Welcome back to ALC in Action, an occasional message from American Lending Center Holdings highlighting the people, partnerships, and ideas that strengthen our communities.
Over the last decade, women have made significant strides in both business ownership and corporate leadership. Women now own roughly 40% of all U.S. businesses according to the Census Bureau’s November 2025 business-owner release. The number of women in C-suite roles grew from 18% in 2015 to 29% in 2024 (although the number stayed flat in 2025), according to McKinsey and LeanIn.org’s research. For the first time, female CEOs lead more than 10% of Fortune 500 companies in 2026.
While there still is a significant gap in the number of male and female corporate leaders, the archaic argument that women “couldn’t” succeed in the business world has been completely debunked. In fact, a recent research report by S&P Global showed that in the 24 months following their appointments, female CEOs saw a 20% increase in stock price momentum, while female CFOs saw a 6% increase in profitability and 8% larger stock returns.
American Lending Center and sister company Sunstone Investment Group long have been proponents of women in leadership. Stella Zhang has led the way as a co-founder of both, and as Chief Operating Officer at ALC.
Orange County’s own Business Journal has been recognizing the impact of women in the business world for 32 years with its Women in Business Award program. Nominations for those awards were released earlier this month.
We’re pleased to announce that Stella Zhang is one of those nominees. We’ve long recognized Stella’s contributions to ALC and the broader community, and her leadership has also been valued by UC Irvine. Now, her impact is receiving broader recognition across the Orange County business community.
Stella co-founded ALC in 2009 with her husband, John Shen. She also is a founding partner of Sunstone Management Inc. (now Sunstone Investment Group Inc.), founded in 2015.
As COO for ALC, Stella has been instrumental in the company’s substantial growth and repeated recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies and other similar lists. Perhaps more importantly, she has helped guide the company to a reputation as one of the best nationally recognized non-bank lending institutions dedicated to supporting small businesses and underserved communities across the United States.
Stella was among those profiled in the recent Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Awards section, and will be recognized at the Sept. 17 luncheon presenting the award winners.
According to the Business Journal, “The Women in Business Awards honor leaders, founders, and executives whose vision, resilience, and impact are redefining what success looks like — in the boardroom, on the balance sheet, and in their communities.”
That work in the community is a significant part of Stella’s leadership. ALC moved its headquarters to Irvine in 2021; in 2022, Stella committed to a 10-year sponsorship of the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition at the Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine (where she received her MBA). Since then, she has delivered the commencement address to School of Business graduates in 2024, and was named a Distinguished Alumni the following year.
Through the Stella and John Foundation, Stella and John Shen have expanded their philanthropic efforts with a focus on supporting innovation, health, and community engagement in Orange County. This includes serving as the primary private sponsor of the Irvine Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, supporting the City of Hope Orange County and its Walk for Hope, and founding the Irvine Dream Run, now preparing for its fourth year. Earlier this year, Stella, together with ALC and Sunstone, also helped bring to life the first Irvine Tech Day, bringing together the local technology and business community.
“I am humbled by this recognition,” Stella said. “It’s our goal at ALC to provide the financial service platforms to support communities, innovators, small businesses and new immigrants in pursuit of their dreams. It’s an honor to be able to do our part.”
Stella’s strong integrity and compassion drives ALC, and her recognition by the Orange County Business Journal reflects the impact that dedicated business leadership can have both within an organization and across the broader community.
Congratulations, Stella!
