The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) held its 2024 Annual Leadership and Business Conference at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., on the morning of July 25; ILF Chairman Dr. Paul Hsu gave a welcoming speech and kicked off the 25th-anniversary series of events, which included a panel discussion with Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Ted Lieu encouraging Asian youth and students to get involved in public service, serve the community, run for office, and speak out for the Asian community.

This year, 47 Civic Fellows from top colleges and universities across the U.S. and high school students from the 2024 Youth Leadership Training Program enrolled in Leadership Foundation’s Public Affairs Internship Program and were presented with certificates of completion at the annual luncheon. Certificates were also given to the presidents of ILF chapters throughout the U.S. and to elite supporters of the Foundation.

International Leadership Foundation (ILF) Founding President Chiling Tong said it was meaningful for ILF to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and also introduced the new book Doors of Opportunity, which records the 25the year history of the ILF and inspires young people to pursue opportunities, dreams, and hopes that they will become successful leaders in their respective fields.

International Leadership Foundation (ILF) Founding President Chiling Tong said it was meaningful for ILF to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and also encourage young people to pursue opportunities, dreams, and hopes that they will become successful leaders in their respective fields.

In an afternoon fireside Chat with Dr. James S. C. Chao and Secretary Elaine Chao, young people were encouraged to pursue their potential and contribute to serve society. They also talked about recent biographies written about them: Elaine Chao A Trailblazer’s Discovery: The first Asian American woman in the President’s Cabinet, and Riding the Waves: Shipping Magnate Dr. James S. C. Chao & Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao’s philosophy of Life and Their Legacy.

More than 500 officials, business leaders, and young leaders from all over the United States gathered together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary and honor 11 community leaders from all over the United States who have made outstanding contributions in the field of public affairs and community service:

Dr. Chao Legendary Leader & Legacy Award
Dr. Chao, the founder and Chairman of the Foremost Group, which is headquartered in New York City and celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024. Over 60 years, Dr. Chao has built Foremost into a global leader in the shipping industry, noted for its fleet of environmentally sensitive and technologically advanced bulk carriers. Foremost motto is: “honesty, integrity & service”.

Dr. Chao made remarks after receiving the award, “I remember when I was coming here in the 1950s. Asians were only 1% of the population; today, Asians comprise 7% of the population. But we are still a minority. So, we need to get together, especially in this good society, this democratic system. We need a voice. The voice is from the people. Remember again, we are a minority, so we need to have ideas and offer them to society and offer them to this nation.”

“We are making many contributions to America and to Society. Let the Mainstream American people understand this. We are of Chinese origin. But now, we are also Americans and we are contributing lots to the country.” (Applause)

Looking back from today’s glory, Dr. Chao grew up in a time of war and turmoil, arriving in Taiwan from Shanghai in 1949, becoming Taiwan’s youngest ocean-going captain at age 29, and a first prize winner in Taiwan’s special examination for captains at age 30. However, he gave up his high salary to go to the U.S. for further study. In the U.S., he received a lower salary than others during the day and handled more shipping duties; at night and on weekends, he served dishes in restaurants and endured the ridicule and bullying of others.

After much difficulties getting into a university because his transcripts were locked behind in the Mainland, Dr. Chao graduated with an MBA at the age of 38. Unable to find a job at that old age, Dr. Chao established Foremost Corporation. He faced many adversities. Even though he fell into debt, and lost all his ships as his partners withdrew from the business due to the oil crisis, he remained calm and continued to buy and build ships. Today, his company has one of the world’s largest fleets of environmentally-friendly bulk carriers.

Dr. Chao emphasized family education, combining the values and strengths of both Chinese and Western cultures, and educated his six daughters, four of whom graduated from Harvard, all of whom are outstanding. In the 3rd generation, four of his granddaughters are studying at Harvard. Grateful for his blessings and wanting to help less fortunate students like himself access opportunities, his many foundations have donated tens of millions of dollars in education, established the Chao Chu Mulan Scholarship Fund for Chinese students, and built the Chao Chu Mulan Center at the Harvard Business School, where more than 10,000 international executives exchange ideas yearly. In Taiwan, he provides annual scholarships for outstanding graduates in shipping-related disciplines to study in the U.S. and work as interns in the Foremost Group. On July 18, 2024, National Taiwan Ocean University dedicated the Mulan Ocean and Maritime Education Building in honor of Dr. James S. C. Chao’s beloved late wife.

