About Neighborhoods

Executive Leadership

Stella Chao became the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods on April 16, 2007. She wanted to work with the wonderful staff in this Department because "Neighborhoods is where it all happens, where it all comes together. It is the Department that allows us to look holistically at the health and well-being of our City and its residents. That means sharing many challenges, triumphs, and never a dull moment."

She brings a varied experience to the Department of Neighborhoods, most recently being the Executive Director for the International District Housing Alliance. During her 10 years there, Stella built the agency from a staff of 3, to a skilled team of 30 advocates for clients and community. Programs emerged under her leadership at IDHA to help people, especially those who are limited-English speaking, in issues on homelessness, housing search and stabilization, rent assistance, homeownership, domestic violence shelter and transitional housing, environmental justice, and effective, multicultural community engagement.

Previously, her varied background ranged from 15 years in ecology and animal behavior research and medical research, to youth development and three years of community development work in Kenya.

Stella studied Ecology and Evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington, and completed a Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Fellows Program in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning.

Over the years, her leadership in numerous coalitions and committees, including three years as President of the Minority Executive Director's Coalition of King County, has worked to develop policies that increase cultural competency, equity, and justice for disadvantaged populations.

Her goal will always be to promote community engagement and build healthy communities.