Kelu Chao

Kelu Chao
趙克露
CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media
Acting
In office January 20, 2021 – December 29, 2022
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Michael Pack
Succeeded by	Amanda Bennett
Personal details
Born	Taiwan
Education	National Chengchi University (BA) Kent State University (MA)

Kelu Chao (Chinese: 趙克露) is a Taiwanese American journalist and the deputy CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Prior, she was the USAGM acting interim CEO, from January 20, 2021, to December 29, 2022.[1]

Early life and education

Kelu Chao was born in Taiwan and studied at Zhongshan Girls' High School (Chinese: 中山女高) there.[2][3] Her father, Chao Ting-Chun, was vice president of one of Taiwan's oldest newspapers, the Central Daily News.[1]

She moved to the U.S. after graduating from the Journalism Department of National Chengchi University in 1975.[2]

She has a master's degree from Kent State University in the United States.[1][3]

Career

Journalism

Chao has worked for more than 40 years for the Voice of America (VOA).[4]

She was the VOA's first Language Programming Director from 2001 to 2007. She also worked as a VOA editor, VOA's Mandarin Service Chief, VOA's East Asia Division Director, VOA's Hong Kong Bureau Chief, a field reporter, and radio announcer.[3]

As a field reporter, she reported for VOA on the period leading to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre in Beijing.[5]

Chao has received more than 30 awards as a VOA programmer, including from the New York Radio Festival and the Asian Broadcasting Union.[5]

USAGM

She was appointed on January 20, 2021, by President Joe Biden to lead the USAGM as interim CEO, replacing the Trump appointee Michael Pack.[6][4] She is the first woman to hold the top position at USAGM.[4]

Chao's personnel management after taking office was questioned by seven Republican members of Congress. The seven members of Congress also demanded that the correspondence from several directors of the United States World Media Organization and VOA be provided on specific dates to investigate the details of the recruitment of Setareh Derakhshesh.[7]

When Amanda Bennett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2022 (to be sworn on December 6, 2022[8]) as the CEO of USAGM, Chao issued a statement commending the decision. "A proven journalist, public servant, and business leader, Amanda has both the vision and experience to build on our progress, while equipping USAGM to anticipate and confront threats to independent media and reach audiences in need," said Chao. "Now more than ever, people across the world are depending on USAGM’s fact-based news to triumph over increasing misinformation, disinformation, and censorship. I join our entire agency in welcoming Amanda back to serve during this crucial moment for freedom and democracy."[9] Chao subsequently assumed the role of deputy CEO of the agency.[10]

References

1. Wang, Flor; Chiang, Chin-yeh (January 22, 2020). "Taiwanese American Kelu Chao named acting head of U.S. federal agency". Retrieved January 24, 2021.
2. "又1台裔高官 趙克露掌國際媒體署" [Another Taiwanese, Chao Kelu, revealed to be senior official at the International Media Agency]. tw.appledaily.com (in Chinese). January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
3. "Kelu Chao, Program Director". Voice of America. June 5, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
4. Jerreat, Jessica (January 21, 2021). "New Acting USAGM Chief Begins Undoing Predecessor's Policies". Voice of America. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
5. Lifting the Veil: Getting the Refugees Out, Getting Our Message in: an Update on the Implementation of the North Korean Human Rights Act: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, October 27, 2005, Volume 4. U.S. Government Printing Office. 2005. pp. 9–15. ISBN 9780160755255. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
6. "President Joe Biden Announces Acting Federal Agency Leadership". White House. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
7. "The scandal of Setareh Derakhshesh, Voice of America Persian section once again in the US Congress". Iranian Congress.
8. "Amanda Bennett sworn in as USAGM CEO" U.S. Agency for Global Media, December 9, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024
9. "USAGM applauds bipartisan confirmation of Amanda Bennett to be CEO". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
10. Farhi, Paul "At Voice of America, a sweeping ouster of Trump officials on Biden’s first full day" The Washington Post, January 21, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2024.