Thao Hong is Program Officer leading country and donor alignment advocacy for the Financial Services for the Poor team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Thao previously held positions in commercial aircraft sales, brand marketing, and international strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Prior to joining the private sector, Thao was a Foreign Service Officer focusing on economic issues in East Asia at the State Department. Thao served under the Obama administration in her role as the Director of Trade Policy at the Office of United States Trade Representative. In these positions, Thao helped promote U.S. commercial and economic interests abroad through work with high-level government officials, business leaders and local citizens. She attained her B.B.A. in Finance and a Certificate of International Studies in business at the University of Washington and completed the Advanced Economic Studies Program at the Foreign Service Institute. She formerly served as chairperson and is current member of the board of trustees at the World Affairs Council. Thao also volunteers her time mentoring students and supporting financial capacity building efforts in her local community.