Mae Chao

Member, Holy Cross, Carlsbad

Nominee’s Bio: Mae Chao has been 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, research, training and facilitation. She worked at the community level in Memphis, Los Angeles and Philadelphia in Christian ministry with at-risk youth, and with immigrants and refugees. 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 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 with honor from Cornell University, College of Arts and Science. She is now happily enjoying retired life.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: I, Mae Chao, was asked by Bishop Susan last year to serve on the Diocesan Executive Council. Before agreeing to the appointment, I had to prayer long and hard. I love my retired life where I can say "no" when I want to. I knew saying "yes" would commit me in significant and unknown ways.

This has certainly been true. Not being a cradle Episcopalian, this year has been a learning, challenging, and inspiring experience for me. It has also confirmed to me the vital role of leadership from the San Diego Diocese level.

I strongly believe in the local parish church. But…I am a member of Holy Cross Carlsbad which has been in three different locations in the last three years and is shepherded by a Priest-in-Charge. I am also part of the start-up team for St. Brigid's—the new church plant in Oceanside. I am seeing firsthand how essential the support, leadership and guidance of the Diocese can be.

As a Chinese-American, I am supportive of the commitment to leadership by the San Diego Diocese, especially Bishop Susan, to address the issues of racial, gender, climate, and socio-economic inequities that are afflicting our society, and to strive to ensure that as parishes and communities throughout the four counties of our Diocese we are welcoming all of God's people.

In 2021, as a member of the Diocese Advocacy Committee, then chaired by Rev. Janine Schenone, I helped to draft the Racism Reconciliation resolution and Anti-Asian/Pacific Islander American Violence resolution. Both resolutions were approved by the 2021 Diocesan Convention. The Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force supports the implementation of these resolutions. Recent highlights have included offerings throughout the Diocese of Sacred Ground dialog circles, Asian Pacific American Month series, and an Indigenous Peoples workshop during the Good News Festival. LARK, a localized anti-racism workshop developed by Thérèse Carmona and me for the San Diego Diocese, will be officially launched this fall.

In summary, I am seeking election to a full term on the Executive Council to continue efforts begun in the past year. That includes Chair of the Service and Advocacy Oversight Committee. I am committed to fulfilling the Executive Council's fiduciary, strategic and generative roles striving to trust in the Lord's guidance throughout.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.