Huiling Chen – 2025 Recipient of the Christine Ntagengwa Leadership Award

Huiling Chen arrived in the U.S. from China in 2009. She worked at a Chinese restaurant before enrolling in BEST Hospitality Training Center’s housekeeping job seeker class in 2011. BEST hired her before any hotel could, setting the stage for a transformative career in service and leadership.
As the Director of Incumbent Worker Services at BEST, Huiling oversees critical programs that support Local 26 union members, including English for Hospitality, technology, citizenship preparation, skills training, and certification classes. Through her work at BEST, she has impacted the lives of thousands of immigrants, helping them gain the skills and confidence needed to advance in their careers and improve their quality of life. From 2014 to 2023, she supervised 14 NAIP AmeriCorps members at BEST, guiding them in their professional growth while ensuring they made meaningful contributions to the community. She’s also the driving force behind BEST’s volunteer program, managing all aspects and inspiring others to give back. She believes in the power of education and quality jobs to create opportunity, particularly for America’s newcomers.