May M. Chao

• Mother, Wife, Daughter, Friend, Volunteer
• Chairperson & Executive Director, New York State Consumer Protection Board
• Executive at private international shipping firm
• Harvard Business School
• Married to Jeffrey Hwang, Harvard Business School
• Wellesley College Scholar, Summa Cum Laude, in 3-1/2 years

Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and Dr. James S.C. Chao were expecting their third child when Dr. Chao left Taiwan to start the Chao family’s new life in the United States.

May M. Chao was that third daughter; she met her father for the first time when she was two and a half years old. It was an unforgettable part of the joyful reunion when May, her mother and two older sisters (Elaine and Jeanette) immigrated to America after a three-year separation from James.

Inspired by an Exceptional Mother

May has always been inspired by the example of her mother, who raised six strong and capable daughters in a country where she had arrived not knowing the culture or the language. Ruth set an outstanding example of courage, resilience and love that May aspires to pass on to her own daughters.

Chao Family Values, Applied

May is also motivated by the Chao family’s dedication to education, faith and giving back. She was an exceptional student – graduating from Wellesley with honors in 3 ½ years and going on to graduate from Harvard Business School.

May applied her business degree and considerable intellect to her work at an international shipping and trading firm, where she served for more than a dozen years in various capacities. She later satisfied her deeply held belief in public service when she became Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board (a government agency responsible for protecting, educating and representing consumers). She was the first Asian American & Pacific Islander woman to serve in the governor’s cabinet in New York State.

Along the way, May’s dedication to education led her to serve on the Harvard Business School Alumni Board, the President's Advisory Council of Wellesley College and as a Parent Ambassador for more than 12 years at her daughters' school.

May and her husband, Jeffrey Hwang, who also earned a Harvard Business School MBA, are extremely blessed to have two strong and capable daughters.

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