Bernice Chao is the co-founder of Asians in Advertising and is a speaker, moderator, and guest lecturer on Asian American advocacy, women in advertising, and personal branding. As one of the few female Asian American creative leaders in the United States, she is shaping the community as the co-founder of the non-profit Asians in Advertising, a global community advocating for AAPI.
She is featured in Forbes, The Muse, Google, Adage, SXSW, Adweek, and more. Most recently, she's partnering with Adweek to curate a yearly month-long initiative, "Asian Talent Showcase." She is also the author of "The Visibility Mindset," a book empowering AAPI with strategies for career growth.
THE VISIBILITY MINDSET is a guide to help Asian Americans find their voice, get noticed, and elevate their career. Since Asians in America are still an invisible minority, this book will equip you with the tools you need to become visible in the workplace. Although bamboo ceilings, the model minority myth, and other stereotypes may have impeded Asians from leadership ranks for decades, this book will empower individuals to overcome these obstacles and guide them throughout their careers.
Used in universities as an advertising textbook
ADVERTISING BY DESIGN is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to concept generation and design for advertising. Step-by-step instructions and expert discussion guide you through the fundamentals, develop a deeper understanding that connects the dots and sparks your creativity. Interviews with leading creatives provide a glimpse into the real-world idea generation process, and case studies of successful ads allow you to dissect process and result to discover the keys to effective advertising.
Featured on Forbes, Freshbooks, FoundersFund, and Amazon bestseller list
BRANDING QUICKIES is a collection written by 20 amazing women who are well experienced and killing it in the branding game. It is filled with diverse wisdom and authentic insight meant to inspire and teach other makers and entrepreneurs. You will learn to level-up your business and brand, LEARN tips about growing, PREP your personal brand, and build yourself.
Panelist for ThinkLA
Speaker for LA Futures
Bell High School's Alpha Program Speaker
Speaker for USC
ABC News Nightline feature
Panelist for ThinkLA
Panelist at David&Goliath
Teacher at LMU
“Just want to say I’m a huge fan. I always check your Creative Corner every month (and attended so many helpful talks!) and recently found out about Asians in Advertising, which I’m super grateful for. I signed up for all the Asian Leadership Speaker events, looking forward to attending them! Thank you for providing so many great resources for entry-level advertising professionals, such as myself. I appreciate all the work you do!”
“Bernice Chao is a very warm, engaging and personable speaker who connects well with all audiences - large, or small, young, or old. She captured the minds of the students of Bell High School’s ALPHA Academy - bestowing on them knowledge of her as a person, and of her as a creative professional, as well as of her profession. Bernice left the students and campus aglow, and I highly recommend her as a speaker.”
“Her talk is really inspiring. I used to be daunted by coming up with a creative strategy, but now I know it takes time to cultivate “creative taste”.
”I was very touched when Bernice said we are welcome to reach out to her for a tour of the company, to learn more about her job, or to ask about internships.”
”I was so surprised when Bernice sat down with us to help us brainstorm. She was so helpful and pushed us to think more critically. It was such a special and unique opportunity to work closely with a guest speaker, especially because it related directly to the project we are working on for class.”
“Bernice is the 💣The only things more impressive than her passion for helping others are: her sharp intelligence, boundless creativity, and effortless cool. We’re so lucky to have Bernice part of our M-School program.”
“Bernice Chao was a dynamic guest speaker. She explored relevant topics and innovative case studies that engaged our university’s students.”
“We have known Bernice Chao through a major career pathway program we deliver to public high schools throughout Los Angeles. Bernice has been a valuable presenter and mentor, providing underserved students with the insights and motivation they need to envision themselves in future job roles. Most important, the optimism she imparts stirs in them their own confidence, higher expectation and desire to succeed. As an accomplished professional Bernice is invaluable; she brings the ‘real’ to real-world learning experience.”
“Bernice! I must also say a big thank you for creating Asians in Advertising. The people I met thanks to that meet-up have been extremely kind and helpful and I am eternally grateful to you everyone backing Asians in Advertising!”
“I highly recommend Bernice as a speaking coach. She not only gives great ideas but provides them very efficiently. In our first 45 minute session, she was able to go from never having heard my talk to helping me craft an improved ending and improve the middle structure of the talk.”
“Bernice has a marvelous presentation style that is polished, and engaging. Whether she is speaking on stage or with you one-one, it’s refreshingly evident that all she wants is be of service and use her knowledge and experience to light the way for others.”
“Bernice was awesome and supportive of the kids and we would love to have her return whenever possible!”
“Hi, Bernice!! Reaching out to let you know the good news that I’ve just accepted a full-time role with Pepsi here in NY on their Design and Innovation Team :) I know for a fact that I never would’ve gotten this role had you not critiqued my portfolio, and I am eternally grateful for your wisdom and female empowered support. Thank you so much again, and hope to stay in touch :)”