Early Life
Dorothy Chao Jenkins is a member of the Chao family, who moved from China to Taiwan in the 1940s and then to the United States. Her father, T.T. Chao, founded Westlake Chemical Corporation in 1986 in Houston, Texas, after acquiring a polyethylene plant. Dorothy graduated from Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics.
Rise to Success
Dorothy, along with her brothers James and Albert, played crucial roles in the development of Westlake Corporation. The company, headquartered in Houston, has become a major player in the chemicals and building products industry. The Chao family owns a significant portion of Westlake. Westlake's market capitalization is over $14.1 billion. Dorothy retired from Westlake's board in 2023.
Key Business Strategies
The success of the Chao family is closely tied to Westlake Corporation's strategic growth through acquisitions and expansions. Westlake has operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The company has focused on producing low-density polyethylene, which is used in various applications like food packaging.
Philanthropy
The Chao family, through the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, has been involved in civic and philanthropic leadership in Houston. They have made significant contributions to healthcare, education, religious, and cultural organizations around the world. In 2007, the foundation pledged $15 million to Rice University to fund a new Center for Asian Studies. In 2023, the family received the Robert C. McNair Civic Leadership Award from the Greater Houston Partnership. Rice University will name a new residential college after the family.
