Ziliang Chen (Simon)
Product-oriented professional driving solutions from concept to commercialization. I bridge strategic vision with technical execution.
Background
Born and raised in China, with studies spanning Sweden, Canada, and Singapore, each move has shaped an open-minded and logical way of thinking—curious, adaptable, and eager to explore new ideas.
The journey began in hospitality and tourism management, later expanding into business administration in Canada, where I built a solid foundation in business and management. Pursuing a Master of Finance in Singapore deepened both my analytical thinking and my lasting interest in economic research and data-driven problem-solving.
After graduation, I joined the National University of Singapore as a research officer, co-authoring The Global Macro Database and contributing to large-scale data projects. That experience later evolved into work with Anansi Data Analytics, transforming academic insights into commercial data products—bridging research, strategy, and execution.
Commercial Projects
World Economic Database (WED)
- Drove the development and commercialization of a 900-year, 236-country macro-financial database.
- Defined product architecture, data structures, and user acquisition/retention analytics; WED database is adopted by IMF, Harvard University, and other leading institutions.
- Transformed the project from an academic database into a scalable, user-ready data product with clear delivery and distribution pathways.
DigiTables (Automation for digitization)
- Designed and built an automation prototype that shortened digitization timelines from 12 months to 3 months, reducing ~75% manual work.
- Ran user interviews, A/B tests, and MVP iterations to stabilize experience and delivery.
- Adopted by universities and research institutes including Princeton University and National University of Singapore, generating initial commercial revenue and kickstarting a new product line.
The Journey
Strategic Planning Manager
Leading product strategy and commercialization for the World Economic Database (WED) and DigiTables. Driving go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and cross-functional alignment to transform acedemic results into scalable commercial products.
Research Officer
Co-authored "The Global Macro Database" (cited 37+ times, 6k+ users within 6 months). Managed a team of 25+ research assistants and led large-scale data projects including a comprehensive chronology of bank run crises (1700–present).
Research Associate (Macroeconomic)
Conducted comparative industry analysis and contributed to long-term demographic research to support portfolio strategy for senior leadership.
Master of Science in Finance
Focused on financial analytics and economic research.
VP of Finance and Operations
Managed finance and operations for a team of 20. Negotiated with university leadership to avert a $400k loss and secure $800k+ in annual revenue.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Double degree with Hospitality & Tourism Management.
What I do
Strategic Planning
Turn business goals into structured, actionable plans with clear priorities and accountability.
Rapid Prototyping
Prototype and refine projects to test ideas quickly and validate assumptions.
Cross-functional Delivery
Coordinate cross-functional delivery to ensure smooth collaboration and timely execution.
Data-Driven Growth
Define and track success metrics—acquisition, engagement, and retention—to inform strategy and drive measurable growth.
What keeps me motivated
Problem-solving is my craft. I'm motivated by progress that's both tangible and sustainable—solving real problems, improving systems, and ensuring ideas move from concept to execution. I value precision, learning, and the satisfaction of seeing a well-structured plan come to life.
Beyond work
I like to explore new technologies and spend time everyday to learn something new—sometimes it's directly tied to what I'm building, other times it's about emerging fields like quantum computing or frontier AI. I also keep a close eye on the tech and financial markets, staying updated with the latest trends and innovations. It's my way of learning continuously, sharpening my thinking, and staying connected to this ever-changing world.
Why "Zillion Visionary"?
“Zillion Visionary” captures the balance of limitless imagination and pragmatic execution. It is a reminder to keep exploring, to design with intent, and to deliver with clarity—turning visions into results, one deliberate step at a time.
The Journey
Strategic Planning Manager
Leading product strategy and commercialization for the World Economic Database (WED) and DigiTables. Driving go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and cross-functional alignment to transform acedemic results into scalable commercial products.
Research Officer
Co-authored "The Global Macro Database" (cited 37+ times, 6k+ users within 6 months). Managed a team of 25+ research assistants and led large-scale data projects including a comprehensive chronology of bank run crises (1700–present).
Research Associate (Macroeconomic)
Conducted comparative industry analysis and contributed to long-term demographic research to support portfolio strategy for senior leadership.
Master of Science in Finance
Focused on financial analytics and economic research.
VP of Finance and Operations
Managed finance and operations for a team of 20. Negotiated with university leadership to avert a $400k loss and secure $800k+ in annual revenue.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Double degree with Hospitality & Tourism Management.