven, innovation-fueled startups. It was a journey of self-discovery—finally finding my place after years of exploring my identity and questioning where I belong in this vast universe.

Today, I thrive on the challenge of searching, recruiting, and building teams of talented individuals who share the same values and mission. Each team member brings a unique combination of knowledge, skills, and experiences—diverse yet united by a common purpose.

To me, building a team that advances personalized health is one of the most fulfilling endeavors in life. Seeing how our collective efforts improve lives and contribute to meaningful change is an endless source of joy. I truly believe this is a journey I will never tire of.

The GenoPalate team celebrating the holiday season and a fantastic year together. Braise, Milwaukee, 2018.

Leadership & Impact

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GENOPALATE INC.

Founder, CEO (2016-2023) and Chief Science Officer (2023-2025)

  • Grew GenoPalate from concept to a leading brand in the nutrigenomics industry, recognized as a top 5 company globally.
  • Raised over $12 million in public and private funding, fueling growth and innovation.
  • Built a mission-driven team of 25 members, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
  • Pioneered a service platform delivering personalized nutrition solutions to over 170,000 customers across all 50 U.S. states.
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FEEDING AMERICA EASTERN WISCONSIN

Board Member, Finance & Governance Committee (2021-Present)

  • Contributed to the development of FAEW’s new vision statement, core values, and strategic pillars.
  • Championed the integration of nutrition and health equity concepts into the organization’s core strategy.
  • Advised the CEO and leadership team on creating strategic roadmaps for the organization’s goals.
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MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY - INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP

Council Member (2023 – Present)

  • Advise the Institute on strategic initiatives to advance women’s leadership and gender equity.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to emerging women leaders through networking and programs.
  • Collaborate with university leadership and community stakeholders to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.
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MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN

Assistant Professor of Medicine (2013-2017)

  • Established the Medical College of Wisconsin’s first NIH-funded Obesity Epigenetics Research Program.
  • Led a multi-disciplinary biomedical research team, managing and growing a 25-year research study program.
  • Authored and published 9 original research papers in high-impact journals, contributing to the field’s knowledge base.
  • Secured $750,000 grant funding as the principal investigator from the NIH National Children’s Study.

Introducing Nutrition 4.0

Explore the future of personalized health in my keynote speech detailing "How to Apply Personalized Nutrition to Advancing Personal Health in Our New Era."

Accomplishments & Recognition

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Wisconsin Titan 100 CEOs

Recognition: Recognized as one of Wisconsin’s Top 100 CEOs & C-Level Executives for 2023.

Significance: Acknowledged for exceptional leadership, vision, and passion within the region’s most accomplished industry leaders.

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Marquette University - All-University Spirit of Marquette Award

Recognition: Selected as the sole recipient of the All-University Spirit of Marquette Award in 2019 from over 4,000 alumni nominees nationwide.

Significance: Honored for embodying the true spirit and mission of Marquette University.

Milwaukee Business Journal 2020 Women Of Influence 20Th Anniversary

Milwaukee Business Journal - Women of Influence 2020

Recognition: Named among the Women of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2020.

Significance: Selected as one of 30 southeastern Wisconsin business and community leaders making the region a better place to live and work.

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Milwaukee Business Journal - 40 Under 40 Class of 2019

Recognition: Recognized as one of the 40 outstanding professionals under 40 in Milwaukee in 2019.

Significance: Acknowledged as a leader shaping the future of their communities within the Milwaukee area.