Moderated Q&A with Kristi Yamaguchi
In this unforgettable moderated conversation, gold medal figure skater, author, and philanthropist KRISTI YAMAGUCHI answers questions about her inspiring career path as a trailblazing founder and entrepreneur.
Wellness & Achievement
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI shares inspiring stories and practical guidance to help audiences integrate well-being into every aspect of their lives. Reflecting on her wildly successful portfolio career, Yamaguchi’s engagements empower and motivate listeners to enhance physical and mental wellness.
Always Dream: Leadership, Philanthropy, & Engagement
Olympic gold medalist KRISTI YAMAGUCHI gives audiences a window into her early childhood literacy initiatives through Always Dream, which finds innovative ways improve access books, technology, and family engagement strategies for children of historically and intentionally excluded communities. With discussions of her New York Times bestselling children’s books and award-winning philanthropic endeavors, Yamaguchi inspires audiences to create the change they want to see in the world.
Event Success Story: Kristi Yamaguchi inspires the next generation at Rockford Public Library
Olympic gold medalist KRISTI YAMAGUCHI headlined the Illinois Libraries Present’s “On Being Fabulous” at Rockford Public Library alongside Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness. The two stars discussed self-care, finding confidence, and being your most fabulous self. Longtime fan Jonathan Van Ness told The Washington Post, “don’t even get me started on Kristi Yamaguchi, because I love her” and described the event as a conversation with “his idol.”
Kristi Yamaguchi gives back to Hawaiian communities
Olympic gold medalist KRISTI YAMAGUCHI empowers childhood literacy initiatives through her Always Dream Foundation, which finds innovative ways improve access to books and technology. Yamaguchi’s reading program has provided families of pre-K and kindergarten students with a tablet, a digital children's library, and a book coach across 31 classrooms in 11 Hawaiian schools.
Yamaguchi’s appreciation for communities goes beyond her own foundation. She often teams up with other literacy advocates such as former pro football player Jessie Sapolu, also a Hawaii local. During the devastating Maui wildfires, Yamaguchi offered up her own home to climate refugees and confirmed that her program would continue in the Maui County area. Yamaguchi is an inspiring figure not only for her singular achievements but also for how she engages with her community.
Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic, U.S. and World Hall of Fame figure skater. She has won two World Championship Gold medals along with an Olympic Gold medal.
Kristi’s professional career has flourished both on and off the ice. When she joined the cast of Stars on Ice in 1992, her presence helped define the tour as the preeminent skating show in the world. She toured for 10 years, consistently delivering exquisite performances that brought audiences to their feet. During that time, she also won numerous professional competitions and frequently appeared on television specials. She served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and was one of the few artists asked to perform at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Kristi has also authored multiple books including: Figure Skating for Dummies, Always Dream, as well as New York Times Best-selling children’s books Dream Big, Little Pig!, and It's a Big World, Little Pig!.
Throughout her professional career, Kristi has been a highly sought after corporate spokesperson and done work with Kellogg’s® and the American Lung Association. She is the creator of, Tsuya, a clothing line that delivers the style that fits every part of an active lifestyle. Kristi’s victory on the sixth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is another achievement in a career marked with golden success.
One of Kristi’s lasting legacies will be her Always Dream Foundation (www.AlwaysDream.org) founded in 1996. It was established with one goal in mind: to find innovative ways to provide support for a diverse range of programs designed to inspire and embrace the hopes and dreams of children. Committed to the belief that early childhood literacy is the foundation on which all academic and life success is built, the Foundation has set its sights on improving access by children of low-income families to books and technology.
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