Foremost Group CEO killed in car accident

In a statement, Foremost Group said Chao was "a formidable executive and shipping industry leader, as well as a proud and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. She was also a precocious youngster, learning about the shipping industry at an early age as she lovingly followed her father around during “Take Your Daughter to Work” days on his ships."

Chao worked a number of roles at Foremost Group before becoming CEO, including implementing the company's safety management system as assistant vice president, time working on ship operations and ship management as vice president, and chartering and sales and purchase as senior vice president.

An advocate for environmentally sustainable business practices, Chao was the reason for the group's sustainable operations and its eco-friendly vessels, the company said.

Beyond her role at Foremost Group, Chao was an experience industry speaker and sat as a board member of the American Bureau of Shipping Council, and board member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s International Maritime Business Department Advisory Board.

"She will be greatly missed and leaves a legacy of pioneering leadership- especially for women- in shipping, philanthropy and the arts,” said Foremost Group.

Chao earned a bachelor’s degree in economics magna cum laude from Harvard College in three years, and attended Harvard Business School where her case study on “Ocean Carriers” remains part of the required curriculum for first year HBS students to this day.

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Angela's father, Dr. James SC Chao, is founder and honorary chairman of Foremost Group.