Dr. May Hongmei Gao is a Professor of Communication and Asian Studies at Kennesaw
State University in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Dr. Gao has published extensively in
communication, business, and Asian studies. Beyond many book chapters, Dr. Gao’s research
has been published in Thunderbird International Business Review, Global Business
Languages, China Media Review, International Journal of Chinese Culture and Management,
China Currents, Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, and East-West Connections.
Dr. Gao’s new book “Win Business With Relationships: Communication Strategies Inspired
by Entrepreneurs & Taoism” is scheduled to be published in 2023 by Business Expert Press.
Because of her expertise in business, culture, and communication, Dr. Gao has provided
trainings for UPS, The Coca-Cola Company, tvsdesign, Euramax, Kimberly-Clark, Cobb
Vantress, Equity Prime Mortgage, Enercon, and P&G.
Dr. Gao is the Founder and Chair of the Symposium on ASIA-USA Partnership
Opportunities (SAUPO), the largest Asia business conference in the United States. Both The
White House Initiative on AAPIs and Asian American Heritage Foundation recognize Dr. Gao
for her leadership in enhancing business with and education on Asia. Georgia Asian Times
named Dr. Gao as one of the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia (GA25 in 2013
and 2016). U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce SE acknowledges her as one of
Five Outstanding Asian Americans (2019). Dr. Gao holds a PhD in Communication from the
University of South Florida (USF), an MA in Mass Communication from Brigham Young
University (BYU), and a BA in English from Shanghai International Studies University
(SISU). Prior to coming to the United States, Dr. Gao was a TV Anchorwoman at China
Anhui TV Station, and a PR Specialist at the University of Science and Technology of China.
Dr. Gao lives in Atlanta with her husband Todd. She enjoys writing, gardening, traveling, and
playing Guzheng music.
