Meet ACRS Employee Experience Director Jenelle Ebisu

After an extensive search, ACRS welcomed Jenelle Ebisu in February as the agency’s new Employee Experience Director, formerly known as the Human Resources Director.  The new title better centers the work of the human resources department around employees.

Jenelle has over nine years of experience in employee relations and most recently worked at the Sand Point Country Club as their director of human resources. Previously, she worked at the University of Washington Club in a similar position for nearly a decade and a half with progressive responsibilities that included working with diverse students, student clubs and activities.  She brings her experience and lessons she’s learned along the way to her new role at ACRS.

“One of my favorite books is The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz,” she said.  “I try to live by these Four Agreements each day and when I do, I find that my day is better for it.

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don’t take anything personally.
• Don’t make assumptions.
• Always do your best.

I have a copy of this book in my office and am happy to share it with anyone who is interested. It is a short, easy read and gives very concrete advice to a variety of situations.”

Jenelle believes in servant leadership and is passionate about issues of equity and social justice, and consultation.

“I’m really excited to get to know more about all of the employees at ACRS, as the employees are really important to the agency. People are the number one reason why we’re here in the first place,” she said.

A graduate of the University of Washington, Jenelle is a Yonsei, fourth-generation Japanese American. Originally from Hawaii, she has made her home in Seattle since 1996 and loves to play tennis and practice yoga in her spare time. She loves to enjoy meals with her family and friends, especially if they are serving Spam musubi.

“Each morning, my grandfather would serve me eggs over easy with white rice and soy sauce. For lunch, I would often have Spam musubi, a rice ball topped with spam and wrapped with nori. To this day, my comfort food when I am sick is Okayu, Japanese rice porridge,” Jenelle shared with  University of Washington’s Foods of the World series.