Angela Chao - Biography

Angela Chao is a business executive who works as the Chairman and C.E.O. of Foremost Group an international transportation and shipping company. As an experienced public speaker, Angela lectures worldwide on the shipping industry and US-Chinese relations. Additionally, Angela is an active philanthropist and President of the Foremost Foundation, one of the Chao family's philanthropic organizations. In her professional, business and philanthropic activities, she strives to create a cultural bridge that brings the East and the West closer together.

About the Foremost Group

The Foremost Group is a global shipping and transportation company based in New York. Angela provides input and management in the areas of finance, ship management and charters. Although she was affiliated with the group in years prior, her official connection with the company began in 2001. Foremost Group was founded by her father, Dr. James S. C. Chao, who currently serves as Honorary Chairman. Angela has extensive experience in finance and international shipping.

Bridging the East and West

Angela is a board member of many international organizations, including the American Bureau of Shipping Council, China Advisory Council of Lincoln Center Global, Harvard Business School’s Dean’s Advisors, International Maritime Business Department Advisory Board of Massachusetts Maritime Acadamy, The Metropolitan Opera, Metroploitan Museum of Art, MOMA PS1, and the Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation. She is also on the board of Lincoln Center’s Global China Advisory Council and the American Bureau of Shipping Council. She holds membership in the Young Leader’s Forum of the National Committee on US-China Relations, the Chairman’s Council of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and on the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2011, Angela was invited to take part in the Wall Street Journal’s Task Force on Women in the Economy as a Founding Member.

Global Speaking Events

As a frequent lecturer, Angela Chao was invited to speak at the BIMCO 39 Day, which was the Centenary General meeting held in 2005. After her speech, she was elected as the Counselor for BIMCO 39 at the World Shipping Summit in China in 2007. She was featured in the Journal of Commerce’s October 2005 special publication on Women in International Trade. She enjoys speaking events and continues to address international forums and corporations.

Education

Angela graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College after three years of studies for her undergraduate degree in Economics. While studying for her MBA at Harvard University, Angela Chao penned a case study entitled, “Ocean Carriers.” Harvard and other business schools use her paper in their required curriculum for MBA studies.