Meet Tae Chong
Tae Chong is a lifelong advocate for Maine’s underserved and underrepresented communities, and his career is defined by three decades of innovative service and strategic partnerships. Throughout this time, Tae has maintained a steadfast commitment to amplifying the voices of those too often unheard and to creating equitable pathways for all.
As a service provider, Tae recognized early on the systemic barriers faced by English Language Learners (ELL) and immigrant communities. He was instrumental in collaborating with educators and social service agencies to launch Maine’s first interpreter program—LANA. His advocacy was a driving force behind expanding English access for ELL students, including supporting the Portland Chapter of the NAACP in a landmark suit to reform ELL programs for greater inclusivity.
In his role as an economic developer for Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and as the manager of Threads of Hope—a not-for-profit thrift store and business incubator for immigrant women entrepreneurs—Tae championed economic self-sufficiency for immigrants and other marginalized populations. He has empowered countless individuals to launch, manage, and expand their businesses, thereby proving that communities thrive when all voices and talents are recognized.
Tae’s work articulating the vital contributions of immigrants to Maine’s economy led him to co-author “Why Immigrants Matter to Maine’s Economy,” an article reprinted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. As a thought leader and contributing writer for Maine Biz Magazine, he has written extensively on strategies to recruit, retain, and foster inclusion for people of color in Maine’s workforce.
Tae’s voice and vision are sought after throughout the state. He has served as a keynote speaker on multicultural markets, workforce diversity, and demographic trends at events such as Maine Development Foundation, Maine Live, TEDxDirigo, Inclusion Maine, the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, and MaineBiz Magazine.
Tae brings robust governance and advisory experience, having served as co-chair of the Maine DHHS Refugee Advisory Council, and as a board member for organizations including Maine Community Foundation, Maine Initiatives, NAACP, LULAC, and the Asian American Heritage Foundation. He currently lends his expertise to the boards of Good Shepherd Food Bank, Portland Museum of Art, and Creative Portland. As the first Asian American elected to the Portland City Council and Portland School Committee, Tae has served on critical committees—including Economic Community Development, Health and Human Services (as chair), and the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee—always centering supporting marginalized communities, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Tae holds a B.S. in Political Science and an MBA from the University of Southern Maine. In his private consulting practice, he specializes in multicultural marketing and recruitment strategies. Notably, he has advised Hannaford, Infinity Credit Union, Allagash Brewing, and Visit Portland on outreach, customer engagement, and workforce strategies to create more welcoming and inclusive organizations.
Beyond his executive leadership, Tae is an aspiring storyteller and writer. His performances have been featured at WGBH’s Stories from the Stage and curated by Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art. He has coached nonprofit professionals in the art of storytelling and is currently at work on a memoir. In his leisure time, Tae can be found navigating Portland on his electric bike or bringing new perspectives to the stage through comedy and storytelling and spending as much quality time with his wife and two daughters.
Tae’s career is characterized not only by his professional accomplishments but by his unwavering dedication to building a Maine where every person—regardless of background—can access opportunity, participate fully, and contribute to the community’s shared success.
Congratulations, Tae, and Furniture Friends. You are following in the steps of our first, and very successful, Jenn McAdoo. I am excited. Robbie
Congratulations Tae and Furniture Friends! Such an excellent choice of Tae to carry on and expand the solid foundation that Jenn McAdoo has built over her initial successful tenure as Furniture Friends inaugural ED! Best wishs Tae – you bring great expertise and experience to this important work!