"If my parents think it's crazy, and I really believe in the idea, then I'm even more interested." That instinct to lean into the unconventional has shaped Andy Chen’s career—and today, it defines his leadership as Chief Product Officer at Glassdoor. Known for his work in scaling ideas others initially doubt, Chen leads the product, design, and community teams with a belief that transformative products emerge from ambiguity and real conversation. At Glassdoor, he is driving a shift from one-way reviews to community-driven dialogue through tools like “Bowls,” a semi-anonymous space where professionals engage with peers and leaders alike. Under his direction, Glassdoor aims to go beyond data and become a platform for authentic, connection-driven workplace engagement.
Born and raised in Texas, Chen earned a bachelor’s degree in civil structural engineering from Texas A&M University before pursuing his MBA with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career in civil engineering but quickly pivoted to technology, co-founding the travel tech startup Traxo. His transition to the consumer internet world led him to Match Group, where he held senior roles across product and innovation, eventually leading +1Labs, its innovation arm. Today at Glassdoor, Chen is responsible for orchestrating product development across a four-part structure—product, design, engineering, and data, ensuring that teams move together from concept to launch.
What continues to drive Chen isn’t just the product, but the people. He’s intentional about team structure, communication, and culture, focusing heavily on retention and burnout prevention. “We have very lofty ambitions,” he’s said, “and hire the right people who are going to burn themselves out if we don't have the right process and tools.” His activist streak aligns with Glassdoor’s mission to give workers a voice and challenge outdated systems. Whether in online dating or job hunting, Chen gravitates toward fields where old norms are ripe for rewriting—and where the doubters make the work worthwhile.