SHINAE CHUN
Director

On May 11, 2001, Shinae Chun was confirmed by the Senate as the 15th Director of the Women's Bureau. Under the direction of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, Ms. Chun is the highest ranking Korean American in the Bush administration, and heads the only Federal agency charged with advocating on behalf of women in the workforce.

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

From 1991 to 1999, Ms. Chun was the Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. She made Illinois history two years earlier when she accepted the position of Director of the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions, becoming the first ever Asian American cabinet member.

In 1982, Ms. Chun was one of the founding members of the Asian American Advisory Council to Governor James R. Thompson. Later in 1984, she was appointed as Special Assistant to the Governor on Asian American Affairs, the first such position in the country.

Prior to her involvement in state government, she was project director of the Title IX Multiethnic Training, Assistance and Dissemination Project (METAD), a teacher in-service training program.

She has been recognized as "Outstanding Alumni" by Ewha Women's University in Seoul; a Southern Women in Public Service "Pacesetter;" and by the Business Women's Network "2004 Special Achievement for Leadership Award". She is also author of From the Mountains of Masan to the Land of Lincoln (1996).

Ms. Chun received her undergraduate degree at Ewha Women's University in Seoul, Korea, and her Master's degree in Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. In 1992, she also received a fellowship to the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

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