Bernice Chao

Head of Integrated Creative, Zambezi; Co-Founder, Asians in Advertising

Bernice Chao is the Head of Integrated Creative at Zambezi, the largest female-owned agency in America. Bernice has worked on campaigns for notable brands like HBO, Google, Chime, Nissan, and many others. She currently leads the agency's effort to grow School, the social division. 

Bernice is as dedicated to the advertising craft as she is to giving back to the community around her. As one of the few female Asian American creative leaders in the United States, she is helping shape the AAPI community as the co-founder of the non-profit organization Asians in Advertising and host of the AIA podcast. She has also created mentorship and scholarship programs for the AAPI community.

Bernice has been featured on Forbes, Adweek, Nightline, Ad Age, and The Muse. Bernice has given over 30 talks at SXSW, the 3% Conference, news stations, AAPI rallies, Fortune 500 corporations, and agencies. Bernice recently partnered with Adweek to curate a yearly month-long initiative, "Asian Talent Showcase," and has co-written The Visibility Mindset, a book empowering AAPI with strategies for career growth.

Bernice's love for fueling new ideas has led her to be a TEDxCulverCity chapter president, hosting nine sold-out events, speech writing workshops, and giving talks about how to make an impactful speech for large-scale conference workshops. Bernice continues to inspire the next generation by teaching creative marketing at Loyola Marymount University, with her students receiving first and second in the 2022 Effies collegiate competition. 

Bernice graduated with honors in graphic design from Art Center College of Design. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Matt and their two young children, Beckett and Mattie. 

Inductee, 2022 Advertising Hall of Achievement

Last Updated: August 2022