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Mai Whelan's extraordinary journey encompasses a life shaped by resilience and a commitment to making a positive impact. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Mai faced poverty and oppression, forcing her family to seek refuge in a Fort Indiantown Gap refugee camp in Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Mennonite Church, Mai's family established roots in New Holland, PA, where she embraced her Vietnamese heritage while assimilating into American culture.
Defying family expectations, Mai enlisted in the United States Navy, marking the beginning of her service that granted her unparalleled travel experiences. Post-retirement, she managed a catering business and restaurant in Chicago, immersing herself in the Windy City's vibrant atmosphere. Shortly after, the Gold Coast beckoned once more, guiding Mai to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Her subsequent role as an Immigration Officer in Virginia, following a move back east, strengthened her profound connection with the people she served. A decade-long tenure with the Department of Homeland Security ultimately concluded with her second retirement.
Recently, Mai's life took a surprising turn when she emerged victorious in Netflix's hit series Squid Game: The Challenge. From a shy Vietnamese girl to a formidable force among 456 contestants, she defied expectations. Now retired, Mai is using her growing platform and subsequent wins to dig her heels further into her philanthropic nature. Already dedicated to causes close to her heart: supporting Unbound, Conservation International, Humane Society of the United States, and Paws of War, to name a few. She hopes her newfound awareness in the public eye can also help establish a sustainable non-profit of her own dedicated to animal rescue with emotional healing for individuals in need, demonstrating the power of discipline and focus in creating positive change.
Alongside her philanthropic nature, Mai has established herself as a budding public speaker. She has touched on topics such as self-awareness, learning from life's mistakes, spreading love and kindness, and discussing the complexities of online dating. Her speaking engagements include speaking at Virginia's Uscis Women's History Month Event. Looking ahead, fans can also expect Mai's official memoir to hit shelves, which will aim to share reflections on seeking a better life through self-awareness. Fans from the hit Netflix series can also keep their eyes peeled for a potential follow-up encompassing her personal experience throughout her time on Squid Game: The Challenge.
Mai resides in North Carolina alongside her supportive husband and two dogs, Stoli and Cher.
