Miss Represented: Victoria Ng [Episode 59] – Detailed Summary

Introduction to Victoria Ng

In Episode 59 of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie welcomes Victoria Ng, Ms. Grand Michigan 2025, a multifaceted individual excelling as a senior software engineer, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for Asian women's representation. With an impressive academic background from DePaul University, Victoria melds her expertise in international studies, public relations, and leadership and policy studies to drive innovation and impact both in her professional and personal endeavors.

Pageant Journey and Asian Representation

Victoria’s foray into pageantry began unexpectedly while volunteering at an event in Chinatown.

• Genesis of Her Pageant Career ([02:33]):
  “I saw the girls on stage, and then I was like, I want to be like them. I want to be confident like them. I want to be glammed up.”
  Victoria was inspired to join pageants at 19 after witnessing the confidence and glamour of pageant participants, leading her to compete annually for over a decade.

• Transition from Miss Chinatown to Miss Illinois USA ([03:22] – [04:12]):
  Moving from the Miss Chicago Chinatown Pageant to a more mainstream Miss Illinois USA, Victoria highlighted the nuanced challenges of balancing her dual identity as both Chinese and American.
  “I had to both lean into that Asian side, but then still bring out the more expression, aggressive, proactive side of me as well.” ([04:25])

• Challenges and Growth ([05:01] – [06:09]):
  Victoria did not place in her first attempt at Miss Illinois USA but returned the following years, achieving top 16 placements twice. She emphasized the importance of confidence and expression, noting, “I need to be more open with my posing. I need to be more confident with my expressions.”

• Raising Age Limit in Ms. Grand ([06:31] – [08:05]):
  With the age limit for Ms. Grand International increasing, Victoria seized the opportunity to compete in a pageant that celebrates women beyond their 30s.
  “They realize that there's so many women out there who are past 30. But 30 is no longer the prime.” ([07:36])

Preparation for Ms. Grand Michigan 2025

Victoria delves into her rigorous preparation for the Ms. Grand competition, focusing on authenticity and stage presence.

• Coaching and Training ([08:33] – [10:37]):
  Victoria is collaborating with PR Pageant Coaches and choreographer Angel Reyes to enhance her stage performance.
  “Jules will say, say over and over again, like, you don't have to impress them with the most deep or accolade heavy resume. You don't need to hit all the points in interview. You just need to be a likable, genuine person.” ([09:50])

• Emphasizing Likability and Authenticity ([09:50] – [10:37]):
  Transitioning from mainstream pageants, Victoria focuses on being genuine and likable, moving away from trying to impress judges with extensive resumes.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Plans

Victoria's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her initiatives aimed at empowering women and making technology accessible.

• Chicago Women Empowerment Nonprofit ([12:27] – [16:05]):
  Founded to create a supportive space for Asian women, the nonprofit has evolved to address changing community needs, including fashion shows, pageants, and empowerment workshops.
  “There's no one way to empower women, but it changes over time.” ([34:19])

• Tech Venture: AI Education App ([13:22] – [16:05]):
  Victoria is developing an app that allows women to share stories with their elders through daily prompts and voice memos.
  “It's going to be like a daily prompt... and there's going to be voice memos so you can, you know, talk with your grandma and say, hey, can you tell me a story about xyz?” ([13:43])

• Monetization and Community Focus ([13:43] – [14:37]):
  Victoria plans to sustain the app through subscription fees, emphasizing community and shared cultural traditions over direct monetization.

Career in Software Engineering

Victoria discusses her unconventional path into software engineering and the challenges she faces as a woman of color in a male-dominated field.

• Transition into Tech ([16:05] – [17:22]):
  Victoria transitioned from nonprofit work to tech by completing a three-month data science bootcamp, eventually securing a position as a senior software engineer.
  “As long as I believe in myself, I can do anything.” ([16:05])

• Challenges as a Woman and POC ([17:55] – [21:26]):
  Often the only woman or person of color in her teams, Victoria navigates cultural differences and asserts her authority in predominantly male spaces.
  “There's always going to be like, cultural differences and things... [I] have to figure out ways to express myself in a way that's authentic to myself, but at the same time asserts authority.” ([18:22])

• Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion ([21:36] – [22:33]):
  Victoria critiques corporate DEI initiatives as often superficial, advocating for genuine, salaried roles dedicated to diversity and inclusion efforts.
  “They need to be held accountable for it.” ([22:16])

AI Education and Privacy Concerns

Drawing from her engineering expertise, Victoria highlights the importance of AI literacy and privacy protection.