The environment is always full of challenges. Dr. Chao faced the pressure of survival, language barriers, culture shock, and spiritual isolation. Still, he was determined and optimistic, never giving up, and created his value and status in the highly competitive American mainstream culture. He donated the first building named after an Asian-American and a woman in Harvard’s 400-year history. With his spirit of never-ending self-realization and keeping up with the times, Chao has always given his best in every challenging circumstance.

His family is known as the “Legacy of the Chinese-American community,” including his eldest daughter, Elaine L. Chao, who was the first Chinese-American recruited by five U.S. presidents to serve in their administrations, and the first female Asian American Cabinet Secretary.

Dr. Chao and his late wife, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, have dedicated their lives to education and philanthropy. Their family story is marked by challenges, adversities, but also hope, optimism, faith and love. Dr. James S. C. Chao is an inspirational leader, altruistic and serving the public welfare and society. He is most deserving of the Lifetime Legacy award.

Washington, D.C. – The International Leadership Foundation (ILF), along with the Coalition of Asian American Business Organizations (CAABO), hosted the 2024 ILF Leadership and Business Conference. The conference was held on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Featured speakers included the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 18th Secretary of Transportation and 24th Secretary of Labor; Dr. James S.C. Chao, Chairman and Founder, Foremost Group; Dr. Ming Wang, Director & Surgeon at Wang Vision Institute. Over 500 guests attended, including distinguished Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, and ILF Civic Fellows. The Gala recognizes leaders in the AAPI community who have contributed significantly to the advancement and representation of AAPIs. Honorees included:

Legacy Award

• Dr. James SC Chao

Business Leadership Award:

• Dr. Limin Hu, Chairman, Global Monte Jade Science and Technology Association
• Dr. Rose Maria Li, President and CEO, Rose Li and Associates

Global Business Leadership Award:

• Mr. Che-Sheng Su, CEO, HeiHong Investment

Educational Leadership Award:

• Dr. Rose Y. Tseng, Chancellor Emerita and Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Civic Leadership Award:

• Mr. Ben Wu, Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce, MD Department of Commerce
• Dr. David Yee, Commissioner, CA Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs
• Ms. Pauline Huang, Co-Founder, United Customs Service

Community Leadership Award:

• Ms. Teresa Lai, Founder, Little Tree Montessori International School
• Mr. Ebrahim Maghsoud, Former Chair, Asian McDonald’s Association
• Ms. Amanda Negron, CEO, HSU Educational Foundation

The Leadership and Business Conference & Gala aims to create opportunities for AAPI small business owners. To that end, the global awards ceremony serves to recognize outstanding members in the AAPI community who have provided exceptional services to their communities. Awardees also serve as positive role models for next generation AAPI leaders. The conference included a fireside chat, “A Trailblazer’s Discovery” between the Honorable Elaine L. Chao and Dr. James S.C. Chao.

ILF is a non-profit organization that promotes civic engagement, leadership, empowerment, and economic prosperity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to enhance diversity in our country. The mission of ILF is to cultivate civic-minded future AAPI leaders. Founded in 2000, ILF has provided scholarships, leadership training, and educational programs to over 10,000 AAPI students.

The list of distinguished speakers at the 2024 event included: U.S. Representative Ted Lieu (CA-36); U.S. Representative Judy Chu (CA-28); U.S. Representative Grace Meng (NY-6); U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40); U.S. Representative Amada Radewagen; U.S. Representative Vince Fong (CA-20); MD Secretary of State Susan C. Lee; Dr. Paul Hsu, ILF Chairperson; Rose Y. Tseng, Chancellor Emerita and Professor of Leadership, University of Hawaii at Hilo.