Yvonne Hao
Tech Power Players 50 | 2023 | Ranked #3
Secretary of Economic Development, State of Massachusetts
BIOGRAPHY
Why a Tech Power Player? For overseeing the interests of the state’s business community at a time of great economic change, particularly in the tech industry.
After two decades of building, running, and financing companies, Yvonne Hao understands the challenges that businesses face. And she is now taking on some of the most difficult business conditions in years — particularly in the tech industry — as she tries to guide the Massachusetts economy as the secretary of economic development. Less than three months into the job, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, and Hao took the lead in helping startups, nonprofits, and other businesses that had money tied up with the lender. Before her appointment by Governor Maura Healey in January, Hao was a cofounder and managing director of the private equity firm Cove Hill Partners. Hao was also the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of PillPack, an online pharmacy that Amazon acquired for $753 million in 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and Asian studies from Williams College and a master of philosophy in development economics from the University of Cambridge, in England.
CAREER MILESTONES
2023
Appointed to Governor Maura Healey’s Cabinet, becoming the first person of color to serve as secretary of economic development.
2021
Named to the board of directors at CarGurus, a Cambridge-based automotive marketplace website
2018
Helped orchestrate the sale of PillPack to Amazon
SIMILAR PROFILES
Tech Power Players 50 | 2023 | Ranked #3
Yvonne Hao
Secretary of Economic Development, State of Massachusetts
BIOGRAPHY
Why a Tech Power Player? For overseeing the interests of the state’s business community at a time of great economic change, particularly in the tech industry.
After two decades of building, running, and financing companies, Yvonne Hao understands the challenges that businesses face. And she is now taking on some of the most difficult business conditions in years — particularly in the tech industry — as she tries to guide the Massachusetts economy as the secretary of economic development. Less than three months into the job, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, and Hao took the lead in helping startups, nonprofits, and other businesses that had money tied up with the lender. Before her appointment by Governor Maura Healey in January, Hao was a cofounder and managing director of the private equity firm Cove Hill Partners. Hao was also the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of PillPack, an online pharmacy that Amazon acquired for $753 million in 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and Asian studies from Williams College and a master of philosophy in development economics from the University of Cambridge, in England.
CAREER MILESTONES
2023
Appointed to Governor Maura Healey’s Cabinet, becoming the first person of color to serve as secretary of economic development.
2021
Named to the board of directors at CarGurus, a Cambridge-based automotive marketplace website
2018
Helped orchestrate the sale of PillPack to Amazon
SIMILAR PROFILES
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