Secretary Elaine Chao is an inspiring and consequential leader who has been appointed to two Presidential cabinet positions: U.S. Secretary of Labor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation. When she was unanimously confirmed to her first cabinet post as Secretary of Labor, she became the first Asian American & Pacific Islander woman in a President’s cabinet in American history.
Secretary Chao has a distinguished career in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. An immigrant who arrived in America at the age of eight not knowing how to speak 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 life to ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities in this country.
As Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Chao focused on keeping the country’s transportation system safe and efficient; invested over $300 billion in infrastructure; and, promoted American innovation in autonomous vehicles, drones, commercial space and supersonic jets. During the COVID-19 health crisis, Secretary Chao’s decisive actions kept America’s transportation networks safe and moving.
As Secretary of Labor, Secretary Chao focused on increasing the competitiveness of America’s workforce in a worldwide economy by updating outdated regulations and training programs to empower workers. She set new records for workplace safety and health, compensation, and retirement security.
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 it had been tarnished by financial mismanagement and abuse. She was also Director of the Peace Corps where she established new programs in the Baltic nations and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union including Ukraine. She began her public service working as a White House Fellow at the White House. She then served as Deputy Maritime Administrator at the U. S. Department of Transportation; 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 Citibank.
Secretary Chao currently serves as a director of many prominent companies. She is also a director on many nonprofit boards, including Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, Global Advisory Board, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
A resident of Kentucky, Secretary Chao has an undergraduate degree from Mt. Holyoke College, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and is the recipient of 37 honorary degrees.
