HPRA OC helps members thrive in 2021

HISPANIC PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION (HPRA) ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER MARKS FIRST YEAR

Despite launching during a pandemic, the start-up chapter thrived

The new Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) Orange County (OC) chapter recently marked its one-year anniversary and announced its 2021 Executive Board of Directors slates with four returning members. Despite challenges during a pandemic year, the organization for communications professionals working with the US Hispanic market accomplished several goals in its launch year and is planning for continued growth in 2021.

Executive Board of Directors members—also the original chapter founders—returning for year two of their terms include:

President, Sandra Bernardo, APR, Senior Communications Manager, Experian, Costa Mesa, CA
Vice President, Lizz Mishreki, APR, Director of Public Relations, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA
Secretary, Gladys Hernandez, Director of Marketing & Advocacy, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Santa Ana, CA
Treasurer, Betty Martinez, Account Executive, FSB Public Affairs, Anaheim, CA

The Executive Board of Directors also includes Chairpersons Julio Bermejo, Assistant Professor,

Department of Communications, California State University, Fullerton (Social Media); Adriana Galdamez, Public Affairs Manager, Cox Communications (Public Relations); Suzy Leanos, Account Executive, Westbound Communications (Brand Marketing), and Marklem Valdovinos, Senior Director of Community Impact, American Heart Association of Orange County (College Outreach).

“Orange County is home to major brands as well as public relations and advertising agencies serving the US Hispanic market, so it was a natural fit to launch a chapter,” said HPRA OC President Sandra Bernardo. “Whether our members are Hispanic, bicultural, bilingual or work with the Hispanic community, HPRA OC is designed to help members lead balanced and diverse communication strategies for internal and external audiences. We’re very pleased with the reception our chapter has received so far and are excited about thriving in 2021 with more great programming and a growing membership.”

HPRA OC virtual events in 2021 will address key topics and trends such as the rising importance of internal communications and reaching diverse workforces, the pulse of the Hispanic market, insights on Census data, navigating the changing landscape of Spanish-language media, best practices for strategic communications during COVID-19, and Diversity & Inclusion. The chapter will afford insights from corporate executives, journalists, authors, and university professors, as well as bring to the region the opportunity to enter the organization’s national BRAVO Awards that honor the best Hispanic communications campaigns.

In 2021, the HPRA OC chapter will also be expanding its student initiative. The chapter is partnering with local universities to support students and recent graduates of public relations programs through mentoring, class projects, and career development.

Membership in HPRA OC for professionals is $125 per year and student dues are $35 per year. To join HPRA OC, visit www.hpra-usa.org. For news and events, follow HPRA OC on Facebook @hpraocchapter, and LinkedIn, HPRA-Orange County. For more information, email hpra.occhapter@gmail.com.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) is a national organization that represents communications professionals with an interest in the Hispanic market. Founded in 1984 by a group of Latino public relations practitioners, HPRA has been advancing the practice of Hispanic public relations as a marketing discipline, serving as the voice of professionals working in Hispanic communications nationwide, empowering its members through support, resources and education; and offering scholarship opportunities to public relations college students, awarding nearly $500,000 in scholarships for over 30 years. HPRA chapters are located in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Texas, and the Carolinas. Members represent corporate, non-profit, and government sectors across industries such as healthcare, higher education, housing, retail, and technology.