Mae Chao

Member, Holy Cross, Carlsbad

Nominee’s Bio: Mae Chao is committed to building capacity at personal, organizational, community, and societal levels for civic engagement, non-profit programming, volunteerism, diversity competency and social change. Mae has more than 45 years of experience in nonprofit management, international development, grantmaking, strategic planning, research, training and facilitation. She worked at the community level in Memphis, Los Angeles and Philadelphia with at-risk youth, immigrants and refugees, and grass-roots nonprofits. At the regional level she worked with the United Way of the San Francisco Bay Area. At the national level she worked at the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. Internationally she advised on civil society and volunteerism development, in countries such as the People’s Republic of China, through United Way International and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Mae is another overeducated Asian American with a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Social Welfare from the University of California in Berkeley and a Bachelors of Arts from Cornell University, College of Arts and Science. She is now happily enjoying retired life.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: As a member of the start-up church, St. Brigid’s in Oceanside, I strongly believe in the local parish. And I am seeing firsthand how essential the support and guidance of the Diocese can be.

As a current member of the Executive Council, I am seeing the importance of support and guidance from local parishes. While we have passed many relevant resolutions at Diocesan Conventions, implementation of those resolutions addressing migrants, racial reconciliation, gun violence, etc. are dependent on the actions and support of local parishes.

In representing the Diocese, along with Diane Lopez Hughes, in the Episcopal Public Policy Network of California, I am learning that at the state and national levels, actions and progress are reliant to the Dioceses. During the last Presidential election, I researched and found many relevant national resolutions relating to equal rights, justice and inclusion that are not well known and need to be implemented.

I am proud of recent outspoken stands taken by national and diocesan Episcopal leaders. I would be privileged to join the team from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in providing voice at the national level. On our return, I hope the team can continue at the diocesan and parish levels to build awareness and implement the policies and resolutions passed.

Thank you for your support.