Board Member - Betty Louie
Native-born San Franciscan Betty Louie, is a businesswoman and community advocate who has been the driving force in revitalizing San Francisco Chinatown’s business district. Working independently as well as with a neighborhood think tank Louie founded in 2011 comprised of local business leaders, restaurateurs, nonprofit representatives, as well as the Chinatown Merchants Association. Betty helped to rejuvenate Grant Avenue by beautifying the street with greenery and public sculptures, and commissioning colorful murals.
In addition to updating the public spaces of Chinatown, Betty has utilized her private businesses to bring new energy to the neighborhood. To help put Chinatown’s dining scene back on the map she persuaded Brandon Jew, an up and coming chef who also grew up in Chinatown, to open a new restaurant - Mister Jiu’s - in the old Four Seasons space. Since opening, Mister Jiu’s has received rave reviews and earned a coveted Michelin star within the first six months of operation. In the same building, Betty also offered space to Tiffany Tam, who opened Kim and Ono, a contemporary lifestyle shop featuring hand-painted silk kimonos which already has an international following. She has since brought more new businesses to Chinatown, the latest being Jessica Silverman’s art gallery.
As a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard’s Owner Presidents Program, Betty developed her business and real estate skills by working alongside her parents May and Sinclair Louie, who grew Sinclair’s father’s small general store into a thriving Chinatown retail chain operation along Grant Avenue. To give back to the community that contributed to their success, the Louie family became generous local philanthropists, supporting many Chinatown organizations.
Betty’s parents were part of the group of citizens that was able to get the Portsmouth Square parking garage built in the 1960’s.
Betty has continued to honor the philanthropic spirit of her family. “It’s very important when you’re lucky that you give back to the community,” says Louie.
Besides her work in Chinatown, Betty is especially proud of being part of the committee that oversees the future of the San Francisco Tennis Club. She has also been a decades long supporter of Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. She has served on numerous nonprofit Boards throughout the years and currently serves on the Board of the Portsmouth Square Garage.