主题演讲嘉宾 - 赵小兰

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

She 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 professional life to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to build better lives for themselves and their families.

At the U. S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Chao focused on keeping our nation’s transportation system safe and efficient; invested over $300 billion in infrastructure; and, promoted American innovation including autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, commercial space.  During the COVID-19 health crisis, Secretary Chao’s decisive actions kept America’s transportation systems safe and moving.  As chair of the White House Initiative on Asian American & Pacific Islanders, she advised the Asian American community on government resources during the pandemic and worked with the U. S. Department of Justice to combat anti-Asian hatred and violence.  

At the U.S. Department of Labor, Secretary Chao launched many initiatives to help Asian Americans—and other traditionally underserved communities—access opportunities in mainstream America.  She launched the annual Asian Pacific American Federal Career Advancement Summit and the annual Opportunity Conference.  She established mentoring programs, internship programs for young Asian Americans.  During her tenure, the Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics began reporting the employment data on Asians in America as a distinct category, a historic first.  

Previously, Secretary Chao was President and CEO of United Way of America where she restored public trust in the organization after it had been tarnished by scandal.  She was Director of the Peace Corps where she launched the first Peace Corps programs in the Baltic nations and the former republics of the Soviet Union including Ukraine.  Secretary Chao had also served as Deputy Maritime Administrator; Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission; and Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  She was also a banker with Bank of America and Citibank.    

Secretary Chao has been a director of numerous Fortune 500 public boards while out of government.  She currently serves on the boards of Kroger and technology companies in the mobility space.  She is also a director on many nonprofit boards including Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, Harvard Business School Global Advisory Board, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, United Way Worldwide, Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28), and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.  

Secretary Chao earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.  Recognized for her extensive record of accomplishments and public service, she is the recipient of 38 honorary degrees.