When Madison Zhao arrived at the Better World Fund dinner gala during this year’s Venice Film Festival, she made an entrance that was impossible to ignore. Dressed in a spectacular one-of-a-kind Gucci creation, its sweeping floral cape blooming under the lights, she was every bit the picture of elegance. But for Zhao, the evening was about more than the glamour—it was about shining a light on causes that matter.
That mix of beauty and intention has become her signature. Still in her twenties, Zhao is carving out her place on the global stage as an entrepreneur who leads with both ambition and empathy. Through Liuxuewd, she helps Chinese students pursue international education. EDUX TECH applies artificial intelligence to transform the way people learn. And with Madison Profit Academy, she mentors young entrepreneurs—particularly women—on building confidence, wealth, and sustainable ventures. Each project reflects her belief that opportunity should be within reach for everyone, not reserved for the few.
Her path to this point has been anything but ordinary. Born in China, Zhao moved to the United States at just sixteen—alone, determined, and hungry for growth. It was a leap that forced her to grow up quickly. “It was scary, but it showed me that challenges aren’t barriers—they’re stepping stones,” she says. That spirit of resilience continues to define her approach to both life and business.
What makes Zhao stand out isn’t just her portfolio, but her presence. With more than 600,000 followers on Instagram @madison_ceo, she’s turned her platform into more than just a highlight reel. Her posts swing from couture gowns at international galas to candid reflections on entrepreneurship, from polished editorial-worthy moments to unfiltered glimpses of her daily life. By embracing visibility, she challenges outdated notions of how women leaders should present themselves—showing that one can be polished and relatable, ambitious and approachable.
Her goals stretch well beyond business. Zhao dreams of opening shelters for animals, creating rescues, and launching an online university designed to teach branding, confidence, and entrepreneurship to a global audience. “Success should ripple outward,” she often says, “lifting others as it grows.”
Of course, being in the spotlight comes with criticism. Her rapid rise has sparked conversations and skepticism online, but Zhao doesn’t linger on negativity. She prefers to let her work do the talking. That quiet resilience resonates with women who understand the double standards of visibility—where scrutiny often falls hardest on female leaders.
In many ways, Madison Zhao represents a new chapter for women in leadership. She’s redefining what success looks like—not just climbing ladders, but building entirely new ones. She embodies the idea that leadership can be strong and soft, bold and empathetic, visible and vulnerable.
Her journey is still unfolding, but her message is already clear: women don’t need to choose between ambition and compassion, or between style and substance. They can—and should—embrace it all. Madison Zhao is living proof that the future of leadership is not about fitting into old molds, but about creating new ones that honor the full spectrum of what women can be.
