SHINAE CHUN

On May 9, 2001, Shinae Chun was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 15th Director of the Women's Bureau. Serving under Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, Ms. Chun is President Bush’s highest ranking Korean American appointee and heads the only Federal agency charged with advocating on behalf of women in the workforce.

During her tenure she has transformed the way the Women's Bureau does business by implementing innovative demonstration projects, increasing partnerships, and enhancing the Bureau’s visibility. Under her leadership, the Women’s Bureau strives to advance the status of 21st Century Working Women in the pursuit of Better Jobs! Better Earnings!Better Living!

In 1991, Governor James Edgar appointed her Director of the Illinois Department of Labor, a position she held until 1999. Two years prior to this appointment, she made Illinois history when Governor James R. Thompson appointed her Director of the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions, making her Illinois’ first ever Asian American cabinet member. In 1984, Governor Thompson appointed her Special Assistant to the Governor on Asian American Affairs, the first such position in the country.

Ms. Chun completed her undergraduate degree at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, and her Master's degree in Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University.

In 2006, Ms. Chun traveled to Tanzania as a participant in the Council of Women World Leaders’ Ministerial Fellows Exchange Program for US and African women government leaders. She personally briefed many of the Women’s Bureau’s 800 international visitors from over 100 countries from 2001-2007.

She has received the ATHENA International “International ATHENA Award”; the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) “Overseas Compatriot Award”; the inaugural Korean American Leadership Foundation “Pioneer Award”; the Northwestern University “Alumni Merit Award”; the Southern Women in Public Service “Pacesetter Award”; and the Asian American Coalition of Chicago “Excellence in Public Service Award.” She is the author of From the Mountains of Masan to the Land of Lincoln (1996).

Ms. Chun and her husband, Dr. Kyong Chul Chun, have two sons.