The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC

Elaine L. Chao is the nation's 24th Secretary of Labor and the first Asian Pacific American woman appointed to a President’s cabinet in U.S. history. She arrived in the U.S. at the age of eight from Asia speaking no English. Secretary Chao's experience transitioning to a new country inspired her to dedicate most of her professional life to ensuring that people have the chance to build better lives and the opportunity to achieve financial independence.

Secretary Chao has been a trailblazer in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She has been dedicated to carrying out the U.S. Department of Labor’s mission of promoting and protecting the health, safety, retirement security, and competitiveness of the nation’s workforce. She is a leader in ensuring that workers, especially vulnerable immigrants, are fully and fairly compensated under our nation’s labor laws. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department of Labor has instituted a number of successful programs benefiting America’s workers, particularly those in traditionally underserved communities. She has held leadership positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including as president and CEO of United Way of America, Director of the Peace Corps, and Deputy Secretary of Transportation. She holds a graduate degree from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College.