Chiling Tong is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE). Tong has experience in economic and business development, with a focus on researching and enhancing the growth of small and minority business enterprises competing in the global market.

Tong is the Founding President of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF) provides public services internship and leadership training for AAPI college students. Tong was also an Ash Center Research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Recently, she was named a member of Maryland Governor Hogan’s Anti-AAPI hate crimes workgroup.

Tong previously served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Commerce and was responsible for overseeing the treatment of American campiness by Asia and Pacific countries. In her prior role as Chief of Staff and Associate Director at the Minority Business Development Agency, she helped minority enterprises and small disadvantaged businesses obtain contracts and loans by identifying opportunities.

Tong has been a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and has also served on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Awards Board for young leaders.  In 2017, Tong received the “advocate of the year award” from the U.S. Department of Commerce and was recognized at the White House.

Previously, Tong worked to promote California’s economic development, trade, and employment services. She was the Director of California’s Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, Taiwan, and served as Assistant Secretary for International Trade in the California Trade and Commerce Agency. Tong has also worked for the California State Senate Minority Leaders Office as the Chief Asian American Affairs Advisor. She was awarded a Coro Public Affairs Fellowship and the Chairperson of the Los Angeles County Community Action Board. Tong was also a television anchor and reporter for China TV, a Los Angeles-based international television station.