Dr. Grace L. Chao is a leader in the critical field of mental health, specializing in support for indigenous youth.

Scholar

Like all of Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and Dr. James S.C. Chao’s daughters, Grace excelled academically from an early age. She graduated from Wellesley College in English in three and half years and went on to earn an MA in Education from San Diego State University with a specialization in counseling as well as certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology at Columbia University. 

Public Servant

Dr. Chao works today as a Senior Advisor to the Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division of the State of North Dakota. Her current focus centers on mental health advocacy for Indigenous Teens. She is also co-founder of the Turtle Mountain Indigenous Youth Peer Support team which will provide the first Indigenous focused training curriculum for Youth Peer Support Specialists in the country.

Leader and Advocate

Dr. Chao’s TEDx Fargo talk – Surviving Depression with Indigenous Teens – was given on July 21, 2022. She received a standing ovation and her speech was named one of the most meaningful and impactful presentations at TEDx Fargo 2022.

Dr. Chao has co-authored an article on faculty of color and tenure for Journal publication. She has also presented several papers at the American Anthropological Association, the American Marriage Family Therapists Association, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists.  

Wife and Mother

Dr. Chao is married to the Honorable Gordon A. Hartogensis who is the current Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Both Grace and Gordon are tremendous advocates of education and have sponsored an undergraduate scholarship and a graduate interdisciplinary scholarship at Stanford University. They are blessed with two wonderful daughters: Alexia (Harvard College Class of ‘24) and Penelope (Harvard College Class of ‘27).

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