Elaine Chao

Secretary Chao has been confirmed to two cabinet positions on a bipartisan basis: U. S. Secretary of Transportation and U. S. Secretary of Labor. She is the first Asian American & Pacific Islander woman to be appointed to the President’s cabinet.

An immigrant who came to America at age eight not speaking English, she received her citizenship at the age of 19. Her experience transitioning to a new country has motivated her to devote most of her professional life to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to build better lives for themselves and their families.

At the Department of Transportation, Secretary Chao focused on keeping the nation’s transportation system safe and efficient; invested over $300 billion in infrastructure; and, promoted American innovation. During the pandemic, Secretary Chao’s decisive actions kept America’s transportation systems safe and moving. As co-chair of the White House Initiative on AAPI, she advised the Asian American community on government resources during the pandemic and worked with the U. S. Department of Justice to combat Asian hatred and violence.

At the Department of Labor, Secretary Chao launched many initiatives to help the Asian Pacific American community. She hosted the annual Opportunity Conference to teach government procurement processes and the annual Asian Pacific American Federal Career Advancement Summit. She established mentoring and internship programs for young Asian Americans. The Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics began reporting employment data on Asians in America as a distinct category, a historic first. She also ensured that labor law materials were translated into multiple languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

Prior to the Department of Labor, Secretary Chao was President and CEO of United Way of America, where she restored public trust and confidence after its reputation was tarnished by financial mismanagement and abuse. She was also Director of the Peace Corps where she established the first programs in the Baltic nations and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union including Ukraine. Previously, she served as Deputy Maritime Administrator; Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission; and Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. She has also worked as Vice President of Syndications at Bank of America and at Citigroup.

Elaine has been a director on numerous Fortune 500 public boards while out of government. She also serves on the boards of Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, Global Advisory Board, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, United Way Worldwide, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, and Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28). She is a proponent for a national museum highlighting the contributions of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders to our country.

Secretary Chao earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and an economics degree from Mt. Holyoke College. Recognized for her extensive record of public service, she is the recipient of 38 honorary degrees. Please visit her website: www.elainechao.com.