You Often Only Get What You Ask For: Jen Wei

In the heart of Silicon Valley, where startups bloom as frequently as the morning sun rises, Jen Wei’s story began, rooted in Cupertino, California, long before it was synonymous with tech empires. Today, she stands as the Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Development at Belkin, but her journey to the top has been anything but predictable. Instead, it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the art of finding one’s true calling.

Growing Up in the Cradle of Innovation

To the world, Cupertino is the headquarters of Apple. To Jen, it was simply home. Surrounded by the hum of early tech innovation in the 1990s, the concept of a “startup” wasn’t a business model, it was a way of life. With friends whose parents were engineers and founders, and a father who built his career as a software engineer at HP, Daisy, and Cisco, technology was woven into the fabric of Jen’s childhood.

But alongside tech, Jen nurtured a different rhythm, a deep passion for music. While excelling in one of the Bay Area’s most competitive high schools, she balanced multiple varsity sports, performed in a traveling choir, and competed in both piano and violin at regional levels. As a pianist for her local youth symphony, she learned lessons that would follow her forever: discipline, creativity, and resilience.

In Cupertino, opportunities for women, especially in STEM, were visible, but not without barriers. The model minority myth loomed large, and gender inequity persisted beneath the surface. It’s a duality that shaped Jen’s perspective and continues to drive her commitment to lifting other women as she climbs.

A Scholar, a Leader, and a Pathfinder

Jen’s academic chapter unfolded at UCLA, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences. Yet, her education extended far beyond lecture halls.

As a founding member of Alpha Kappa Psi’s co-ed business fraternity, Athletic Director for the Association of Chinese Americans, a club soccer player, and even a cadet in the Army ROTC, Jen sought out every opportunity to lead, serve, and grow. These experiences honed her ability to build community, solve problems, and adapt, skills that would later become the foundation of her corporate success.

An Unconventional Path into Tech

After graduation, Jen’s trajectory was anything but linear. She bartended. She tutored. She worked at an aquarium. She directed an after-school program. But it was a public relations extension course at UCLA, taken to help her family’s nonprofit supporting children and adults with special needs, that lit the spark for her true calling: storytelling and strategic communication.

Fueled by newfound passion, she completed UCLA’s PR certificate program and secured an internship at a leading tech PR agency. Quickly, she ascended the ranks, driven by her deep-rooted understanding of tech, her diverse life experiences, and an unwavering commitment to service.

A pivotal moment came when she led an advertising tech account under CMO Kieran Hannon, who saw something extraordinary in Jen. When Hannon transitioned to Belkin as CMO, he knew exactly who he wanted by his side. Nearly a decade ago, he brought Jen into the Belkin family, and from that moment on, her impact has been undeniable.

Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

In tech, Jen has often found herself in contrasting realities: sometimes the only woman in the room, other times surrounded by the brightest female minds. At Belkin, gender balance is stronger than industry norms, but Jen remains committed to moving the dial further.

Through Belkin’s Women’s Network Group, partnerships with organizations like Women in Tech and Kode with Klossy, and active mentorship, Jen champions initiatives designed to open doors for women and girls pursuing STEM careers. Her goal is simple but profound: to create pathways that didn’t exist before and ensure the next generation of women feels empowered to claim their place.

Lessons Learned and Shared

For Jen, one of the hardest lessons came in learning to advocate for herself. Early in her career, she subscribed to the belief that hard work alone would lead to recognition. Over time, she realized that visibility, negotiation, and self-advocacy are just as critical as talent and effort.

“Success isn’t just about doing the work, it’s about ensuring your contributions are seen and valued,” Jen reflects. “You often only get what you ask for.”

This philosophy resonates even more deeply now as the mother of three daughters. She is determined to model empowerment, confidence, and self-advocacy for them, teaching them that their voices are not just important, they’re essential.

Leading with Purpose at Belkin

Today, as Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Development, Jen’s role touches nearly every corner of Belkin’s business. From global PR strategy and corporate growth to mergers, acquisitions, and government affairs, she is at the forefront of shaping Belkin’s voice, reputation, and future.

Among her proudest achievements is leading the formation of Belkin’s Executive Sustainability Committee. Under her leadership, Belkin transitioned from using virgin plastics to post-consumer recycled materials, shipping millions of sustainable products worldwide and cutting hundreds of metric tons of carbon emissions since 2023. It’s a milestone that not only underscores Belkin’s commitment to innovation but to responsible innovation, where technology and sustainability walk hand in hand.

Outside of Belkin, Jen continues to lend her expertise to industry boards, mentor rising professionals, and champion causes that matter. Her career stands as a testament to what happens when purpose meets passion.

A Final Word to Readers

With her story, Jen hopes to spark something in others. “If sharing my journey helps even one person realize her full potential,” she says, “then every challenge, every hard-earned lesson, and every victory along the way has been worth it.”

And with that, Jen Wei doesn’t just inspire, she leads, she uplifts, and she transforms the world of tech, one bold story at a time.