Entrepreneur Dr. James S.C. Chao (趙錫成 博士) and his wife, the late Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao (趙朱木蘭 女士), are the driving forces behind the Chao family’s philanthropic projects. Dr. and Mrs. Chao are Americans who immigrated to the United States from Asia decades ago. Dr. Chao arrived first followed three years later by Mrs. Chao and their then three children. Establishing himself in New York City, Dr. Chao together with his wife Ruth, built a highly successful international shipping company and raised a family of six accomplished daughters.