The Hawaii Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced its 2020 Board of Directors.
“We’re looking at what this new decade will mean for the public relations industry,” says Mondy Jamshidi Kent, MA, PRSA Hawaii president. “Whether responding to today’s top issues, concerns in crisis communications to navigating climate change, it’s an exciting time and our board is ready to address the needs of our community in a rapidly changing environment.”
The PRSA 2020 Board of Directors are as follows:
- President, Mondy Jamshidi Kent. MA (Principal & Social Business Resource, Practivist LLC)
- Immediate Past President, Keith DeMello (Director of Communications & Community, Ulupono Initiative)
- President-Elect, William Nhieu (Communications Officer, State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs)
- Secretary, Maribell Pabalan (Account Executive, Anthology Marketing Group)
- Treasurer, Jaclyn Hawse (Director of Communications & Business Development, USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc.)
- Assembly Delegate & Western District Delegate, Jen Armstrong, APR (Owner & Principal, StrongArm Communications)
- Programs, Christina Culianos (Owner of CC Productions and Director of Events at Easley Designs)
- Accreditation Director, Liane Hu Okumura (Communications & Public Relations Director, Olomana Loomis ISC)
- Education Director & Student Chapter Liaison, Amy Hennessey, (Senior Vice President, Communications & Community, Ulupono Initiative)
- Ethics, Robert Washington (Senior Account Executive, Anthology Marketing Group)
- Koa Anvil Awards – Awards, T. Ilihia Gionson (Owner & Principal, Hiehie Communications)
- Koa Anvil Awards – Event Chair, Huy Vo (Director of Public Relations, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach)
- Membership, Pono Suganuma (Senior Account Executive, Bennet Group Strategic Communications)
- Public Relations/Communications, Christine Hirasa (Vice President, Communications, HMSA)
- Website, Richard Meiers (Digital Communications Manager, Bayer)
- Young Professionals Resource Chair, Keenan Kurihara (Director of Marketing & Communications, Maryknoll School)
The 2020 Board represents a diverse cross-section of leaders from several sectors that Jamshidi Kent says will position the organization to deliver even greater value and new benefits.
The PRSA Hawaii Chapter will host regular professional development and networking programs, as well as showcase the best in public relations industry at the 37th Annual Koa Anvils Awards on Thursday, July 23, 2020 and plans are already in the development to host advanced professional opportunities not offered in Hawaii.
In addition, PRSA Hawaii will host the PRSA National Western District Conference in spring 2021, bringing PR professionals from the entire region to Hawaii for the first time since 2003.
ABOUT PRSA HAWAII
Founded in 1947, PRSA Hawaii is one of six founding chapters of the PRSA. The chapter’s mission is to build value, understanding, and the demand for public relations professionals in Hawaii.
PRSA Hawaii is committed to advancing the standards of the public relations profession and supporting students and young practitioners who are developing skills in the field. Professional development seminars, informational forums, skills workshops, and monthly luncheon programs are offered to more than 300 public relations professionals and students across the state.
PRSA Hawaii is a vibrant organization comprised of an active nucleus on Oahu, a progressive affinity group on Maui, and over 100 members across the state. The organization also mentors a Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The Hawaii chapter is one of 117 chapters grouped into 10 geographical districts. PRSA Hawaii is part of the Western District, which includes chapters from Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada. Visit the PRSA Western District website for more information.
For more information, including bios and photos of the 2020 PRSA Board of Directors, visit: www.prsahawaii.org.
