Jessica Chao

Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Din Tai Fung North America

Speaker

Jess Chao joined Din Tai Fung in 2023, serving as the Vice President of Brand Marketing and Corporate Affairs, responsible for brand management, digital business, beverage, PR, corporate communications, CSR, guest service and insights, and community engagement strategies.

In her role, Jess ensures Din Tai Fung’s cultural heritage, culinary excellence and organizational purpose are at the forefront of all efforts and communications internally and externally, increasingly important as the brand expands in North America with recent openings at Downtown Disney District, in NYC and in Vancouver. Additionally, she is leading the brand’s digital business strategy, encompassing off premise revenue growth and maximizing the beloved restaurant brand’s viral popularity on social media. During Jess’ tenure, Din Tai Fung has placed an emphasis on brand storytelling and community engagement initiatives, partnering with non-profit organizations and brands with shared values to enrich communities and empower cultural conversations. In 2024, she led the refresh of Din Tai Fung’s brand identity across all consumer touchpoints.

Prior to joining the Din Tai Fung team, Jess held leadership roles in the brand public relations, corporate communications, and partnerships function at privately-held and Fortune 500 companies in the beauty, healthcare and restaurant industries. In 2021, she was recognized on QSR’s 28 Young Leaders to Watch list. With a B.A. in Communications and a Master's in Communications Management from the University of Southern California, Jess leverages her strategic mindset and passionate personality to empower her teams, supporting the organization’s holistic growth.