MIAMI, FL — February 24, 2023 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), the leading national organization for the development and representation of Hispanic and multicultural communications professionals, announced today its 2023-2025 board of directors. The organization also announced expansions of both its local and student chapters in key markets, allowing HPRA to better serve current and future multicultural communicators.
“Over the past two years, HPRA has seen incredible growth throughout all levels of the organization and has been fielding an overwhelming demand for Hispanic talent in our field,” said HPRA President Sonia V. Diaz. “We are proud to welcome our new board members and look forward to working together to meet the needs of the industry and ensure increased representation while fostering the next generation of Latino talent.”
New additions to the HPRA national board include WE Communications Vice President Erika Gonzalez, rbb Communications Vice President Julie Jimenez-Padron, LinkedIn Sr. Communications Manager Gorki De Los Santos, and University of Florida Associate Director for Student Engagement Natalie Asorey. Silicon Valley chapter president Vanessa Gonzales will also serve as HPRA’s national secretary.
2023-2025 National HPRA Board of Directors
The 2023/25 HPRA board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of communication leaders from agency, corporate, government, education, and non-profit organizations in consumer and business-to-business sectors.
• Sonia V. Diaz, Zaid Communications, president
• Jaime Rojas, Jr., Rojas Communications Group, president-elect
• Elia Verduzco, Orange County Transportation Authority, treasurer
• Vanessa Gonzales, PR and Corporate Communications Consultant, secretary
• Andy Checo, d’exposito & Partners, ¡Bravo! Awards committee chair
• Brenda Mendoza, Guardian, ¡Bravo! Awards committee co-chair
• Carla Santiago, Edelman Miami, director-at-large
• Darcy Brito, Aflac, director-at-large
• Erika Gonzalez, WE Communications director-at-large
• Gorki De Los Santos, LinkedIn, programming chair
• Jennifer Morales, Amazon Music, mentorship and student programs co-chair
• Julie Jimenez-Padron, rbb Communications, director-at-large
• Mario Flores, Sportivo, director-at-large
• Natalie Asorey, University of Florida, mentorship and student programs chair
• Oscar Suris, Edelman New York, director-at-large
As the leading voice for Hispanic communications professionals, HPRA’s national and local chapters work with brands, agencies, and industry partners to offer its members professional development, access to leading journalists and executives, and thought leadership opportunities. Through their support, HPRA also provides racially diverse students in communications disciplines access to scholarships and the opportunity to receive mentorship and professional experiences that will help them excel and succeed in the workforce.
HPRA currently operates in five markets including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Texas, and its newest chapter, Silicon Valley. HPRA Silicon Valley is the first Bay Area organization of its kind and was formed in 2022 to coalesce Latino communications professionals in the area and address disparity issues in the tech industry. Currently, Latinos represent 29% of the population in the region.
HPRA local chapter presidents include:
• Los Angeles – Maxine Enciso, Ketchum
• Miami – Mike Hernández, LSN
• New York – Erika Sanchez, Braid Communications
• Orange County – Sandra Bernardo, Experian
• Silicon Valley – Vanessa Gonzales, Sr. Corporate Communications Consultant
• Texas – Audrey Ponzio, APC Collective
Other additions to the network include new student chapters at Hofstra University, University of Oregon, and the University of Texas Austin. HPRA’s first student chapter at the University of Florida was established in 2020.
To learn more and get involved with the national organization or a local chapter, please email Vanessa Gonzales at info@hprausa.org.
About HPRA
Founded in 1984, HPRA is the leading national organization of Hispanic public relations and communications practitioners. As a resource for communication professionals and individuals seeking Hispanic market expertise, HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Latinos in the industry by providing year-round programs of professional development and networking. Through its student programs, HPRA is paving the way for the next phase of growth and evolution in the PR industry. For more information, visit www.hpra-usa.org.