• Personal Data and AI Risks ([22:37] – [28:21]):
  Victoria warns against sharing sensitive information with AI platforms like ChatGPT, emphasizing the need for privacy and proper data handling.
  “Anything that you put out there... could eventually go back to the system in ways that maybe you don't expect.” ([23:30])

• Educating About AI Risks ([26:15] – [28:21]):
  She advocates for educating the public on safely using AI, suggesting techniques like obscuring sensitive information in queries.
  “If you're going to say like, theoretically, I want to log into this thing... provide like a temp, made-up password.” ([26:37])

• Future of AI Integration ([26:56] – [28:21]):
  Victoria envisions AI becoming more integrated into everyday products, urging caution as convenience often comes at the cost of privacy.
  “The convenience, again, always comes with a price, so just be careful.” ([26:56])

Embodying the Four Bs of Ms. Grand

Victoria articulates how she integrates Beauty, Brains, Body, and Business into her daily life and aspirations.

• Beauty ([28:45] – [30:34]):
  Continual improvement in makeup and appearance, working with professionals to enhance her stage presence.
  “I'm constantly trying to listen to people first before I speak. I'm trying to understand people in the deepest way possible so that I can share myself more authentically as well.” ([29:07])

• Brains ([30:34] – [30:47]):
  Leveraging her diverse academic and professional background to inform her multifaceted approach in both engineering and pageantry.

• Body ([29:02] – [28:45]):
  Maintaining physical health through varied workouts like hot yoga, Pilates, and resistance training, which also contribute to mental well-being.

• Business ([30:34] – [35:41]):
  Balancing her role as a software engineer and entrepreneur, developing projects that empower women and foster community.

Leadership through Nonprofit Work

Victoria reflects on her leadership journey within her nonprofit and the evolution of women empowerment initiatives.

• Chicago Asian Women Empowerment ([32:41] – [35:45]):
  Leading initiatives such as Asian Fashion Show Chicago and Miss Asian Chicago, Victoria emphasizes the dynamic nature of empowerment, adapting to the shifting needs of the community.
  “Empowerment probably looks more like job opportunities, internships, ways in which we can get them involved in the job market.” ([34:19])

• Adapting to Community Needs ([34:20] – [35:45]):
  Post-pandemic challenges and economic shifts have prompted Victoria to rethink and restructure her nonprofit to better serve women seeking employment and personal growth opportunities.

Personal Insights and Advice

Victoria shares her philosophy on individuality, empowerment, and personal growth.

• Embracing Identity ([36:17] – [37:28]):
  Encouraging women to "do you" and embrace their unique paths without judgment.
  “We all have only one life to live. ... Whoever comes to me ... I want to work with them to figure out what they want to accomplish.” ([36:30])

• Empowering Women ([37:32] – [41:08]):
  Advocating for continuous self-improvement and authenticity in relationships and personal endeavors.
  “There is a constant improvement of oneself. ... reflecting because we're always growing and learning.” ([37:57])

Conclusion

In this engaging episode, Victoria Ng offers a compelling narrative intertwining her experiences in pageantry, technology, and community leadership. She underscores the significance of authentic representation, the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, and the imperative of safeguarding privacy in the age of AI. Through her entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit work, Victoria exemplifies the embodiment of the four Bs—Beauty, Brains, Body, and Business—demonstrating a holistic approach to personal and professional empowerment. Her insights provide invaluable guidance for listeners aspiring to navigate similar paths of growth, leadership, and advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

• “[...] I decided that I was going to do a pageant.” – Victoria Ng ([02:33])
• “I need to be more open with my posing. I need to be more confident with my expressions.” – Victoria Ng ([05:57])
• “You don’t need to impress them with the most deep or accolade heavy resume. You just need to be a likable, genuine person.” – Victoria Ng ([09:50])
• “They realize that there's so many women out there who are past 30. But 30 is no longer the prime.” – Victoria Ng ([07:36])
• “We all have only one life to live. ... Whoever comes to me ... I want to work with them to figure out what they want to accomplish.” – Victoria Ng ([36:30])

Connect with Victoria Ng:

Stay updated with Victoria’s journey to the crown and her empowering initiatives by following her on Instagram: @VictoriaMercedesIng or @Ms.Official.