Melissa Soong

宋诗琪

🐇

Age: 26

Residence: San Gabriel

Sponsor:

Rooted in Chinese tradition and guided by modern leadership, Melissa Soong (宋诗琪) is a community-driven business professional. She earned her B.S. Business Administration in Marketing Analytics from Northeastern University in Boston, studied International Business at East China Normal University in Shanghai, and is currently completing her MBA at the University of Southern California this May.

She brings a background in product management and strategy, advising Fortune 100 companies on building smarter marketing and customer experiences. Following graduation, she will work in mergers & acquisitions management consulting, supporting C suite teams through acquisitions, divestitures, and large-scale business transformations.

Melissa has trained in classical ballet for over 22 years. She has performed roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and earned the Miss California Talent Award for her performance of Swan Lake at the 100th Miss California Competition. Ballet has been her creative outlet—shaping her sense of expression, confidence, and presence both on and off the stage.

Deeply committed to service, mentorship, and cultural representation, Melissa is the founder of “Build Your Brand,” a mentorship initiative dedicated to empowering students and young professionals through career development, confidence-building, and professional storytelling. She has also proudly co-hosted and emceed the Valley Asian Cultural Festival for the past three years, bringing together over 2,000 attendees, 60 small businesses, and representation from 30 Asian cultures. She enjoys traveling and playing golf, and is passionate about applying her business mindset, artistic expression, and cultural heritage to create meaningful impact. Through the Miss LA Chinatown program, she hopes to honor tradition while uplifting the next generation—serving as a bridge between heritage and the future.