Elaine Chao

Elaine Chao

  • Birthday: 3/26/1953
  • Place of birth: Da'an District, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Fame for: Acting

Biography

Elaine Lan Chao (born March 26, 1953) is an American businesswoman and former government official who served as United States secretary of labor in the administration of George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and as United States secretary of transportation in the administration of Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Chao was the first Asian-Pacific American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Chao immigrated to the United States when she was eight years old. Her father founded the Foremost Group, an American shipping company based in New York. Chao was raised in Queens, New York and on Long Island, and received degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Harvard Business School. She worked for financial institutions before being appointed to several senior positions in the Department of Transportation under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, including Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission (1988–1989) and Deputy Secretary of Transportation (1989–1991). She served as Director of the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1992 and as president of the United Way of America from 1993 to 1996. When not in government, Chao has served on several corporate boards of directors, including currently for Hyliion, an Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of electric trucks, and electric charger network provider ChargePoint.

Filmography

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing
Release date: 2/9/2022

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

Role(s): Self (archive footage)

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To The Contrary
Release date: 4/1/1992

To The Contrary

Role(s): Self

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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Release date: 2/17/2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Role(s): Self (archive footage)

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Up from Zero
Release date: 9/11/2003

Up from Zero

Role(s): Thanks

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