Mae Wu serves as USDA’s deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs (MRP). MRP supports local and regional food systems, facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products, protects U.S. plant and animal health, regulates genetically engineered organisms, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and carries out wildlife damage management activities.

Prior to joining USDA, Mae served as a senior director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, helping to lead the organization’s health and food work. While there, she was working to design a holistic approach to NRDC’s food-based advocacy to build towards making local and regional food systems healthier, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable. This work has covered strengthening pesticides policy, antibiotics use in raising livestock, environmental impacts of animal feeding operations, support for farmworkers, and food waste. Mae holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rice University, a master’s degree in environmental policy from the University of Cambridge, and a Juris Doctor from Duke University.