By: Camie Yokote, CPPR

Some people want to carve a career path different from the rest of their family, but Chrisie Yabu, APR, leaned into the influence of her mom and grandpa to become the newest inductee to the PR Hall of Fame. 

Growing up, Chrisie was an active member in California’s prevalent Japanese American basketball league, a dancer, an ice skater and a choir participant (now we know how she flawlessly juggles her plethora of clients). Her multitude of activities led her mom to take on the role of her publicist. 

“[My mom] used to hand write articles for the Japanese newspapers in San Francisco and send news about me or my brother, whether it be about a scholarship or an accolade in the community,” she said.

The influence of her mom and grandpa’s involvement with the media as an amateur videographer, photographer and MC for Japanese comedy skits helped to lead Chrisie’s professional path to being the vice president of public relations for KPS3. In her 25-year career, she has been tirelessly working to better the community through her clients, which includes the AAPI community. 

“I have a responsibility as a leader in this community to provide education and awareness about AAPI issues,” she said. “Telling [my grandpa’s] internment camp story and helping to amplify AAPI voices in my community and my profession is critical to creating an understanding of and connection to our issues.” 

Her family and heritage have long been influencers of her career path and passions, but the inspirations don’t stop there. Chrisie believes surrounding herself with hard-working, supportive and insightful people, like members of the PRSA Sierra Nevada chapter and her daughter, has helped to make her a better person. 

Although she has had many inspirations in her life, Chrisie has kept close to heart one impactful statement from her mentor, Joe Phelps. Keep this statement in mind, and Chrisie hopes it serves you just as well as it did her. 

“Get plenty of sleep, bend at the knees when you are moving boxes and don’t buy too many shoes with your bonus.”