Kobi Yamada

Kobi Yamada serves as the President/CEO of Compendium, Incorporated, an inspiring gift and publishing company. He is also a multiple New York Times bestselling author including the award-winning picture books: "What Do You Do With An Idea?," "What Do You Do With A Problem?," "What Do You Do With A Chance?," "Maybe," "Because I Had A Teacher," "Trying," "Finding Muchness," "Feeling Grateful," "The Candy Dish," "Noticing," "Because of You, Mom" and "Because of You, Dad." The books have sold millions of copies, inspired a dance performance, a symphony performance, musical theater performances and an upcoming animated film. His titles have been translated into over thirty languages.

Since 1992, Mr. Yamada and his staff have created numerous critically-acclaimed lines of inspirational books, products and programs. Compendium has had the honor of collaborating with some of the most recognized brands and retailers including: Target, Starbucks, Amazon, Nordstrom, Costco and Barnes & Noble. Compendium’s products are featured in thousands of stores throughout the world.

Honors include: Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 List of Fast Growing Private Companies in America; Puget Sound Business Journal’s 100 Fastest Growing Businesses Hall of Fame; Puget Sound Business Journal’s 50 Largest Minority-Owned Businesses; Puget Sound Business Journal’s 75 Top Corporate Philanthropists; Seattle Mayor’s Small Business Award, Winner of Washington CEO’s “Best Companies To Work For; Seattle Magazine’s Best Places to Work; NW Asian Weekly’s Asian American Entrepreneur of the Year for Leadership; the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award recognizing the region’s top 40 business leaders under the age of 40; Gold Medal Winner Independent Publishing Book Awards; Washington State Book Award’s Scandiuzzi Gold Medal Winner; multiple Christopher Awards; Nautilus Gold Medal, “Parent’s Choice” Award for excellence in children’s product design; multiple LOUIE Awards including Greeting Card of the Year and Kobi was inducted into San Diego State University’s Hall of Fame for Athletic Achievement.

Mr. Yamada has served on the PAWS Board of Trustees, the University Prep and University Child Development School Board of Trustees, and as the Past Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Board of Trustees.

Mr. Yamada is 54 years old, married to Heidi Wills, has two children and lives just north of Seattle in the idyllic town of Edmonds, Washington in the United States of America.